Dry Cat Food and the Diabetic Cat

Cats use glucose as energy; but the cells need to absorb it out of the blood before they can use the glucose. Insulin, which is manufactured by the pancreas, tells the cells to open in order to let in the glucose. Your cat has diabetes when the pancreas has a low level of insulin production or its body cannot utilize the manufactured insulin properly. Consequently, blood glucose levels rise and the cells go hungry.

  1. Significance

    • There are three ways for your cat to get its calories: carbohydrates, protein and fat. Carbohydrates are the cheapest raw material to manufacture and get manufactured into dry cat food. Cats are natural carnivores, however, and their bodies are not made to survive on diets high in carbohydrates. They do not have the proper enzymes to digest them. Therefore, dry cat food should not be fed to any cat, especially not a diabetic cat, because of its high carbohydrate content.

    Effects

    • Cats who have developed diabetes, and have subsequently been put on a low carbohydrate diet that cuts out dry cat food, generally go into remission and often need lower levels of insulin. When you stop feeding your diabetic cat dry food, insulin adjustments may be required. If you are still giving your cat the same dosage of insulin as before you changed its diet, your cat may develop dangerously low blood sugar. Monitor your cat's blood sugar on regular basis and discuss its insulin needs in conjunction with the new diet with its veterinarian.

    Alternatives

    • Look for a wet cat food that has little or no carbohydrate, grain, vegetable or fruit content. Remember, food that is healthy for a person is not necessarily healthy for a cat. It is fine to have a cat food that contains meat-by-products, as long as they are handled correctly. Spleens, udders, lungs or other intestines are not eaten by us, but they are fine for your cat. Your diabetic cat needs to be fed a high protein diet. You can also feed your cat a homemade raw or cooked diet under the supervision of its veterinarian.

    Warning

    • Watch out for dry cat food that is made especially for diabetic cats. Regardless of the cat food companies' claims, dry foods are still not good for diabetic cats. All cats, and especially diabetic cats, need a diet that is high in protein.

    Fat and Water

    • As well as being too high in carbohydrate content, dry cat food has a low water content which is not healthy for a cat as it dehydrates the animal. Dry cat food may also have too much fat in it, which is particularly dangerous for an overweight diabetic cat. Losing weight and exercising are important factors in treating your cat's diabetes, and if your diabetic cat is overweight, feeding it a food high in fat is not a good idea.