Young Again Zero Carb Food

Discussion in 'Feline Health - (Welcome & Main Forum)' started by Kitty mom, Dec 11, 2014.

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  1. Kitty mom

    Kitty mom Member

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    I'm surprised that more people don't feed their cats the Young Again zero carb food. Looking at the ingredient list it seems like a good choice for sugar cats, I must be missing something.
     
  2. RobinCot

    RobinCot Well-Known Member

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    May 5, 2013
    Many of us believe that NO dry food is good for kitties. They must drink lots of water to get it through their digestive systems and what they drink is never enough to fully flush it. Much of it therefore remains in their tract and can cause UTIs and other problems - even gingivitis.

    Read what Dr. Pierson says about dry food here

    "There is no doubt that dry food is responsible for far more intestinal problems, and other diseases, than most veterinarians and cat owners realize." - Dr. Lisa Pierson DVM
     
  3. Kitty mom

    Kitty mom Member

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    Nov 2, 2014
    I agree about the wet food but what about giving this as a little in-between . The reason I ask is when we do go on vacation would be ok for the cat sitter to give them a measured amount before she leaves for the night to get them through the night. My cats have gotten use to eating every 4-5 hours and and if she feeds them at 11:30 pm they won't eat again until 6:00 am. I still have months to try and get them on a longer schedule . Just thinking ahead.
     
  4. dirtybirdsoaps

    dirtybirdsoaps Member

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    I know its frowned upon but I give my 3 cats, 1 TBS every morning....yes only one TBS that way they get their crunchies and not too much. I also keep it n hand JUST in case we need to go out for a day or 2.

    Me and my husband are not social and have no one to help with the cats if we need to go some where for a day or two so that way I can leave food out without worrying.
     
  5. BJM

    BJM Well-Known Member

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    Oct 6, 2010
    A timed feeder can be helpful for feeding when you're away a long period. Check out the Pet Safe 5 on Amazon. If you go through our SHOP button above, and purchase that way, the board will get a small amount for the referral.
     
  6. Kitty mom

    Kitty mom Member

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    Nov 2, 2014
    This might be a good thing for us, would have to get two. If we decide on these I will order from here.
     
  7. Although Dr. Lisa is completely against feeding dry food, she does say this to anyone who is trying to transition from Dry food to Canned food:

    http://www.catinfo.org/?link=felinediabetes
    Carl
     
  8. Kitty mom

    Kitty mom Member

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    Mine are off it compleatly but was wondering about vacation if it would hurt them to get a little in the timed feeder in the middle of the night.
     
  9. bettyandhank

    bettyandhank Well-Known Member

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    Feb 21, 2010
    You can put canned in the timed feeder, also catsicles are great. You mix maybe 35-40% water into canned- food and freeze in ice cube trays or mini containers...I used the little 2 oz cups they put takeout salsa or salad dressing in. You pop a couple these catsicles out when you need to be out for awhile or perfect for overnight. They thaw in a couple jours. Some will put the frozen down first w/ a serving of fresh on top or next to it which keeps the fresh cool. This would also work well in a timed feeder. If you have managed to get yours off dry completely, I would not jinx it.. You may create a monster. It is fine to leave some fresh out overnight for snacks
     
  10. alicemorrow

    alicemorrow New Member

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    Nov 25, 2014
    I have the Young Again also and have mixed it into his wet food before!! I do put a measured amount out for him every day before I leave the house in case he gets hungry, but need to back that amount down to a smaller amount. I have just started feeding him wet food since October tho, so slowly trying to get him fully on Wet only.
     
  11. terriy

    terriy Member

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    Dec 29, 2011
    I use it for my kitty when I go on vacation. I have to work around 2 pet sitters and I have no choice but to use it for the cat when I'm gone. I only go on vacation for a few days 2 times a year so its not like she is getting that much of it.
    I was feeding it to my drooler everyday and BJM let me know that it was to high in protein for a dog. I just switched the dog over to Solid Gold canned dog food and I've noticed a great improvement in his bathroom habits.
     
  12. monty_dweezil (GA)

    monty_dweezil (GA) Member

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    Dec 15, 2014
    I want to buy this Young Again zero carb also for Dweezil (and Monty) for just a bit of variety, and to replace their current vet recommended Royal Canin Diabetic formula, but every time for the past week that I go to the Young Again website, it tells me the purchasing part is "down for maintenance".

    Is it?? Can you still order online? I really want to buy it! The site says to call but I'm in Australia and the time difference is very awkward. Also I prefer to pay online and not over the phone.
     
