Looking for brands of food for diabetic cats, I have found several pages talking about studies conducted in the United States on the suitability of feeding diabetic cats exclusively with wet food. In some cases, it has been found that diabetes disappear completely, and in other cases, it has been pointed to dry food as the cause of feline diabetes.In this case, as in many others, veterinarians also do not seem to agree on what kind of food is best for our pets, so it is best that we ourselves are aware of all current studies and each of us follow our own criteria.
I really do not know to what extent this is true because in my case, I have always fed my cat mostly with dry food and wet food in less quantity, but since it is a study, I thought it would be convenient to add it to my blog and as I say, that each one does what you thinks is the most correct.
WHAT IS THE PROBLEM OF DRY FOOD?
The problem of dry food for diabetic cats is inherent to the high level of carbohydrates. According to Lisa Pierson, DVM, a free cat that feeds exclusively on what he hunts, would consume only 3 to 5% of carbohydrates and yet dry food contains an average of 30% carbohydrates. There is evidence that confirms that due to the evolution of a low carbohydrate diet in the wild life of the cat, it has caused that cats do not metabolize carbohydrates well, especially in high percentages.
While most canned foods also contain carbohydrates, they do not grow to be more than 5% on average, which is much lower than dry food. They also contain more water and many cats, even healthy ones, do not drink as much water as they should, so extra fluids can be beneficial for their health.
Even dry food formulated specifically for diabetic cats that our veterinarians advise us to buy, is not as healthy for our diabetic cats as canned foods. The problem is that for these dry food "croquettes" to acquire consistency, they have to add carbohydrates, since this is how dry food is made, so based on these percentages, any canned food, even if it is not specific for diabetic animals, is always better than dry food.
HOW TO CHANGE FROM DRY FOOD TO WET FOOD
In many cases it has been proven that the more canned food they eat, their insulin needs are reduced. It also helps the formation of muscles and the strengthening of bones. In fact, according to Dr. Claudia Reusch "Some years ago when we did not delimit the types of food, the percentage of remission, in terms of the need for insulin, was 15-25% and currently this percentage is between 50-70% using diet with high protein level and low carbohydrate level".
While this process of changing from dry to wet food is developing, it would be convenient to perform blood tests and urine strips to know how the blood sugar levels are.
IS THE FOOD THE CAUSE OF DIABETES?
Other studies that I have found that go a little bit in the same line, point out as a cause of feline diabetes to dry food because they say the body of cats is not prepared to digest carbohydrates, especially cereals, which are the main food of dry food. That's why according to these studies the best food for diabetic cats is the low-carb and high-protein wet food.
Another study from the United States, states that domestic cats are descended from wild cats and cats ingest the liquid from their prey. Therefore, cats do not have a "thirst mechanism" because water is taken from their food and not so often from rivers, lakes or water sources. That is why when feeding them with dry diet, they need to constantly go to the water, because this food causes a constant state of dehydration. According to this study, humans, through providing our pets with the wrong diet, are the cause of diseases such as kidney stones or bladder, obesity, urinary tract infections, allergies, diabetes, irritable bowel, etc. Proper intake of food as well as water can prevent most of these diseases. They also advise feeding our cats with canned food with enough liquid and vary the brand and flavor each week.
Feeding our pets with this meal with such a high level of carbohydrates is like feeding us daily with chips and hamburgers. Yes, we would not go hungry, but we would be very badly fed and this type of food would end up causing us more harm than good in the long run.
These studies have made me think of the following: Has anyone seen a fat lion in the jungle or desperate to get water? If we think it is possible that we are the ones who, as these studies say, with our ignorance are causing new diseases to our animals, as well as anxiety, depression, voracious appetite, etc., something that in the wild does not occur.
These are some of the reports that I have found but there are many more in the same line. As I said before, I fed my cat dry food mostly and by the time I came up with these theories it was too late for Dunkel. Is it possible that dry food has caused diabetes? Who knows, although today with all the information I have, especially about the junk composition that contains the dry food of our pets, I would say "yes". In addition, I think what these studies say here are very logical and although my cat Dunkel has already passed away, I have decided to feed my new cat mostly with wet food.
If anyone can confirm this point, I would appreciate it if you would leave a comment for all of us to learn from these new studies. New ideas/hypotheses are always welcome.
Other studies that I have found that go a little bit in the same line, point out as a cause of feline diabetes to dry food because they say the body of cats is not prepared to digest carbohydrates, especially cereals, which are the main food of dry food. That's why according to these studies the best food for diabetic cats is the low-carb and high-protein wet food.
Another study from the United States, states that domestic cats are descended from wild cats and cats ingest the liquid from their prey. Therefore, cats do not have a "thirst mechanism" because water is taken from their food and not so often from rivers, lakes or water sources. That is why when feeding them with dry diet, they need to constantly go to the water, because this food causes a constant state of dehydration. According to this study, humans, through providing our pets with the wrong diet, are the cause of diseases such as kidney stones or bladder, obesity, urinary tract infections, allergies, diabetes, irritable bowel, etc. Proper intake of food as well as water can prevent most of these diseases. They also advise feeding our cats with canned food with enough liquid and vary the brand and flavor each week.
Feeding our pets with this meal with such a high level of carbohydrates is like feeding us daily with chips and hamburgers. Yes, we would not go hungry, but we would be very badly fed and this type of food would end up causing us more harm than good in the long run.
These studies have made me think of the following: Has anyone seen a fat lion in the jungle or desperate to get water? If we think it is possible that we are the ones who, as these studies say, with our ignorance are causing new diseases to our animals, as well as anxiety, depression, voracious appetite, etc., something that in the wild does not occur.
These are some of the reports that I have found but there are many more in the same line. As I said before, I fed my cat dry food mostly and by the time I came up with these theories it was too late for Dunkel. Is it possible that dry food has caused diabetes? Who knows, although today with all the information I have, especially about the junk composition that contains the dry food of our pets, I would say "yes". In addition, I think what these studies say here are very logical and although my cat Dunkel has already passed away, I have decided to feed my new cat mostly with wet food.
If anyone can confirm this point, I would appreciate it if you would leave a comment for all of us to learn from these new studies. New ideas/hypotheses are always welcome.
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