Journey of a Cat’s Private Chef

August 2021

Lily hanging out on the cat tree.

Lily and Lucy both have red gums. There has been improvement since I first started on this quest. Lily’s breath improved. Their coat is silkier. Still, there wasn’t enough progress.

By appointment time for both cats, I made a recent purchase of cat food. Ugh.

Both cats body scratching had escalated. Researched what I could do to help alleviate the problem.

Coconut oil on the skin.

So, for the next 2 days I massaged organic coconut oil into their most scratched sites. They had a greased look and weren’t happy. The next 4 days they spent grooming, which meant they were ingesting the oil. Fine, it’s good for them.

Tried to offer the oil to consume before I resorted to a soaked look. No takers.

Lunch meal I gave them each ½ teaspoon olive oil mixed into their food. The combo has helped lessen up the scratching.

After visiting the vet, it was an eye-opener for what might be happening. Alley cats were always easier.

The question comes to mind: Can you really afford a purebred cat?

Lily playing on the cat tree.

Better or worse, here I am, hook, line, and sinker. Love these guys and want the best for them. It’s I who needs to help get them back to perfect health.

Will it be a long journey?

Don’t know. We are not sure what is wrong.

Are they allergic to what makes plague under the gum line? Are they allergic to chicken or whatever else is in their food? I am inclined to not believe the chicken allergy, as the prescription diet has chicken.

Back to the vet visit.

Lily got a shot of Cefovecin, an anti-biotic and Depomedrol a steroid. Lucy got the anti-biotic only. Lily’s voice improved from the shot.

Instructions were to feed them Hill’s Prescription Diet z/d Original Skin/Food Sensitivities Canned Cat Food. This is an allergy diet. Keep them on it for 4 to 6 weeks. A free follow-up in one month. Preferred a 6-week follow-up, but the free sounded much better after the vet bill I received.

Lucy on cat tree.

We discussed the trial period results. The proposal, add one food back at a time. And the real downer is, it won’t be the food I just got shipped to me.

When we get the health issue figured out, then we can decide if giving them the recent food purchase one meal portion every week or two. Anyway, that is my hopes.

The vet mentioned stomatitis. Causes can be a variety of things.

https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/gingivitis-and-stomatitis-in-cats

For now, we wait.

Will go to the follow-up appointment armed with a proposed menu selection. Plans are a new career of being my cats’ private chef.

Your turn. Comments are welcome.

• Do you cook for your cats?

• What do you cook for them?

• Do you feed them a raw diet or some cooked?

• Do you wonder how to balance their nutritional needs?