When a feline friend is diagnosed with diabetes, it’s highly likely that the cat parents are in low spirits. But the good news is that with a proper diet plan and a few lifestyle changes you can manage your cat’s blood sugar level and keep the blood glucose level in order that isn’t too low or too high.
The majority of the cat owners find themselves at sea when it’s time to pick the best wet cat food for diabetic cats that will bring fruitful outcomes. When you are on a fishing expedition for the best wet food for a diabetic cat, then read this guide. This post features the best wet cat food for diabetes.
Before offering the best cat food for diabetic cats, let’s take a look at:
- What is diabetes in cats?
- What are the signs of diabetes in a cat?
- How to test for diabetes in cats?
- How to treat a cat with diabetes?
- What are the underlying causes of diabetes in cats?
- How to prevent diabetes in cats?
- What to feed a cat with diabetes?
What is diabetes in cats?
Alike humans, the cat has a pancreas that is responsible for the secretion of insulin hormones that balance the blood sugar or glucose level. Needless to say, the pancreas lends a helping hand to the proper digestion and production of insulin that regulates the blood glucose level. Diabetes mellitus is a condition where the pancreas isn’t able to produce insulin at full tilt which in turn increases the level of blood glucose level. If left untreated, your cat is likely to witness a weight loss, loss of appetite, dehydration issues, and in the worst scenario coma and even death.
What are the signs of diabetes in cats?
When you witness that your cat is losing weight by leaps and bounds despite an increase in appetite, and increased thirst, and excess urination, this is an alarming signal that your cat is suffering from diabetes.
When your cat is suffering from diabetes it can be assumed that the cells in the body are incapacitated to absorb the glucose from the bloodstream. To get the energy that your feline friend needs to support the active life, it starts to break down the fats. This breakdown of fats leads to weight loss even if the cat’s food intake increases considerably.
With diabetes mellitus, your kidney isn’t able to filter glucose at full tilt, which increases the glucose level in the urine. To dissolve the glucose, the system pulls plenty of water, resulting in high urine volume, and your feline friend’s thirst increases by leaps and bounds.
When your dog is suffering from diabetes then you may witness that your feline companion excretes urine outside the litter box most of the time thanks to the excess urine production. When it comes to clean the nasty-smelling urine what will lend a helping hand is Live Pee Free [20% Off]. The manufacturer promotes out-of-the-box Noble Ion Odor Technology where there are billions of positive ions that annihilate the negative ions that give a bed to foul-smelling items with the aim that there are no foul-smelling items on the floor right after the cleaning.
How to test for diabetes in cats?
Diabetes is one of the common diseases among felines. When you witness any of the signs including excess thirst, frequent urination, and continuous weight loss despite an increase in appetite you should visit to vet. Often owing to the stress the blood glucose levels becomes comparatively higher for a couple of days, known as stress hyperglycemia.
To make sure that whether your cat is suffering from diabetes, a serum fructosamine test is the best bet. The test gives a detailed snapshot of blood sugar level for a time period between 7 and 14 days. This test will show you the average blood sugar level and whether the urine has a substantial amount of glucose or not. If the glucose level in the blood is substantially high and the urine contains plenty of glucose, it’s as clear as the day is your cat is suffering from diabetes.
How to treat a cat with diabetes?
The daily insulin injection is one of the widely used treatments for feline diabetes. Under Insulin therapy, the insulin is injected once every 12 hours. If possible, learn how to administer the injections at home and inject them every 12 hours. The chances are higher that your four-legged friend will tolerate the injection since the size of the needle is small. Kindly seek advice from your vet before applying insulin therapy, and monitor rigorously the progress of insulin therapy round the clock.
Besides insulin therapy, when you have an overweight cat who is suffering from diabetes, a diet with high-quality premium protein and low carb content will improve the blood sugar level in diabetic cats. The marketplace is full of both wet and dry food formulas that will minimize the increased thirst and bring back the glucose level in the blood to normal. It’s a good idea to offer a moisture-rich, nutritionally balanced diet made from the finest ingredients to support the active life of your fussy friend.
What are the underlying causes of diabetes in cats?
The bitter truth is the exact reason behind diabetes in cats is still unknown. But various studies have revealed that aged and overweight cats are prone to diabetes. The obese cats ooze insulin up to the mark, but the feline friend’s body isn’t too sensitive to endure the effects of insulin. Besides obesity, when a cat is suffering from hyperthyroidism and Cushing’s disease, the secretion of insulin is compromised that regulates the blood glucose level. That leads to an increase of glucose in the bloodstream, which results in increased thirst and frequent urination.
How to prevent diabetes in cats?