  13. dirtybirdsoaps

    dirtybirdsoaps Member

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    Jan 7, 2014
    I received an email a couple weeks ago......I want to say something like their website was hacked (not certain) and they wanted the added security measure for right now. You can try emailing them, and ask if theres maybe a way to email your cc info, dont know how secure you'd feel with that though. They are great to deal with, and respond quickly to emails. Great customer service.
     
  14. Erinia

    Erinia Member

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    Mar 21, 2014
    While you are waiting on Young Again because of their system issues, you might see if any stores nearby have any Wysong Epigen in stock. It's also really low carb and the pricing is very competitive to the fancy cat foods. I pay $14 for a 5lb bag.
     
  15. Kitty mom

    Kitty mom Member

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    Nov 2, 2014
    What I have noticed is when I feed them more than a small handful (20 kibble) through out day their BG seems to go up into the 90's however when I've given EVO to them I don't see that spike.

    It's getting now to the point that Blitzen wants more and more kibble so I think I'll go back to the EVO and only give 5 or 6 as a treat twice daily. Not sure why the Young Again effects their BG more then EVO.
     
  16. Likameow

    Likameow Member

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    Aug 23, 2014
    I use Young Again as a kibble crunch for Ben. I started out giving it to all of my cats but three of them became dangerously underweight with that being their only food source. Now there are bowls of YA on the floor for Ben's snacking (which he doesn't eat much of) And regular cat food higher up for the civvies.
     
  17. monty_dweezil (GA)

    monty_dweezil (GA) Member

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    Dec 15, 2014
    Hmm, i wish Australia had these brands. The only dry ones we have are Advance, Royal Canin, Hills, Purina, Whiskas, Iams, Eukanuba, and...i'm not quite sure what else. The junk supermarket ones.

    I will definitely email YA.
     
  18. Kitty mom

    Kitty mom Member

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    Nov 2, 2014
    My cats are OTJ and I don't want to go backward so I stick with just a little for the crunch. Dasher could care less but Blitzen is a monster without it. However when we go on vacation this summer their going to have to have some left out for them overnight as I can't get someone here during the night to feed them their wet food. I'm thinkng one cup should get them through the night. My cats eat every 4-5 hours so hopefully I can get this feeling thing worked out as I really don't want to start them down the wrong road.
     
  19. LynRich

    LynRich Member

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    Nov 30, 2014

    How frustrating ! It sounds like the dry food situation in the UK :(
     
  20. monty_dweezil (GA)

    monty_dweezil (GA) Member

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    Dec 15, 2014
    Really? So it's no better there either? Ugh. I don't know why our countries don't care for our cats!!! :)
     
  21. BJM

    BJM Well-Known Member

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    Oct 6, 2010
    If really determined, you can bake a canned low carb to a pilaf or crunchy texture. Use a jelly roll pan, spread a low carb canned food thinly, and use a temp you'd use for crackers or crisps.
     
  22. monty_dweezil (GA)

    monty_dweezil (GA) Member

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    Wow, I've never even thought of that before!
     
  23. BJM

    BJM Well-Known Member

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    I finagle.
     
  24. zzyzzx

    zzyzzx Member

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    Jan 24, 2014
    Wysong Epigen is cheaper and easier to buy than Young Again.
     
  25. zzyzzx

    zzyzzx Member

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    Jan 24, 2014
    Which is why I also give my cats wet cat food as well. That and they do need some variety.
     
  26. Nancey

    Nancey Member

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    Apr 23, 2012
    Wysong can be purchased directly from them on the website or Chewy.com also sells it. Dirtybirdsoaps is correct about Young Again, they did have a security issue and have shut down online ordering for now. Their customer service is awesome, very nice people to talk to and work with, I am sure if you want to purchase from them they will help you out anyway possible, as stated just email them.
     
  27. monty_dweezil (GA)

    monty_dweezil (GA) Member

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    Dec 15, 2014
    I emailed them and they got back to me really quickly, but sigh...they don't post to australia.
     
  28. kallima_butterfly

    kallima_butterfly Member

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    Jan 12, 2015
    What is EVO?
     
  29. Kitty mom

    Kitty mom Member

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    Nov 2, 2014
    EVO Turkey & Chicken kitten & cat food. It's kibble and some pet stores carry it or you can get it online.
    I'm now out of it and will finish up the young again I bought but I will also monitor their BG to see if having it everyday makes their BG spike or if it was just a fluke.
     
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  30. tibbs5

    tibbs5 Well-Known Member

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  31. BJM

    BJM Well-Known Member

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    Oct 6, 2010
    You may want to use a larger font and bold the fact that you are in Australia; folks seem to be missing that and telling you what is available in the USA.
     
