[RodentzRule]

Just to clear it up, flickering left the thread, happens alot to prevent arguments. Your cat definatley needs vet care, no question, but you know that by now. The only reason I posted was to say dont 'introduce' the new diet over a period of time, scrap the science now, if your cat is seeking the human food already then it needs a new diet straight away. I wouldnt normally suggest it but in this case I felt it was neccesary

 

[Chinchi]

Just because it want's human food, it doesn't have to do with the cat food it gets.
As I said, our cat wants food all the time, even though he's better now, and isn't loosing weight.

 

[RodentzRule]

Sorry. Most cats are more well behaved than dogs and apart from scrounging food from people they dont tend to seek it out

 

[Chinchi]

That's your opinion.
Our cat has always stolen our food, and nothing is wrong with him in that way. Like potatoes. He does not like them, but if he gets to steal a potato, he loves it.

And more or less all the cats I know, love human food...
Might just be because we do not feed plain cat food, but sometimes cook them some food like liver and stuff like that. I do not know if this is something you do in the US...

 

[RodentzRule]

Im not in the US, im in the UK Our cat gets fed cooked food, he loves his fish the most but he usually gets chicken. He doesnt steal food and neither do any cats I know but I guess thats just me Some cats steal food for fun but if the cat is eating the food (apart from meat) thats when its a problem

 

[Kendalle]

our cat couldn't care less about meat, he wants to steal doughnuts, and twinkies, and the other wants yogurt and ice cream and sometimes cheese

 

[Sasami]

While we're on the subject, I wanted to add that my friend feeds high-quality cat food but one of their cats (they have two) steals human food. Once he stole a whole turkey :lol:.

 

[RodentzRule]

Wow, you guys have some strange cats! Or is it my cat thats wierd? He will only eat meat, do you guys all have indoor only cats? Mine is indoor outdoor so has a taste for hunting, maybe thats why...

 

[Kendalle]

we had an out side cat that caught a duck and gave it to her 3-4 week old kitens. it was far bigger than the moma cat.

ours are indoor cats that wouldn't know what to do with hunting. the one is grossed out by feathers, and the other is scared of bugs.

 

[Chinchi]

While we're on the subject, I wanted to add that my friend feeds high-quality cat food but one of their cats (they have two) steals human food. Once he stole a whole turkey :lol:.

:lol:

 

[Jennicat]

Animals are motivated by high value foods, and every animal is different. My dog, for example, eats venison and sweet potato grain free dog food. She also steals leaves of turnip greens whenever I'm preparing them to eat them.

Stealing food is about the reward associated with an extra delicious food, not because their food isn't whole.

 

[Kendalle]

what food do you feed jennicat i was thinking about changing mine

 

[tommycat]

I am sorry, after reading all of this, I've forgotten your name who wants the help.
The vet is the only one who can know for sure. They need to do blood work and possibly X-rays. It cost us between $200-$300. He was diagnosed with Diabetes. Sign of diabetes is always hungry but keeps losing weight, lethargy, excessive drinking and urinating. But throwing up wasn't part of his problem. He was diagnosed in August and we gave him 2 insulin shots a day. Sometimes he'd do okay, but he still lost weight and was still drinking lots of water and urinating huge amounts. This is very fresh for me to tell--but he passed away last night. We believe he had something else going on and the vet was so focused on the diabetes, she didn't think there would be other problems. The vet said his X-rays showed bones all through his intestines. I know he never had access to any, but she argued me to death that it was bones. After this happened, my husband and I think he had some sort of cancer that looked like bones on the X-ray. He was absolutely fine Thursday morning, and Thursday night he frantically kept drinking water and immediately throwing it up, and kept doing this over & over until we had to take the water away. We would just give him a few tablespoons at a time and he STILL threw it up. At first, I thought he was having a "low" so I treated him with corn syrup and it didn't help a bit. Finally, he just collapsed and layed, and layed until early this morning when I got up and found him dead. He was 14 years old and I knew at this point it was serious and progressed enough there was nothing the vet could do but put him to sleep. I wanted him to die at home. Anyway, that's my story and I'm as confused about the food as you are. I tried some all-natural high protein/no grain food, and none of them would eat it. But I wish you luck, and please just take your cat to the vet.

