What To Feed A Cat With Diabetes?

What To Feed A Cat With Diabetes
Though diet needs to be tailored to a cat’s individual needs, high-protein, low-carbohydrate foods are ideal for many cats with diabetes. (Typically a diet with less than 10% total calories as carbohydrates.) If feeding dry food, ideally a prescription diet formulated for cats with diabetes should be fed.

What is the best food to feed a diabetic cat?

How to Feed Diabetic Cats – Consistency is key when it comes to feeding diabetic cats, particularly if they are on insulin. Cats should eat the same amount of food at the same time each day. Most diabetic cats receive two daily insulin injections that are given 12 hours apart.

Ideally, food should be offered just before the next dose of insulin is due.
That way, if a cat does not eat a full meal, the amount of insulin can be reduced.
Your veterinarian will put together a detailed plan regarding when and how to adjust insulin dosages.
If in doubt, do not give your cat any insulin and call your veterinarian for advice.

Treats should be limited to 10 percent of a diabetic cat’s diet and given at the same time every day. Good options like freeze-dried chicken, beef, salmon, tuna, and liver are high in protein and low in carbohydrates, just like the foods recommended for diabetic cats.

Stop giving treats if they interfere with your cat’s appetite at regular mealtimes.
Finally, never make any changes to your diabetic cat’s insulin dose or diet without first talking to your veterinarian.
Diabetes management is a delicate balance between diet and insulin levels.
Changing one almost invariably necessitates a change in the other to keep cats safe from potentially fatal fluctuations in their blood sugar levels.

: Best Food for Cats with Diabetes

What not to feed a diabetic cat?

If your cat is diabetic, it is best to stay away from foods that are based on white flour. Generally, white flour is not a preferred food for both humans and animals and it should be strictly avoided in case your cat is diabetic. Instead, feed your cat food that is based on whole grains or even no grains.

Can diabetic cats eat dry food?

Diet and Feeding Instructions – Cats need to be on a low-carbohydrate diet. The good news is that there are a lot of suitable foods available in the grocery store. The bad news is that none of them are dry. Dry foods, every one of them, contain too much carbs for diabetic cats.

Click here for a huge list of suitable cat foods. You can use any food on the list that has 7% carbs or less. That’s the third column from the left. Switching to a low-carb diet will at least help reduce the amount of insulin your cat will need, will increase the chances of going into remission, will make your cat’s insulin dose much easier to regulate, and may even be enough to manage the diabetes without insulin.

It is very important that your cat eat reliably in the morning and evening at insulin injection time. For this reason, it is vital that they not be allowed to free-feed. You need to have control over when they are hungry. If you can feed your cats a few snacks during the day and still get him or her to eat dinner reliably, you can do that, but if the cats do not eat when it is time for insulin there can be big problems.

Is Wet food good for diabetic cats?

Best Foods for Cats With Diabetes – When choosing a diet for your diabetic cat, it’s best to choose wet foods that typically come in cans or pouches. Wet foods are lower in carbohydrates than dry foods and contain more water than kibble. Cats need water in their diets for hydration and urinary tract health because they often don’t drink enough water on their own.

If you are having trouble getting your kibble-addicted cat to eat wet food, you will need to take time to transition your cat to wet food. When searching for the right commercial wet food, pay close attention to the content of carbohydrates, fat, and protein. The diet should have as few carbohydrates as possible.

It should mainly consist of animal-based protein and fats. About 50% or more of the calories in your cat’s diet should come from animal-based protein and 20-40% should come from fat. Calories from carbohydrates should be less than 10%, but lower is always better.

Be aware that not all wet cat food is the same. Wet foods with a lot of gravy may contain a lot of sugar. Although cats cannot really taste the sweetness, they can still become addicted to it. Many cat owners notice their cats love gravy-based wet foods more than pate wet foods. Feline nutrition expert Lisa A.

