Raw Food Diet for a Cat With Diabetes & Renal Failure

Causes of Feline Diabetes and Renal Failure

• Cases of both feline diabetes and chronic renal failure (also known as feline kidney disease) have become rampant mainly due to improper diets for cats. Dry kibble, being high in carbohydrates and low in moisture, is to blame in the majority of instances. A diet high in carbohydrates can cause obesity, which puts cats at risk for diabetes. The lack of moisture causes dehydration, which puts stress on the kidneys and leads to kidney disease.

  "Cats are chronically dehydrated when they are on a diet of predominantly dry food," wrote Veterinarian Lisa A. Pierson on her web site. And as any human or animal doctor will tell you, fluids are very important--especially during illness.

Cats Need Protein

• Another important point to remember is that cats are obligate carnivores. They were designed by nature to eat meat, not carbohydrates. According to Dr. Pierson, the protein in kibble is made up mainly of plant proteins, not meat proteins.

  "It's the quality of the protein, not necessarily the amount," said Dr. Carol Osborne, a holistic veterinarian and author of the book, "Naturally Healthy Cats." Dr. Carol suggests that a cat's diet should contain 60 percent to 80 percent protein, 20 percent vegetables and 20 percent carbohydrates. This is simply not possible on a dry kibble diet.

The Problem with Veterinarian Prescribed Diets

• Many veterinarians put diabetic and CRF cats on a prescription diet. However, "it's important to note that veterinarians have no formal education in nutrition, vitamins, minerals or supplementation unless they seek it on their own outside of their training," said Dr. Carol.

  Foods such as Science Diet k/d are prescribed with the idea that their low-protein content allows the kidneys to take a break. But, said Dr. Carol, "these diets are commercial, not organic, and filled with chemicals and by-products. The more we get such ingredients out of our bodies the better; for pets and humans alike."

Raw is Better than Commercial Pet Diets

• Raw meat is naturally high in moisture and low in carbohydrates, making it the ideal food choice to combat both feline diabetes and renal failure.

  Dr. Carol, who practices in Chagrin Falls, Ohio, recommends making your own meals for your diabetic or CRF cat using the following ingredients:

  Lean Protein Sources
  Raw, cooked or seared organic ground chicken, turkey, lamb, beef, veal, duck, eggs.

  Vegetable Sources
  Finely grated raw zucchini, finely chopped alfalfa sprouts, lightly steamed broccoli, sweet corn, baked winter squash, yam or sweet potato.

  Grain Sources
  Soaked oat bran, cooked barley, millet, oak flakes, brown rice, mashed potato or amaranth.

  Because cats are carnivores, not everyone agrees that they should be fed grains and vegetables. Dr. Pierson recommends a raw diet comprised mainly of muscle meat for protein, with smaller amounts of bone for calcium, liver for vitamins, and organs such as heart for taurine (a must for all cats).

  Both vets agree that all food for cats with feline diabetes and chronic renal failure should be organic, natural, antibiotic- and hormone-free.

  "The pet food industry has major problems that are not being addressed," said Dr. Carol. "It's up to pet owners to do their research and feed what is best for their pets."