Syringe Feeding Cats, Diabetic Cat Care

Information provided about specific medical procedures or conditions is for educational purposes to allow for educated, on-going discussion with your vet and is not intended to replace veterinary advice.

Diabetic Cat Care

Assisted Feeding Methods

Occasions arise when our cats stop eating. Inappetance (aka anorexia) can be caused by a number of things (serious dental issues, pancreatitis, hepatic lipidosis, DKA, kidney failure, to mention a few). Typically, your cat will be fine in the morning, but then will refuse to eat their mid-day meal. Anorexia can truly happen as quickly as that.

Unlike many other species, cats are not able to go for long periods of time without food on board. It is very important to make sure that your cat is not permitted to go more than 24 hours without eating, otherwise serious complications can arise; particularly when it comes to developing liver related issues such as hepatic lipidosis which can be life-threatening.

In addition, when dealing with times of anorexia, it is very likely insulin doses will need to be reduced, or stopped entirely depending on the situation. Please post on forum for assistance if your cat becomes inappetant.

Members on forum may recommend a trial of Pepcid AC to see if that will help your cat start to eat on its own again quickly. If that doesn't work relatively quickly, and your cat continues to be anorexic, it is imperative to schedule an immediate vet visit, including a complete blood work panel (CBC) and urinalysis tests (USG and culture & sensitivity), to determine what specifically is causing your cat to refuse food.

Getting food into your cat is not mean or cruel, in fact it could make the difference between life and death. Most cats are not completely accepting of syringe feeding - but over time and with practice, it does become easier. It is important not to tire your cat out when they're ill because they need their strength (and food) to get better. Smaller feedings given more often are recommended to allow the stomach to process the food and reduce the chances of vomiting.

It's important an anorexic cat get at least 4 ounces (6 ounces is better) of food per day. It is less stressful to make up the full daily amount of food every morning, then stick it in the fridge between feedings. To get the food back to a loose consistency that will flow through the feeding syringes, put the meal in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds before each feeding.

It can take some cats a week or two to get back to the point where they are able to eat on their own again. If syringe feeding your cat proves to be too stressful, or will need to be continued for a significant amount of time depending on the situation, a feeding tube insertion may be in order. Please see below for further information about feeding tubes.

If your diabetic cat is anorexic, please post on forum for assistance with regards to reduced insulin doses. A modified version of TR may be required during times of inappetance, as well as more frequent checking of BG and monitoring for ketones.

Appetite Stimulants

There are a number of drugs (both prescription and OTC) which can be used to help increase appetite, depending on the cause of the anorexia. A quarter tablet of Pepcid AC (original formula, 10% famotidine) can be tried every 12 hours. This is an antacid medication available OTC and while it does not actually stimulate the appetite, if your cat's tummy is upset, it may help settle things down so they are interested in food again. While Pepcid AC can be used for most cats, it is wise to discuss using this medication with your vet, especially for those cats with kidney or heart issues.

Cyproheptadine can be prescribed by the vet, or may be available OTC under the name Periactin. Ranitidine (aka Zantac) is another medication that can be helpful, particularly if the use of Pepcid AC or Cypro causes vomiting. It is important to discuss the use of any of these medications with your vet, especially if your cat has kidney or heart issues. Mirtazapine is another stimulant which is used to increase appetite, although there are some issues; for example, it can only be given once every three days so if it doesn't work to stimulate your cat's appetite, you're stuck with no other alternatives until that time passes. Also, some cats can become quite "loopy" on it. If at all possible, push your vet for Cypro or Periactin if you can.

Suggested Food for Assisted Feeding

Generally, the best food to feed a cat that's not eating is what they would normally eat - thinned down with a small amount of water, homemade no-salt chicken broth, or full fat plain yogurt, and then whipped in a blender until smooth. Depending on the power of the blender, a well-balanced raw cat food can also be blended until smooth enough to pass through a feeding syringe or tube. Alternatives include Stage one all meat and broth baby food, (Heinz), or some of the prescription "Recovery" canned formulas - although these contain less than stellar ingredients and are typically very high in dry matter carbs. DCC's "Sick Mix Recipe" sticky provides further information on how to prepare food for assisted feeding, and supplements which can be added to help support the immune system. It is important to make sure that your cat is eating at a minimum, 4 to 6 ounces of well-balanced food a day - up to 9 ounces a day if using all meat and broth baby foods.

Syringe Feeding

Syringe feeding can be messy business when first starting out. An old, clean sheet or towel spread out on the floor is helpful to contain any messes. Also, wearing an old long sleeved shirt helps to keep your clothes clean. The tools needed will be a feeding syringe (available from the vet, or drug store - a baby liquid medication syringe will work too), a measured supply of well-blended food, a glass of room temperature water, an old - clean - face cloth, paper towels, and a towel big enough to wrap your cat in.

Some cats prefer to be syringe fed in an upright position, without being held. For others, the "burrito" method works really well to help contain your cat, cradling them in your arm like a baby, with their front and hind paws secured within the towel. Some cats can get pretty feisty in their resistance to be syringe fed.

Do not attempt to syringe feed a cat that is not able to swallow on their own, or if they are not conscious. When syringe feeding, it is important to keep your cat as "naturally" upright as possible, and to place the syringe at the side of their mouth, rather than syringe straight down their throat which can cause choking. The key is to give small amounts, not only with each squeeze of the syringe, but also during each session you syringe feed. If your cat struggles, then let them go and come back to it in 15 -30 minutes to make sure they get the nutrition they need at regular intervals throughout the day. You won't want to feed too much at one time, up to an ounce at one go is a good amount which will help reduce any chances of vomiting, and shouldn't cause too much tummy upset. Medications can be crushed into the mixed food which also helps get them into your cat. Some advise washing down food periodically with a little bit of syringed water, some don't.

There are many videos and websites available which offer guidance when it comes to syringe feeding; try a number of different approaches until you find the ones that work best for you and your cat. If you have any difficulties, please post on forum as members who have experience with syringe feeding will be more than happy to share their experiences with you.

U-Tube Video How to Syringe Feed a Cat

Assisted Feeding Website - Some great info here!

Keeping a Sick Kitty Eating - Feline Lymphoma Caregivers

Persuading your cat -Tanya's CRF Site

Feeding Tubes

The cost to insert a feeding tube isn't inexpensive, nor does it mean that you are a bad owner if you aren't able to syringe feed your cat. There are many reasons why syringe feeding isn't successful or recommended for some owners, for example if your cat's condition will require a longer time of assisted feeding. If it turns out that your cat needs a feeding tube, it will be inserted at the vet clinic. There are different types of feeding tubes, and different placements for them, depending on the situation. A helpful guideline from DVM Wendy Blount, A Veterinary guide to the use, placement and care of feeding tubes.

Vet Info - Tube Feeding Cats

Dr. Lisa Pierson on Feeding Tubes

Feline Lymphoma Caregivers on Feeding Tubes

While syringe feeding cats isn't always easy, and most certainly if you find yourself in the position of having to do so you will wonder at times if you should be considering other, permanent alternatives for your cat. Try not to become too stressed (easier said than done, we know). Cats are very resilient creatures and do bounce back from anorexia and needing to be syringe fed (or needing a feeding tube) more often than not. If you find yourself feeling desperate or entirely stressed, please come post on DCC's forum. Fellow members provide you with a lot of guidance and more importantly, support. It's very likely you'll find the bond between you and your cat deepens to new levels. As much as they may not want to eat, our cats really do understand we are trying our very best to help them.