Pierson, DVM of catinfo.org has created a very useful website with advice about feeding diabetic cats, The site includes a detailed and useful cat food composition chart that lists the contents of many commercial wet cat foods. The following list includes some of the many optimum wet foods for cats with diabetes:

9 Lives: Pate varieties onlyDave’sEvoEvolveFancy Feast: Stick with chunky, classic, flaked, and roasted varieties; avoid gravy lovers, marinated, medleys, and sliced varieties as they are higher in carbohydrates.FreshPet: Found in the pet food aisle in a refrigerated caseFriskies: Choose the pate or flakes varieties; avoid other varieties as they contain too many carbsHalo: Avoid “Spot’s Stew,” but other varieties are low in carbsHolistic SelectI and Love and You: Most varieties are low in carbs; consult nutrition information firstIams: Most varieties are low in carbs; consult nutrition information firstMeow Mix: Pate varieties are low in carbsNature’s VarietyNewman’s OwnNuloPinnacleProPlan: Prime Plus and True Nature varieties are low-carb/high-protein; avoid other varietiesSheba: Pate varieties onlyTiki Cat: All varieties contain very few or no carbsTriumphWellness: Complete Hath line is low in carbs; many other varieties are too high in carbs, so consult nutrition information firstWeruva/B.F.F.: Many varieties are low in carbs; consult nutrition information first Wysong

Are scrambled eggs good for diabetic cats?

Tips for a Healthy Diet – No matter which diet option you choose, follow these basics rules for diabetes control: Consistently feed your cat the same amount of food at the same times each day to avoid unnecessary fluctuations in blood glucose. Discuss with your veterinarian if your cat prefers grazing to meal feeding.

Time feedings and insulin treatments so that glucose absorption coincides with peak action of given insulin.
In general, feed half of your cat’s total daily food right before or with injections.
If your cat tends to graze throughout the day, or for other specific questions regarding type, volume, timing and frequency of feedings, please consult your veterinarian.

Choose foods with a high-quality protein source that is also highly digestible (eg, meat or eggs rather than soybean or corn gluten). Work with your veterinarian to find the correct caloric value to help your cat achieve optimal weight. Choose a diet that is fat-restricted and low in carbohydrates to help avoid further complications.

How can I reverse my cats diabetes naturally?

Natural Ways to Manage Diabetes in Cats By Aly Semigran If your cat has been diagnosed with diabetes, there are several treatment options available to help your feline live a long, healthy life. But is there a way for cat parents to avoid regular insulin shots and rely on natural remedies alone? Not exactly, says Dr.

Tara Koble, DVM of The Cat Doctor Veterinary Hospital, in Boise, Ida. “Some diabetic cats can be managed on a low-carb food alone, without insulin,” says Koble. “This is the only ‘natural’ treatment that sometimes works by itself. Many cats need a combination of a low-carb food and insulin.” Most veterinarians agree that natural supplements that tout diabetes remedies don’t work as effective treatment options.

Insulin shots may be a necessary means to managing a diabetic cat’s health. “There is no ‘natural’ replacement for insulin. However, insulin itself is a naturally occurring hormone, and in cats who need it, we are just technically replacing what is lacking,” says Koble.

“Other natural supplements that are marketed for diabetes just help support the overall health of the cat but they don’t treat the disease directly.” On the other hand, there is a natural approach to preventing diabetes in cats that is highly effective. Koble recommends pet parents pay close attention to diet and exercise.

“The two best things any cat parent can help do to protect from diabetes would be to feed the highest quality canned, low-carb or raw diet that is possible,” she says. “The second critical thing to help prevent diabetes is to get your cat moving. Exercise is protective against diabetes, and indoor only cats are usually lacking severely in activity.”

What triggers diabetes in cats?

How Do Cats Develop Diabetes? – While the exact cause of cat diabetes is unknown, obese cats are the most predisposed to developing this disease. Other risk factors include chronic pancreatitis and hormonal disorders such as hyperthyroidism and Cushing’s disease.

