Diabetes is a very serious condition in cats. When proper care is not taken, there might be serious repercussions. So, special attention must be paid to every aspect of feline diabetes. When it comes to the food included in the diet and the feeding habits, proper care and routine should be established. Managing the diet well can ensure that the cat’s health does not become worse. Feeding a diabetic cat has many aspects that should be taken care of. Here are some tips for feeding cats with diabetes.
Choose High-fiber Foods
Fiber content available from food substances plays a very important role in the diet of a diabetic cat. Cats with diabetes require foods that are high in fiber. These foods help the cat absorb the fat and glucose present in the diet. In addition to that, food substances with high fiber content are also good for weight loss if the cat is obese or overweight. This is one of the most critical feeding tips for cats with diabetes.
Feed More Wet Food for Proteins
Cats suffering from diabetes can benefit greatly from foods that are rich in proteins. Some examples of high-quality protein sources are beef, chicken, and fish. If the aim is to reduce carbohydrate intake and increase protein intake, the cat can be fed canned foods. If the cat also has any kidney condition, then a high-protein diet may not be ideal. Discuss the diet possibilities with a veterinarian in this case before switching the food. Diabetic cats also tend to lose water quite often and can become dehydrated. Canned foods can ensure that they get the required water with each meal.
Choose Foods Low in Fats and Carbs
Cats get only 1 to 2 percent of the daily calorie intake from carbohydrates. And the calorie intake from fats can be anywhere between 20 and 45 percent. When a diet with fewer carbohydrates is given, the symptoms of diabetes in the cats can be regulated. It might be difficult to find the calorie intake from carbohydrates on the label. But it can be calculated or the veterinarian can be of help. While feeding wet food less than 10 percent of the calories should ideally come from carbohydrates.
Transition to New Foods at a Slow Pace
This is an essential feeding tip for cats with diabetes. Not eating entirely can be a problem when it comes to diabetic cats. A trick to make sure that the new and more healthy food is not entirely rejected by the cats is to mix the new food with the old food. You can start by making half the diet with the old food and the other half with low-carbohydrate and high-protein food. After getting used to this mix for a week or two, the quantity of new food can be increased. If the cat doesn’t show interest in this mix, you would have to start from the old food again and transition at a much slower pace. At no point should any table scraps or human food be added into the cat’s diet as this may have a negative impact.
