Best Cat Food to Control High Blood Sugar in Diabetic Cats

Going through the diagnosis of diabetes for your cat can be pretty tricky. You would want to do your best to help manage their condition and keep them healthy. Selecting the right diet is the most critical step you can take, just as it is for humans. Your cat’s food plays a significant role in controlling blood sugar levels. Hence, it is so important to discover the most appropriate cat food for diabetic cats.

In this article, we will recommend the best cat food for diabetic cats, with special attention to wet and canned varieties of pet food. We will also give you valuable tips on how best to organize the life of your pet living with diabetes and a proper nutritional model.

What is Diabetes in Cats?

Cats’ Diabetes, commonly called Feline Diabetes, is a medical condition that takes place when the insulin within your pet’s body can’t be produced or handled correctly. The job of insulin is to assist the body in the digestion of glucose (sugar) after it has been eaten. If your cat has insufficient or ineffective insulin levels, it will most probably result in high sugar levels in the blood of your pet. This is the reason why your cat’s diet demands your immediate attention.

If you’re new to feline diabetes, start with these practical owner tips before building the purr-fect menu.

Why is Diet Important for Diabetic Cats?

The most suitable food for a cat with diabetes would be one that enables them to regulate blood sugar levels and thus prevent any spikes that may result in harm. Diabetes has a significantly complex relationship with the consumption of carbohydrates in cats, which is why they should be fed the best low-carb, high-protein, and homemade wet food. We always think that the special feeding of such food in this case will most certainly be the best, as these products have low carbohydrates.

High water content is another advantage of wet food, as it is beneficial for the cat’s hydration and contributes to its overall health. Since cats with diabetes often show increased thirst, feeding them with wet food would keep them well-hydrated therefore kidney health could be easily supported.

Best Wet Food for Diabetic Cats

There are many things to keep in mind when choosing the best wet food that is most appropriate for the specific needs of a diabetic cat. Listed below are some of the most highly recommended products by both veterinary professionals and pet owners.

• Hill’s Prescription Diet m/d GlucoSupport Canned Cat Food

Hill’s Prescription Diet m/d is a food containing a high percentage of protein and features the addition of natural fiber for the prevention of diabetes in cats. With this food, you can effectively manage a cat that is losing weight, as well as one that is gaining too much weight. The product is provided in both dry and canned forms, and it is best for your cat.

• Royal Canin Diabetic Diet Canned Cat Food

Royal Canin is another brand that provides a diabetic diet product that can be easily found. This food, in particular, is very high in protein and it has high dietary fiber to help manage blood sugar levels. There is also the addition of a mix of nutrients which help the cat’s kidney health, a very crucial point in the case of a diabetic cat. If you want a food that is customized exactly the way your cat wants it, Royal Canin’s diabetic diet is the best option.

• Wellness CORE Grain-Free Turkey & Chicken Canned Cat Food

Wellness CORE is an excellent dry food alternative that is top in terms of protein and grain-free, and is completely suitable for a diabetic cat. The diet is full of high-quality sources of lean protein, such as turkey and chicken, which make it an excellent choice to control glucose levels. Furthermore, very low carbohydrate food is free from grain, corn, and soy which results in sharp blood sugar spikes in cats. So, Wellness CORE remains an optimal option for grain-free and low-carbohydrate diets.

• Blue Buffalo Wilderness High-Protein, Grain-Free Canned Cat Food

The one thing that has been a constant with Blue Buffalo is its ingredient quality and the canned food is just another proof of it. The selection is made with real chicken listed as the very first ingredient and to add to that, no grains or gluten are added. All these aforementioned things truly raise your cat up as the amount of proteins, which will ensure that they have high energy all the time. Moreover, the brand guarantees that they will enjoy the overall good health of your cat by including a mix of vitamins and minerals in the food. Several cat owners might be interested to know that they can find Blue Buffalo Wilderness.

• Natural Balance L.I.D. Limited Ingredient Diets Canned Cat Food

If your diabetic cat is suffering from food allergies, Natural Balance’s limited ingredient diet is your best option. A limited ingredient diet is restricts the ingredients in the food and it is the most effective treatment for cat food allergy. Natural Balance L.I.D. Limited Ingredient Diets Canned Cat Food is made from fish and digestion-friendly carbohydrates, with their flavors and is best suited for pets with dietary problems. Furthermore, they do not contain artificial colors, preservatives, or added flavors at all. A less complicated, diabetes-friendly diet is the good old limited ingredient cat food, which contains only those ingredients that are necessary for your cat’s wellbeing without any fillers or other byproducts.

How to Choose Healthy Food for Your Diabetic Cat?

Deciding on the most appropriate diet for your diabetic feline can be a tough job, but it is far from impossible. To guide you in the process of buying food for your pet, here are some tips to help you:

• Low-Carb Diets: Diabetic cats should eat food with a low carbohydrate content. This is because carbs are converted into sugar, which can cause significant spikes in blood sugar levels. Such food should be the one that has low carbs and high protein.
• High Protein: Cats are obligate carnivores, which basically means they must have protein in their diet to survive. Go for food that is rich in chicken, turkey or fish. Such food that contains these protein sources not only helps in protecting lean body mass but also activates the cat’s metabolism.
• Moisture Content: Food that contains much water is not only beneficial in hydrating the feline but also in preventing dehydration, which is a common health issue for diabetic cats. It also has the benefit of kidney-boosting, which has become a major concern for diabetic cats.
• Veterinary Recommendations: Always get the permission of your local veterinarian before subjecting your cat to a change in its diet. They can advise you on the brands or formulas of food that will be most suitable for your cat’s specific needs.

If anyone is interested in exploring various options for a healthy feline diet, they can check the post on How to Pick Healthy Cat Food for Your Cat. The ultimate guide includes more tips and a thorough discussion of the appropriate diet for your cat.

Conclusion

Controlling your cat’s diabetes is made possible when you know all the details about the diet. The best food for diabetic cats should be high in protein, low in carbohydrates, and, if possible, wet or canned for better hydration. Hill’s Prescription Diet, Royal Canin, and Wellness CORE are some of the brands that have fabulous choices for diabetic cats. By selecting the most suitable food and following the vet’s instructions, you can help your cat maintain normal blood sugar levels and reduce the likelihood of disease issues and extend its lifespan. Cats-Magazine is dedicated to providing you with the best advice and information that can guarantee the well-being of your cat.

If your cat is also receiving insulin, don’t miss our step-by-step guide to administering insulin to a diabetic cat – especially helpful if your feline friend is anxious or new to injections.