Is Ensure safe for cats?

[karlyb]

My 13 y/o Himalayan boy Bailey stopped eating about three weeks ago after I picked him up from being boarded for ten days when I was out of town. I think he was stressed due to the upset in his schedule. I gave him syringe feedings of baby food until he started eating again but he is still not eating as much as he should and hasn't made up the 1-1/4# weight loss. I asked the vet tech if I can give him Ensure and she said no, but didn't give any reason why not. I've been giving him Nutrical but I'd like to be prepared to give him the Ensure if he cuts back on eating again. Thanks for any advise.

Karly

[Craftlady]

Ensure is a milk product - cats are not lactose tolerant.
They cant digest it properly. Cat's end up with a good case of the runs. It's going to take a while to make up that weight loss. The supplement your giving is good.
Leave out normal food maybe try a can food as a "treat".

[kb2yjx]

As I RN, I strongly agree with the above post!!! Some human patients do not tolerate Ensure well at all and have terrible diarrhea!!! Have you tried the " milk" for cats that is in the pet food aisle??? It is specially formulated for cats, and they usually love it!!! Also, chicken baby food is a good way to tempt your kitty to eat!!!