Working Around the Multi-Fur Baby Household
Like potato chips, sometimes, ya can’t have just one… or two… or… well, a zoo! My local shelter encourages pairing up cats especially and will only adopt out bonded pairs together. I adopt cats in pairs because I have found that introducing new younger cats in is much easier if the new guys have an ally. Later in life, however; this can be complicated if one develops a special need. Since feline diabetes requires a lot of adjustment, your next steps really depend on your cats’ personalities normal routines.
Testing time: Since we need to test before we feed, depending on your cat, you can have them jump up on a stool or table where the others will not fit, take them to a room alone, etc. A combination of all of these may be required from time to time as every kitty is different. You need to be able to test without interference from the starving (in their minds) mob surrounding your legs and crying like their world is ending. This is a good time to have low-carb/no-carb treats on hand. I treat everybody for good behavior even if only one of the little guys has to endure. It keeps the non-affected pets from distracting me or the kitty I am working with, and everyone, including diabetic kitty sees pokey time as treat time (eventually anyway).
Food: Low Tech - My personal attitude is, switch them all to lower carb foods. This will hopefully help to prevent another cat from developing diabetes or at least lessen the effects if they do. Since my cats get fed from fresh bowls every morning, I am able to hand them out based on what cat will or will not eat a certain flavor, each cat’s needs, and order of demand. (Once the bowl hits the floor in front of a certain little kitty, the face is in the bowl and will move for no one – ehem Zeus!) Of course, not all cats are going to put up with scheduled feeding. As well, if you have growing kittens as I do, you are probably not going to be able to restrict them as much.
High tech – The automatic feeder. Some of them will read the animal’s chip or an included RFID collar tag and magically open the bowl for that specific animal. When kitty steps away, the bowl closes. There are different brands and configurations. I cannot endorse any particular one, but my advice is read the reviews if you want to go this route. It would make things convenient for the working fur-parent, the kitties who “must” have their dry food, or any home with a particularly aggressive eater. The Feline Diabetic Support Group on FB has information on some of these feeders, and if you join up you can ask about what to look for in terms of the number of animals you have, your budget, and other details pertinent to your “zoo”.
Sometimes, in the beginning, you may have to segregate your special needs kitty. Other cats are naturally curious, and some are protective of their household members. In this case, it is easier to take kitty into a bathroom or other small area where you can close the door, test, and treat kitty. You can feed separately too but you probably need to recruit some help to feed the others at the same time outside of the area you are in. Otherwise, mayhem will ensue, and you will be retesting and re-dosing diabetic kitty, and we would rather avoid this if we can.
This is an adjustment and requires a little patience, a lot of creativity, and working with your kitties’ personalities. You know your babies. If you come up with a new idea, try it. If it works, share it!
Next week, I will talk about veterinary issues including how to find a new one, when to consider changing, and the prescription diet foods – be prepared for surprises kids!