Rescuing cats from difficult circumstances often means welcoming them into your home with pre-existing health issues or unknown dietary histories. This was the reality for one dedicated cat owner who shares their extensive experience navigating the challenges of feeding and caring for a diverse feline family, including those with heart murmurs, kidney failure, and FIV. The journey highlights the complexities of choosing the right food, managing multiple cats’ specific needs, and the emotional toll of pet loss.
The owner recounts the challenges of providing optimal nutrition for six cats, often opting for high-quality, even organic, food when possible, though the cost can be a barrier. A particularly concerning experience involved a kitten undergoing spay surgery, which was complicated by a change in her food. This led to a search for a more suitable option, eventually leading to the discovery of “Gentle Giant,” a USA-made food that, despite its higher cost, was readily accepted by the kitten and has shown no recalls. This food has also been incorporated into the diet of their puppy. The owner notes that Gentle Giant appears to be beneficial for all ages and provides essential vitamins for amino acids and joints.
The importance of understanding feline dietary needs is underscored by the mention of a cat who lived for years with colon cancer, aided by Hemp oil. Another cat, Boo, sadly passed away at eight years old, suspected of kidney failure or heart issues. Currently, the focus is on a skinny, energetic six-month-old kitten who consumes approximately three-quarters of a can of wet food daily. To ensure she receives adequate meat-based nutrition, other foods have been added. The owner expresses frustration with the ambiguity of feeding guidelines on pet food packaging, often resorting to teaspoon measurements to gauge intake, providing food about four times a day. The six-month-old kitten, weighing around 6 pounds 3 ounces, is being kept on kitten food due to her unknown previous diet. She also has injuries that her veterinarian has deemed manageable given her young age.
The owner emphasizes the emotional connection with each cat, acknowledging that their individual stories and needs make achieving a “perfect” feeding routine difficult. While grateful for information on various supplements, the owner expresses skepticism towards feeding cats large amounts of greens or fruits, citing potential health problems. The pet food industry itself is a source of concern, with the owner feeling that many discarded pet foods end up in a “dump pit,” and the cost of necessary food is a significant burden. The ideal scenario, they muse, would be to provide fresh mice daily, though they acknowledge their current cats appear to snack excessively.
Reflecting on the loss of Boo, the owner reiterates their commitment to feeding their cats as well as possible, with regular veterinary check-ups. The recurring theme of cats being abandoned prompts questions about the underlying reasons, whether genetic predispositions, their origins, or the trauma of abandonment itself. The story of Evening, a Russian Blue found outdoors and struggling with litter box training, illustrates the long-term challenges some rescued cats face. Evening was placed on Hemp Oil and lived a fulfilling eight years with the owner, despite having colon cancer.
The challenges continue with “Wild Child,” who was abandoned with her kittens. Mo, Boo, and the kittens all have heart murmurs. Mo and Mom have gained weight since Boo’s passing, raising concerns about them eating mice between meals. Another cat, Tipser, approximately 16 years old and a survivor of abuse, has an “aura” but cannot tolerate wet food without digestive issues, prompting questions about potential diet changes for his senior years. The owner notes that Mo began eating other cats’ food after Boo’s death, but he is now looking better and is affectionate towards the new kitten.
UK, another abandoned cat, has FIV and exhibits aggression towards the other cats, possibly due to perceived resource guarding. Evening also picked on UK, leading to his confinement to a separate space, though he mingles when possible. The owner expresses disbelief that a Russian Blue like UK would be abandoned and acknowledges that FIV can be managed. There’s a cautious hope for introducing UK to Pizza, who is currently recovering from surgery. Despite these challenges, the owner affirms that all their cats eat good food, including ProPlan for coat, skin, and urinary tract health, a brand they have trusted for years. Their wet food options, excluding Tipser, are generally well-regarded, and they experiment with various meats, poultry, and fish.
The owner reiterates their primary difficulty lies in interpreting the feeding instructions on packaging, preferring clear measurements like spoonfuls or cups rather than grams. They seek information on calorie content and fiber, noting conflicting advice from veterinarians regarding protein levels for cats. The lack of specific guidance from manufacturers on age and weight makes selecting food confusing, with the assumption that consumers will “just buy or food…you do rest.” A comprehensive chart for different feline mixtures would be invaluable, as current packaging focuses on marketing rather than practical nutritional advice. Maintaining food consistency is crucial to prevent digestive issues, especially with a mixed group of cats. The owner expresses disappointment with prescribed diets, which they feel have not prevented disease progression, emphasizing the importance of love and veterinary advice.
While open to exploring options like Petco’s food, the owner voices concerns about the lack of stringent inspection and guidelines in other countries, leading to potentially higher costs for products diluted with water or broth. They insist on meat-rich foods without fillers, especially at a price point of $3 per can. Although cats are known to eat grass and catnip, the owner has not observed them consuming beans, peas, or tomatoes, and would consider cooking daily if that were the case. The owner champions the use of Hemp Oil and Diamaceous Earth, advocating for natural treatments and reduced chemical use to promote longer, healthier lives, recalling a past experience where a cat developed leukemia after ingesting flea medication. Their own dogs and cats historically lived to 18, and they are grateful for the additional years they can provide to their rescued pets.
The owner expresses hope that continued learning will grant their cats more time and better health. They are focused on ensuring the new kitten, Pizza, maintains a lean physique as she grows, and plans to keep her on wet food, which she enjoys. The cats’ preference for fresh water, with daily changes, and their owners’ commitment to maintaining clean litter boxes (two per cat) highlight their dedication. With five cats ranging from six months to sixteen years old, and a three-year-old puppy, the owner feels at their “wits’ end” regarding the kitten’s care, a sentiment born from years of experience with rescued animals.
