What is the best food for your diabetic cat?

Most cases of feline diabetes are similar to what is called Type 2 diabetes in people, which means that weight management and diet are major factors in the development and control of the disease. Read on to learn everything you need to know about how to pick the best food for a cat with diabetes.

What is feline diabetes

When cats have Type 2 diabetes, their cells no longer adequately respond to insulin leading to chronically high blood sugar levels. The pancreas reacts by producing more insulin, but eventually the organ essentially wears out, and the cat will need insulin injections to survive.

The role of fat cells in diabetes

Fat cells produce hormones that make the body less responsive to insulin. Many cases of feline diabetes could be prevented if cats were not overfed and they remained slim. Weight loss can even lead to remission in a cat's diabetes if treatment begins early in the course of the disease.

The best foods for diabetic cats

Low carbohydrates/high protein: eating carbohydrate-rich meals leads to sudden spikes in blood sugar levels, which increases a cat's demand for insulin. Low carbohydrate foods blunt this response.
Canned is best: A large amount of carbohydrate is a necessary component to kibble. Therefore, dry foods simply can't be made with the low carbohydrate concentrations that most diabetic cats need. Some canned foods, on the other hand, contain no carbohydrates at all. Many over- the-counter, canned foods have low carbohydrate/high-protein profile that is appropriate for diabetic cats, so a prescription diet is usually not necessary. Watch portion sizes! The quantity of food that a diabetic cat eats is just as important as the type of food you offer. Obese cats should eat an amount that encourages a healthy rate of weight loss.

How to feed a cat with diabetes

Consistency is key when it comes to feeding diabetic cats, particularly if they are on insulin. Most diabetic cats receive two daily insulin injections that are given 12 hours apart. Treats should be limited to 10% of a diabetic cat's diet and given at the same time every day. Stop giving treats if they interfere with your cat's appetite at regular mealtimes.

How to Feed your Cat with Diabetes: Making Sure Your Diabetic Cat Eats Right

 can commercial food products for cats meet the needs of all cats? 

Cats with diabetes want to keep blood sugar levels stable in order to manage their disease; finding the right balance between protein and carbs, between eating too much and too little can be tricky.

Cats are, by nature, meat eaters and need protein

Cats, unlike their canine counterparts, are by and large obligate carnivores. This means that they are generally unable to digest proteins other than those of animal origin, and they certainly have little or no ability to metabolize carbohydrates. In the wild, this is not an issue: cats find a kill, eat it, and go hunting for more when they’re hungry again. But at home, this means that we need to provide a diet that is highly protein-focused and low in carbohydrates. 

 Cats aren’t good at breaking down carbohydrates 

 While commercial cat food has gotten better, in terms of nutrition, there are still some shortcomings of which you need to be aware, perhaps the most important being an excess of carbohydrates. High amounts of any carbohydrate can have negative effects on your cat's blood sugar levels, even if it isn't directly derived from sugar. The bottom line is this: commercial diets for diabetic cats are often too rich in carbohydrates and should not be fed to your furry friend. 

Focus on high-quality wet cat food with wholesome ingredients and flavors

Cats are designed to eat meat but your diabetic cat should be eating mostly high-quality wet food that is low in added sugar and fat, which pet owners or the cats themselves might find irresistible. This doesn't necessarily mean you need to be buying the most expensive food on the shelf, but if you want to choose a brand that tastes good and is still going to benefit your cat, then it's time to head back to the pet store with your wallet in hand. 

Make sure your cat eats enough 

The best way to approach feeding a diabetic cat is by coaxing him to eat as much of the recommended amount as possible. Chat with your vet about what types and brands of food he prefers, and place them in multiple locations around the house to encourage your cat to eat throughout the day. You can also try adding small portions of table food in with the prescription diet, but monitor his intake carefully to make sure that he's not eating too much. And finally, if he gets hungry enough, he might accidentally eat a little extra too.

Feeding a diabetic cat can be a challenge, but it is possible. 

Feeding a cat with diabetes is a challenge. But, with all the right information, it's one that can be overcome. Cats with diabetes will require their owners to make a few adjustments to how they feed them—they will have to learn how much to feed, as well as how and when. Adjustments in feeding may also need to made from time to time, and changes in diet should be monitored closely. But with the right approach and the right attitude, most cats can be fed successfully for years.

