Diabetes Diet Feline

Many cat owners will agree that cats can be incredibly fussy little creatures when it comes to their food. Yet if your cat has feline diabetes, what they eat is an important part of treating the disease. A diabetes diet, feline friendly, is necessary to keep your cat feeling her best.

Cats are essentially carnivores: they eat meat, and carbohydrates should form a very small portion of their diet. A cat's body processes protein much more efficiently than carbohydrates. That said, most cat foods do have some carbs in them -- but it should be a very small percentage of the total (some say 5% or less) and should be in the form of complex carbohydrates, which allow for a slower, steadier release of nutrients. This helps to prevent your diabetic cat's blood sugar levels from fluctuating too much after she eats.

Overweight or obese cats are at greater risk for developing feline diabetes. It's important that diabetic cats maintain a healthy body weight. So if your cat is currently overweight, a lower-calorie food should be provided until your cat is at her optimal body weight. Weight loss should always be safe and gradual. Some diabetic cats are underweight and should be fed a higher-calorie diet until they reach a healthy body weight. In either case, once the cat is at the recommended weight, pet owners should strive to keep them there.

An important consideration when choosing a food is simply whether or not the cat will eat it. This is especially important for diabetic cats because a cat that refuses to eat her meal (or eats less of it) is at risk for hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) if she's still getting her insulin injections as usual. Insulin's job is lower the glucose in the blood, so if there hasn't been a release of glucose into the bloodstream (through the nutrients in a meal), then the cat's blood sugar can drop too low. Steps must be taken to treat hypoglycemia before it becomes more serious.

Cat owners should also watch their pet carefully in case she vomits up her food. This can also put her at risk for hypoglycemia. It's also a good idea to keep track of who and when your cat has received her insulin injection, to avoid "double-dosing" her.

Finally, a good diabetes diet for felines is important, but the meal scheduling must also play a role. Diabetic cats are normally fed multiple smaller meals per day and on a regular schedule. This makes it easier to control and monitor blood sugar levels (with the use of a glucometer - your vet can show you how to use one). Meals and insulin injections need to work together: blood sugar is highest right after a meal, and insulin lowers it. Your vet will work with you to figure out the best feeding schedule for your cat.

The information on this website is based on our own research and personal experience, and is not a substitute for medical advice. Questions about your health and individual situation should be directed to your doctor.