Dr. Elsey's vs. Young Again

Discussion in 'Feline Health - (Welcome & Main Forum)' started by SammyM, Nov 16, 2017.

Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
  1. SammyM

    SammyM Member

    Joined:
    Mar 25, 2014
    I'm having to transition Elvis from Young Again Mature and LID to Dr. Elsey's Clean Protein because, after 3.5 years, he just won't eat much of the YA even after I add a flavor packet. It's been driving me crazy because he keeps crying for me to feed him and the only way I could get any of the YA in him is to powder it in my coffee grinder and mix it in the Fancy Feast, which is becoming more costly and time consuming.

    Someone on this Board suggested Dr. Elsey's so I called them and they sent me some samples. Elvis has had three 2 oz. sample bags in two days and loves it! BUT, here's my concern... he's been drinking like crazy since and I'm not sure if this is a normal reaction. I mean, he usually lays on the couch beside me for hours sleeping, but the last two days he's been up every 20 minutes or so and heads over to the water bowl. I'm sure he's drinking well over a cup a day now, and of course his urinations are the size of softballs instead of baseballs.

    So my question is, is this a normal reaction and has anyone else experienced this?

    Secondly, comparing the two foods...Dr. Elsey's vs. Young Again... are they pretty comparable?

    Thanks for your insight.
     
  2. Lillie

    Lillie Member

    Joined:
    Mar 10, 2017
    I experience this when Leo was eating dry food only. He drank water constantly due to not getting any moisture at all from the dry food. As soon as he transitioned to canned food only he stopped parking at the water bowl. Maybe some dry foods are more dehydrating than others? Is his diabetes regulated and/or controlled?
     
  3. SammyM

    SammyM Member

    Joined:
    Mar 25, 2014
    I don't believe Elvis ever was diabetic even though he was diagnosed as so about 3.5 years ago. He hasn't been on insulin for nearly 3.5 years now (only on it for about a month then) and I check his #s periodically and as recent as this morning, and they're always consistently fine.

    He has always been on a dry food... the Young Again was dry and so is the Dr. Elsey's. I only started him on FF about a month or so ago because he wasn't eating the YA anymore. This increase in water just started a couple of days ago right after I started him on the Dr. Elsey's kibble.
     
  4. JanetNJ

    JanetNJ Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 8, 2016
    What are his numbers this week?
     
  5. SammyM

    SammyM Member

    Joined:
    Mar 25, 2014
    I don't take them everyday or week as I use to, but when I do, his #s range from a nadir of 52 to a high of 78. Yesterday at noon it was 71; just now at 4:00 pm, it was 69.
     
    Last edited: Nov 16, 2017
    JanetNJ likes this.
  6. Larry and Kitties

    Larry and Kitties Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 28, 2009
    When was Elvis last at vet for blood work?
    Maybe kidney problem or other problem is causing the excessive thirst
     
  7. Lillie

    Lillie Member

    Joined:
    Mar 10, 2017
    Maybe something in the Dr.Elseys' food is causing his kidneys to be effected?
     
  8. JanetNJ

    JanetNJ Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 8, 2016
    Ok well it's not that.
     
    SammyM likes this.
  9. SammyM

    SammyM Member

    Joined:
    Mar 25, 2014
    This past August and everything was fine. All I wanted to know here is if anyone changed their cat from Young Again to Dr. Elsey's, and if there was any change in their consumption of water. Like I said, this just started 2 days ago, the same time I changed the food. I don't want to feel like I need to worry needlessly by panicking after just 2 days, but some of these answers are a bit alarming.
     
  10. SammyM

    SammyM Member

    Joined:
    Mar 25, 2014
    So am I to understand that when a cat happens to drink a little more than usual, it's always kidney related????
     
  11. Lillie

    Lillie Member

    Joined:
    Mar 10, 2017
    It may not be but it's usually one of the first things thought of along with diabetes with over consumption of water, or drinking more than usual. Maybe it's just the food that's making him thirstier than usual.
     
  12. JanetNJ

    JanetNJ Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 8, 2016
    I've used both foods and haven't noticed a difference in water consumption.
     
  13. SammyM

    SammyM Member

    Joined:
    Mar 25, 2014
    Ok, thanks everyone. I'll give it a few more days; already noticing a little drop off in the amount he was drinking. I guess animals, like people, can have a short spell where they drink or eat more or less. There have been times too now I recall when I've been concerned he wasn't drinking enough.

    He's going to be 17 and I guess I'm becoming more of a worry-wart when it comes to him. He's my little buddy who, I'm sure like everyone here with their's, has brought me such love and joy. I've had several cats over the years, but this little guy... well there's something extra special about him.
     
  14. SammyM

    SammyM Member

    Joined:
    Mar 25, 2014
    Thanks, Janet. Do you find C.C. likes one more than the other? I don't know why Elvis doesn't like the YA anymore after eating it for three years.
     
  15. JanetNJ

    JanetNJ Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 8, 2016
    She likes both. How old is the bag you are feeding? After a few months it goes rancid if it's not sealed in an airtight container. Then they won't eat it.
     
Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.

Share This Page