What should a cat with diabetes eat?
Diabetes is a disease that affects not only people but also our four-legged friends.Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes in cats, accounting for about 60% of cases.Secondary diabetes is diagnosed in approximately 10–20% of cases.A key factor in both the development of the disease and its treatment is a proper diet and the right choice of cat food.Whether a cat is healthy, overweight, or malnourished depends 90% on the diet you feed it.Learn how to feed a cat with diabetes.
Diabetes in Cats: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Metabolic syndrome is a disorder that affects both humans and animals.This condition in cats is defined by the presence of obesity, glucose intolerance, or lipid metabolism disorders, as well as type 2 diabetes.As a diet-related condition, it is inextricably linked to overweight and obesity in pets.An excessive amount of carbohydrates in a cat's diet has a negative effect on its body.
Causes of diabetes in cats
The following factors play a significant role in the development of diabetes in cats and its pathophysiology:
- insulin—it allows glucose to pass from the bloodstream into the cells,
- insulin-binding receptors in cells—open channels that allow glucose to enter the cells,
- proteins responsible for transporting glucose into cells—they enable glucose to be absorbed through cell membranes,
- glucose metabolism in the liver—in rare cases, glucose can be produced from compounds other than glycogen; this process is known as gluconeogenesis.
The three main causes of diabetes in cats:
- The aforementioned hepatic glycogenosis—that is, the production of excessive amounts of glucose in the liver from non-sugar compounds.
- Insulin resistance—the receptors in the cells do not function properly in response to insulin, which remains in the bloodstream.
- 3. Decreased insulin production by the pancreas—damage to the organ and impaired pancreatic function.Sugar remains in the bloodstream and causes hyperglycemia.It is believed that in cats with diabetes, tissue sensitivity to insulin is six times lower than in healthy cats.
Excess glucose in the bloodstream contributes to the formation of large amounts of free radicals, which damage the body’s cells and accelerate the processes that cause damage and contribute to the body’s aging.
Symptoms of diabetes in cats
The most common symptoms characteristic of developing or existing diabetes in cats are:
- excessive urination,
- sugar in the urine
- excessive thirst,
- excessive appetite,
- constipation and dehydration,
- weight loss.
What to feed a cat with diabetes?
Action should be taken as soon as diabetes is suspected in a cat.Cats fed a diet high in carbohydrates are much more susceptible to it because of the glucose in their food.In that case, you should immediately switch to a low-calorie cat food, also to help your cat lose weight.If your cat is eating dry food, you should switch to carbohydrate-free wet cat food: .The best way to feed a cat is with food that is high in meat and contains more fat than carbohydrates.The cat will then stop receiving food that causes high postprandial glucose levels.
How many meals a day should a cat with diabetes eat??
Meals should be served regularly, at set times.That is why it is worth setting rules regarding their frequency and amount.You shouldn't offer too much food, as this can lead to obesity in cats; it's better to serve smaller portions throughout the day at regular intervals.Similarly, activity and sleep should be monitored in terms of duration and regularity. If a kitten is accustomed to eating everything at once or eating too much, it will have trouble controlling its insulin levels later in life.That is why we recommend feeding him the same portions throughout his adult life.
How to lower a cat's blood sugar?
The key factors affecting a cat's health are diet and adequate physical activity.If your cat has developed diabetes, you should take special care to account for its metabolism and natural adaptation to a meat-based diet in order to provide it with a balanced, vitamin-rich diet.If it contains too much sugar or sugar derivatives, it will be difficult to regulate blood glucose levels.If your cat is overweight, make sure to provide them with appropriate cat toys and other accessories that will encourage them to stay active.
Also, be sure to plan your day.We all have our responsibilities, even if we have a cat with an illness.So it’s important to align your daily schedule with the regularity and routine of your cat’s diet.
How long do cats with diabetes live??
You should be aware that untreated or undiagnosed diabetes can lead to severe systemic toxicity, kidney or liver damage, as well as diabetic ketoacidosis, which is a direct threat to the animal’s life.In some cases, diabetes cannot be cured because it was caused by another condition.However, if we notice the symptoms in our pet early enough and take it to the veterinarian for a diagnosis and to begin treatment, our cat, with its diabetes under control, can live just as long as other cats.
