Its a boy - its a girl - its a sugarcat!

Congratulations - you've just become the proud parent of a sugarcat :)  Caring for a sugarcat will be one of the most rewarding things you do in your life...and because proud moms and dads always like to "outfit a nursery"...here's a list of things you should pick up on day one or add to your gift registry!

Note: these aren't in any particular order - they're all equally important.

• karo syrup, maple syrup or honey: you'll need this in case of a hypoglycemic episode, see Melissa's Treating Hypoglycemia for detailed info

• ketodiastix: you'll want to start testing for ketones on a regular basic, 1x a week is a good plan, see the ketone mini-faq and ketone testing 101 for more info

• all meat baby food flavors (no onion in ingredient list) or Wysong all meat canned food: always keep these on hand if you need to force feed, see the syringe feeding faq for more info

• a baby medicine syringe, available in most supermarkets or department stores in the baby aisle for about $2US: you'll want to have one on hand in case you need to syringe feed

• tender vittles, meow mix, sheba, whiskas and other "junk food": always keep something handy for "tempt to eat" situations, a sugarcat should never skip a meal so if they get finicky, always have something else to offer

• canned tuna or canned chicken: these aren't appropriate for a kitty to eat on a regular basis, but at times when food isn't interesting, a snack of either tuna or chicken - or a little water from the can poured over food may stimulate the appetite; also, the water can be added to regular water if you're worried about dehydration and need to get your cat to drink more

• a pint of ice cream, a bottle of wine, pick your poison: have something so that you can take a few minutes of "down time" when it all gets a little too overwhelming

• chocolate: this is helpful not only in case you accidentally poke yourself with a syringe that possibly still contains a trace of insulin, but is a general "break glass in case of emergency" stand by to have handy!

Now, these are just a few of the basic staples you should have nearby at all times...you don't want to have to go out for a pint of ice cream in the middle of a crisis situation at 3 am do you? LOL.  Always remember that your sugarcat is still your *cat*..the same beloved companion that's been with you for days, weeks, months, years.  Don't lose sight of your cat behind the illness :)

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