Question about psyllium

[JoanneDM]

My holistic veterinarian is recommending that I give my 7-month-old kitten about 2/3 tsp of psyllium daily--this is to make sure she empties her bowels daily to make room for next round of food intake as a way to increase her appetite. I am giving her 1/4 tsp of psyllium twice a day. She doesn't like psyllium in her raw food so I hydrate it in 1 tsp of water and mix it with 1/4 tsp of pumpkin puree, and give it to her after her morning and evening meal, topped up with a creamy lickable treat...which she enjoys eating. She is having bowel movements every morning.

I'm wondering if psyllium can interfere with food absorption? And if the amount given to her is not excessive, should I provide psyllium at each meal time--she eats morning, mid afternoon and evening? What would be your thoughts ( @Dr. Christina; @Dr. Jeff; @Dr. Jean Hofve ) on the amount currently given to her?

Your input is much appreciated as always,

Joanne

 

[Dr. Jeff]

Hi Joanne!

My opinion will be different from your holistic vet.

Personally, I would not address the stool and eating issue by making "room for next round of food intake".

This is not addressing the underlying process.

Adding a vet homeopath to your vet care team will help you do this.

Regarding giving psyllium as per your holistic vet, it might be best for you to follow your holistic vet's advice. While you work on the underlying energetic imbalance that is leading to all of your kitty's health challenges.

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Studies on dietary fiber and nutrient bioavailability have gained an increasing interest in both human and animal nutrition. Questions are increasingly being asked regarding the faith of nutrient components such as proteins, minerals, vitamins, and lipids after feed formulation. The aim of this...

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[JoanneDM]

Thank you Dr. Jeff for this study. My concern is that my kitten is not gaining much weight. At 7 months of age, she weighs about 5.3 lbs. I'm wondering if 2/3 tsp of psyllium per day (new recommendation) would make the food go down her intestinal track too quickly such that she would not be taking it in her body to add weight on her. It could also be making her feel full such that it would be reducing her food intake. For a few weeks prior to this recommendation, I was adding 1/3 tsp per meal, 3 times per day, only to find out no weight gain.

My kitten is very energetic, happy and playful. She has bowel movements every morning. But I find her stools to be big. For food intake of 155 g a day, since reducing the amount of psyllium and no longer adding the Vitamin Rx powder (which I think didn't go well for her), her stool can weigh about 17 g, that's more than 10% her food intake. And that's with giving her the reduced amount of 1/4 tsp of psyllium, with 1tsp of water, and 3/8 tsp of pumpkin puree, morning and evening.

If stools being 10% of food intake is a lot, I would very much like to know what would be the maximum amount of psyllium to give my kitten per day. By including pumpkin puree (maximum of 3/4 tsp per day?), that could lessen the need for psyllium and it may not be as filling.

I'm not sure if these questions are answerable...but would be interested in hearing any of your views @Dr. Jeff as well as @Dr. Jean Hofve and @Dr. Christina if any to share....

Again, much appreciated, Joanne

 

[Dr. Jeff]

make the food go down her intestinal track too quickly

The psyllium actually slows transit of food down the intestinal tract. And thereby improves absorption of water in the stool to improve stool (and intestinal) health.

 

[JoanneDM]

Thanks so much Dr. Jeff for clarifying this for me, it is most reassuring.

I'm now giving her the hydrated psyllium with a bit more than equal amount of pumpkin puree, covered up with some lickable treat, after she is done eating...I figured that this way, it won't make her full during meal time ... I am now able to get her to eat around 155 g of raw turkey, with nothing added to it--as I finally learned she wants consistency and just the meat--anything else she gets separately on the side like her treats and 1 piece of blue mussel per day. Her energy level and playfulness continue to be high ... she is doing well, and I'm more relaxed now ... it's very comforting to be able to have direct communication with you and other veterinarians through your channel!