Alike humans, diabetes is a disease that requires the utmost attention of the pet parents especially when you have an older or overweight one. But the bitter truth is the majority of the feline parents don’t know how to prevent diabetes that will support your feline friend’s active and healthy life.
When it’s time to prevent diabetes, what nutritionally-balanced diet you are offering your kitty plays a crucial role. The good news is that by following the 5 tried and tested strategies you can keep diabetes at bay.
- Offer moisture-rich wet cat food that will help your cat to stay hydrated and strengthen the kidney functions that will reduce the chances of diabetes Mellitus to a degree.
- Alike wild ancestors, the household cats are no exception. Offer them cat food that promotes animal protein which is essential for building blocks and strengthening the lean muscles.
- Don’t include a diet that contains excessive by-products meals, or carbs since they aren’t necessary for cats. Plus, make sure the cat food is free from artificial color, additives, or preservatives as they can potentially stir food allergies.
- Encourage physical activity, because daily exercise not only takes off weight but also winds down stress.
- When your cat gets affected with chronic illnesses such as asthma, cancers, inflammatory bowel disease, the treatment of these diseases demands steroids. These steroids can save lives, but the improper use of these steroids results in diabetes. Before giving the steroids, do visit a vet, and after consultation offer the right steroid that can wind down the disease.
What to feed a cat with diabetes?
There’s no fit for all diet for all diabetic cats. But when you are on a fishing expedition to offer a nutritionally balanced diet to your furry friend then here are the few guidelines that you should follow.
Moisture-rich – To stay hydrated and keep the dehydration issues at bay, offer your cat wet cat food.
High-Protein – Include such cat foods that contain high-quality protein from animal sources since protein is responsible for building blocks and strengthening the lean muscles.
High-Fiber – As fiber lends a helping hand in controlling the blood glucose level to a certain extent, it’s a good idea to offer your cat a fiber-rich diet. Plus, the fibers save a diabetic cat by petering out the weight since the cats feel they have consumed a lot although the diet has fewer calories.
Low in carbohydrate – Excess carbohydrate content spikes the blood glucose level and fuel diabetes. Hence, offer wet cat food with lower carb content.
Free from by-product meals – As the by-product meals are the main culprits behind food sensitivities, the cat foods that are free from by-product meals are a sweet spot for many cat parents.
7 Best Wet Cat Food for Diabetic Cats
Feline diabetes requires utmost attention since the disease is manageable over time when you shift her diet to a moisture-rich nutritionally balanced diet. It’s highly likely that your kitty lives a long active life where she thrives on the wings of a combination of diet and rigorous monitoring of blood glucose levels.
But when it’s time to shift your feline companion’s diet to a diet that will help to tackle diabetes, the majority of the pet parents find all greek. It is because the marketplace is full of various food recipes and each manufacturer claims itself the best in town. To help you out, here we have outlined the 7 best wet cat foods for diabetic cats. These foods will assist in bringing down the blood glucose level near normal and let the cat live a life full of thrive.
Blue Buffalo Wilderness Chicken Grain-Free Canned Cat Food
When you are on a fishing expedition for the best wet cat food that accommodates high-quality protein and is low in carbs and you won’t mind paying a hefty sum, then Blue Buffalo Wilderness Chicken Grain-Free Canned Cat Food is one of the best low carb cat foods that you can offer to a diabetic cat. The palatable aroma makes sure that your cat will finish its meal in full and you will witness an empty bowl.
Unlike other canned cat foods that contain meat by-products and excessive carb content, this cat food’s first 3 ingredients are Chicken, Chicken Broth, and Chicken Liver. The high-quality protein fuels the nervous system, grows hair endlessly, keeps the blood glucose levels in order, builds and maintains lean muscles, and most importantly it assists in losing weight. To shore up the immune system, and aid digestion, this cat food promotes chicken broth.
For a healthy eye and vision and to keep the kidney and heart function up and running, this cat food accommodates chicken liver in its ingredient list. To support the little kitty’s daily adventures, it’s packed with quality carbohydrates including potatoes, peas, cranberries, etc. Plus, blue buffalo includes flaxseed to provide the omega-3 fatty acids and omega-6 fatty acids that result in a shiny coat and beautiful skin.
Because Blue Buffalo is cent percent free from grains including corn, wheat, soy, or any red ingredients including artificial color, flavors, additives, or preservatives, you are serving the best cat food that will help your kitty to stay clear from digestive issues or unhealthy body weight. To give a helping hand in producing red blood cells or proper brain function or blood sugar regulation, Blue’s wet cat formula includes chelated minerals including Copper Amino Acid Chelate, Manganese Amino Acid Chelate, etc.
