Feline diabetes is a growing concern for cat owners and veterinarians alike. Just like humans, when cats develop diabetes, their bodies lose the ability to properly regulate blood sugar levels. Without treatment, diabetes can lead to serious health complications in cats. The good news is that with proper management, many diabetic cats can live long, healthy and happy lives. An important part of feline diabetes management involves appropriate diet and nutrition. Feeding your cat a low-calorie diet can help keep blood sugar levels in the normal range and prevent dangerous spikes. Homemade treats and food provide pet owners greater control over nutritional content compared to store-bought options. This allows tailoring homemade items to your cat's unique dietary needs.
Understanding Feline Diabetes
Diabetes results from the body's inability to produce or utilize the hormone insulin properly. Insulin allows blood sugar (glucose) to enter cells throughout the body to be used for energy. Without insulin doing its job, glucose builds up in the bloodstream while cells are starved for energy. Most diabetic cats suffer from a form of diabetes similar to type 2 diabetes in people. With this version, the cat's body still produces some insulin, but not enough to handle the glucose in circulation. Obesity and lack of physical activity are major risk factors for developing feline diabetes, since excess fat interferes with the body's ability to respond to insulin. Genetics and medical conditions like pancreatitis can also trigger diabetes in cats.
Diabetic cats exhibit telltale symptoms including increased thirst, increased urination, increased appetite, and weight loss. Since high blood sugar pulls fluid from tissues, the hunger and thirst are due to dehydration while the weight loss stems from the body breaking down fat and muscle for fuel. Left untreated, diabetes takes an immense toll on a cat's body. Serious complications can arise like diabetic ketoacidosis, kidney disease, urinary tract infections, vision loss, nerve damage, and more. That's why establishing proper nutrition and blood sugar control with insulin injections (and/or oral medication for some cats) is imperative. The good news is that this can be controlled with low calorie homemade recipes.
Benefits of a Low-Calorie Diet for Your Feline Friend
Along with insulin therapy, the cornerstone of feline diabetes management is transitioning to a low-calorie dietary plan. The goals of the diet are to:
- Help the cat reach and maintain a healthy body weight
- Provide steady energy from high-quality nutrition without spiking blood sugar
- Support the body's ability to respond to insulin
- Aid weight loss if your cat is overweight
Obesity exacerbates insulin resistance and complicates regulation of diabetes. Trimming excess body fat allows insulin to work more efficiently. Slow, steady weight loss is preferable to rapid loss, which can trigger the breakdown of fat into ketones and a dangerous condition called ketoacidosis.
A low-calorie diet also supplies a steady stream of energy from non-carbohydrate sources. Low carb is key since carbohydrates like grains and starchy veggies are broken down into glucose, making blood sugar control difficult. Protein, healthy fats, and low glycemic index fiber should make up the majority of calories. This provides sufficiency and sustained energy without glucose spikes.
Homemade Food for Diabetic Cats
Commercial diabetic cat food formulated for weight management and glucose control is available. However, many owners prefer preparing homemade food. With homemade food, you can control ingredients down to the exact carb count and customize recipes to your cat's needs. If your cat is a picky eater, homemade food also allows you to stick with their favorite flavors and textures your pet already enjoys.
When transitioning your newly diagnosed diabetic cat to a homemade diet, be sure to do so gradually over 1 to 2 weeks. This gives their sensitive digestive system time to adjust. Have your veterinarian review your planned homemade recipes to ensure nutritional adequacy which is vitally important for diabetic felines. Some key supplement recommendations include:
- Taurine - Essential amino acid for heart and eye health
- Vitamin B complex - For energy and nerve function
- Vitamin E - Potent antioxidant to reduce any inflammation
- Omega 3 fatty acids - Anti-inflammatory and promote insulin sensitivity
- Chromium - Enhances insulin function and glucose metabolism
Diabetic Cat Diet Guidelines:
- High protein - Lean poultry, fish, eggs, tofu, etc. Provide amino acids for muscle retention.
- Low carb - Less than 10% calories from carbs like rice, quinoa, starchy veggies. Controls the blood sugar.
- High fiber - Veggies, peas, berries. Slows digestion and glucose absorption.
- Moderate healthy fats - Fish oil, olive oil, avocado. Slows digestion and provides energy.
- Moisture-rich - 75-85% moisture from broth, canned fish, blended veggies. For hydration.
- Potassium-rich - Sweet potatoes, mushrooms, and spinach. Important electrolytes depleted by frequent urination.
- Calcium-rich - Kale, broccoli, yogurt. Calcium loss also occurs with excess urination.
- Low sodium - Due to increased thirst and kidney problems.
Sample Diabetic Cat Diet Recipe:
- 4 ounces fresh wild salmon, broiled
- 1/2 cup canned sardines in water
- 2 tablespoons cooked quinoa
- 1/2 cup canned pumpkin (no sugar added)
- 1/2 cup diced steamed broccoli florets
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/4 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon chia seeds
- 1/4 teaspoon taurine powder
- Multivitamin (as recommended by your veterinarian)
This recipe will provide approximately 730 calories with 54% protein, 10% carbs, and 36% fat. Adjust proportions based on your cat's weight loss needs and response to insulin therapy. Work closely with your vet to fine-tune nutrition. They can analyze blood work results to discern if your cat requires diet changes. This and other low-calorie recipes for treats and cat food can be found in our recipe catalog.