Is rice good for diabetic cats?

Is rice bad for cats? – In general, rice isn’t nutritious enough for it to be served to a cat as a meal replacement. Rice is also a carbohydrate, and too many carbs can lead to health issues like diabetes and obesity in cats. Don’t serve uncooked rice to your cat.

Not only is it difficult to digest, but uncooked rice may also contain a natural pesticide that can make your cat sick.
Also, be sure that the rice you feed to your cat does not contain any seasonings or sauces.
These additives can be potentially harmful.
You should always check with your veterinarian before introducing new food to your pet’s diet, as each pet can react to a new food differently.

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How many meals a day should a diabetic cat eat?

When Should My Cat Eat? – For cats that are getting insulin twice daily, it is recommended to split the daily calories in to two meals, which are fed before the insulin dose. For cats on once daily insulin, they should be fed also twice daily with the first meal before the insulin injection and the second meal at the time when the insulin peaks which can be determined based on knowledge of the insulin and the glucose curve.

How can I feed my diabetic cat without insulin?

Strictly Controlled Diet As Possible Alternative – A strictly-controlled diet can be useful in controlling blood glucose levels in cats with diabetes. Feeding your cat special food by itself may or may not be completely effective, and it is most likely to work for cats who do not have severe diabetes.

The most commonly recommended food for a cat with diabetes is a diet containing high levels of protein and low levels of carbohydrates.
If you are feeding your cat commercial food, canned cat foods are preferred (as opposed to kibble or dry food).
A high-protein, low-carbohydrate diet can be combined with one of the oral hypoglycemic medications to further help regulate your cat’s blood glucose levels.

It is possible that this may be more effective than using diet or medication alone.

How Long Can cats live with diabetes?

Feline Diabetes Overview Fact Sheet UPDATE: Please be aware that our opening hours have changed on Monday 19th September. Please contact us for any emergency care. Diabetes mellitus (known most frequently simply as ‘diabetes’) is a condition whereby there is a deficiency in naturally-produced insulin within the body. This can be either an ‘absolute deficiency’ (not enough insulin is produced) or a ‘relative deficiency’ (where the body does not respond adequately to the insulin available) or a combination of both.

Insulin is vital for maintaining blood sugar levels within the acceptable range, and is also integral in facilitating the cells of the body to utilise blood sugar (glucose) for energy. The lack of insulin causes glucose to become dangerously high in the bloodstream, leading to it being lost into urine.

High blood sugar combined with glucose in the urine are the cardinal signs of diabetes. Diabetes can be split into many types, with the two most common being Type I and Type II. Cats suffer almost exclusively from Type II diabetes, which is characterised by a reduction in response of the body to insulin (called insulin resistance), often alongside an inadequate amount of insulin being produced.

Obesity Diet and exercise routine Genetics Some drugs / medications (e.g. steroids) Other diseases (e.g. pancreatitis, hormone diseases)

Cats who develop diabetes as a result of one or more of the above risk factors initially develop insulin resistance. Insulin’s role is to lower blood sugar levels. This is in part by stimulating glucose to be stored and in part by allowing cells to use up glucose as fuel, and so resistance to this action leads to higher blood sugar levels and to cells being starved of energy.

High blood sugar then has a toxic effect on the cells in the pancreas that produce insulin, reducing the amount of insulin they can produce. This reduced insulin level causes blood sugar to increase even further and simultaneously prevents the cells of the body from accessing the energy they need. It is the combination of high blood sugar and the inability to use the available energy that causes the clinical signs we recognise in cases of diabetes.

The most common clinical signs associated with diabetes are increased drinking, increased urination, a normal-to-increased appetite and weight loss. The increased urination is often profound and happens as a result of the glucose passing through the kidneys into the urine.

