Many people consider cats a favorite pet, but they can be expensive. Cats need a lot of food and water, which can often be quite pricey for some people. This is where wet cat food comes in.

The challenge gets more complicated with a diabetic feline pet. Fortunately, there is best wet cat food for diabetic cats who need to reduce the number of carbohydrates in their diet. These wet cat foods contain more protein, which helps increase insulin levels in the bloodstream. In addition, wet cat foods are easier to digest than dry cat food and provide more moisture to help keep your feline friend hydrated.

This article will answer all your questions about diabetes in cats, diabetic cats, and the best cat food for feline animals who have it!

Keep reading!

picking-the-right-wet-food-for-diabetic-cats

What Is Diabetes?

Among diabetes patients, excessive urination is expected, which is why the word diabetes comes from the Ancient Greek word siphon. A word called “Mellitus” was added to the name in 1675. Taking its name from the word meal, which means “honey”, and has a sugary-sweet flavor. It is roughly translated as “sweet siphon” in English.

People with diabetes have high levels of sugar in their bloodstream. Urine is sticky and sweet when the body attempts to eliminate excess glucose through it.

In addition to several pancreatic and glucose metabolism factors, the condition is endocrine. There are several functions performed by the pancreas related to digestion and metabolism. The organ produces insulin as one of its functions.

What Are The Symptoms Of Feline Diabetes?

In addition to polydipsia or excessive drinking, diabetes is also characterized by polyuria or excessive urination.

Additionally, people with diabetes suffer from weight loss, ravenous appetites, and sticky urine filled with sugar. The disease may cause obese cats to lose weight as it wears them down, even though diabetes increases their risk of developing it.

What Causes Feline Diabetes?

A cat with type 1 diabetes experiences an inappropriate immune response to the beta cells in the pancreas that trigger insulin release. Several root causes contribute to type 2 diabetes, also known as idiopathic hyperglycemia. 

Diet has a profound impact on the development of diabetes, which is an endocrine disorder. There is no evidence that diet affects your cat’s chances of developing diabetes, but there are a few things we know for sure.

The metabolism of cats is optimized for meat, meat, and more. They are obligate carnivores. Their physiology is similar to an animal-eating machine, from saliva to claws and intestines to stomach acid. Cats have a lower ability to metabolize carbohydrates.   

There is a metabolic similarity between cats and people with diabetes. It is common for cats to display insulin resistance. The gluconeogenic pathway, which produces glucose from noncarbohydrate substances, is always open, enabling glucose to flood the body without restriction.

Those who eat high-carbohydrate foods continuously flood their bodies with glucose throughout their lives. Cats cannot effectively use glucose because their insulin response is naturally repressed, causing the pancreas to wear out and eventually lead to diabetes.

Obesity is another concern. The more fat your cat has, the greater its risk of developing diabetes and the more severe the disease can become. In addition, fat cells release hormones that inhibit insulin response, making it even more difficult for people with diabetes to control their condition. Many factors contribute to obesity, such as a high-carbohydrate diet, inactivity, and genetics. In addition to male cats, indoor cats and those between the ages of 12 and 65 are at an increased risk of developing diabetes.

Diagnosing Diabetes

Visiting the veterinarian is a good idea if your cat is usually tired, drinks a lot, and urinates more often than usual.

While the veterinarian performs blood glucose profiles on your cat, the cat will probably have to stay overnight. By performing these tests, your veterinarian can determine whether your cat’s blood is at a high glucose level. Bloodwork and urine analysis will also be performed by your veterinarian regularly.

The vet will conduct multiple tests to verify that elevated blood glucose has nothing to do with vet-associated stress. A veterinarian will withhold meals from your cat to obtain his fasting blood sugar values because food distorts blood sugar levels.

Is Veterinary Diet Good For Diabetic Cats?

picking-the-right-wet-food-for-diabetic-cats-cat-health

No, not always. It is essential to find a meal that is low in carbohydrates, contains moisture, and contains plenty of animal protein. Prescription foods can have these qualities. It is possible to feed your cat a veterinary prescription diet if you ask your veterinarian about it.

Caring For Your Diabetic Cat

Regimen for treatment

Dietary adjustments, medication, and exercise, will all be part of your cat’s treatment regimen. In addition to these items, establishing a relationship with your veterinarian will be crucial in providing your cat with the best care.

Insulin administration

It will be necessary to inject long-acting insulin twice a day into your cat to control his diabetes. Dosage and frequency are determined on an individual basis. Your veterinarian usually administers it at their practice at the beginning. In addition to monitoring your cat at home, it’s important to fine-tune the dose over time, working closely with your veterinarian.

It is possible to have your veterinarian or their technician demonstrate how injections are administered. Online resources are also available to help you.

Keeping an eye on your diabetic cat

A diabetic cat should be monitored regularly for blood sugar levels since some cats have trouble managing their blood sugar levels. You and your veterinarian should work together on this. Performing serial blood sugar curves at your veterinarian’s office can determine insulin’s effect and adjust doses accordingly. In addition, periodic blood fructosamine tests may assist in regulating fructosamine levels. Using a glucometer at home is an option for some cat owners, but you must prick your pet to draw blood periodically. Depending on your cat’s needs, your veterinarian can advise you on whether this is the best course of action.

When your veterinarian adjusts the dose, we recommend you check your pet’s blood sugar three to seven days later before making any further changes.

Your cat’s appetite, weight, water consumption, and urine output should be monitored daily. When these things change significantly, it can indicate that diabetes is uncontrolled and veterinary care is required. Any changes that you observe should be reported to your veterinarian.

