Feline diabetes is often treated with insulin injections.

Feline diabetes is often treated with insulin injections.

If your kitty has just been diagnosed as a feline diabetic, you’re not alone.  The sad truth is that feline diabetes is on the upswing.  More and more cats are developing this health issue.  Read on for the basic information you need to care for your diabetic cat.

What Causes Diabetes In Cats?

There are two likely culprits:  a poor diet, along with obesity.  Cats are obligate carnivores, which means they should be getting most of their protein from meat, not grains.  And guess what?  Most dry foods are loaded with grains, mostly because they’re cheap and available.

A cat that eats too many high-carbohydrate grains will more than likely end up carrying too much weight.  A fat cat can develop insulin resistance, which often leads to cat diabetes.

Why are carbs so bad?  All the food your kitty eats is broken down into glucose during the digestive process.  This glucose is released into the bloodstream so that the body can use it for fuel.

The glucose from carbs enters the bloodstream all at once, causing a spike in blood sugar levels.  In contrast, glucose from fats and proteins are released over a much longer period of time, which avoids this spike.

Your cat’s pancreas makes insulin, which regulates the amount of glucose in the blood.  Too much insulin, and your cat has low blood sugar.  Too little, and blood glucose rises to dangerous levels.

In type 1 diabetes, your cat’s body is not producing any insulin at all.  In type 2, insulin is being produced, but for whatever reason, it’s not being used.  In either case, blood sugar levels become elevated, and stay elevated.  If these levels remain high over a long period of time, it will damage every organ in your pet’s body.

Symptoms Of Feline Diabetes

The first symptom you may notice is weakness in his legs.  He may be walking on his hocks on his back legs, or on his “wrists” on his front legs.

He may be losing weight, even though he seem to be extremely hungry all the time.

You may notice that he’s extremely thirsty, and is drinking water all the time.  This leads to having to urinate frequently.  He may be having “accidents” because he can’t make it to the litter box in time.

He’s lost his zip.  He seems tired all the time, and he doesn’t want to do anything except lay around.

How Do You Treat Diabetes In Cats?

Many cats with diabetes are given insulin, just like human diabetes.  In order to give the correct dose, you’ll need to watch his blood sugar levels.  You can do this with either urine test strips, or a glucometer like the ones people use.

Your cat will need to eat on a regular schedule to avoid spikes and dips in his blood sugar levels.  A high-quality grain-free cat food is best.

Getting his blood sugar levels regulated can be challenging at first.  But with time and patience, it can be done.

Natural Remedies For Cats May Help Your Feline Diabetic

Some cats owners have been able to reduce or even eliminate insulin usage by using  herbs and dietary supplements.  These products are safe and effective for regulating blood sugar levels in both pets and people.

Talk with your vet.  Natural remedies for cats may be the answer you’re looking for to help your pet with feline diabetes.  Click on any link in this article to learn more about products that can help you care for a diabetic cat.

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