  32. monty_dweezil (GA)

    monty_dweezil (GA) Member

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    Dec 15, 2014
    Thank you, I have done that now :)
     
  33. Sandman

    Sandman Guest

    The newly reformulated Wysong Epigen 90 is a disaster. It nearly killed one of my cats with life-threatening diarrhea and emesis. I'd been using the old formulation without issues and it was wonderful for my sugar-kitty's blood sugars. The newly reformulated one has been known to kill ferrets, and I report the problems with the "new and improved" wysong here:

    http://www.amazon.com/review/R36F3D6G5SJC5M/ref=cm_cr_rdp_perm?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B00KE3IRN0

    Since that review there have been multiple confirming reviews and read the comments section on that link.

    I have filed a complaint with both wysong (they don't care) and the FDA, which hasn't done anything I can see about the problem.

    Since wysong epigen 90 became unusable, I've bounced from brand to brand and was suffering through high blood glucoses on orijen because of what looked like a superior ingredient list.

    I'm now giving young again zero carb another try. My cats don't seem to like it as much as orijen, but that's just tough.
     
  34. Larry and Kitties

    Larry and Kitties Well-Known Member

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    Dec 28, 2009
    Most of mine will not eat YoungAgain
     
  35. billysmom (GA)

    billysmom (GA) Member

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    Feb 26, 2015
    I guess all cats are different. EVO spiked my cat's BG to 195 but young again zero carb didn't budge it. I guess the only way to know is to try.
     
  36. Critter Mom

    Critter Mom Well-Known Member

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    Jun 16, 2014
    I think it would be really helpful if you could create a food alert post on the Feline Health board to let other members know about this. (They might not visit this thread and might miss the warning.)

    .
     
  37. Kitty mom

    Kitty mom Member

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    Nov 2, 2014
    I should of retracted my statement, after them having EVO daily for a few weeks both cats BG went up. I ordered Young Again zero carb and they both have been eating it for over a month and the BG is excellent , they get a few tablespoon a day and all is very good.
    My one cat is a kibble cat and will pound on the cabinet door if he doesn't get it so we were thrilled to see YA is working for them.
     
  38. Sandman

    Sandman Guest

    Thanks. Done. Mr. Sluggo had to go back on the juice recently because of abscessed teeth (since removed). And he's had a consistent insulin requirement. I notice his sugars were really raging out of control in the mornings and hypothesized it was the orijen I've been free-feeding all 3 cats. Sluggo will eat the canned blue wilderness chicken pate, which is supposedly very low carb, but I think he was chowing down on the orijen during the night time hours when I wasn't feeding him the canned stuff. Orijen has a super ingredient list, but it calculates out to 16% dry matter carbs on the scheyder calculator. So even though all the cats love orijen, it's gone in the garbage & I've put out YA zero carb for all 3 fur-babies. See if that helps. I applied the Scheyder calculator to the blue wilderness and despite the fact the sum of the ingredients comes out 100+% (no room for carbs), the calculator is still coming up with 7% dry matter carbs. YA zero carb calculates out to 3% dry matter carbs on the scheyder. But I suspect if the carbs are stuff like saw dust and fructo-oligosaccharides, that's FUNCTIONALLY zero carb anyway. It's just a crock that wysong epigen 90 had to sacrifice a good but pricey product that "worked" for my sugar-kitty and that I can't get "as fed" values anywhere anyhow for the particular canned food sluggo will actually eat... Oh well.....
     
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  39. SammyM

    SammyM Member

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    Mar 25, 2014
    Well my experience with Young Again is nothing short of a miracle, and I owe my cat's life to them and to a great degree, this forum too. Thirteen months ago my 12 year old male, Elvis, was diagnosed with diabetes. After being put on an aggressive (IMO) course of insulin shots and keeping him on Science Diet C/D (dry) which vets had him on for nearly 10 years [the culprit] then W/D , he was not improving. That's when I found this forum and did a great deal of research. I could never get Elvis to eat canned or wet food and this time was no different and I was faced with a dilemma. I was at my wit's end until I found Young Again, and determined that Elvis had other issues too like gum and teeth infections and white coat syndrome, which were driving his #s up as well. (I still believe Elvis' diagnosis was premature and transient, but that 'a another story.)

