A Healthy Cat Diet Can Help Prevent Feline Diabetes
According to researchers at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland, indoor, overweight cats are three times more likely to suffer from diabetes, than their average weight counterparts (1). Many believe that this is due to the fact that cats tend to live their lives indoors, eating and sleeping, with little or no exercise. Being fed an improper diet may also contribute to feline diabetes.
Your cat’s diet, and ultimately his weight, is something that you can work to improve, thus reducing his risk for diabetes. Here are some important points to remember when selecting a cat food.
Plant or Animal Protein?
Big cats in the wild, such as lions and cheetahs, are carnivores. They subsist mainly on the meat of other animals. Your kitty, although domesticated, would benefit most from a high animal protein diet. Plant proteins are often used, especially in dry foods, as they are more economical. Carbohydrates, such as corn, wheat, and potatoes should be kept to a minimum. Dr. Deborah Greco, an endocrinologist for the Animal Medical Center in New York, has recommended a ‘CatKins’ diet (very similar to the human Atkins diet of high protein and low carbs) to maintain a sleek cat figure, and to avoid illnesses such as diabetes.(2)
Wet or Dry Food?
The dry nature of kibble, combined with the high amounts (35-50%) of carbohydrates and plant proteins often make dry food a poor choice when trying to provide your cat with a healthy diet, according to Lisa A. Pierson, DVM.(3) The doctor also advises the use of wet cat food, as it is meat based and may contain 5% (or less) carbohydrates.(4) Canned cat food is also moist; some canned foods may contain as much as 75% water.(5) Additional water may help your cat to avoid infections in is bladder or kidneys.
Check the Label
Now that we’ve established that high animal protein, and low carbohydrate foods are best suited for your cat, it’s time to check the cat food label. When analyzing the ingredients remember that substances that are listed first have the highest content. Therefore, you would want to avoid foods that list products such as vegetables, rice, corn gluten, flour or any kind of fruits. This is especially true if they come first in the list.
Store Bought or Homemade?
If you can be consistent with the amount, and kinds of ingredients, and you have the time to devote to preparing your cat’s meals from scratch, they may benefit from homemade meals. But, remember, the food needs to be consistent. Many owners do not have the extra time it takes to make these preparations. If that is the case, store bought foods can be more than adequate, as long as they meet the proper dietary requirements as stated above.
When you decide to make a dietary change, it’s important to make it gradually. This is especially true if your cat is already diabetic. Before altering your diabetic feline’s diet, be sure to consult your veterinarian.