Raw Diet: Too Much Protein = Need for Vegetables

[Nicolemorgan]

Good news, everyone!

Max and Min's blood and urine test results came back today (not only did Max have a poopy and peepy day yesterday, he also had blood and urine withdrawn).

The results show absolutely no abnormalities!! Now I can stop the Kidney Support additive and increase their protein a bit (just under their former levels), plus I'm going to add some broccoli to their diet as a little filler too. OH, and of course add extra water to help with any excess protein elimination.

THEN I'll get their blood and urine tested again in about another month or so to make sure I'm on track with their diet.

And... Max has no more barfy times since we've reduced the protein -- so his barfy time was as a result of too much protein staying in his system. FINALLY!!!!

I'm so relieved.

Oh that is so wonderful to hear @Xandria!!!
SOOOO nice when you can finally figure out what is going on. So it's great that their levels are good, you know what's going on with their diet and that Max hasn't thrown up. Makes me so happy for you all!
Big hugs!

 

[Xandria]

Oh that is so wonderful to hear @Xandria!!!
SOOOO nice when you can finally figure out what is going on. So it's great that their levels are good, you know what's going on with their diet and that Max hasn't thrown up. Makes me so happy for you all!
Big hugs!

Thank you. What a road it's been, but I've learned so much more. Now if only the chew monster aka Min would calm down. ha ha.

 

[naomi]

Hello, everyone. I have been largely absent lately from this awesome forum due to far too much going on in my life. But things are starting to slow down, thankfully.

I had some blood work done on Min this week and her results were very similar to Max's (The Life & Barfy Times of Maximillian von Strange). In other words, slightly elevated BUN and Hematocrit, affecting kidneys, and likely caused by too much protein. Thankfully there are no dangerous levels involved, and this is remediable.

One of the things I like about my vet is that I can engage him in conversation. He knows that I provide a raw food diet with appropriate percentages. The issue seems to be that they are eating so much in a day, they are not eliminating the excess protein. While they pee all the time, it's just not enough to contend with the amount of protein in their system. Obviously I can't get them to drink more water.

The vet explained that I could put them on a low-protein medical cat food, but he's fully aware that I want to feed a homemade cat food diet. So he suggested the addition of vegetables and a little reduction of the protein.

This made me laugh a little bit, because I've been such as staunch defender of the model prey diet. But the way the vet explained it to me is that if cats are predominantly outdoors, then a carnivorous diet is appropriate. But because Max and Min are indoor cats, they simply don't burn through the amount of protein that they take in on a daily basis.

Now I do understand why there are times that cats need to be fed vegetables! I have seen the light!

Anyway, the vegetables that he suggested to me are as follows:

• Green peppers,
• Red peppers,
• Broccoli,
• Cabbage,
• Spinach, and
• Bok choy.

This shouldn't be a problem as I keep most of the above in the house on a regular basis anyway. And I just made a huge batch of cat food for the freezer, so I can tinker with the vegetable amounts until I feel it's appropriate. THEN I can mix it in directly when I make the next batch.

The vet said I can just feed the vegetables raw and puréed.

As a side note, the vet took some urine from Min today just to confirm that it was diet related, and that there are no potential kidney issues.

I welcome any additional information on this subject or comments. Thank you so much for listening.

And of course… Just because…

Min!!!
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Max!!!
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Hey Xan! I also have been absent lately due to extreme business. My busy schedule will continue for a while but that's ok because it is all stuff I want to be doing (I'll post a thread about it when I have a chance) I'm glad to hear that you and your vet are figuring out what is going on with your kitties. I hope this works and no more barffy times!

 

[Kate]

I am so glad to hear that things are on track! Phew! Max and Min are so lucky to have you.

What .... no just because pictures??

 

[lealea]

@Kate is right, where's the just because pictures?

Great news about the bloods, you are a super mum @Xandria Max and Min are so lucky to have you taking such good care of them

 

[Toa and Ross]

Good news, everyone!

Max and Min's blood and urine test results came back today (not only did Max have a poopy and peepy day yesterday, he also had blood and urine withdrawn).