This prevents the kidneys from retaining water normally (‘osmotic diuresis’), leading to significantly increased urine production.
To prevent becoming dehydrated as a result of this, cats with diabetes therefore have to drink a lot more water to compensate for the high urine production.
Weight loss occurs as a result of the inability to use the blood glucose for energy.

To compensate for not being able to use blood glucose for energy, the body has to utilise fat and protein stores, leading to breakdown and loss of both fat stores and also muscle. Cats with diabetes typically develop a reduced muscle volume, but because many cats who develop diabetes were overweight-to-obese in the first place, this can be more challenging to appreciate in some patients.

In cats with severe or uncontrolled diabetes, the breakdown in fat and muscle can lead to a further syndrome called ketoacidosis which, if left untreated, will progress from vomiting, diarrhoea and severe dehydration to coma and death. Other signs can also be seen as a result of other underlying diseases that contribute the development or worsening of diabetes.

The most common of these diseases are urinary tract infections, pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas) and some hormone diseases, such as hyperthyroidism or Cushing’s disease. Diagnosis of feline diabetes is generally relatively straightforward and is based on the presence of a persistently high blood sugar level, the presence of glucose in the urine, and compatible clinical signs.

Blood and urine glucose can be measured easily by a veterinary surgeon. A slight complication in the diagnosis of diabetes is that cats often show a temporary increase in blood sugar as a result of stress (referred to as ‘stress hyperglycaemia’). Generally, this is so short-lived that it does not cause measurable amounts of glucose to enter the urine, and as such the measurement of urine glucose is integral to the diagnosis to prevent a wrong diagnosis being made.

Further evidence to support the diagnosis of diabetes can be gained by demonstrating that high blood glucose is persistent by measuring it on multiple occasions, or by measuring a further parameter called fructosamine. Fructosamine acts as marker for the average blood sugar over the previous two weeks, and so would only be expected to be high in patients with persistently elevated blood glucose levels.

At the time of diagnosis of diabetes, it is also important to check further general blood parameters to screen for any of the previously discussed diseases that contribute to its development, as these may need treating at the same time as the diabetes for the treatment to be effective. If there is suspicion of other diseases, further blood tests for specific diseases (with or without x-rays of the chest and ultrasound scanning of the abdomen) may be recommended.

In some cats, it is possible for treatment of diabetes to lead to the disease resolving. The regularity with which this occurs is variably reported and depends greatly on the intensity of management and the circumstances within which the diabetes occurred.

Estimates of rates of remission vary from around 17-60% (with the lower estimates more likely to be accurate), and so, whilst remission can always be aimed for, expectations need to be tempered about the likelihood of success. Remission is considerably more likely in patients who were previously treated with drugs that cause diabetes (and which have been stopped), patients who were significantly overweight or obese and who have undergone a controlled weight loss programme, and patients whose blood glucose can be tightly controlled relatively quickly after diagnosis.

Remission is also more likely in cats who will consistently eat a diabetic diet. Remission is thought to occur because of a combination of reduced pre-disposing causes of diabetes and reversal of the toxic effects of high blood sugar on the cells in the pancreas that produce insulin, allowing return to normal production levels.

In cats who begin to enter remission, insulin treatment can be gradually reduced and eventually discontinued.
It is important to note that cats who have entered remission will frequently develop diabetes again in the future and so continued monitoring is required even once treatment has stopped.
Cats who are treated effectively for diabetes can live for very prolonged periods after diagnosis.

Average length of life after diagnosis is variable dependent on which study is examined, however, average lifespans of up to around three years are reported in some studies. Considering that diabetes is more common in older cats, this length of time can often represent something approaching a normal lifespan.

Quality of life in diabetic cats is typically good to very good. A common cause of treatment failure and euthanasia is owner stress about caring for diabetic cats, including issues with care during holidays, difficulty with managing work and life commitments alongside insulin injections, and financial difficulty.

It is very important to discuss any issues with management that you are having with your local vet, as there are often solutions to these issues if needed. Chasing the ‘perfect’ management of diabetes should never be at the expense of your or your cat’s quality of life and regimes can always be adapted to make them more manageable.

