Feline Diabetes

Diabetes is becoming an epidemic in America's number one pet. Lets find out what can be causing this to happen.

Cat anatomy is different than human or dog anatomy. No cat lover has to be told this twice. The small intestines are shorter for the cat's body size than other pets. the bile duct is simplier than a dog's or human's. A cat has a smaller pancreas by body size than a human or dog. The pancreas contains the cells that make insulin. This insulin lowers the blood sugar level especially after a meal.

Grains in the diet make the cat's small pancreas work too hard to keep the blood sugar levels in a safe range. This overwork can contribute to diabetes developing in the cat. Since grains are used to fatten feedlot animals it is no wonder that cats can get fat fed grain in their diet. Much more insulin is needed to regulate the blood sugar level in an obese cat. This is why diabetes is becoming an epidemic in our feline companions.

Update: By food label analysis when you increase the level carbohydrates you automatically lower another nutrient like costly protein. Protein satiates a cat. High carbohydrate kibble does not satiate the cat and it goes back for more kibble. This can easily lead to excess calorie consumption. Once excess fat is acquired; the pancreas must produce about 1 IU Lantus Glargine equivalent to maintain every 4 pounds of fat!

MSVS recommends the use of canned grain free diets such as Wellness feline diets or the Innova Evo Ancestral diets. The Wellness grain free label states clearly which flavors contain no grain. Innova Evo is 95% meat and can be ideal for providing a limited food allergy diet.

I have included downloads for the MSVS spreadsheet to calculate your cat's daily food requirement by its body condition.

I have also included the MSVS diabetes brochure for cats.

Dr Gaskin