    A month after doing it the vet's way and seeing no improvement and a very lethargic and unhappy cat, I decided to take things into my own hands. First I demanded that I was going to take my own readings at home instead of putting him through trips to the vet which immediately freaked him and caused both of us unbelievable stress. Then I took him off Science Diet and tried many of the suggestions offered on this list, mostly canned because of the adverse feelings about strictly dry which I understood, but Elvis just wouldn't eat them. Then I changed vets and insisted they check his mouth (which the first vet did not do), and that's when they saw the mouth problems and gave him and antibiotic. The #s came down a bit, but still were considered too high.

    When I heard about Young Again I gave them a call and I have never had such wonderful experiences with a vendor of any kind. They were knowledgeable, patient, showed genuine concern, and would stay on the phone with me to answer all my questions for as long as I needed every time I called, so I decided to give their Zero Carb food a try. Less than one week from the moment I started Elvis on their food, I weened him off the insulin shots and his #s began to drop. He has not received or needed another shot since, and has maintained readings ranging from 51-88 (on a human meter) for what will be one solid year next week.

    More importantly, I have a cat who LITERALLY got "Young Again." For months before and up to and through his diagnosis and vet's treatment, he would not play anymore, jump on window sills, talk (he was always a chatter box), didn't want to interact with me any longer, stopped grooming, was constantly sleeping all day on the floor and not his favorite higher spots, and had a very old and unhappy look to him. Well, he's young again.....playing, jumping up on high levels, clear eyed, talking up a storm, and just like he was years ago. He drinks plenty of water (as the people at Young Again said he would because this food induces that), and he has the healthiest BMs and urinations I have ever seen, and like clockwork. He's been off their Zero Carb and on their Mature blend for about 6 months now, and still doing absolutely great. He is ape over their treats too. The 5 Ps are back!-- Purring......Playing.....Preening.....Peeing....and Pooping! What I also find remarkable and a plus.....their food runs about $49/8 lb. bag BUT, it lasts for 3 MONTHS!!!!!! I use to pay $38/8 lb. bag with Hill's Science Diet, but it only lasted a little over a month.....so don't let the food's price fool you, it's a bargain.

    I strongly recommend to anyone who is leery about giving your cat dry food to at least give these people a call and talk to them about your concerns. I spoke with Jennifer there and she has steered me in the right direction every time.

    Good luck to all!!!!
     
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  40. SammyM

    SammyM Member

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    Mar 25, 2014
    I completely agree.....read my post in this thread.
     
  41. SammyM

    SammyM Member

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    Mar 25, 2014
    They also have a Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/youngagainpetfood?fref=nf
     
  42. SammyM

    SammyM Member

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    Mar 25, 2014
    This is Elvis waiting for his Young Again Yummy treats.....

    [​IMG]
     
  43. mirnta

    mirnta Member

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    Jan 12, 2015
    I have recently switched to young again and it's working great. Numbers going down he's happy and healthy. Just wish it didn't break the bank to buy it!!
     
  44. Sandman

    Sandman Guest

    You're very lucky you can get your cats to eat YA zero carb.

    I don't know how much mine is choosing to eat (not very much) and I'm terrified of getting him into hepatic lipidosis thereby killing him.
     
  45. mirnta

    mirnta Member

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    Jan 12, 2015
    Well they say that they don't need to eat as much of it as the high carb food, so maybe that's what you're witnessing?
     
  46. dirtybirdsoaps

    dirtybirdsoaps Member

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    Jan 7, 2014
    Hey Donna!!!!! So glad to hear how well Elvis is doing. I've been wondering about you guys!!!!
     
  47. Sandman

    Sandman Guest

    I hope you're right. Sluggo has had an ongoing insulin requirement, though less, since those abscessed teeth came and went. I'd had him on 1/2 unit AM & PM with blood glucoses in the 140-180 range. Yesterday morning, after feeding him a bit more of his canned blue wilderness, I witnessed a moonshot into the mid-200s so covered him with 2 units. I decided to take away his canned food & just leave him to his devices with the young again zero carb. I see him avidly visiting the bowl and at least putting the stuff in his mouth, but don't hear him crunching it with his few remaining teeth. Hopefully he's eating it whole. His blood glucoses since then have been: 119, 104, 90 (no coverage since the 2u dose). So either he's starving or YA zero carb has gotten him off the juice. I guess I'll be watching for yellow eyes.... Coming up on 24 hrs since last insulin and if that one's normal, I think I'll put away the glucometer and give his poor ears a break!

    Either he's off the juice or he's starving and about to get very sick. Who knows. Cats are funny animals. In a multi-cat household, how can you figure out whose stool is in the box or who is making the food disappear... I've read cats often eat kibble whole, and as fine grained as YA is, that's certainly possible.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Apr 11, 2015
    Reason for edit: misspellings
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  48. George-66

    George-66 New Member

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    Mar 26, 2015
    Wet canned food has been great for us. He eats less frequently, has more energy and has lost,weight.....
     
