Best Food For Diabetic Cats

According to a study, diabetes in cats is the most common metabolic disease! Between 0.25 and 0.5% of the feline population suffers from it. A proper diet is one of the most important elements of caring for a cat with diabetes. An animal with this diagnosis needs a lot of attention, especially the early diagnosis of the disease and timely treatment received, can lead to remission.

Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disease caused by insulin deficiency. Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas and is responsible for the absorption of glucose from the blood by the body’s cells. In other words, it allows the body to turn glucose into energy. If there is a disruption in insulin secretion, glucose is not transformed properly and its level in the blood rises. The body is unable to properly produce energy from glucose, so it begins to consume stored stores – fats and then proteins. This leads to gradual exhaustion of the body, weakening and thinness. Moreover, toxic products of glucose metabolism, that is, ketone bodies, remain in the blood.

Diabetes can occur in cats of any age, although it is more common in “older” animals. A factor that increases the risk of the disease is obesity. The first symptoms of diabetes include thirst and increased urine excretion, and some cats that show an increased appetite are still thin.

What are the causes of diabetes in cats?

The development of diabetes in cats consists of many factors, including genetic predisposition, obesity, physical inactivity, and castration.

As for genetic predisposition, this problem is still not fully understood. Mutation of certain genes responsible for tissue sensitivity to insulin leads to diabetes, as well as changes in a number of genes that affect insulin production and action. Some of these genes in humans are also associated with a predisposition to obesity, so it is suggested that the situation may be similar in cats.

Scientists believe that obesity in cats begins when an animal exceeds the average optimal body weight by 30% (overweight is 15% overweight). As you can easily guess, obesity is a growing problem in companion animals and, to the greatest extent, is due to an inadequate diet. Nowadays, dry food has become a very convenient solution for busy pet owners, while few are aware of its harmful effects.

Lack of exercise, poor quality food all lead to weight gain and can accelerate the development of diabetes.

Castration often leads to decreased physical activity in a cat, a menu consisting of foods designed for castrated cats, however paradoxical it may seem, aggravates the problem – this type of food contains many carbohydrates, which provoke the development of overweight and obesity in cats.

Cats with diabetes love fresh air
Cats with diabetes love fresh air

Symptoms of diabetes in a cat

The symptoms of diabetes in cats are noticeable to owners. The cat is often apathetic, becomes slow and lethargic. Its fur becomes dull, the animal may also be prone to dermatological diseases. The body gradually becomes dehydrated. In the later stage, diabetic neuropathy occurs with a characteristic “rabbit” gait – the cat puts its foot completely on the ground. There is an increased frequency of urination, the so-called polyuria. A cat with diabetes may also drink frequently, and suffer from vomiting and diarrhea. The animal may gain weight, have more appetite, or conversely, have no appetite and lose weight rapidly.

The cat wants normal food from the owner, although there is a suspicion that he has diabetes
The cat wants normal food from the owner, although there is a suspicion that he has diabetes

At the first visit to the veterinarian, a baseline blood test, urinalysis and fructosamine test should be performed, the serum level of which determines the amount of glucose in the blood over the past few weeks. This set of tests will give more reliable results than a simple glucose test. A visit to the vet is stressful enough for the cat that blood sugar levels can spike significantly.

Diagnosing Diabetes in a Cat

If a cat has symptoms of diabetes, the first thing the veterinarian should do is perform blood tests, also check serum thyroxine levels and take a urine sample for bacterial cultures. Glucose, fructosamine, and the presence of sugar in the urine will be considered. Generally, the literature talks about the observation of high blood sugar levels in the cat, or rather, fixed hyperglycemia, that is, a constantly elevated amount of glucose in the blood. However, it is not easy to find out due to the fact that in cats, stress causes an increase in this parameter.

The cat is nervous.
The owner printed out an envelope with the results of the cat’s diabetes test. The cat is worried and asks the owner to read the test results himself.

The trip to the vet’s office, the visit itself, the puncture and blood draw, are associated with stress, so the result may be false. It would be more adequate to study the fructosamine concentration as it is not subject to stress factor.

How is it treated?

Diabetes can be treated with oral pharmacotherapy (drugs that stimulate insulin secretion and drugs with arginine and chromium), but often this therapy is not enough. The doctor may then prescribe insulin injections.

It is important to note that in cats, in the early stages of the disease, after appropriate treatment and diet, there is the possibility of remission and even complete cure. If the cat no longer needs insulin therapy, the caregiver should continue to monitor blood glucose levels and continue the diet.

Proper nutrition for a diabetic cat

When a cat is diagnosed with diabetes, diet is one of the most important elements of therapy. The composition of the food will be important, as well as the frequency and portion size.

The pet’s food must meet two basic characteristics: it must be low in carbohydrates and high in animal protein, which is perfectly absorbed by the cat’s body. It is from protein that the cat’s body produces energy (glucose comes from the glycogenic amino acids) – regardless of whether the cat is sick or healthy.

A cat should eat food as often as possible, but portions should be small. Each meal is an energy boost, so too much food consumed at a time can cause a dangerous spike in your pet’s blood sugar levels. The optimal number of meals during the day is 5 and the minimum is 3. Insulin injections are given after meals. This is very important, since the cat may suffer from hypoglycemia, that is, a sharp drop in blood sugar, a life-threatening condition in case it has refused to eat for some reason, and previously received a dose of insulin.

If the cat is overweight, you need to help her regain her normal weight. An obese pet may not even respond to insulin.

If you buy a pet ready-to-eat food, you need to read the composition of each product very carefully. Foods containing cereals should be excluded – they should not appear in the diet of even healthy cats. It is worth remembering that carbohydrates are also found in fruit, so it is better to check fruit supplements for food.

Diet for a diabetic cat

The food for a diabetic cat should be wet. It is true that you can meet the claim that after consuming dry food, blood glucose spikes are less severe, but dry food has a number of disadvantages. A diabetic cat has an increased need for fluids, so dry food is not suitable. It will be difficult for the animal’s body to equalize an adequate supply of water, even if it drinks water. In addition, dry foods very often contain unwanted carbohydrates.

The diet of a diabetic cat is not that bad. The cat is happy.
The diet of a diabetic cat is not that bad. The cat is happy.

You should buy only balanced foods for nutrition. Canned foods should contain at least 50% fillet meat and valuable by-products (i.e., heart, liver, stomach). They should not contain cereals, vegetables with high glycemic index, including soybeans and soy proteins, and rice, which strongly increases blood glucose levels. As for the type of meat, it all depends on the cat’s taste.

The fat in the food should be easily digestible, i.e., it should be animal fat. Fish oil is an excellent food, and enriches the cat’s diet with a healthy dose of omega-3 and -6. These fatty acids help to regulate blood glucose levels and also strengthen the heart and improve the nervous system.

A balanced cat food should contain additives in the form of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients which the meat itself does not provide. This is primarily taurine. Chromium supplements, the mentioned omega-3 and -6, and L-carnitine are also indicated.

Important components for the diabetic cat are cellulose and mucilaginous substances, such as cellulose, guar gum and beet pulp, which modify the tissue sensitivity to insulin. Mucilaginous substances slow down the process of digestion and absorption of carbohydrates – i.e. they reduce the risk of a dangerous spike in blood glucose levels. A source of such substances is, for example, psyllium.

Reyus Mammadli/ author of the article

I have had pets since childhood: cats, guinea pigs, rabbits, geese, chickens, ducks, parrots, aquarium fish and dogs (in the yard). Of course, I constantly encountered diseases of pets and treated them. Glad to be able to share my skills and experience, as well as advice on caring for and adapting these critters and birds.

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