Cat Questions- Diet and fleas (unrelated)

[CWNSF]

Hello! I have 2 questions I’m looking for some opinions on:

1. When starting a cat on a diet who was previously had free choice kibble all day (no wet), do you have to slowly decrease the amount you’re feeding or can you jump straight to diet portions? Would it be better to use a weight management type food or just feed less of a high quality kibble? If it makes a difference, the cat significantly overweight, probably in the needs to lose 5-10lbs category.

2. I’ve not had good experiences with the topical flea treatments on cats. In my experience, it’s made them super sensitive to touch and they seem unhappy. I use NexGuard (oral tablet) for my dogs and am happy with it. Is there an oral equivalent for cats? NexGuard can only be used on dogs.

Thanks in advance for the advice!

[Pep_n_Ann]

1. I would jump straight to diet portions. Be prepared for lots of complaining from kitty.

2. I know that Comfortis makes a tablet for cats. I currently use Cheristin, which is a topical. I haven’t noticed any issues with sensitivity from it. Once kitty is over indignation of a mere human putting something on her, she’s fine, lol.

[Cammie]

I’ve used Comfortis. Just be aware that it can make your cat extremely nauseous for several hours after dosing. My vet recommended keeping it in the freezer, and it did help somewhat. Also to give Pepcid before the pill. They were still pretty pukey-looking though. Never seen cats look so miserable and positively green. I can’t do Revolution with one cat because he has a panicked response to the burning sensation. Never leaves a rash or damage on his skin, but he completely freaks at the sensation and runs in a blind panic. I’m afraid he’ll hurt himself running into something.

[Simkie]

I do the Seresto collars for my kitties. No side effects at all. Comfortis sounds miserable I wonder if zofran would work better than pepcid for the nausea?

[Cammie]

@Simkie

Comfortis sounds miserable

It definitely is. My male cat felt terrible the first time he had it, but seemed fine the second/third time after it was in the freezer. My female cat was fine the first time, but felt lousy the second time she had the frozen version. (She normally gets the Revolution since she has no issues with the skin reaction). That’s taking it w/food too, so I don’t know why they feel fine one time, but barfy and lethargic the next time.

I don’t think I’ll renew the Comfortis prescription for my male, it just makes me too worried with how awful they sometimes feel after taking it. I’ll have to see what else is available that isn’t topical.

[CWNSF]

Thanks for the ideas guys!

After hearing about the comfortis side effects, I’m a little nervous to try it.

I wonder what it is about the make-up of cats that makes it so hard to have an oral flea/tick preventative. My dog has never had an issue with the NexGuard. Perhaps I’ll try the Cheristin. I’ve never collared my cats (including those I had growing up) because I worry about them getting the collar stuck on something even though they have always been indoor kitties.

My puppy has a Seresto collar right now which I’ll keep for the season, but my plan is to switch her to the NexGuard next year.

[erroneous]

Please be careful when reducing a fat cat’s food. If they lose weight too fast they can develop fatty liver.

The site catinfo.org has lots of good info on feeding cats.