What Foods to Avoid with Your Diabetic Cat
Kitty has been diagnosed with diabetes so life as we know it needs to change. Insulin injections are now required, testing blood glucose levels are necessary and a food change may be in order. Since cats are most often type 2 diabetics diet takes an important role.
Type 2 diabetes is due to the body being resistant to using insulin or there is not enough insulin being produced. This means that the pancreas is producing insulin but it is not being utilized properly. The good news is that there is a possibility of remission in type 2 diabetic cats and reducing carb intake as much as possible can help get your cat into remission.
Since cats are obligate carnivores they do not require carbohydrates in their food and diet can play a role in their diabetes. Simply put, carbohydrates are not your cat’s friend! The AAHA Diabetes Guidelines for Dogs and Cats recommends feeding a diabetic cat 12% carbohydrates maximum, but many have found that feeding less than 10% carbs max have seen better glucose control along with insulin.
What foods should you avoid?
Dry food is typically loaded with carbohydrates and not recommended to feed diabetic cats. Grains like rice, corn, wheat, starches like potatoes, lentils, peas and starches are often found in dry cat food and will raise blood glucose levels.
Foods with flours or starches added should be avoided as well. These can be hidden in wet cat food along with thickening agents that can spike blood glucose levels.
What are good options to feed my diabetic cat?
High protein, low fiber and low carbohydrates is the recommended diet for diabetic cats. Wet food is suggested to feed since it is typically lower in carbohydrates. Some popular commercial brands of wet food are: Fancy Feast, Tiki Cat and Weruva.
Raw diet is also a good option, there are premade raw food you can purchase like Darwin’s and Primal Raw. If you choose to make homemade raw you can use the BalanceIt recipe maker and they have vitamin and mineral supplements as well. You will need vet approval for a specialized diet for your diabetic cat.
If your cat will not eat wet or raw food there are some dry options that you can feed, two are Young Again and Wysong. It is highly recommended to work on transitioning your cat to wet food or raw though.
Can I still give my cat treats?
Yes! You can give your diabetic kitty treats but you want to avoid treats that have grains, potatoes, starches, peas, lentils or flours in them. Treats like Temptations should be cut out completely. Look for single ingredient treats like freeze dried meats; this includes Purebites. Other options include canned chicken or tuna packed in water, Beechnut meat baby food and raw of cooked chicken.
If you want to make your own treats, cook and puree meat like chicken. Spoon into ice cube trays and freeze, once frozen transfer to zip lock bags. They are easy to defrost and my cats love them.
Getting diet down can take a bit of time, especially if your cat has been eating dry food. A low to no-carb diet along with insulin will help with your diabetic cat's health and those blood glucose levels.
The following are several great blogs to read regarding diet for your diabetic cat:
Diet for the Diabetic Kitty: The Basics - https://shoppettest.com/blog/diet-for-the-diabetic-kitty-the-basics/
For the Love of Food: What is Going to Work for Your Kitty - https://shoppettest.com/blog/for-the-love-of-food-what-is-going-to-work-for-your-kitty/
For the Love of Food II: The Raw Diet Overview - https://shoppettest.com/blog/for-the-love-of-food-ii-the-raw-diet-overview/
For the Love of Food III: The Raw Diet Deep Dive - https://shoppettest.com/blog/for-the-love-of-food-iii-the-raw-diet-deep-dive/
Food Transitioning for Kitty - https://shoppettest.com/blog/food-transitioning-for-kitty/
If you are looking to join a community for support please join the Feline Diabetes Support Group on Facebook. They have great information, files that include foods to feed your diabetic cat and are a wonderful source knowledge!
If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, please start a conversation below.
For a printable version of this blog, click here.
Until next time stay comfy, cool and caffeinated!
Michelle Miller-Matlock
AAHA Certified Diabetes Educator
Administrator of Diabetic Dog Owners on Facebook
Founder/Administrator of DDO: Diabetic Dog Owners University
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