Feline Diabetes

Diabetes is a particularly prominent subject, because November is pet diabetes awareness month. Unfortunately, cases of feline diabetes are consistently rising. Predominantly, this is caused by diet and, particularly, obesity, which is an underlying cause in most instances of feline diabetes.

Of course, most cat owners are well meaning, but, unfortunately, through a lack of knowledge, many owners are putting their pet’s health in danger. The upside is that feline diabetes is often avoidable and small changes to a cat’s diet and lifestyle can make a huge difference to his, or her, health.

Why are Cats Susceptible to Diabetes?

Cats, more than most other animals, are susceptible to diabetes, because they have relatively small pancreases in relation to the rest of their bodies. However, this is not a design flaw. In fact, a cat that lives on a natural carnivore diet does not need a large pancreas, because it is not consuming huge amounts of carbohydrates that need to be broken down by insulin.

In other words, it is the diet of domesticated cats that most affects the failure of the pancreas and, therefore, causes diabetes.

Additionally, the rise in obesity in cats caused by poor diet and lack of exercise, increases a cat’s chance of becoming diabetic. Therefore, if you are concerned about your cat’s weight, it is wise to seek the assistance of a vet.

Symptoms of Feline Diabetes

The symptoms that can be expected in cats are very similar to those found in human sufferers of diabetes. Typically, owners may notice an increase in thirst, urination and, in the early stages of diabetes, an increase in appetite. As the problem progresses, a cat’s appetite will subside and owners may notice significant weight loss and listlessness.

In advanced cases, a cat will begin to lose strength in its back legs. If left, a cat with diabetes will eventually slip into a coma the result of which is often death. Therefore, the importance of seeking veterinary assistance if your cat is suffering from any of the above symptoms cannot be overstated.

Diet is Fundamental in Avoiding Diabetes

As mentioned above, a cat’s diet is crucial to its health and its susceptibility to diabetes. Due to a cat’s inability to digest large amounts of carbohydrates, it is advisable to feed your pet on a high quality grain free diet. Understandably, money may be a consideration, because high quality foods will be more expensive. However, it is wise to consider the benefits of a good diet for your pet and the likelihood of saving money on vets’ bills.

Don’t Forget the Importance of Water

Water is fundamental to all life. It is crucial to the health and welfare of all living creatures. However, many cats are simply not getting enough, which leads, in some cases, to chronic cases of dehydration. This is a particular problem for cats that are fed a dry food diet.

Although dry food is convenient for us, it is not a healthy choice for your cat. Simply, dehydration in cats is caused by their less than enthusiastic approach to water. As a desert animal, the cat’s natural instinct is to acquire water through its food. To put this into perspective, the cat’s natural prey contains approximately 65-80% water, while canned food consists of 70% water. Dry food, on the other hand, only contains 10% water. Because a cat’s thirst encourages it to eat, it is easy to see how a cat that is fed exclusively dry food can become extremely dehydrated. Therefore, a diet of nothing but dried food is recommended against.

All consciencous and loving cat owners are advised to do all they can to arm themselves with the necessary knowledge to protect their precious pets from diabetes.