Cats can also suffer from diabetes, a disease that will require treatment and strict veterinary monitoring. In addition, it is a condition that the animal will have to live with, so it is very important that, as caregivers, we know and understand this disease in order to help for our cat to have the best possible quality of life.
In this article on our site we are going to explain what diabetes is, focusing on the care a diabetic cat should receive, with special attention to what it should eating a cat with diabetes.
Diabetes
This disease consists of a problem in the production of insulin, which is the hormone that regulates the amount ofglucose in the body. Insulin is produced in the pancreas. When we eat, we ingest foods with glucose, producing a peak of this compound.
At this time insulin intervenes, allowing glucose to enter the cells, where it is transformed to produce energy, but when this is lacking, glucose remains in a high amount in the blood and this will generate symptoms and, in the long run, complications that, if not treated, can cause death of the animal Therefore, insulin deficiency causes hyperglycemia and glycosuria (high levels of glucose in the urine).
Among diabetes symptoms the following stand out:
- Increased thirst and consequently increased water intake (polydipsia).
- Increased appetite resulting in ravenous hunger (polyphagia).
- Unexplained weight loss, as the amount of food eaten increases.
- Drinking more will also increase the amount of urine eliminated and we will see that the cat urinates more frequently (polyuria), which can cause dehydration.
- In advanced cases, lethargy, loss of appetite, vomiting, dehydration or general weakness will appear.
Diabetes tends to affect more neutered male cats of middle age, 7-8 years, so it is important to go for veterinary check-ups regular, since early diagnosis will quickly establish the appropriate treatment.
In addition, obesity is a predisposing factor, so it is important to know what a cat with diabetes should eat. We also need to provide you with an activity that's right for your needs to maintain optimal weight. Diabetes is recognized as a genetic predisposition, in addition to environmental causes. Inactivity, stress, other diseases and, as we have said, obesity, are risk factors.
Diabetes diagnosis and treatment
If our cat shows any of the symptoms described in the previous section, we should go to the vet as soon as possible. Prompt treatment can achieve remission of the disease. Through a blood test and a urine test, the vet will be able to determine the amount of glucose.
Fructosamine is also measured A rise in its values will be indicative of diabetes, so, with the confirmed diagnosis, we must start the treatment, including what a cat with diabetes should eat. Other tests may include physical examination, urinalysis and culture, and abdominal ultrasound.
Generally treatment is intended to maintain the animal's quality of life for as long as possible and consists of the following:
- Insulin injections in doses and guidelines that the veterinarian will set. It is normal to have to adjust this treatment, so the glucose measurements will have to be repeated. Depending on the results, the veterinarian will establish the appropriate guideline for each cat.
- When administering injections, the carer must learn how to prod their cat, a task that will be taught by the veterinarian, as it is vital that the treatment can be followed at home.
- The caretaker must scrupulously observe the clinical instructions, attend check-ups and consult the veterinarian for any change in the cat's condition.
- Food, with a fundamental role, is included among the therapeutic options, which we will develop in the following section.
Feeding a diabetic cat
As we have said, food will play a crucial role in the treatment of a diabetic cat, which is why it is so important to know what should a cat with diabetes eat These sick cats should be fed a food specific to their condition.
Luckily, on the market we already have a range of feed and wet food formulated to control diabetes. These foods help balance the amount of glucose without losing nutritional quality. We can follow these tips to get our diabetic cat to accept the new feed:
- For a specialized food such as that intended for diabetic cats to be effective, it must be supplied exclusively, but if we see that our cat does not eat it, we can start by mixing it with its usual feed.
- At the beginning it may be necessary to offer the food in its wet version, since it is usually more palatable than dry food and this will make it easier for the cat to eat it.
- Let's consider the possibility of heating the food, since this way its aroma spreads better and it may be more attractive to the cat.
- We can even mix the feed with water to turn it into a paste if the cat eats it better that way. Remember that it is very important that the animal is fed.
- In the last case, if the cat does not accept the specific feed under any circumstances, we will have no choice but to return to its usual food, ensuring that it is high-end. Likewise, animals with other serious illnesses will preferably eat a specific feed for them, rather than the one recommended for diabetic cats.
This diet must be low in carbohydrates and high in proteinsto facilitate glycemic control and promote disease remission. This diet will contribute to achieving and maintaining the cat's ideal weight. To do this we must give the recommended daily amount, without exceeding, divided into several shots a day. It is important to maintain a routine in feeding and insulin administration.
