Prescription Food for Feline Diabetes

Diabetic cats may not respond well to prescription foods meant for overweight cats. The Cat Owner's Home Veterinary Handbook indicates that, in general, diabetic cats respond well to dietary changes and do not always require doses of insulin.

  1. Significance

    • According to CatInfo.org, many of the cat foods typically purchased in stores are too high in carbohydrates. Dry and wet cat foods contain too many carbohydrates for a diabetic cat.

    Considerations

    • Cats are carnivores. Their bodies are not really designed for dry food. It is not recommended for any cat, let alone a diabetic one, to regularly eat dry cat food.

    Prevention/Solution

    • Preventing and solving feline diabetes involves lowering the cat's daily consumption of carbohydrates by changing the food it eats.

    Benefits

    • Even cats that have diabetes resulting from consuming too many carbohydrates over a long period of time should see quick progress.

    Warning

    • Consult with a veterinarian before changing a cat's diet. Diabetic felines who have been taking insulin need special care. Their insulin levels need to be reduced along with their carbohydrate consumption.