Can cats get diabetes from eating too many treats?

Cat treats high in sodium/salt can cause your cat to drink excessively. If they are high in calories and/or fat, your cat could become overweight and develop health problems such as bladder stones, skin infections, osteoarthritis, heart disease, diabetes, liver disease and cancer.

Can diabetic cats have tuna water?

Can I give tuna as a treat to my diabetic cat? If it is a small amount (one level teaspoon) once, maybe twice a day, then it should not adversely affect his blood glucose. However, tuna is almost all protein and very little fat. Excess protein in relationship to low fat will cause the blood glucose of a cat to spike.

Remember, your cat is a carnivore and can easily convert excess dietary protein into excess blood glucose. Since the tuna is actually a treat, you are actually encouraging your cat to eat when they may not need to. Overeating will also cause an unnecessary increase in your cat’s blood glucose. Best to keep treats to a minimum with diabetic cats.

Play time or brushing can substitute for treats and your cat will love the extra attention. A better choice for a treat would be a canned food that does not contain any plant ingredients (animal protein/fat only) and has a balance between protein and fat. : Can I give tuna as a treat to my diabetic cat?

Does dry cat food cause diabetes in cats?

Feeding cats dry food could increase feline diabetes risk Feeding cats dry food could increase their risk of developing feline diabetes, according to new research. A number of animals can develop diabetes, with cats much more prone to the condition than dogs.

Feline diabetes can be tricky for owners to manage, but the diabetes management principles are the same as in humans: keep blood glucose levels at a normal range and make sure they receive their medication, most likely insulin.
The study, which was conducted in Swede, was based on just over 6,700 cats.

The owners of the cats were asked to participate in an online survey which featured 48 questions based on an animal’s breed, age, sex, whether it had been neutered and its general health. The researchers from the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences also asked about the condition of each cat’s body size, exercise levels, diet, general behavior, current medications and the type of food it ate.

A total of 1,369 cats already had diabetes at the beginning of the study; the remaining animals did not. The cat owners’ answers relating to food were broken down into three different groups: dry, wet and mixed, which meant they gave their pet both. The owners were also asked to judge their cat’s body type, which was also grouped into three categories: underweight, normal weight and overweight.

The findings showed a link between feline diabetes and cats that ate a lot of food, stayed indoors most of the time and did not exercise. Lead researcher Malin Ohlund, DVM, said: “Through our research we found that while obesity is a very important and prominent risk factor for diabetes mellitus in cats, there is also an increased risk of diabetes among normal-weight cats consuming a dry food diet.

“This correlation, compared to normal-weight cats on a wet food diet, is a new and interesting finding that warrants further research, as a dry food diet is commonly fed to cats around the world.” Ohlund and colleagues suggested that this increased diabetes risk could be explained because dry food puts an “increased demand” on the cat’s insulin secretion.

As dry food is such a common way to feed cats, the researchers have recommended “further attention” on the subject is needed. The findings have been published in the Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine. : Feeding cats dry food could increase feline diabetes risk

Are diabetic cats always hungry?

Diabetes Mellitus – This is a disease where a cat does not have enough insulin (type I diabetes) in their body or does not respond to the insulin that is circulating in their body (type II diabetes). Both types of diabetes in cats prevent the body from breaking down glucose (the body’s sugar source) into usable energy, causing excessive amounts of sugar in the bloodstream.

This leads to your cat feel hungry even with hyperglycemia (high blood glucose).
Along with increased hunger, you are likely to see other clinical signs such as weight loss, a dull hair coat, increased thirst, and urination, and in severe cases, vomiting, diarrhea, and listlessness.
Your vet can give a diagnosis via blood glucose testing and urine testing.

Insulin therapy (Glargine, ProZinc) is necessary for cats with diabetes and is usually needed for a lifetime. Diet changes ( Royal Canin Glycobalance, Purina DM, Hill’s m/d ) can also be helpful to stabilize blood sugar and hunger levels.