The results show absolutely no abnormalities!! Now I can stop the Kidney Support additive and increase their protein a bit (just under their former levels), plus I'm going to add some broccoli to their diet as a little filler too. OH, and of course add extra water to help with any excess protein elimination.

THEN I'll get their blood and urine tested again in about another month or so to make sure I'm on track with their diet.

And... Max has no more barfy times since we've reduced the protein -- so his barfy time was as a result of too much protein staying in his system. FINALLY!!!!

I'm so relieved.

YAY! So happy to read this update!

 

[Xandria]

Thanks, everyone.

And... just because (you are so right!)

 

[Toa and Ross]

@Xandria I think this are way to less just because pics!

 

[naomi]

Great pics as always @Xandria ! I love to see how well max and min are getting along. She looks like she has been growing like a champ!

 

[123456]

Ohh, this made me even more confused then I been ... I do not know if I understand well but from this thread @Xandria you meant that comercial food can be more balanced?? Actually on my post from yesterday and trip to vet, the vet told me also cats should not have high protein diet. Is all so confusing. Have u revised your raw food guide already? May I ask you for a link please? Im afraid now home made food can be harmful to little Karl more then a beneficial.. And I already ordered the B.A.R.F. - raw food supplements for calcium and taurin and minerals etc...

 

[123456]

Thanks, everyone.

And... just because (you are so right!)

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through reading their jurney I felt you so much! Awww is dificult job with these babies to keep n choose best care for them!
Anyways they look amazing <3 so lovely! I am glad they r now in good health n shape!

 

[Xandria]

@Suki -- Hi there! I haven't updated the guide yet, but the only thing I need to add is that if a Sphynx is eating a LOT of raw, then it's possible that they're eating more protein than their bodies can utilize which results in kidney issues (minor). But apart from that, the information is the same and can be found here: Raw Cat Food Information | Sphynxlair

Let us know how it goes with Karl. HUGS

 

[Condo commando]

Could it be a misunderstanding and the vet meant that cats need a lot of protein?

A healthy cat's diet is supposed to be protein and fat, with minimal carbs. The only time I was told to lower the protein % was with a cat that had kidney disease. My cat had one functioning kidney to begin and then as she aged, the other kidney started losing function. Once that happens the rules change, but normally protein is good for them.

A raw diet is also good because of the water content.

 

[Condo commando]

Could it be a misunderstanding and the vet meant that cats need a lot of protein?

A healthy cat's diet is supposed to be protein and fat, with minimal carbs. The only time I was told to lower the protein % was with a cat that had kidney disease. My cat had one functioning kidney to begin and then as she aged, the other kidney started losing function. Once that happens the rules change, but normally protein is good for them.

A raw diet is also good because of the water content.

 

[Xandria]

@Condo commando -- absolutely protein is essential. And the water content of a raw diet is fabulous. Cats are obligate carnivores.

In my case, the vet explained that like eating anything -- if there is too much for the body to use, it either gets flushed away or, in some cases, can affect the organs. My guys, especially Max, was trying to eat nearly half a pound of raw at each meal. That is too much for them, as was evidenced by Max's barfy times(tm). Working with the vet, I found the right amount of protein for them, adding a little veg for filler, plus extra water and they're great -- no more barfy Max except on the rare occasion he eats something he shouldn't. sigh.

I think they look healthy any way...

a pic from a few days ago as they were waking up

and another body shot

 

[123456]

@Condo commando -- absolutely protein is essential. And the water content of a raw diet is fabulous. Cats are obligate carnivores.

In my case, the vet explained that like eating anything -- if there is too much for the body to use, it either gets flushed away or, in some cases, can affect the organs. My guys, especially Max, was trying to eat nearly half a pound of raw at each meal. That is too much for them, as was evidenced by Max's barfy times(tm). Working with the vet, I found the right amount of protein for them, adding a little veg for filler, plus extra water and they're great -- no more barfy Max except on the rare occasion he eats something he shouldn't. sigh.

I think they look healthy any way...

a pic from a few days ago as they were waking up

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and another body shot

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they look soooo adorable <3