Cat foods for diabetic cats aren’t just another option on the shelf. After your cat has been diagnosed with diabetes, you must provide her with prescription food. For all felines diagnosed with this disease, it is not a luxury but a necessity.
The reason for this is that normal cat food is high in carbohydrates and low in protein, which can cause spikes in blood sugar levels. This will negatively affect your cat’s health. Diabetic cat food contains a high protein content and low carbohydrate content to maintain energy levels and muscle mass.
This article will discuss everything about the best cat foods for diabetic cats.
List of the Best Cat Foods for Diabetic Cats
1. ROYAL CANIN Feline Glycobalance Morsels In Gravy
Royal Canin Feline Glycobalance Morsels in Gravy may be an ideal choice if you are looking for good overall cat food. This formula balances the blood sugar levels of diabetic cats. In contrast to regular cat food, this one has fewer calories and less starch. Your cat won’t gain weight from it since it’s not calorie-dense.
The most impressive thing about this cat food is its high protein to help overweight, diabetic cats maintain muscle mass. Cats with diabetes often lose muscle mass. Cat parents have praised the diabetic-friendly cat food Royal Canin came out with.
- Pros: Contains high protein content to prevent muscle mass loss in diabetic cats, Low-calorie density to prevent weight gain, Helps regulate blood sugar levels, Reduces the starch level
- Cons: Some cat parents find it on the expensive side, Some cat parents wish Royal Canin offered more flavours for this variant, and Some cats might not like the taste
2. CRAVE Grain Free High Protein Wet Cat Food
CRAVE offers diabetic-friendly wet cat food that your cat will love. Their Grain Free High Protein Cat Food is made with real chicken.
It contains 12% high-quality protein, crucial to maintaining muscle mass for diabetic cats. No wheat, soy, artificial flavours, preservatives, or grains are used in this product. Kitties with sensitive stomachs can enjoy the food as well. There are vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients added to it. Besides meeting all cat nutritional requirements, it is also low in starch.
- Pros: High-quality protein and low starch, No grain, wheat, soy, or artificial flavours and preservatives, Available in various flavours and textures, Contains added vitamins and minerals
- Cons: Some cat parents wish the packaging were more environment-friendly
3. ROYAL CANIN Feline Glycobalance Dry
When it comes to the best dry cat food for diabetic cats, ROYAL CANIN Feline Glycobalance is a smart choice. It is low in carbohydrate content and high in protein to slow the release of energy. By controlling blood sugar levels, it prevents spikes and crashes following food consumption.
You can keep this one on your shelf if you want hassle-free dining time for your furry friend. Make sure you check with your cat’s vet every six months since it is a specially formulated diet.
- Pros: Contains low carbohydrate content, High protein content to prevent spikes and crashes in blood sugar, Contains L-carnitine to help maintain muscle mass
- Cons: Not as good as the wet variant from the same brand, Cats with sensitive tummies might not be too keen on this one
4. Instinct Limited Ingredient Diet Wet Cat Food
The meat source can be selected based on your cat’s preferences. Variants include duck, rabbit, turkey, and salmon. This product has no wheat, soy, corn, chicken, fillers, eggs, beef, wheat, soy, corn, fish, artificial flavours, or preservatives.
This formula is raw-inspired and is ideal for cats having allergies. High protein content reduces blood sugar spikes and crashes. Many cat parents have well received this product.
- Pros: Great for cats with sensitivity issues, Cage-free turkeys and ducks. Farm-raised rabbit, No fillers, preservatives, or artificial flavours, High-quality protein content
- Cons: Picky eaters might make a fuss initially; concerns about pea protein. Some cats are allergic to this; concerns about finding large bone fragments
5. ZIWI Peak Wet Cat Food
The ZIWI Peak Wet Cat Food contains 7% Tripe and 3% New Zealand Green Mussels. These ingredients support your cat’s bone and joint health by providing natural sources of glucosamine and chondroitin.
Because of the high protein content, energy is released slowly, preventing blood sugar spikes. It’s safe for cats with sensitive stomachs to eat this without fear of triggering allergy flare-ups.
Several cat parents have expressed delight at how their fur babies have taken to the product. It might be the chunky loaf-like texture that appeals to every kitty.
- Pros: Suitable for diabetic cats. With no sugar, glycerin, and unnecessary carbohydrates, the Loaf style texture makes it palatable even for the pickiest eaters: good for bone and joint health, has high-quality protein and no fillers, and is Moisture-rich and BPA-free.
- Cons: Some buyers have complained about tetrasodium pyrophosphate, Concerns over the latest recipe change, Contains chickpea
Conclusion
Buying the best cat foods for diabetic cats requires considering a few important factors.
- It’s best to get the diabetes-friendly version with zero grains and lower carbohydrate content.
- You should feed your diabetic cat at least 10% protein wet food and at least 40% protein dry food.
- Carbohydrates contain starchy vegetables, sugars, and glycogen in cat food.
- Consider your cat’s likes and dislikes when choosing a recipe.
- Diabetic cats gain weight, so choosing food with monitored calories can help.
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FAQs
Should diabetic cats eat grain-free food?
Cat food high in carbohydrates can cause sudden spikes in blood sugar levels. The sudden spikes in blood sugar levels cause cats with diabetes to require more insulin. Feed your cat protein-rich, grain-free, and low-carb food to avoid this. Protein comes from meat products like chicken, beef, and fish.
Can Cats with diabetes eat dry food?
Kibble must contain a large number of carbohydrates for it to be digestible. Therefore, dry foods cannot be made with the low carbohydrate concentrations most diabetic cats require. Some canned foods do not contain carbohydrates.
What is the life expectancy of a cat with diabetes?
It is possible for cats who are treated effectively for diabetes to live for very long periods after diagnosis. Depending on which study is examined, average lifespans of up to three years have been reported in some studies after diagnosis.