Feline diabetes diet recommendations

Dietary planning is hugely important in managing feline diabetes. The best choice is often a natural or organic formula that is low in carbohydrates and high in lean protein. This kind of diet can reduce the symptoms of diabetes. In some cases, a very pure and specially formulated raw food diet can almost reverse signs of the disease completely.

Carbohydrates and the Diabetic Cat

Diabetes develops due to problems with the body`s ability to produce the proper amount of insulin to process sugars. The result is an excess of sugar in the blood which leads to serious physical problems, especially in the long run. The disease is exacerbated and the cause may be correlated to a high carbohydrate diet, dry food diet and poor cat food nutrition.

The Importance of Animal Protein and Water

In the wild, cats mostly eat animals that they catch. They get much of their hydration from the blood and fluids in the raw meat. This works well with their digestion and helps them process the moisture which they do through the intestine. Cats don`t do as well with protein from plants and some of the amino acids found in meat are vital for any cat`s health. It`s especially important for a cat with diabetes.

Raw Food For Diabetic Cats

Raw food that is made up primarily of animal protein most closely mimics the natural diet of a cat in the wild. Feline diabetes is much less common amongst cats in the wild because the carbohydrate intake is low and a lot of nutrition is packed into a small amount of food.

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Obesity and Cat Diabetes

A cat`s digestion does not process carbohydrates very easily. They mainly use fats and proteins for their energy, and this is the most economic form of energy for them. A cat`s diet should consist of no more than 8% carbohydrate because carbs turn into sugar in the body, aren`t processed very quickly, and get stored as fat. An obese cat is more likely to develop diabetes as well as other health issues.

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Not Much Fiber Necessary for Cats

Cat nutrition experts have changed their minds about fiber and cat health. The best diet mimics a cat`s natural diet, and cat`s do not eat much fiber in the wild. If you`re making your own cat food, whether raw or cooked, it`s important to be very careful about fiber amounts as well as minerals that may be present in fibrous or leafy vegetables.

Diabetic Cats Should Not Be Fed Dry Cat Food

Cat kibble has more calories for the nutrition it gives than wet or raw food. This contributes to obesity. Moreover, dry cat food often contains fillers and processed foods that slow the digestion down which is not good for diabetes. Most kibble contains grains and very little moisture. Even if you provide fresh drinking water, your cat won`t get the proper hydration. The diabetic cat`s blood sugar levels will be closest to normal with moisture rich and protein rich food.

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