Is plain chicken good for diabetic cats?

Can I feed my diabetic cat boiled chicken? – While boiled chicken is a healthy food for most cats, it may not be the best choice for a diabetic cat. This is because boiled chicken is high in protein and fat, which can cause spikes in blood sugar levels. Instead, opt for leaner cuts of meat or fish, or choose a specially formulated diabetic cat food.

Is cooked chicken good for cats with diabetes?

Yes if you vake, boil or steam it with no seasonings & you remove the skin. Also add the broth to the chicken whenyou cut it up in small bites for your fat. She needs the extra moisture or fluids. Diabetes whether humans or animals need to drink a lot of water.

What is the best cat food for diabetes and kidney disease?

Feeding Cats with Chronic Kidney Disease: Food Options YVCipedia Urology FEEDING CATS WITH CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE: FOOD OPTIONS Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a relatively common problem of older cats. It is a progressive problem that cannot be cured, but these pets can often be successfully medically managed for a long time.

One of the most important treatment strategies is to feed a food or foods that are specifically formulated for cats with CKD.
There are three pet food lines that have products that are very effective for CKD management: Hill’s Prescription Diet is the best, and Purina Veterinary Diets and Royal Canin are decent alternatives.

Other brands are not worth considering, and it is not possible to duplicate the benefits of these CKD diets with a home-cooked diet. A few things that do not appear in the veterinary textbooks or on the food label, that we have learned over years of managing cats with CKD: ~ Ideally the pet would be fed only canned food because of the benefit of higher moisture content.

Many cats do not like canned food and will eat better when fed some dry food or exclusively dry food. In practice we have found no drawbacks to accommodating these cats with dry kidney diets. ~ Because the kidney diets from Hill’s, Purina, and Royal Canin are so highly digestible it is usually not necessary to convert gradually to the new food; however, sometimes a slow introduction helps a cat accept the new food.

~ When there is a normal cat or cats in the house with the cat with CKD it is fine to feed all the cats the kidney diet; it is high-quality maintenance food for normal cats. ~ Ideally the pet would eat only one kidney diet, but it is unusual for a cat to be willing to do so.

It is fine to feed an assortment of kidney diets, including foods from not just one, but two or all three of the companies.
~ Ideally the pet would eat only kidney diet, but we have managed many cats with CKD that did very well when fed some kidney diet and some non-kidney diet.
~ The most important thing nutritionally for a cat with CKD is that they consume a reasonable amount of calories from a reasonable quality food or foods.

Some cats will seem to reject all attempts to be converted to kidney diet. It is worthwhile to keep trying, but, at the same time, the cat should be fed plenty of the non-kidney diet food(s) it likes.

CURRENT OPTIONS FOR KIDNEY DISEASE DIETS FOR CATS HILL’S PRESCRIPTION DIET Dry: K/D Chicken 4 lb, 8.5 lb K/D Mobility 6.35 lb K/D Ocean Fish 4 lb, 8.5 lb Canned: K/D Chicken Pate 5.5 oz K/D Chicken and Vegetable Stew 2.9 oz K/D Mobility 2.9 oz K/D Tuna Pate 5.5 oz K/D Vegetable and Tuna Stew 2.9 oz ROYAL CANIN Dry: Renal Support A 12 oz, 3 lb, 6.6 lb Renal Support F 12 oz, 3 lb, 6.6 lb Renal Support S 12 oz, 3 lb, 6.6 lb Canned: Renal Support D 3 oz Renal Support T 3 oz Renal Support E 5.8 oz PURINA PRO PLAN VETERINARY DIETS Dry: NF Kidney Function Early Care 3.15 lb, 8 lb NF Kidney Function Advanced Care 3.15 lb, 8 lb Canned: NF Kidney Function Early Care 5.5 oz NF Kidney Function Advanced Care 5.5 oz Yarmouth Veterinary Center

: Feeding Cats with Chronic Kidney Disease: Food Options

What home cooked food can I give my diabetic cat?