 

[somebody]

Thanks for the response!

I consulted with my brother and he does not think that the food we are feeding her is the problem. We feed her Science Diet catfood and it is of great quality!

She is also experiencing some hair loss, has increase thirst, increased urination, and is 'ravenous', but she does have a high energy level.

Any other opinions/suggestions are appreciated!

These, in addition to the increased appetite and weight loss are all signs of hyperthyroid disease, (though it could be other things, or a combination of things, such as kidney failure, and diabetes)

Please take your cat to the vet, and do not put it off any longer, her body is literally starving itself, she will die without medical intervention.

Science diet is not all that great of a food, but it's beside the point, your cat is in need of immediate veterinary attention.

 

[somebody]

Hi Again,

Thanks to everyone who responded and provided recommendations, especially Flickering! Without her advice, I would not have known that Science Diet is not a good quality cat food. Now that I know, I am going to feed her a different food. Please do not leave the forum flickering, you have been very helpful.

And to everyone else, how much would you guess the vet bill is going to be? My brother seems to think it is either a kidney problem or hyperthyroidism. Do you all know how appx. how much it costs to treat a cat with these complications? About how much will it cost for an initial check-up? What about putting her to sleep, would this be considered serious enough to justify that?

Thanks again!

These are not curable diseases. They are maintainable for a time, sometimes a long time, with treatment. The diagnostics, meaning blood work usually runs between $100-$200 depending on where you live.

The cat, if she has diabetes, hyperthyroid, or kidney disease, or any combination of these or other diseases will need to be on medications and/or treatments for life, including regular vet visits and blood work as needed.

Please take her to the vet, she's probably already suffering.

 

[somebody]

Our cat has kidney problems, and it was fairly reasonable to diagnose and work with. Initially he was given an exam and blood tests (it's been a while, but it was around $200), and then was put onto a prsecription food that was made for a kidneys. (It is also the dreaded Science Diet -- however, they do make excellent prescription foods). He also gets a supplement in his wet food each night that's aimed at boosting his kidneys.

Over the years, his bloodwork has slowly improved, and now he's got better kidney function. Sometimes it doesn't (the kidneys stay the same) but the food is designed not to stress them as much so that there is not more damage.
He was diagnosed roughly 9 years ago, and he's still fine now.

He was taken in because he started barfing a lot as well. Our vet told us that as the kidneys begin failing, it will make the cat slightly nauseous. There are lots of other things that can, as well (just like with people -- nausea is a pretty common symptom), but with Loki it turned out to be his kidneys.

Just to clarify, Hills is the manufacturer of both Science Diet, the grocery store food and Prescription Diet formulas.

There is a very big difference between the two. Science Diet is the grocery store formula.

The Prescription formulas are not called Science Diet, they are called Prescription Diet with coded initials after the words, indicating what disease they are targeting. (for instance Hills Prescription k/d is for cats with kidney disease, and Hills Prescription c/d is for cats with FLUTD)

They are made the way they are for a reason, to target specific diseases, and I agree with you Jennicat that they are excellent for what they are for.

 

[bliss10982]

Hi VTHokies
I honestly don't know how much the vet bill will be. However, until your cat sees a vet you won't know what's wrong. If you are unable to afford taking care of your cat, please seek out someone who can. Also, many vet offices will work out payment plans for you so that you can afford the treatment your animals need. Please do not neglect the welfare of your pet because of lack of funds.

 

[belladodo]

How is your kitty?

I was wondering if you ever found out what was wrong with your kitty. My cat has the same symptoms and I know it is not from bad food.

Thanks for ANY help you can give.

 

[ankydas]

Before changing your pets food you must consult with a good vet. It is recommended to take your pet for regular checkups and treatments.

 

[delea13]

Thanks for the response!

I consulted with my brother and he does not think that the food we are feeding her is the problem. We feed her Science Diet catfood and it is of great quality!

She is also experiencing some hair loss, has increase thirst, increased urination, and is 'ravenous', but she does have a high energy level.

Any other opinions/suggestions are appreciated!

I may be wrong, but your cats' symptoms sounds like diabetes. At the very least check to see if you can get a telephone consult with a vet. But these symptoms are cardinal signs of diabetes. Good luck.