Feline Diabetes And The Three Things You Must Know To Care For Your Diabetic Cat

It's unbelievable, but your kitty has just been diagnosed with feline diabetes. You're probably floundering around right now, trying to find information on diabetes in cats. What causes a diabetic cat? What are your treatment options? Are there natural remedies for cats that can help to treat this disease?

Causes Of Feline Diabetes

A feline diabetic isn't able to regulate his blood sugar levels. This can happen for one of two reasons:

1. His pancreas has stopped producing insulin, which is the hormone that regulates blood sugar levels. If your cat's body is no longer producing insulin, he has type 1 diabetes.

2. His pancreas is still producing insulin, but your pet's body isn't able to use it. This is called type 2 diabetes.

The end result is the same for both types; your pet's blood sugar levels will get too high, which causes liver and kidney problems, an increased risk of infections, and trouble with his gastrointestinal tract. If diabetes in cats is left untreated, he can go into a coma and die.

Older male cats who are overweight are at the highest risk for developing this disease.

Treatment Options For A Diabetic Cat

You and your vet will be working as a team, so you'll need to have a good relationship with him or her. It's important that you feel comfortable asking questions, and that you're able to understand the answers you receive.

Your kitty will probably be hospitalized for several days until his blood sugar levels are stabilized. At that time, you and your vet will work together to establish a long-term treatment plan.  

It's essential that this plan is something you can live with. Caring for a feline diabetic is very time-consuming. It does take quite a bit of commitment, especially at first. The most common reason cats with diabetes are euthanized is because the owners just didn't understand how much time it take to monitor and treat this disease.

You should learn to check your kitty's blood sugar at home. Your vet can teach you how to do this. You'll also want to learn how to give insulin shots. You may be afraid of hurting your pet at first, but the needles used are very small, so the shots aren't painful for your pet. Within a short time, checking his glucose levels, and giving him insulin shots as needed will become routine for both of you.

Are There Any Natural Remedies For Cats That Are Helpful?

You should be aware that research has shown that herbs can be helpful in keeping blood sugar levels normal in diabetic pets. Goat's rue, fenugreek, and astragalus are effective in regulating blood sugar levels in people, and, in the proper dosages, they're safe and effective in companion animals, too. It's important that the products you use are formulated especially for use in pets, not people.

Chromium is a mineral that's essential for maintaining normal blood sugar levels in both pets and people. Most diets are deficient in this mineral, so look a remedy that contains it.

You'll want to work closely with your vet when making any dietary changes or using herbal remedies. Sometimes feline diabetes can be controlled with diet and herbs, and in these cases, you'll need to carefully monitor your furry friend's blood sugar levels and make any needed changes in his insulin dosage.

You don't have to feel helpless any longer. Start learning today how diet, exercise and natural remedies for cats can help to control diabetes in cats.