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diabetic cat
- Thread starter kittybits
- Start Date
I had mine on science diet w/d and it controllled things very well the rest of my cats liked it as well. I'd ask for recommendations from your vet.
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #3
No, the insulin was needed one time a day but she became controlled pretty quickly. My kitty is gone now but she lived with the condition for many years.
You might research it on the internet, I would bet you can order a food on Amazon made for diabetic cats.
yep you can find the prescription diets online. Adwdiabetes is where I got syringes from and they have the Purina line of prescription food. I also had a cat with a urinary blockage and they sell that food too.
I suggest that you also ask for advice on the FelineDiabetes.com message board
It's a great board with lots of helpful advice from experienced members.
The best food is low carb canned food, or homecooked or raw if you wish to feed either of those. No dry food at all if possible because that will keep blood glucose levels too high. There are many suitable commercial brands of canned foods: Fancy Feast Gourmet / Classic pates, some Friskies pate, Nature's Variety Instinct, Wellness, etc. You need foods that have less than 10% carbs. Since carb content isn't listed on pet food labels, use this chart: http://catinfo.org/docs/FoodChartPublic9-22-12.pdf The chart is a few years old so for the most up to date info, ask on the FelineDiabetes.com board for recommended current brands of food.
Here is a list of low carb Fancy Feast: http://www.felinediabetes.com/glutenfree.htm
You do not need prescription food at all, dry or canned.
Some cats can go into remission if started on diet only right away. Other cats may need both insulin and diet before they either go into remission. Other cats may always need both insulin and diet to keep the blood glucose levels in a good range.
Since your cat is on insulin, you need to do a diet change very very slowly to avoid a drastic drop in blood glucose levels. Home blood glucose testing is a must if you do a diet change and are giving insulin. You need to know how much the blood glucose levels are affected by the diet and if the level is at a safe enough level to give insulin or not. Blindly giving insulin while doing a diet change can result in hypoglycemia.
The best food is low carb canned food, or homecooked or raw if you wish to feed either of those. No dry food at all if possible because that will keep blood glucose levels too high. There are many suitable commercial brands of canned foods: Fancy Feast Gourmet / Classic pates, some Friskies pate, Nature's Variety Instinct, Wellness, etc. You need foods that have less than 10% carbs. Since carb content isn't listed on pet food labels, use this chart: http://catinfo.org/docs/FoodChartPublic9-22-12.pdf The chart is a few years old so for the most up to date info, ask on the FelineDiabetes.com board for recommended current brands of food.
Here is a list of low carb Fancy Feast: http://www.felinediabetes.com/glutenfree.htm
You do not need prescription food at all, dry or canned.
Some cats can go into remission if started on diet only right away. Other cats may need both insulin and diet before they either go into remission. Other cats may always need both insulin and diet to keep the blood glucose levels in a good range.
Since your cat is on insulin, you need to do a diet change very very slowly to avoid a drastic drop in blood glucose levels. Home blood glucose testing is a must if you do a diet change and are giving insulin. You need to know how much the blood glucose levels are affected by the diet and if the level is at a safe enough level to give insulin or not. Blindly giving insulin while doing a diet change can result in hypoglycemia.
- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #8
thanks! yes, not yet changing his diet much. he has been getting fancy feast in the morning before diagnosed & have been giving him more of that during the day instead of all the treats he was wanting & i gave to him
(i wonder if all the treats caused this) friday will have to take him back to the vet & leave him for a few hours so they can monitor him & see how he's doing w/ the insulin. guess after that will have a better idea of what else to do.
Insulin is not all-fixing.
Definitely go for specific diet. Diet can significantly decrease the glucosys in blood. I am not saying that the diet cures the diabet .. But the more close to natural - the better.
Avoid fat in food. Diabet and obesity are correlated (not sure if related, though - but this is another story).
Check cat's glicemia once in a month or every two months - or whatever your vet reccomanded.
Definitely go for specific diet. Diet can significantly decrease the glucosys in blood. I am not saying that the diet cures the diabet .. But the more close to natural - the better.
Avoid fat in food. Diabet and obesity are correlated (not sure if related, though - but this is another story).
Check cat's glicemia once in a month or every two months - or whatever your vet reccomanded.
STS3 advices are very good...
Food is very important...my cat has been on insulin twice a day for a little more than 2 years now...
Unlike human diabetics it take a bit of time to stabilize the right amount of insulin your cat need (up to at least 2 weeks)…but very much like humans you have to be regular, constant and do the same routine for food time, play time etc…every day.
Food is very important...my cat has been on insulin twice a day for a little more than 2 years now...
Unlike human diabetics it take a bit of time to stabilize the right amount of insulin your cat need (up to at least 2 weeks)…but very much like humans you have to be regular, constant and do the same routine for food time, play time etc…every day.
