Ask Your Cat Question. Cat Experts Answer You ASAP.

(Not a Cat Question?)

My cat loves honeydew melon and plain cultured
Sent to Cat Experts September 10 01:25 AM

My cat loves honeydew melon(but won't touch cantelope) and he eats plain cultured yogurt. Is it good for him?

 

Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Status:  Closed   Value: $8
Answer
September 10 2:38 AM (1 hour and 12 minutes and 49 seconds later)
         
REPLIEDCheck Mark
Hi Eileen,

The plain cultured yogurt is good for keeping his intestinal 'flora' (good bacteria) healthy! Just don't overdo it. Most cats are lactose intolerant, so a 'dairy' product such as yogurt, may cause digestive upset with symptoms like diarrhea and gas.

If his bowel movements are normal and he's in good health, a ½ teaspoon 3 times a week should be fine.

I had a cat many moons ago who liked very strange 'human' foods and one of them was watermelon!

Honeydew shouldn't bother him, but again, offer it in moderation. It IS high in sugar and any fruit can cause loose stools. If he enjoys it, you can give it as a treat once in a while, but I would not overdo it.

If you see ANY type of gastrointestinal upset, stop the honeydew and discuss the yogurt with your vet.

Your cat sounds like a cutie! : )

Cher

If my answer is helpful please click ACCEPT. Click reply for more info. Please talk to me before considering leaving neg. feedback; my only goal is to provide helpful answers. Thanks!
1 Other Expert Agrees with this!
Picture
Jessesmom -- Feline Specialist Health/Behavior100% Positive Feedback on 5612 Cat Accepts
Feline Healthcare and Behavior Specialist 40+ years Experience
Reply
September 10 12:27 PM (9 hours and 48 minutes and 21 seconds later)
         
Reply to Jessesmom's Post:

Cher,

Do you know what it could be in honeydew melon that he craves. He has dandruff. He also has new onset Diabetes. I don"t think he wants the sugar. I think there must be something special in honeydew that he needs. Do you have any idea what it is?

He will also eat a huge amount of frozen yogurt, any ice cream, any yogurt, milk. He waits for the fridge to open and practically climbs into it. He fought with a guest over a piece of raisin bread she took of of the fridge. He wanted it.

He is pitifully bored with his canned food. Science diet he abhors. He likes fancy feast but only gourmet pate. He will not eat sliced meat from the can. Although he will eat sliced Turkey meat from the deli. His buddy, Keeper, will not eat anything but cat food and is not interested in anything else.

Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Answer
September 10 2:18 PM (1 hour and 51 minutes and 40 seconds later)
         
ACCEPTEDCheck Mark
Hi Eileen,

Is he on insulin for the diabetes, if so, how much? Which food did the vet recommend--Science Diet m/d?

I will research the honeydew for you, but in general, I must tell you that eating all that dairy, PLUS the fact that he has diabetes, you're going to have to get him out of the habit--he's going to make himself really sick!

I have a diabetic cat who doesn't fall into the category of 'lactose intolerant' and used to beg for a little milk when I had my cereal in the morning. I used to give him the 'leftovers' from my bowl, then realized he shouldn't have the sugars/whatever that came out of my cereal, so I started giving him a 'dot' of milk in a bowl. Shortly after his diagnosis, I read the milk carton and saw that it has 'natural' sugars! I stopped immediately! Yes, he was like 'Pavlov's dogs', and begged every single morning for milk; it broke my heart, but I knew if I gave it to him, I was endangering his health.

And, even if the ice-cream, frozen yogurt, etc., he likes should be sugarless, I don't know how felines metabolize artificial sweeteners and I'm positive it's not good for them!

You can start mixing a little of the Science Diet (if it's Prescription food for diabetes) with the food he likes now. Then, little by little, start increasing the new food and decreasing the amount of the old until you're totally changed over.

If he's NOT on Science Diet m/d, I'll send you a list of foods that he might like which are supposed to be good for diabetic cats.

DEFINITELY cut out the human foods (ice-cream, etc.) he's used to, or it will be very bad for his health! The sliced turkey is okay as a treat, but not as a meal.

How old is he and when was this diagnosis made? Is he overweight? The dandruff can be caused by not being able to groom in certain areas (is it on his back?) and because his skin may be dry due to his current physical condition and other factors.

I'll get back to you with some more info and suggestions very soon.

Cher

If my answer is helpful please click ACCEPT. Click reply for more info. Please talk to me before considering leaving neg. feedback; my only goal is to provide helpful answers. Thanks!
Picture
Jessesmom -- Feline Specialist Health/Behavior100% Positive Feedback on 5612 Cat Accepts
Feline Healthcare and Behavior Specialist 40+ years Experience
Think you can answer this question?
Login or Become an Expert

Related Answers

 

DISCLAIMER: You acknowledge that any information you may obtain from individuals you contact through use of the JustAnswer service comes from those individuals, not from JustAnswer, and that JustAnswer is not in any way responsible for any of the information these third parties may supply. The site and services are provided "as is" with no warranty and no representations are made regarding the qualification of an Expert. Responses and comments on JustAnswer are for general information and are not intended to substitute for informed professional advice (such as medical, legal, investment or accounting) and do not establish a professional-client relationship. JustAnswer is not intended or designed to address EMERGENCY QUESTIONS which should be directed immediately by telephone or in-person to qualified professionals. Please carefully read the Terms of Service.

JustAnswer > Cat Breed Info and Feline Health Care