Diabetic Cats and Diet

Diabetes in cats occurs when the pancreas cannot secrete a hormone called insulin to balance the blood sugar levels. Obesity is a risk factor for diabetes, and the older and more obese the cat, the more likely he is to develop diabetes.

Signs of Diabetes:
Some of the most common signs of diabetes in a cat include excessive urinating, an increase in water drinking, loss of energy, and an increased appetite accompanied by weight loss. If you think your cat might have diabetes, take him to a vet for a proper diagnosis and treatment. Treatment involves careful control of the cat's diet, blood sugar testing, and administration of insulain (either injections or by oral medication) to balance the blood sugar levels.

By getting professional treatment from your vet, you can help your diabetic cat live a long, normal life with diabetes.

For cats with diabetes, it is very important to be careful with their diet. Managing a diabetic cat consists of keeping track of what they are fed, exercise, routine and treatment visits to the veterinarian. Special cat foods catered for diabetic cats are now easily available on the market. There are only some specific types of diabetic cat foods that need special order before hand. It is advisable for cat owners to check with the veterinarian which type of food to feed their diabetic cats.

The best diabetic cat food is a low carbohydrate, high protein canned food. Some experts believe that a low-carb, high-protein diet can help prevent diabetes, as well. Additionally, many experts recommend avoiding foods that are high in cornstarch, wheat gluten, and rice. Dry cat foods contain too many by-products and fillers, in addition to too much fiber.

As always, consult your veterinarian for professional recommendations for your particular cat. With the wide selection of different diabetic cat food formulas and brands commercially available, you'll be able to find one that is suitable for your cat.

Some of the more popular brands of diabetic cat food include:

Purina – Purina is a household brand. In addition to regular cat food, Purina also offers a selection of low-carbohydrate or non-carbohydrate diabetic cat foods, to help prevent obesity in cats.

Hill’s Science – Hill’s Science produces cat foods that are high in fiber and low in calories, which helps diabetic cats manage their weight.

Brand Wellness – Known to produce good quality cat foods that do not depend too much on fillers.

Iams and Eukanuba – Offer cat food that are protein packed and yet low in calories. High quality meat and vegetables are used in their cat foods to help diabetic cats deal with obesity.

As you can see, it is easy to find quality diet cat foods for your diabetic cat. Nonetheless, most veterinarians would recommend a homemade diet for your diabetic cat. Only homemade foods can cater to the exact specific needs of your cat’s condition. Homemade cat food is also healthier and free from preservatives, as compared to the commercial pet foods. You should seek advice from your veterinarian if you intend to make your own diabetic cat food at home.

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