  49. Sandman

    Sandman Guest

    Well, this morning, 27 hours after last ProZinc insulin dose and after switch from the moist canned stuff (blue wilderness chicken pate --- allegedly 95% chicken, very low carb --- calculated 7% dry matter carbs on the Scheyder calculator) to a diet of YA zero carb ONLY, Sluggo's blood glucose is (drumroll please): 128. I can't see shooting that, and clearly there is no action from a ProZinc Insulin dose given 27 hours ago, so I'm giving him a break from the glucometer for at least a week. I'll do a spot check in a week, or if I notice the litter box filling up really quickly. He is notably drinking more water than before, but that's not surprising.

    I would call this one a victory for young again zero carb versus an allegedly high quality wet canned preparation in a diabetic. And, importantly, Mr. Slugo is now OTJ!

    For Mr. Sluggo, I'd say wet canned food (allegedly a very good one) has been a disaster. Perhaps not as big a disaster as Orijen, which is, in turn, better than your garden variety over-the-counter kibble, but markedly suboptimal, at the very least.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Apr 11, 2015
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  50. BJM

    BJM Well-Known Member

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    Oct 6, 2010
    See my signature link Secondary Monitoring Tools for a number of assessments besides blood testing which may help you evaluate him.
     
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  51. SammyM

    SammyM Member

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    Mar 25, 2014
    Hi, Sam!!! Yes, Elvis has been doing great....not so much his mother until recently, but an old story now. How are your darlings doing? I was wondering about you too.
     
  52. SammyM

    SammyM Member

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    Mar 25, 2014
    You find it expensive? $49 for 3 months is a blessing to me after paying $38 every month on the Hill's C/D.
     
  53. SammyM

    SammyM Member

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    Mar 25, 2014
    Three tablespoons a day is what they say is plenty. Elvis does prefer the Mature blend more than the Zero, but thankfully I didn't need to keep him on the Zero. I think the Mature has 5% carbs.
     
  54. dirtybirdsoaps

    dirtybirdsoaps Member

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    Jan 7, 2014
    They have been doing great, but some how Hidey has become the AGGRESSOR at times (when neighborhood cats come by) it started when Hidey had a reaction to a flea bite. He's as healthy as can be but OMG I've never seen him be so violent. I have had this happen 3 times since November. I had to go through the reintroduction period and keep them separated for several days. Now all my windows are covered, I spray my front porch with vinegar to deter cats, as well as fox urine around the perimeter of my house UGH!

    But I am happy to say that Hidey had his year anniversary fr remission last month. His bg's still range from 40's-90's but he is like a kitten. Gets into trouble like crazy, and DEMANDS attention and affection lol.

    I am now feeding him the mature zero carb as well as his canned. I was so excited when I found out that they were offering the mature.
     
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  55. mirnta

    mirnta Member

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    Jan 12, 2015
    @Elvis for me it is cuz I have two cats and they always eat the same food! Even though the other isn't a sugarcat..but yes I was used to just feedin em catchow..ugh! @Sandman that is AMAZING! That is where I'm heading, only a microdose of insulin now. Good luck!!
     
  56. mirnta

    mirnta Member

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    Jan 12, 2015
    Although I must add one thing, STINKY POOPS!! OMG..
     
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  57. SammyM

    SammyM Member

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    Mar 25, 2014
    So great to hear, Sam. Have you tried their Yummy treats? Elvis scarfs them up like cocaine. Anyway, I'm so grateful for them, and to you for the EVO you sent. I keep a bag of that around now as once in awhile I mix about a tspn of it in with the Mature. It is amazing how they're like kittens again. Elvis gets into everything again, especially in the middle of the night when I'm trying to sleep....that's his play time when he starts opening drawers and pulling things out. But I wouldn't want it any other way. His gums started to flare up again recently, but I immediately starting administering 10mg of CoQ10 and it took care of it thank goodness.
     
  58. SammyM

    SammyM Member

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    Mar 25, 2014
    Oh yes I guess two cats eating it could be a bit costly. I have another cat who turned 18 last December, but she loves her Fancy Feast w/cheese and only eats a few bites of the YA when desperate in the middle of the night. The 8lb bag lasts me 3 months still so for me anyway it's a bargain.
     
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  59. SammyM

    SammyM Member

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    Mar 25, 2014
    Agree! have you noticed any increase in urination? Elvis pees like a racehorse, but the people at YA said that would probably happen.
     
