Diabetic cats are increasingly becoming more common. As nearly 60% of cats are plump, eating a bad diet, and more cats are older, felines cannot produce the required insulin to manage the glucose levels in their blood.
You are essential to the journey back to health after a vet diagnoses your kitten with diabetes. Diabetic felines can live long and happy lives with timely medications and a proper diet. This article offers to know how to feed the diabetic cat, including the best food for diabetic kittens.
Diabetic Cats: Why Do Felines Get Diabetes?
The exact cause and reason of diabetes are still unknown, but obesity is a significant risk factor. We do not know that an unhealthy diet is a factor, but it likely does play a factor. Other factors include medical conditions such as Cushing’s disease or hyperthyroidism.
However, we find that diet is related to most conditions related to diabetic cats.
As more felines are inactive house cats and many owners free-feed them, obesity is rising in kittens. However, we sometimes overlook one factor in cat obesity:
Are Pet Food Companies Making Our Feline Fat?
Veterinarians often point out that cats and dogs naturally regulate their food intake to meet their energy needs. Some experts suggest that pets select foods for the specific nutrients they need most in a natural environment.
The problem is that, like humans, companies fill processed food with flavors or plants like animal digest and fats. The high-fat content in cat food and all the additives that make it enticing encourage dogs and cats to eat more than they need.
However, other conditions can cause diabetic cats. But if we look deeper, we can see that these conditions are also connected to diet.
Related Medical Conditions That Cause Diabetic Feline
Pancreatitis
Pancreatitis can damage the cells that release insulin in the pancreas, causing diabetic felines. Pancreatitis occurs when the enzymes that the organ has to break down fat, proteins, and carbohydrates are activated too soon and affect the tissue in the pancreas. Infections and injury can lead to pancreatitis, often connected to a high-fat diet.
Hyperthyroidism And Diabetic Cats
Hyperthyroidism is a condition that is on the rise in kittens. This disease is closely linked to sugar because it causes the thyroid to be more mobile and dump stress hormones in the body. These hormones raise blood sugar levels and lower insulin, causing diabetes.
Hyperthyroidism is more common in cats because of processed food, mainly canned food. Feeding canned food is the leading risk of hyperthyroidism in cats. Studies indicate that this may be due to:
- Particular canned food flavors include liver, giblets, and fish.
- Canned food with plastic linings in easy-open lids may contain the thyroid disruptor chemical bisphenol A (BPA).
- Iodine levels in cat food are typically too low or too high.
Cushing’s Disease and Diabetic Cats
Hyperadrenocorticism is an endocrine disorder that can cause diabetes. This is because it releases an endogenous glucocorticoid (GC) hormone that disturbs the body’s ability to regulate glucose. This disorder is not directly tied to diet since a tiny tumor usually causes it on the pituitary gland.
Dental Issues And Diabetic Cats
Generally, low-grade inflammation in the body is related to diabetes. One source of chronic inflammation is bad dental hygiene. Problems like periodontitis and inflammation in the gums in cats weaken a cat’s ability to regulate blood sugar, leading to diabetes.
Leaky Gut And Inflammation
Another insidious cause of diabetes in a feline is the terrible digestive system. A cat with a healthy digestive system has a thin layer of epithelial cells and mucus that allow nutrients into the blood but stop undigested food and pathogens.
However, suppose the mucus lining is stripped away, or the cells in the epithelial layer become inflamed. In that case, it opens up gaps that allow bacteria, endotoxins, and other unwanted particles in the gut, causing inflammation. This inflammation can result in diabetes. Cat treatment in such cases are crucial and having a pet insurance saves heavily on your pocket.
Other Risk Factors For Diabetes Include:
- Usage of glucocorticoids (steroids)
- Physical inactivity: A lazy lifestyle eventually leads to obesity. Overweight felines are likely to develop diabetes.
- Age progression – aged cats are more likely to get diabetes because of lower activity levels.
Diabetic cats can live long and satisfying lives with a proper diet and timely medications. Wet cat foods are advisable for diabetic cats because they contain more moisture for hydration. So please give them a healthy life, buy pet insurance, take care of them, give them the best cat treatment and keep the vet visits regular for this one life that they have