Try this? 

Pro Plan Veterinary Diets Dm St/Ox Diabetes Management Wet Cat Food 20 X 85g (10 Chicken And 10 Beef) For Adult Cats Aged 1+ Years With Diabetes, High Protein And Low Carbohydrate

Diabetes in Cats: How do I inject?

How to give insulin injections to cats?

Diabetes in cats and injecting insulin... Brrrr that usually sends chills down many people's spines!

Are cats afraid of injections and syringes?

If you are afraid of giving your cat an injection, don't be. We, cats, don't really feel much at all if you put a needle in a fold of skin in the neck. We may even think you are playing or petting us. When I was I a younger cat, in fact, I used to purrrrr quite a bit when I was getting my injections. Now I just purrrr all the time as long as it's somewhere warm and cosy.

Diabetes in Cats: What are Ketones and Ketone Tests?

Ketone levels in urine are an indicator of the progression of diabetes in cats. Ketones are just one of the many new words that you will have to add your vocabulary. Understanding how ketones work is essential because, in all likelihood, you are going to monitor your cat's diabetes by tracking his urine ketone levels. I put this post together to explain ketones, ketone strips ('ketostix') and ketone-related illnesses.

Ketones (pronounced 'kee tones') are by-products of fat metabolism. When the body can not use glucose for energy, the liver breaks down fat into fatty acids and produces ketones. These ketones accumulate in the blood and passed in the urine. Large amounts of ketones in the urine indicate a serious condition.

Ketosis is the name given to the build up of ketones and, in a general sense, ketosis indicate simply that the boody is using fat stores for energy. Ketosis is not dangerous but it may lead to stomach pains, vomiting and dehydration.

When the blood becomes acidic due to ketones building up, the condition is called ketoacidosis (or diabetic ketoacidosis). It is a severe condition which can lead to comma or be fatal.

Ketone strips, also known as Ketostix or ketone sticks, are used to measure the levels of ketone in urine. The strips are made of plastic and one end is coated in chemicals which react with the urine to change colors from pink to purple usually. By comparing the resulting color to a scale on the box (see picture below), you determine the amount of ketones in urine.



We buy Ketostix strips in bulk for Fluffy because we easily go through about 400 to 500 of them in the year (depending on Fluffy's well being at the time!)

If your cat has diabetes, it is likely that you will check his ketones to monitor his need for insulin and the progression of diabetes. Make sure to record the results in your cat's diary. You can find more tips about taking care of your cat at home in Dr. Andrew Jones's guide.

Main signs of diabetes in cats

Being able to identify the main signs of diabetes in cats can save your furry friend's life. When our cat got sick, at first we weren't sure whether it was something serious or not. I wish we'd had this kind of information at the time because it would have saved us much anguish. When the vet diagnosed Fluffy with diabetes, I asked many many questions because I did not understand the relation between diabetes in cats and the constant eating. This post gives a very brief overview of the signs of diabetes in cats and the insulin required to process glucose.

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- Excessive urination (polyuria) is caused by the body's need to flush out excess blood glucose. Your cat urinates more frequently or more abundantly as more water needs to filter through the kidneys. (Incidentally if cat urine odor is a problem, get a copy of Nancy Wigal's free tips!)

- Excessive thirst (polydipsia) is a direct consequence of this process. Because so much water is required to clear the blood glucose, your cat drinks a lot and remains thirsty.

- Excessive appetite or excessive eating (polyphagia) is the third most common sign to look out for. When insulin is lacking, the body is unable to use glucose for energy leaving it constantly hungry.

- Unexplained weight loss may also take place despite a higher food intake. Unable to process glucose, the body instead burns fat for energy.

- Blindness caused by diabetes in cats is much less common than in dogs but can appear along diabetes if there is hypertension. Look out for such signs.

Other signs to look out for include: lack of energy (lethargy), loss of appetite (anorexia), depression or vomiting.

If you notice any of the above signs in your cat, get your cat to your family vet for proper diagnosis. Diabetes in cats can be managed successfully if detected early. Based on urine ketone tests or blood glucose tests (they are completely painless to the animal) and physical examination, your vet will be able to diagnose diabetes and determine the best diet and treatment for your four-legged friend.