Most people are surprised when they first hear that cats can also succumb to diabetes. It is not a death sentence for a cat, and with gentle care and following the right things to do while feeding your cat, you can help your cat cope with this disease. Feline diabetes resembles Type 2 Diabetes in humans. Obesity is quoted as one of the main reasons that cats get diabetes. Hence, keeping an eye on what your cat eats is very important for your feline friend’s well-being. Refer below to take a look at the things that you, as a cat owner, will need to follow when it comes to feeding your cat with diabetes mellitus:
- Watch the type of food that you feed your cat
A protein-rich diet is necessary for your cat, as cats are by nature meat-hunters. The bodies of cats also cannot handle breaking down carbohydrates, and this statement is especially true if your cat is diabetic. According to specialists, the ideal diet for a cat with diabetes mellitus includes foods that are rich in protein and low in carbohydrates. Most of the canned cat food available in the market is rich in protein; however, the dry cat food products are loaded with carbohydrates. Hence, try to buy the canned food for your cat; but all said and done home-cooked meals would be the best option for your feline friend if they develop diabetes. - Keep a close eye on your cat’s weight
In case your cat is overweight, you will need to focus on helping them lose weight gradually. Following a diabetic-friendly diet will help your cat slim down, and it will also make the disease easier to manage. On losing weight, your cat’s body uses more insulin, thereby lowering the blood sugar level. As every cat is unique, the same diet may not work well for all diabetic cats. The best possible thing for you to do will be to consult your veterinarian and plan out a diet that would best suit your cat’s needs. - Feeding schedule
Your cat may be used to eating any time they please if you leave their kitty bowl full of food all the time. However, once your cat is diagnosed with diabetes, you will have to change the feeding pattern that you have been following as it may not be the best one for your cat. You will now have to coordinate your cat’s meals with their insulin dosage. This is an important factor as your cat might have low blood sugar otherwise. Feeding your cat typically twice a day after the administration of insulin is the best feeding schedule to follow. You will also need to ensure that your cat eats the food that they are fed as if your cat has no food in their belly, then their insulin dosage might have to be skipped, which could be quite a dangerous thing to do. If your cat hates the protein-rich food that your vet had recommended and simply refuses to eat it, it would be better to switch back to your old dietary routine for a while.