Feline Diabetes Nutrition

Diabetic cats must eat a high-protein, low-carbohydrate diet to keep from experiencing spikes in blood sugar levels. Such a diet is closest to what they'd eat in the wild.

  1. Carbohydrates

    • Dry commercial foods are unnatural to cats because they contain lots of carbohydrate filler that causes blood sugar spikes. Dry food also contributes to obesity because it's less filling.

    Fiber

    • Cats' short digestive tracts are designed for fats and protein, not fiber. Dry food fiber is carbohydrate filler that quickly passes through the cat and reduces nutrient absorption. Purina DM (Diabetes Management) is the dry food many veterinarians prescribe for diabetic cats who refuse canned food.

    Protein

    • Protein in canned food is natural for cats. Purina DM also comes in a wet version, but any canned food with high protein, less than 10 percent carbohydrates and no wheat gluten will keep blood sugar in check.

    Fat

    • Unlike in humans, dietetic fat doesn't make cats fat. Diabetic cats can eat a moderate- to high-fat diet.

    Consistency

    • Consistency in feeding the same content and quantity is paramount because that's what insulin doses are based on. With erratic eating, you have no way of predicting blood sugar spikes, nor how much insulin will bring levels back to normal.