Feline Diabetes Prevention

Feline diabetes happens when the cat’s pancreas no longer is able to produced insulin and the cat no longer is able to regulate blood glucose levels. Most cat experts believe that this is caused entirely by diet. Many cats are obese because they are fed too much of the wrong type of food and this is causing an epidemic especially in the US where many cats live entirely indoors.

Cats are meant to live in the outdoors and hunt and kill their own food. These tiny animals and birds which cats hunt for as food are almost made up entirely of protein. Cats are meant to have a high protein diet with most moisture provided by the food source. They are not built to eat large amounts of carbohydrate. But unfortunately almost all commercially prepared dry cat foods are based on carbohydrates with very little protein.

So, the best way to prevent diabetes in cats is to provide them a diet of moist canned cat food as canned foods are high in protein as well as having more moisture. This extra moisture is also good for your animal as most cats do not drink enough water. Cats are designed to obtain most of their water from their diet and this does not happen when a cat’s diet is made up entirely of dry food.

Another prevention for feline diabetes is exercise. Most cats, especially indoor cats, do not get enough exercise. So, it is up to you the owner to play with your animal regularly and cats love to play with their owners. New toys introduced into your cats living area are excellent ways for your cat to be more active especially any of the many toys which have the scent of catnip on it.

So to prevent feline diabetes remember these facts:

• Provide a diet for your cat of canned, moist cat food
• Provide regular exercise for your cat

Also remember this – feline diabetes is easier to prevent than to treat.