Transitioning from single-protein homemade diet to rotation (cat with small cell lymphoma) — looking for real-world experiences
I’m hoping to learn from others who have experience with homemade diets and protein rotation.
My cat McGee has been on a vet nutritionist formulated homemade cooked diet for a while now:
- ground pork
- pork heart
- pork liver
- Alnutrin with eggshell calcium completer
- Folate
- Nordic Natural fish oil
- Visbiome Vet
We originally went this route because we suspected protein allergies/sensitivities. Since then, he’s had biopsies and was diagnosed with gastric small cell lymphoma, so we now know the issue wasn’t protein-related.
Because of that, I’d really like to move him toward a more varied diet instead of feeding the exact same protein mix every day long-term. (Similar to people, I worry about nutritional gaps with zero variety over time.)
Between chemo, vet visits, ultrasounds, biopsy, and an upcoming dental, I’m trying to avoid the cost of going back to the nutritionist for a full reformulation if I can safely manage this myself.
I’m thinking, keep the same structure and ratios, but rotate proteins.
Example swaps:
- pork → chicken, turkey, beef, etc.
- pork heart → corresponding heart (chicken heart, etc.)
- liver → whatever liver is available
- Continue using the same Alnutrin completer as directed
- Transition slowly (90/10 → 80/20 → 60/40, etc.)
- Eventually rotate proteins batch-to-batch (each batch lasts ~6 days)
Questions for those who’ve done this:
- Have you successfully moved from a single-protein homemade diet to a rotation? How did it go?
- Did you stick to one protein per batch, or mix proteins within batches?
- Any proteins that were easier/harder to introduce?
- Anything you wish you had done differently?
- Any signs I should watch for that a protein isn’t agreeing with them (beyond the obvious GI upset)?
I’m not interested in raw feeding (just a personal choice), so this would stay fully cooked.
I’ll be going slowly and watching him closely, but I’d really value hearing real-world experiences before I start making changes.
Thanks so much in advance — I really appreciate any insight ❤️