Healthy Treats for Diabetic Cats
In addition to revamping their core diet, providing homemade treats allows diabetic cats to still feel indulged. Creative treat recipes expand your options for providing excitement at mealtime without sabotaging blood sugar control. Prioritize ingredients that offer high satisfaction, a low glycemic impact, and nutrients to support overall health.
Some diabetic cat-approved homemade treat ideas include:
Salmon Bites: Blend canned salmon with egg whites, then bake into bite-sized protein morsels.
Tuna Fudge: Make frozen tuna fudge by blending tuna with yogurt and catnip. Freeze in an ice cube tray for treat pops.
Chicken Jerky: Slice chicken breast thin, marinate overnight, then bake at low temp until dried.
Cheesy Chickpea Poppers: Mix mashed chickpeas, shredded cheese and egg whites. Scoop tablespoon portions and bake.
Pumpkin Dippers: Puree canned pumpkin with yogurt. Let your cat lick the pumpkin dip straight from the spoon or pair it with apple slices.
Berry Ice Cream: Blend frozen berries and canned sardines into a sweet frozen purée for your kitty to lap up.
The options for healthy homemade diabetic cat treats are endless! Have fun getting creative in the kitchen whipping up recipes your cat will love. You can use molds and cookie cutters like the ones that come in our kits that are suitable for the freezer and the oven. Just be sure to account for homemade treats when calculating total daily calories and carbs as this is very important especially during the transition stage.
When choosing ingredients for homemade food, prioritize high-quality proteins including lean cuts of poultry, grass-fed red meat, fatty fish like salmon and sardines, eggs, and plant-based proteins like tofu, edamame, and legumes. Focus on non-starchy vegetables as well like leafy greens, broccoli, cauliflower, asparagus, green beans, tomatoes, mushrooms, bell peppers, and zucchini. The best sources of fats for diabetic cats are oils like olive, coconut, avocado, flaxseed, and fish oil. Avoid high saturated fat meats and use dairy sparingly. Incorporate just a small amount of non-gluten whole grains like brown rice, millet, or quinoa. For fiber, berries, sliced nuts, and non-starchy veggies are excellent options that provide nutrition without spiking blood sugar. Getting the right balance of macronutrients based on your individual cat’s needs, activity level, and insulin dosage is key to dietary success. Having recipes analyzed by your vet and closely monitoring your cat’s condition will help determine optimal carb, protein and fat ratios. Tweak homemade recipes until your cat's blood work indicates stable blood glucose levels.
Here are Some Tips for Managing Feline Diabetes
Managing diabetes in cats takes dedication from pet owners, but it is very worthwhile helping your kitty live a long, comfortable life. Here are some of our top tips:
- Feed an exact amount of food at the same times every day for consistency
- Avoid high carb people food and treats like kibble or milk
- Test blood sugar at home to monitor trends and work with your vet
- Give insulin as prescribed and handle with care as directed
- Ensure your cat maintains a healthy body weight
- Provide ample clean, fresh water to prevent dehydration
- Check urine ketones when glucose is high
- Brush cat's teeth daily and monitor for dental disease
- Exercise/play with your cat daily to promote physical activity
- Watch for signs of diabetic complications and notify your vet promptly
- Give diabetic cat supplements as directed by your veterinarian
- Monitor their appetite and litter box habits to catch issues early on
- Make vet check-ups every 3 to 6 months for blood work and evaluation
With diligent management at home and support from your veterinary team, a diabetic cat can thrive and you will enjoy many healthy years together. Be vigilant but also optimistic - you can do this! Your devoted efforts will improve and extend the life of your beloved feline family member. Caring for a diabetic cat takes commitment, but it is extremely rewarding to successfully control this disease and provide your cat a high quality of life. Get organized to stay on top of scheduling insulin, administering medication properly, testing blood sugar, preparing special meals, and monitoring your cat's health. Become educated about feline diabetes and how to manage fluctuations that may occur.
There will inevitably be some ups and downs, so stay positive through the process. Celebrate milestones like weight loss benchmarks and achieving steady blood glucose levels. Diabetes never goes away completely, but it can be well-managed with diligence and consistency. You may also take comfort in connecting with other owners of diabetic cats for support and advice. Joining online groups and discussing details with your vet allows you to troubleshoot challenges. Monitor your cat closely but avoid getting anxious about normal day-to-day variations. Each healthy day is a success and brings you one day closer to your next milestone. Reward your kitty after veterinary visits to reduce stress.
Overall, maintain hope that all your care and effort will allow your beloved cat to remain happy and healthy for many years to come. Take it one day at a time, stay optimistic, and be proud of how devoted you are to your cat's wellbeing.
