Won't eat canned food but gobbles up tuna...

[emo]

Help!
My vet wants me to fatten up my cat, Clyde by adding tuna & oil (olive oil or oil from tuna) to his food. The only problem is that he'll eat the tuna but won't eat his food. He's on Royal Canin Green Peas & Duck Limited Ingredient canned food to control his IBD.

I know that he can't live on tuna alone...even though he would disagree with me! Any suggestions?

It doesn't look like Royal Canin has any seafood Limited Ingredient foods. The vet had me stop the dry food and he is doing much better and is a lot less gassy!

He's been doing much better about pooping in the box but still misses every once and awhile. The new vet has us keep him in his "room" when we can't directly supervise him. At least when he poops outside the box now it's just on tile so it's quick and easy to clean up!

[happylabs]

Have you tried mixing the tuna in with his other food and just the oil from the tuna? I know cats can be way finicky! My guys will eat their canned Friskies one night and then the next night they will just lick the gravy off! It is very frustrating, isn't it.

[emo]

I sure have! Mixing it doesn't do much...he'll just eat the parts with tuna and leave the rest. His food is so expensive anyway that I hate to waste it. I was giving him half a can in AM and the other half in PM but now I'm down to 1/4 can each time and he's still barely eating it.

It sucks too because he was eating his food pretty good before I started giving him the tuna. It's like now that he knows that there is better tasting food for him he doesn't need the other stuff.

I know that when I try to give him just his food if I don't put Olive Oil on it he won't even touch it. The vet told me to try bacon drippings too since he jumps on the counter looking for it. I gave him some the other day and then he threw up right away so that's why I'm sticking with the tuna.

Do you think I should try a different flavor of cat food like the Green Pea & Venison? I just worry about switching his food sometimes. Actually since they are both Limited Ingredient I should be fine right? Or do I need to mix the new and old?

AHH...I love Clyde so much but he is a very high maintenance cat. He's going to be 9 in October and I've had him for 1 year the beginning of August. I'm his 3rd owner and his most patient one!! I'm not giving up on him!

[happylabs]

I would try another flavor and mix them at first. I wonder if there is anything else you could sprinkle on his food that he would be allowed to eat and he would like. I am not as experienced at this as some of the other PT people here so maybe someone else will have some good suggestions. I know what you mean, about loving him. I love all of my guys so much too and worry about them as well when they are not feeling well or won't eat.

[emo]

I saw that Halo has some food additive sprinkles in Salmon, chicken, & beef flavor that are all natural but I just don't know. I'm so surprised that the new vet recommended that I give him "people" food. He just said to do one thing at a time and if upsets his system to stop and wait till it gets back to normal then try something else.

I do appreciate your input though...this website has been a lifesaver!! I've gotten so much good advice especially with some rocky times with Clyde. He did not adjust well to us moving in with my bf but he seems to be doing better now. I think that he still misses my apt!

Thanks!

[Sundance]

One of our cats has problems digesting cat food (severe diarrhea) so our vet recommended that we give her boneless chicken breast. I have to add 1/8 tsp of bone meal (available at the drug store) twice a day and 1/2 of a Felo-form vitamin (available at the vet's office) once a day. I just crush the vitamin and mix it right in with the food. She's been on this diet for almost a year now and is doing well, despite being 14 years old, diabetic, and hyperthyroid. Good luck with your kitty!