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If you have a diabetic cat, choosing the right food for them is important for their health and well-being. In this article, BEACONPET will explore the best low-carbohydrate diabetic cat foods to help you make an informed decision. Managing diabetes in cats requires special attention to their diet, as their bodies are designed to digest animal proteins and fats rather than plant-based ingredients. We’ll discuss why a low-carbohydrate diet is especially important for cats with diabetes and provide tips on how to choose the right wet food for your feline friend. So let’s embark on this journey together to find the best food options for your diabetic cat!
Diabetes in Cats
Diabetes is a common disease in cats that can lead to many other health problems. Fortunately, there are ways to treat diabetes in cats. An important part of this treatment includes feeding a proper diet.
Feeding Diabetic Cats
Cats are obligate carnivores, meaning they must eat animal products in order to survive and thrive. Their bodies are designed to digest animal protein and fat, not plant-based ingredients. Cats do not need vegetables or grains in their diets. In fact, these ingredients in excess can be problematic, especially if they are high in carbohydrates. Unfortunately, many commercial cat foods are too high in carbohydrates for cats and can contribute to problems like obesity and diabetes.
Best Foods for Cats With Diabetes
When choosing a diet for your diabetic cat, it’s best to choose wet foods that typically come in cans or pouches. Wet foods are lower in carbohydrates than dry foods and contain more water than kibble. Cats need water in their diets for hydration and urinary tract health because they often don’t drink enough water on their own.
If you are having trouble getting your kibble-addicted cat to eat wet food, you will need to take time to transition your cat to wet food. When searching for the right commercial wet food, pay close attention to the content of carbohydrates, fat, and protein. The diet should have as few carbohydrates as possible. It should mainly consist of animal-based protein and fats. About 50% or more of the calories in your cat’s diet should come from animal-based protein and 20-40% should come from fat. Calories from carbohydrates should be less than 10%, but lower is always better.
Be aware that not all wet cat food is the same. Wet foods with a lot of gravy may contain a lot of sugar. Although cats cannot really taste the sweetness, they can still become addicted to it. Many cat owners notice their cats love gravy-based wet foods more than pate wet foods.
Choosing Commercial Wet Foods
Feline nutrition expert Lisa A. Pierson, DVM of catinfo.org has created a very useful website with advice about feeding diabetic cats. The site includes a detailed and useful cat food composition chart that lists the contents of many commercial wet cat foods.
Recommended Wet Cat Foods for Diabetic Cats
Here are some of the many optimal wet foods to consider for your diabetic cat:
- 9 Lives: Pate varieties only
- Dave’s
- Evo
- Evolve
- Fancy Feast: Stick with chunky, classic, flaked, and roasted varieties; avoid gravy lovers, marinated, medleys, and sliced varieties as they are higher in carbohydrates.
- FreshPet: Found in the pet food aisle in a refrigerated case
- Friskies: Choose the pate or flakes varieties; avoid other varieties as they contain too many carbs
- Halo: Avoid “Spot’s Stew,” but other varieties are low in carbs
- Holistic Select
- I and Love and You: Most varieties are low in carbs; consult nutrition information first
- Iams: Most varieties are low in carbs; consult nutrition information first
- Meow Mix: Pate varieties are low in carbs
- Nature’s Variety
- Newman’s Own
- Nulo
- Pinnacle
- ProPlan: Prime Plus and True Nature varieties are low-carb/high-protein; avoid other varieties
- Sheba: Pate varieties only
- Tiki Cat: All varieties contain very few or no carbs
- Triumph
- Wellness: Complete Hath line is low in carbs; many other varieties are too high in carbs, so consult nutrition information first
- Weruva/B.F.F.: Many varieties are low in carbs; consult nutrition information first
- Wysong
Homemade Diets for Diabetic Cats
If you want to prepare a homemade diet for your cat, it is essential that you work with your veterinarian or a Board Certified Veterinary Nutritionist to help you find a recipe that is complete and balanced. Some owners are interested in raw diets for cats, but it’s important to discuss this with your vet as well. Raw diets come with some risk and must still be formulated to ensure they are complete and balanced.
Consulting with a Veterinarian or Nutritionist
When it comes to managing diabetes in your cat, it’s always best to consult with a veterinarian or a nutritionist. They can provide you with specific guidance tailored to your cat’s individual needs. They can help you determine the best diet for your cat and provide guidance on portion sizes and feeding schedules.
Considerations for Raw Diets
Raw diets for cats have become popular among some pet owners, but it’s important to consider the risks and benefits before making the switch. Raw diets can be time-consuming to prepare and pose a risk of bacterial contamination. In addition, they must still be properly balanced to ensure your cat receives all the necessary nutrients.
Before transitioning your cat to a raw diet, consult with a veterinarian or a Board Certified Veterinary Nutritionist who can guide you through the process and make sure that the diet is appropriate and safe for your cat.
Related Topics
For additional information on cat nutrition and specific dietary considerations, you may find the following topics helpful:
- The importance of a balanced diet for cats
- How to choose a high-quality cat food
- Tips for managing a cat’s weight
- Understanding common feline health issues and their dietary implications
Remember, proper nutrition is crucial for managing diabetes in cats. By choosing the right foods and working with a veterinary professional, you can help your diabetic cat live a healthier and happier life.