The best part of offering Blue’s canned cat food is that it promotes a cat food formula that features LifeSource Bits which is a precise blend of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, carefully crafted by holistic veterinarians and nutritionists that will not only support the immune system but also maintain a healthy oxidative balance. Blue Buffalo Wilderness Chicken Grain-Free Canned Cat Food gives you 3 different options to choose from – 3 ounces, five and a half ounces, twelve and a half ounces.
Ziwi Peak Air-Dried Lamb Recipe Cat Food
When a cat is diagnosed with diabetes, the majority of the vets recommend cat food that contains high-quality protein and is low in carbohydrates. It’s as clear as the sky is blue that the excess carbohydrate content will spike the blood glucose level and in turn, it’s a tuff call for your cat to digest the meal. No matter at which life stage your kitty is, you should offer a cat food that accommodates the high-quality protein and is low in carb content so that your cat can digest the food easily. When you are hunting high and low for the best low carb wet cat food for diabetic cats then it’s hard to resist buying the Ziwi Peak Air-Dried Lamb Recipe Cat Food for your feline friend.
This cat food’s primary source of protein is 100% free-range, grass-fed lamb from the ethical source of New Zealand. To kill the harmful pathogenic bacteria and preserve the nutritional value to the max, Ziwi Peak features an innovative twin-stage drying process. Since lamb has linoleic acid, it will likely lend a helping hand in losing weight and going to bat for proper muscle function.
To check the cardiovascular issues, Ziwi Peak brings the lamb heart, lamb liver into the equation which is a rich source of vitamins [B2, B6, B12], and minerals [iron, zinc, and selenium]. To provide the omega 3 fatty acids, Ziwi Peak Air-Dried Lamb Recipe Cat Food has included lamb kidney since it is rich in omega-3 fatty acids that will keep the inflammation issues at bay thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties, which is a lifesaver for those cats who are suffering from arthritis.
When your cat has food sensitivities, you can offer your furry friend this diet with ease as this cat food won’t promote the cheap fillers including grains, corn, soy, potato, or peas which are the main culprits behind food allergies, obesity, etc. Plus, Ziwi Peak never includes red ingredients such as artificial color, additives, or preservatives that can lead to cancer.
If you are one of the pet parents who are concerned about pet’s joint health, then this cat food will give you peace of mind. Ziwi Peak has taken New Zealand’s exclusive Green-Lipped Mussels into account which is a rich source of glucosamine and chondroitin, vitamins, antioxidants, and minerals. These items potentially lower the production of cyclooxygenase that is the main culprit behind inflammation.
Plus, this cat food will strengthen the joint health and reduce pain and inflammation and lift mobility. Be it lending a helping hand in cardiovascular health or preventing cancer, or maintaining an oxidative balance in the feline body, this cat food features organic kelp which is high in antioxidants, including carotenoids and flavonoids.
Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Glycobalance Morsels In Gravy Canned Cat Food
Once your feline friend has celebrated its first birthday, feline obesity is one of the common health problems that your kitty will face. When you are offering a meal that is high in carb content, there’s an inherent risk of becoming overweight. This moisture-rich canned cat food from Royal Canin contains high-quality protein that ensures the maintenance of healthy lean muscles that will support his active lifestyle. Along with the chicken, Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Glycobalance Morsels In Gravy Canned Cat Food is enriched with the chicken liver which is a rich source of vitamins to lend a helping hand in protecting the vision and strengthen the immune system that in turn assist kidney and heart to perform at full tilt.
Though starch is digested multiple times faster when compared to protein content, it’s an open secret that excessive starch content increases the glucose level in the cat’s bloodstream, and your cat is likely to produce the excess insulin to minimize the blood glucose level. In the long run, it becomes difficult for the pancreas to remove the excess glucose from the blood by producing insulin and continue the process of turning the glucose into the fat day in day out. To prevent your cat from becoming a diabetic one, Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Glycobalance Morsels In Gravy Canned Cat Food contains lesser starch and promotes a blend of prebiotics and both soluble and insoluble fiber that will minimize the glucose fluctuations to the max.
This cat food is a lifesaver to not only tackle diabetes but also help a cat who is suffering from kidney disease. The cat food promotes a formula that lowers the pH of the urine that ensures the stones or crystals get dissolved in the urine and flushed out from the system with the urine. Plus, by creating an unfavorable environment in the bladder, it makes sure that there’s no further formation of struvite stones or calcium oxalate crystals in the bladder.
To speed up the breakdown of fats in the body and provide the energy that will support physical activities all day long, Royal Canin has enriched this food with L-Carnitine which plays a vital role in reducing obesity or regulating the heart and skeletal muscles.