Diet

Diet modification is also an essential part of the treatment regimen. Adopting a program that aims to gradually lose weight if your cat is overweight is essential. Diabetes in overweight and healthy cats is commonly treated with two dietary approaches. Weight loss can be achieved by eating high fiber, lower calorie diets, and glucose absorption from the intestine can be delayed. The other approach is to follow a diet high in protein and low in carbohydrates. However, calorie intake must be monitored since many diets contain many calories. Preventing dehydration with canned food is possible. Therapeutic diets (available only from veterinarians) may be required for some patients. Consult your primary care veterinarian for advice about the best cat food for your diabetic cat.

Exercise

Engaging in an intensive exercise program without consulting your veterinarian is not a good idea, as many diabetic cats are overweight. With your veterinarian’s aid, you can develop an exercise program from scratch that will gradually build over time. Get your cat active and moving several times daily by taking 5-10 minutes. Do things to get your pet to mobilize around the house, such as playing with a small ball or a string. Your pet may be motivated to eat if you place their daily meals around the house or use an interactive toy that distributes food. 

As well as moving the litter box further away, you can make your catwalk more so they will spend more time outdoors. As you administer insulin, keep the exercise consistent to prevent disruptions in its effectiveness.

Best Diabetic Cat Food

Smalls Fresh Ground Fish Cat Food

picking-the-right-wet-food-for-diabetic-cats-diet

Smalls knows how to make biologically appropriate diets. Protein and essential nutrients are packed into their fresh cat food recipes, while carbs are kept to an absolute minimum.

A top ingredient in this recipe for Smalls Fresh Ground Fish is live whitefish, and a second ingredient is a whole mackerel, both excellent animal protein sources. Salmon oil is the only other main ingredient, along with peas, green beans, pumpkin, and parsley, which are good sources of omega-3 fatty acids. Furthermore, approximately 3.4% of this recipe’s carbohydrates come from carbohydrates.

Weruva Cats in the Kitchen Love Me Tender Grain-Free Cat Food

picking-the-wet-food-for-diabetic-cats

Your cat will not eat a healthier diet lower in carbohydrates if he doesn’t accept it. It won’t take long for your cat to become a fan of Weruva Cats in the Kitchen Grain-Free Cat Food.

This recipe is made with fresh chicken, tuna, and duck, as well as several other high-quality animal protein sources. Carbohydrates are extremely low in this formula, estimated at 2%. Xanthan gum and tapioca starch were likely used as thickeners in the gravy since both are carbohydrate ingredients.

Cats with diabetes will benefit from this formula because it contains high protein and moisture. Neither artificial additives nor other unhealthy ingredients will affect your cat’s digestion.

Tiki Cat Hookena Luau Cat Food

diet-of-diabetic-cat

By focusing on meat as its top ingredient and containing less than 2% carbohydrate, this cat food avoids starch and delivers plenty of protein.

IN this formula, flaked chicken and tuna combine to give this food a fresh flavor and consistency. This food contains fewer calories than most on the market, with less than 30 calories per ounce. This food is juicy, flaky, and has few calories, which is excellent for your cat.

Hound & Gatos Canned Salmon Cat Food

picking-the-right-wet-food-for-diabetic-cats-wet-food

Unlike other canned cat food brands, Hound & Gatos is made with utmost simplicity.

Every meal includes fish broth, vitamin supplements, minerals, and synthetic taurine to ensure it is nutritionally complete. For cats, taurine is an essential amino acid, which means the body cannot produce it and must get it from the diet.

The only carbohydrate in this recipe comes from agar-agar, as with all Hound & Gatos foods. Fiber does not convert to sugar in the bloodstream, so it is an effective gelling agent. Ultimately, it has a shallow carbohydrate content.

Conclusion

picking-the-right-wet-food-for-diabetic-cat

The best food is the most difficult decision a cat owner often struggles to make. It is crucial to know what the wet cat food contains, how much your cat should eat and what behavioral changes pets may experience from eating certain types of wet cat food. Asking your veterinarian is the most significant thing, however! Taking care of your sick pet requires time, effort, and sacrifices – and it’s best to work with your veterinarian for more effective work.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are diabetic cats?

Diabetes is a common condition that affects blood sugar levels. It can be caused by an excess of sugar in your blood, which is why keeping track of your blood sugar levels is essential.

The most common type of diabetes in cats is feline diabetes, which can cause the cat to urinate more frequently and eat more food than usual. Diabetes-related complications include weight loss, chronic kidney disease, blindness, heart disease, and stroke.

What are the benefits of wet cat food?

Wet cat food is a type of cat food that has a higher water content than dry cat food. This allows cats to drink more water and get hydrated throughout the day. They are usually cheaper than dry cat food, which makes it easier for pet owners to afford. Wet cat food has fewer additives, making it healthier for your pet.

A wet-food diet can help your pet maintain a healthy weight and prevent overeating. It also helps prevent urinary tract infections in cats and kidney disease in dogs by keeping them hydrated.

What are the risks of wet food?

Wet foods can be associated with several health risks, including infectious diseases, gastrointestinal problems, and bacterial contamination. In addition to these risks, wet foods can also cause allergies and sensitivities in people allergic to certain ingredients.

How do you know if your cat is diabetic?

If your cat is constantly thirsty and urinates excessively, it’s a good chance that it might have diabetes. Other signs include weight loss, a change in appetite, lethargy, weakness, or rapid breathing.

Can diabetic cats live a long life?

It is possible to keep diabetic cats alive for a long time. It is also possible to make sure that they are healthy and happy.

Cats tend to develop diabetes because of their diet and lifestyle, leading them to be overweight or obese. When this happens, the cat’s pancreas does not produce enough insulin, which leads to high blood sugar levels. The best way to help your diabetic cat live longer is by ensuring enough water intake and exercise. Medication is also essential.