  60. rbrumbaugh82

    rbrumbaugh82 Guest

    See I have the world's pickiest and finickiest cats on Earth. I have both the Mature and Original Zero carb but for some reason my cats don't like the Mature formula. I am at wit's end because I want to reap all the benefits that this food so call says it does but so far it seems the same. Most eat it and my diabetic cat eats a bit but to me doesn't seem excited about it. I know the Mature formula is probably the healthiest given the lower mineral content but what am I to do if they don't care for it? It really upsets me that others buy it for their cats and they love it and it works wonders( unless they are making it up to endorse the product).
     
  61. rbrumbaugh82

    rbrumbaugh82 Guest

    Calculator says 6.
     
  62. rbrumbaugh82

    rbrumbaugh82 Guest

    Plus making Poopers numbers go up.
     
  63. SammyM

    SammyM Member

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    Mar 25, 2014
    I had the same problem with Elvis. First he liked it, then he didn't; then he preferred one over the other at times. But what I did notice is that he always liked the dry EVO Turkey and Chicken formula. So once in awhile I put a tsp. or two of it mixed in with the Mature. The smell I guess is what he likes too so even though he thinks he's fishing out just the EVO, he really winds up eating both, but more importantly mostly the Mature. You might give that a try. You don't need to use very much so the 6 lb. EVO bag should last at least as long as the Mature. You just have to outsmart your genius cat. Good luck.
     
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  64. SammyM

    SammyM Member

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    Mar 25, 2014
    I believe that's still acceptable for cats in remission.
     
  65. SammyM

    SammyM Member

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    Mar 25, 2014
    Elvis is around 3-4 healthy urinations a day, and one significant BM every 24-36 hours.
     
  66. SammyM

    SammyM Member

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    Mar 25, 2014
    LOL, just realized you were talking about your cat, that's his name, Poopers. Cute. His #s went up on the mature? Are they still within the normal range though??
     
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  67. rbrumbaugh82

    rbrumbaugh82 Guest

    no, he is never in the normal range now. I think when I very first got sample packs of the original zero carb he ate it good and I checked his sugar and it was in the 100s briefly. Since then he has struggled to eat both foods and his numbers high.
     
  68. SammyM

    SammyM Member

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    Mar 25, 2014
    Has he ever been on it for a sustained amount of time, say at least 3 weeks straight?
     
  69. rbrumbaugh82

    rbrumbaugh82 Guest

    No, I just bought it last Wednesday and ran out due to feeding other cats and I messed up by having some problems with the mature formula and mixed both foods and put it back into the wrong bag. lol. So supposed to get a fresh new bag Wednesday. So I'd say around 1 week this Wednesday since he has had the food.
     
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  70. mirnta

    mirnta Member

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    Jan 12, 2015
    No peeing changes, I mean it was awful before I got his numbers down but now it's good. @rbrumbaugh82, maybe just give it some time....I'd do all wet food if he'd eat it , cuz my other cat looooves it..but he just is crazy about crunchies..
     
  71. SammyM

    SammyM Member

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    Mar 25, 2014
    I believe once you get him on at least a 2-week course, you'll begin to see the numbers come down and stay down. Good luck.
     
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  72. rbrumbaugh82

    rbrumbaugh82 Guest

    I sure hope so. I really hope this fresh batch will get him to eat it regularly when he is hungry to eat. Right now I feel like he isn't eating much of it and yet he doesn't come whining or acting like he is starving. Though if I slap a can of wet food down he goes up to eating it like he is starving but I can see due to its different food and some some carbs in it that may be tasteful to him.
     
  73. Nancey

    Nancey Member

    Joined:
    Apr 23, 2012
    I would throw out a word of caution here, even though I believe YA is a very good hard food. I have a friend who has 3 cats and he started feeding YA, they started off eating it pretty good considering they were eating Wellness Core before. After the first 8lb bag he ordered a bigger bag and that is when his problem started. One of his cats started eating less than the others, he thought that was the way it was suppose to be based on the information from YA and the cat needed to lose a little weight. He started watching him more closely and figured out he was barely eating at all so off to the vet he went, vet said the cat was eating less than half of his required amount of calories and based on blood work he was very concerned the cat was going into hepatic lipidosis. He told my friend to find another food, didn't cared what it was at this stage it just had to be something he would eat. So he picked up another hard food and some canned food to get him eating again. It has been a slow process but the cat is out of the woods and putting weight back on again. Vet was not sure what the cause was, he was just happy the cat turned around.