4. Chicken and Rice Diet – This meal can be easy on the GI tract, and so it works particularly well for cats with digestive issues. Take half a pound of cooked chicken breast, one hard-boiled egg, one half-ounce of chopped clams one-third a cup of cooked brown rice, four teaspoons of butter or oil, and a dash of salt.

Do cats with diabetes suffer?

Feline Diabetes: Symptoms, Treatments, Prevention, and Diet Tips Thomas Graves and WebMD team up to provide feline diabetes information and tips for treatment or prevention. Reviewed by on April 21, 2012 An alarming number of cats are developing mellitus, which is the inability to produce enough insulin to balance blood sugar, or glucose, levels,

Left untreated, it can lead to, loss of appetite, vomiting,, severe depression, problems with motor function, coma, and even death.
To find out why so many cats are being diagnosed with diabetes, and what owners can do, WebMD talked to Thomas Graves, a former feline practitioner who is associate professor and section head of small animal medicine at the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine.

Graves’ research focus is on diabetes and geriatric medicine. Q: How common is feline diabetes? A: The true incidence isn’t known, but it’s estimated at 0.5% to 2% of the feline population. But it’s also probably under diagnosed. Q: What are the signs of diabetes in cats? A: The main symptoms are increased thirst and increased urination.

And while we do see it in cats with appropriate body weight, it’s more common in obese cats.
Some cats with diabetes have a ravenous appetite because their bodies cannot use the fuel supplied in their diet.
Q: What’s the treatment for a cat with feline diabetes? A: Diet is certainly a component.
It’s felt that a low-carbohydrate diet is probably best for cats with diabetes.

Treatment is insulin therapy. There are some oral medications, but they have more side effects and are mainly used when insulin can’t be used for some reason. There are blood and urine tests, physical examinations, and behavioral signals, which are used to establish insulin therapy.

This is done in conjunction with your veterinarian. We don’t recommend owners adjust insulin therapy on their own because it can be sort of complicated in cats. Most patients come in every three or four months. It’s a good thing to make sure nothing else is going on. Q: Will I have to test my cat’s blood every day and give them shots? A: Usually the blood tests are done during the regular visits with your veterinarian, although people can do them if they’d like.

But the owners will have to give their cat shots. People are often afraid of that whole thing. But once you teach an owner how to do it properly, it’s something people find quite easy. Many people even find it a bit empowering, that they can do something like that to help their pet.

Q: If caught early enough, can my cat be cured of diabetes? A: It’s usually not cured. Some cats, when you start treating their diabetes and you get their blood sugar under control and get them on a reasonable diet and get them in a better body condition, their diabetes actually goes into remission or partial remission.

There are cats that stay that way for many months. Some might even stay that way for years. It can happen. But for the most part diabetes is a disease that we control and don’t really cure. Q: Can I prevent my cat from getting diabetes with diet and not letting them get too fat? A: Nobody can tell you that you can prevent your cat from getting diabetes with diet because those studies haven’t been done.

There are some commonly held beliefs, based on a handful of clinical studies, that support the use of low-carbohydrate diets in helping diabetic cats control their blood sugar better. And we do know that is a risk factor. But there also are some breeds of cats that get diabetes more than others do, so that suggests there may be a genetic component involved as well.

Q: Will it be better for my cat if I cook instead of buying them food? A: It’s hard to make a decent, balanced diet for a cat if you’re cooking it. You have to make sure they get all the amino acids that they need, and their needs are different from dogs and people and other omnivores.

You have to know what you’re doing.
Q: Should I only feed them dry food or just wet food or both? A: That’s the raging argument right now.
It’s fairly controversial.
If you think about what a cat’s natural diet would be, they’re carnivores.
So the diet they would eat, if they were running around outside eating the animals that they prey upon, would be a very high-protein, very low-carbohydrate diet.