Crave Grain Free High Protein Wet Cat Food
This easy-to-digest wet cat food formula boasts high-quality real, farm-raised chicken as the 1st ingredient followed by chicken liver, chicken broth, chicken heart. This cat food is identical to what their wildcat ancestors are consuming the diet in the wild. Besides providing high-quality protein, this limited ingredient diet doesn’t accommodate any by-product meals and cheap fillers. This feature makes this cat food safe.
To facilitate the weight loss program and support the immunity, Crave Grain Free High Protein Wet Cat Food includes chicken broth which is a rich source of essential vitamins and minerals. Besides high-quality protein, this cat food is packed with fish oil which provides the essential fatty acids. Fatty acids play a supportive role from reducing the heart’s vulnerability to boost the immune system to healthy digestion, to promoting healthy skin, shiny coat, and counting.
To keep the carbohydrate content drastically low, this cat food won’t include cheap fillers including potatoes, peas, etc. in this cat food. It won’t stir food sensitivities as you won’t find any traces of whole grains including wheat, corn, soy, etc. The diet won’t add fuel to the development of cancerous cells since it’s free from red ingredients including artificial color, flavors, or preservatives, etc. that are the main culprits behind cancer cell development.
Crave Grain Free High Protein Wet Cat Food is prepared in US facilities that accommodate the finest ingredients that are being sourced from around the world. Overall, this cat food is formulated with essential vitamins, minerals that make this cat food nutritionally balanced to support your cat chasing and pouncing day in day out.
Tiki Cat Puka Puka Luau Succulent Chicken in Chicken Consomme Grain-Free Canned Cat Food
It’s not a good idea to shift the cat’s diet to an alternate diet since they are obligate carnivores who require animal-based protein content. Tiki Cat Puka Puka Luau Succulent Chicken in Chicken Consomme Grain-Free Canned Cat Food‘s #1 ingredient is real antibiotic-free shredded chicken followed by chicken broth. The chicken broth will give plenty of moisture that will keep your four-legged friend hydrated and uplift the digestive and urinary health.
This wet cat food formula is packed with essential vitamins, omega fatty acids, minerals, amino acids, and taurine, which make this cat food nutritionally balanced and assist in the speedy recovery of your feline friend from the damages caused by diabetes. When you have a picky feline friend no matter what is the breed or age, then let me tell you that this cat food is a tasty one and your kitty will finish the meal without any complaint.
To keep the carbs content in the food drastically low to prevent obesity, this cat food contains zero grains, wheat, soy, or corn, etc. This cat food provides enough moisture to stay hydrated and keep the dehydration issues at bay. For beautiful skin and glossy coat, its ingredient list includes sunflower oil which is rich in omega fatty acids. This cat food is available in three different weighs – 2.8 Ounce (Pack of 12), 6 Ounce (Pack of 8), 10 Ounce (Pack of 4), and 10 Ounce (8-Pack).
Instinct Original Grain-Free Pate Real Rabbit Recipe Wet Canned Cat Food
The lion’s share of pet parents is running out of good options when a feline is diagnosed with diabetes and has food allergies and sensitivities. This Instinct Original Grain-Free Pate Real Rabbit Recipe Wet Canned Cat Food brings a breadth of fresh air since this cat food’s #1 source of protein is easy to digest farm-raised rabbit.
This cat food won’t accommodate the ingredients that are known to trigger food sensitivity including beef, fish, chicken, and dairy products. This moisture-rich wet cat food formula contains plenty of dietary fiber that will promote digestion to check obesity. Simply put, this cat food counts only natural ingredients to live up to feline friend’s taste which will result in a happy mealtime experience.
What’s more, it’s free from artificial color, additives, flavor, or preservatives. Instinct Original Grain-Free Pate Real Rabbit Recipe Wet Canned Cat Food won’t stir food sensitivities or the development of cancerous cells in the feline body. This recipe is packed with limited ingredients and free from excess carbs including corn, wheat, soy, carrageenan, etc. which in turn your cat easily digest the wet cat food to check the unhealthy weight gain. You will witness positive changes in your feline friend’s body and behavior due to the right blend of vitamins, fiber, minerals, and antioxidants.
Nulo Adult & Kitten Grain-Free Canned Wet Cat Food
Nulo Adult & Kitten Grain-Free Canned Wet Cat Food is formulated for those picky cat parents and their kitty who want the best high-quality protein from real meat. The primary sources of meat protein of this wet cat recipe are chicken and duck. This cat food eliminates poultry by-products or meat by-products and accommodates chicken broth, duck broth as they strengthen the immune system and are easy to digest when compared to by-product meals. The absence of the excess carb content makes this food the best one for growing kitties as they need high-quality protein for the healthy development of lean muscles and live a life where they can thrive.