    So I guess I am saying I realize YA says the cats will eat less of their food, but make sure they are eating enough to either sustain their weight or not losing it to fast if they need to lose weight. My friend free feeds his hard food, but that made no difference on the one cat, he just was not eating it. I have tried to get him to feed can food if not all the time, more often but not having a lot of luck with it as he was feeding just canned, but was over feeding and the cats really put on some weight. As stated well on this forum ECID.

    Just wanted to let folks know this can happen and to watch your kitties carefully.
     
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  74. rbrumbaugh82

    rbrumbaugh82 Guest

    Yeha unfortunately Poopers is showing that. Ate some at first but now I have to try to force feed him it and I shouldn't have to. So going to have to feed him Turkey and Giblets FF because he has to eat.
     
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  75. Dusty Bones

    Dusty Bones Member

    Joined:
    Oct 20, 2013
    If he'll eat the FF why are you trying to feed him Young Again? Feed him both if he likes them but I would use YA as a crunchy treat more than his main meal. He'll do well with FF pate foods, you can leave wet out through the day and night. I put a refrigerated core of wet food surrounded by normal temp food and it stays fresh throughout the day and nights. By morning they will have eaten most, all or leave a little. You just need to find a food he likes quickly and stick with it, you don't need food drama on top of the diabetes.
     
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  76. Personally, I would choose any low-carb canned food over any dry food, even YAZC. Especially if the cat chooses wet over dry.
     
  77. rbrumbaugh82

    rbrumbaugh82 Guest

    Your right. He eats the turkey and giblets FF. I just worry on how much I need to feed him so he is getting enough nutrition and energy so he isn't feeling sluggish. I also don't want a sharp carb rush that spikes his numbers up. I wish he would pace himself to eat when he is hungry and not gobble it all up at one setting so that it cna go throughout the day until I give him a can at night. He is 21 pounds so I know he needs to lose weight but I want it to happen the healthy and right way.
     
  78. Jill & Alex (GA)

    Jill & Alex (GA) Senior Member Moderator

    Joined:
    Dec 28, 2009
    I see the effects of a very logical drop in BG numbers when switching from a 36/37% carbs diet to a diet with 6% carbs. That's a big difference.
    You might find this helpful: Implementing a Safe Weight Loss Program
     
  79. BJM

    BJM Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 6, 2010
    Options:
    Spread the food thinly across a big plate to slow him down.
    Invest in a timed feeder such as the Pet safe 5 to feed mini-meals (he won't get too hungry that way).
    If you add some water, it increases volume without calories.
     
  80. rbrumbaugh82

    rbrumbaugh82 Guest

    That is what I do. I use a flat dish plate about 11 inches across and spread it out so its not one lump pile. I just free feed the wet food
     
  81. SammyM

    SammyM Member

    Joined:
    Mar 25, 2014
    Had this problem with Elvis [not eating much at all] for a little while on the Zero, then when I switched to Mature it was better, but still at times not so much. It was only when I started to mix a very small amount of the EVO dry that he started eating it. There are times I don't put the EVO in and he eats it; if I see him finicky again, I put about a couple of tspns. and starts eating it again. I think it has something to do with the smell; the YA odor isn't very strong, but the EVO is.
     
  82. SammyM

    SammyM Member

    Joined:
    Mar 25, 2014
    Well there's the rub. I have a cat that will not eat wet food. I put a piece of cooked salmon from my plate in front of him and he walks away. I would only recommend the YAZC (all dry) to those who have problems with their cats eating canned or fresh.

    Isn't FF too high in carbs?
     
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  83. SammyM

    SammyM Member

    Joined:
    Mar 25, 2014
    FWIW, Elvis was 18 lbs., sluggish and lethargic when he was on the Hills' Science Diet C/D.....since he's been on YA he has been right around 14lbs. for a year now, with occasional fluctuations of .5 lb. up or down.
     
  84. Understand completely. Kitty has to eat, and if he will only eat dry, your options are feed him dry.
    FF "classics" all fit the "low carb" category. I think Mixed Grill is the highest, but just about all of them are 5% or lower if I remember correctly.
     
  85. Nancey

    Nancey Member

    Joined:
    Apr 23, 2012

    If you feed the pates in the FF you are okay. The only problem I have with FF is all the by-product. Granted they need by-products (liver, heart, gizzard, etc..) but they need the muscle meat also and some do have muscle meat in them, I have tried to stay away from the Mixed Grill because it is all by-product. I tried feeding YAZC and Wysong Epigen 90, I had 3 cats that kept diarrhea from the food, that is 3 out of 7 so had to give it up, they can't keep running with diarrhea. So...I gave up on the hard food. It has been really hard managing the canned food when all they have known all their lives is hard food. I tired raw, they turn their noses up at it and walk away. Cats feed off of smell, so that means a lot to them. I think that is why fish is so popular, strong smell. My senior baby that I feed Tiki Cat, I mix 1/4 teaspoon of their fish flavors into the chicken so she will eat it. We do what we have to do.
     