So the argument is, that is what they have evolved to eat and that is healthier for them. So why do we have dry ? Because it’s more convenient for people. Some people just don’t like dealing with canned food. And there are a gazillion cats that eat dry food and don’t get diabetes.

We see 20-year-old cats that eat dry food. Q: Will diabetes shorten my cat’s lifespan? A: It sure can, because it can be associated with infections, with peripheral nerve disorders, and other problems. If it’s poorly controlled you can get into some pretty severe emergency situations. But I can tell you that we see lots of diabetic cats that are older that are managed for many years and they can get into their late teens.

It requires a lifelong, daily commitment, but it’s something that can be done. Q: What does it cost to care for a diabetic cat? A: Most clients probably spend about $20-$30 a month on insulin, syringes, and other supplies. It’s not terribly expensive once it’s being managed.

Q: What are the newest treatments for feline diabetes? A: There are newer insulins that are being evaluated. Some of the insulin analogs that are available for treating human diabetics are being looked at in diabetic cats and they have some promise. These provide more blood sugar control, often with fewer side effects.

What is an alternative to insulin for cats?

Acarbose must be given with food if it is to work. Acarbose can be used in both dogs and cats.

How can I feed my diabetic cat without insulin?

The most commonly recommended food for a cat with diabetes is a diet containing high levels of protein and low levels of carbohydrates.
If you are feeding your cat commercial food, canned cat foods are preferred (as opposed to kibble or dry food).
A high-protein, low-carbohydrate diet can be combined with one of the oral hypoglycemic medications to further help regulate your cat’s blood glucose levels.

It is possible that this may be more effective than using diet or medication alone.

What is the best cat food for diabetes and kidney disease?

One of the most important treatment strategies is to feed a food or foods that are specifically formulated for cats with CKD. There are three pet food lines that have products that are very effective for CKD management: Hill’s Prescription Diet is the best, and Purina Veterinary Diets and Royal Canin are decent alternatives.

Many cats do not like canned food and will eat better when fed some dry food or exclusively dry food.
In practice we have found no drawbacks to accommodating these cats with dry kidney diets.
~ Because the kidney diets from Hill’s, Purina, and Royal Canin are so highly digestible it is usually not necessary to convert gradually to the new food; however, sometimes a slow introduction helps a cat accept the new food.

It is fine to feed an assortment of kidney diets, including foods from not just one, but two or all three of the companies. ~ Ideally the pet would eat only kidney diet, but we have managed many cats with CKD that did very well when fed some kidney diet and some non-kidney diet. ~ The most important thing nutritionally for a cat with CKD is that they consume a reasonable amount of calories from a reasonable quality food or foods.

: Feeding Cats with Chronic Kidney Disease: Food Options

What To Feed A Cat With Diabetes?

What is the best food to feed a diabetic cat?

What not to feed a diabetic cat?

Can diabetic cats eat dry food?

Is Wet food good for diabetic cats?

Are scrambled eggs good for diabetic cats?

How can I reverse my cats diabetes naturally?

What triggers diabetes in cats?

Is rice good for diabetic cats?

How many meals a day should a diabetic cat eat?

How can I feed my diabetic cat without insulin?

How Long Can cats live with diabetes?

Can cats get diabetes from eating too many treats?

Can diabetic cats have tuna water?

Does dry cat food cause diabetes in cats?

Are diabetic cats always hungry?

Is plain chicken good for diabetic cats?

Is cooked chicken good for cats with diabetes?

What is the best cat food for diabetes and kidney disease?

What home cooked food can I give my diabetic cat?

Do cats with diabetes suffer?

What is an alternative to insulin for cats?

How can I feed my diabetic cat without insulin?

What is the best cat food for diabetes and kidney disease?

How often should a diabetic cat eat?

Can I feed my diabetic cat cooked chicken?