The best part is that, unlike other cat food that has excessive carb content, this wet cat food formula promotes easy-to-digest real fruits and vegetables. These natural ingredients have a dose of fiber that eases digestion, antioxidants that boost the immune system, and essential vitamins and minerals that improve the overall health so that your four-legged friend lives a long life.
Nulo Adult & Kitten Grain-Free Canned Wet Cat Food promotes a grain-free formula and it won’t contain corn, wheat, or soy that could potentially upset the digestive system or stir food sensitivities that can lead to vomiting or constipation. This wet food recipe features dried kelp which is high in fiber that improves the feline’s overall digestive health and lowers the plaque and tartar that in turn support dental health.
Plus, Nulo has enriched this wet cat food formula with flaxseed oil which is a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids, and omega-6 fatty acids that are responsible for healthy skin and shiny coat. To reduce the odors of your feline companion’s litter box, this cat recipe comes with Yucca Schidigera Extract which dials back the production of hydrogen sulfide in the large intestine which is responsible for nasty smelling odor.
Final Thoughts
Don’t buy wet cat foods as per your wish. They may worsen the disease as all the wet cat foods aren’t designed for diabetic cats. If you witness any of the signs of diabetes in cats, you should visit the vet ASAP. Your vet will recommend whether your cat needs insulin therapy or should undergo dietary management or both, to lessen blood glucose levels to a degree.
- Read also: Best High Protein Low Carb Canned Cat Food
- Read also: Best Dry Cat Food For Outdoor Cats
Frequently Asked Questions
Is diabetes common in cats?
Yes, alike humans the type II diabetes is one of the most common diseases among aged and overweight cats.
How common is diabetes in cats?
The exact percentage is still unknown, but it’s estimated that anywhere between 0.2% and 1% of the feline population are diagnosed with diabetes during their lifetime.
Can diabetes in cats be reversed?
Unfortunately, diabetes can’t be reversed, but an early prognosis and proper treatment can result in long active life.
Can diabetic neuropathy in cats be reversed?
The good news is, when it’s diagnosed in the early stages, there are 80% chances that the damage can be reversed.
Can a cat recover from diabetes?
The bitter truth is there’s no cure for diabetes, but if spotted at an early stage, and treated accordingly, it’s highly likely that your kitty will lead an active and healthy life.
Can a cat die from diabetes?
It’s a life-threatening disease when your feline friend is left untreated.
Can a cat survive with diabetes?
With early detection and proper treatment, your cat will live an active life for a prolonged period.
How long can a cat live with diabetes?
It varies from cat to cat. Various studies show that a diabetic cat can live an active life up to 3 years.
How long can a diabetic cat live without insulin?
There’s no fit for all formula. It depends on various factors. But when your diabetic cat’s blood sugar level isn’t too high or too low for four weeks without insulin injections, your cat will live for years without insulin.
How long can a cat with diabetes live without treatment?
If left untreated, feline diabetes leads to weight loss, loss of appetite, dehydration issues, vomiting, and in the worst scenario coma and eventually dies.
How long can a cat live with uncontrolled diabetes?
When your kitty undergoes proper treatment and if you offer a nutritionally-balanced diet plan as per the vet’s recommendation, your cat doesn’t get overweight and brings the blood glucose level near the normal.
How expensive is it to treat a cat with diabetes?
Depending on the blood glucose level, the insulin cost varies between $20 and $60 for every 40 days.
How to treat a diabetic cat with kidney disease?
When it’s time to tackle a diabetic cat with kidney disease, besides insulin therapy, vets often recommend a high protein low carb cat food.
How to treat a cat with diabetes without insulin?
Sometimes a low carb cat food works best to tackle diabetes.
Should I euthanize my cat with diabetes?
When your kitty loses 50% of body weight and isn’t playing or making no interaction with her feline friends or your family members, it’s an alarming signal. Your feline friend only eats and just takes rest or sleeps for the majority of the time, then it’s as clear as the sky is blue that it’s over.
- Read also: 7 Best Wet Cat Food for Kidney Disease
- Read also: 7 Best Cat Food for Urinary Tract Health
Hope this article has helped you to find the best wet food for cats with diabetes.
Have I missed the best commercial cat food for diabetes? Make a comment so that I can add it ASAP that will help millions of pet parents.
When you have found this post helpful do share it with your friends, colleagues so that they can find the top-rated cat foods designed for diabetic cats.