  86. Nancey

    Nancey Member

    Joined:
    Apr 23, 2012
    Both the Young Again and the Wysong Epigen 90 gave 3 of my kitties diarrhea, and getting them past it after removing the food took a bit. My kitties grew up with hard food, because that is what I knew, now I feed only canned food. And yes they are thinner and seem so much healthier, I believe raw would be better for them to pull the meat and chew like they would in the wild. But I have had no luck with raw food, they sniff it and walk away. They are so hard but I would not trade any of my kitties for the world.
     
  87. rbrumbaugh82

    rbrumbaugh82 Guest

    Me neither Nancey. I love my babies and they bring me so much joy. I just wish it wouldn't be so hard to feed them something they all agree on. Poopers comes first with eating due to his diabetes and thankfully he eats Turkey and Giblets. It contains muscle meat first in turkey and has poultry giblets. Appears since it has less than 6% carbs I just hope it will start working for him. Today has not been good with his numbers. He started out at 325 but has gone up all day even with insulin in the morning. Yesterday was complete opposite so not sure why he kept going up today just by eating FF and maybe some YAZC.
     
  88. His numbers might have nothing to do with what he ate.

    Look at a few spreadsheets of people who feed the exact same food and give the same exact dose over several days. It is more likely that you will see very different looking cycles than that you'll see cycles that look the same (although that seems to defy logic).

    Try not to focus on the cycle by cycle data, and look more at overall trends. The "big picture" is easier to get a handle on than the "whys" behind 12 hour chunks of time.
     
  89. SammyM

    SammyM Member

    Joined:
    Mar 25, 2014
    Tootsie, my 18+ year old who weighs all of 5 lbs. yet appears healthy as a horse, was on dry food for years, but since I've had to switch Elvis to Young Again, I started her on FF canned which she adjusted to beautifully; however she only likes the pates with the cheese. At least I don't have to worry about Elvis eating it, but it's good to know that if he ever does sneak some it shouldn't be a problem. This IS true too of these, not just the classics, correct?
     
  90. Nancey

    Nancey Member

    Joined:
    Apr 23, 2012
    I had to go look as my cats were not fond of the cheese flavors. Looks like all but 3 are 10% or less.

    Here are Carb percentages on the cheese varieties:
    FF Name % Carbs
    Fancy Feast Delights with Cheddar Beef & Cheddar Cheese Feast 9.09
    Fancy Feast Delights with Cheddar Classic Chicken & Cheddar Cheese Feast 6.82
    Fancy Feast Delights with Cheddar Classic Salmon & Cheddar Cheese Feast 6.36
    Fancy Feast Delights with Cheddar Grilled Chicken & Cheddar Cheese Feast in Gravy 10.0
    Fancy Feast Delights with Cheddar Grilled Tuna & Cheddar Cheese Feast in Gravy 22.22
    Fancy Feast Delights with Cheddar Grilled Turkey & Cheddar Cheese Feast in Gravy 11.11
    Fancy Feast Delights with Cheddar Grilled Whitefish & Cheddar Cheese Feast in Gravy 11.11
    Fancy Feast Delights with Cheddar Turkey with Cheddar Cheese Feast 6.36

    I got this off of Tanya's CRF website, her list is a great source for numbers also, she has some foods that are not listed on Lisa's list. So I use both of them. http://www.felinecrf.org/canned_food_usa.htm

    I am glad the Young Again is working for you, wish it worked for mine so they would stay out of the dog food. But considering that is upsetting their tummies I am at my wits end. I can't put the dog food up during the day, she is 15 years old and nibbles at her food when no one is home with her. At night I put it up since she sleeps with us and never leaves the bed till morning (my husband has to put her on and off the bed). Needless to say it is not helping Frodo's BG's at all. It is a daily struggle, when they don't like the canned food they go after the dog food. I wish there was a pet food company that was consistent in their quality. Getting cans that are too dry and then the next they are juicy makes it difficult and just adding water to the can does not help. My husband has suggested I just make it myself since I am unhappy with what we are getting, but I need a recipe that does not require grinding of meat. Still trying to find a good one. If anyone has any suggestions/recipes I would love to see them.
     
    Last edited: Apr 30, 2015
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