Pet lovers love their companions and treat them like a family member. If you are also a pet lover and have a furry friend at home, you must be ready to go the extra mile in case they are suffering from an illness. For example, like humans, cats can also suffer from diabetes. If you have a cat suffering from diabetes, you must ensure that they eat nutritious food and lead a happy and healthy life.
You can start by selecting high-quality, healthy food for your cat that is free of any additives and preservatives. You can also follow a feeding schedule so that your cat eats on time and doesn’t become too hungry or skip meals. This article discusses some diet tips for cats with diabetes mellitus that you can follow:
- Feed your diabetic cat wet food to increase their protein
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One of the most important diet tips to follow for cats with diabetes mellitus is to increase the amount of protein in their diet. You can give your cat high-quality protein sources like chicken, fish, or beef. Alternatively, you can give them canned food to increase their protein intake and decrease their carbohydrate intake. Canned wet food can also help manage dehydration in diabetic cats, and protein ensures that the muscle mass of the cat’s body is maintained. - Select food rich in fiber
High-fiber food items ensure better absorption of glucose and fat in the diet, and you can also ensure weight loss by feeding your cat high-fiber foods. You can read the label of canned cat foods and pick the ones that are rich in fiber as it helps manage blood sugar levels and also has other health benefits in case your cat is overweight. - Prepare a feeding schedule and also time the insulin
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You should ensure that you give your cat insulin before every meal. If you follow a proper feeding schedule and time it with the insulin intake, you can manage your cat’s diabetes effectively. Among all the diet tips to follow for cats with diabetes mellitus, following a feeding schedule is very important. - Reduce your cat’s carbohydrates intake
A diet rich in carbohydrates can cause blood sugar levels to spike, which can further lead to an increase in the amount of insulin in the cat’s body. It is better to give your diabetic cat fewer carbohydrates so that their blood sugar levels are well-maintained. - Take care of the texture of the food
Both dry and wet food can be given to a diabetic cat. Additionally, you must know that canned foods are low in carbohydrates and high in protein. Nutrition plays an important role in managing diabetes mellitus in cats, so ensure healthy food.
Apart from following the above-mentioned tips, it is better to consult your veterinarian if your cat is suffering from diabetes. Also, these tips are not alternatives to a vet’s advice, so consult a vet before following any special diet plan for your cat as well.