November is pet diabetes awareness month and, sadly, diabetes in cats is reaching epidemic proportions.
Why Cats Become Diabetic
There are many factors involved in the increase in cat diabetes, but one of the principle problems, particularly in the U.S., is obesity. As with obesity in humans, obesity in cats can cause type II diabetes.
However, cats are particularly prone to diabetes, because the pancreas of a cat is small in relation to the rest of its body. This is due to the fact that, as a carnivore, the cat is not intended to ingest excessive amounts of carbohydrates. Subsequently, their tiny pancreases are not able to cope with a diet that is high in carbohydrates.
Symptoms of Feline Diabetes
Perhaps unsurprisingly, the symptoms found in a diabetic cat are very similar to those found in a diabetic human. Predominantly, an owner will notice an increased thirst, coupled with an increase in urination. Often, human and feline sufferers of diabetes will experience lethargy, which may be hard to determine as a symptom depending on your cat's temperament.
Weight loss is another common symptom of diabetes, but depending on the cat's size in the first place, this may be difficult for an owner to recognize. Additional signs include a poorly conditioned coat and weakness in the hind legs. If left untreated, a cat with diabetes will eventually fall into a coma and die. Therefore, if you suspect that your cat is diabetic, it is imperative that you seek the assistance of veterinarian.
The Importance of Diet
The vast majority of cases of cat diabetes are caused by diet. Subsequently, the good news is that, in most cases, it can be avoided. Unfortunately, many well-meaning owners are causing their cats unnecessary suffering by feeding their animals the wrong food, overfeeding them or not ensuring that they get enough exercise.
However, simple steps can reduce the likelihood of feline diabetes. For example, it is advisable to feed a cat a good quality diet that is grain free. Of course, a good quality cat food is more expensive, but it is wise to bear in mind that benefits will be wrought in fewer visits to the vet and a healthy, happy cat.
The Importance of Water
The importance of water in any animal's diet, including our own, cannot be underestimated. Owners who feed their cat a predominantly dry food diet should be particularly mindful, because often cats on a dry food diet are chronically dehydrated.
Because cats originate from the desert, they do not have a strong natural instinct to drink water. In fact, if left to nature, a cat would obtain most of its water from its food, because small mammals and birds, which would be its prey, contain between 65-80% water. Canned cat food contains approximately 70% water, while dry food only contains 10%.
Due to the cats instinct to eat when it is thirsty, because it believes it will derive water from food, a cat that is only provided with dry food can quickly become dangerously dehydrated. Dried cat food is a convenience to humans, but it is not in the best interests of the cat. Subsequently, a dry food diet is not recommended. That is not to suggest that a cat should never eat dried food, but it should not be the only food available to your feline.
Therefore, it is important for all cat owners to concern themselves with their pet's well-being and find out as much information as possible about the ways to avoid health problems like diabetes. If you require more assistance, there are numerous holistic veterinarians and pet nutrition experts who can offer advice.
Why Cats Become Diabetic
There are many factors involved in the increase in cat diabetes, but one of the principle problems, particularly in the U.S., is obesity. As with obesity in humans, obesity in cats can cause type II diabetes.
However, cats are particularly prone to diabetes, because the pancreas of a cat is small in relation to the rest of its body. This is due to the fact that, as a carnivore, the cat is not intended to ingest excessive amounts of carbohydrates. Subsequently, their tiny pancreases are not able to cope with a diet that is high in carbohydrates.
Symptoms of Feline Diabetes
Perhaps unsurprisingly, the symptoms found in a diabetic cat are very similar to those found in a diabetic human. Predominantly, an owner will notice an increased thirst, coupled with an increase in urination. Often, human and feline sufferers of diabetes will experience lethargy, which may be hard to determine as a symptom depending on your cat's temperament.
Weight loss is another common symptom of diabetes, but depending on the cat's size in the first place, this may be difficult for an owner to recognize. Additional signs include a poorly conditioned coat and weakness in the hind legs. If left untreated, a cat with diabetes will eventually fall into a coma and die. Therefore, if you suspect that your cat is diabetic, it is imperative that you seek the assistance of veterinarian.
The Importance of Diet
The vast majority of cases of cat diabetes are caused by diet. Subsequently, the good news is that, in most cases, it can be avoided. Unfortunately, many well-meaning owners are causing their cats unnecessary suffering by feeding their animals the wrong food, overfeeding them or not ensuring that they get enough exercise.
However, simple steps can reduce the likelihood of feline diabetes. For example, it is advisable to feed a cat a good quality diet that is grain free. Of course, a good quality cat food is more expensive, but it is wise to bear in mind that benefits will be wrought in fewer visits to the vet and a healthy, happy cat.
The Importance of Water
The importance of water in any animal's diet, including our own, cannot be underestimated. Owners who feed their cat a predominantly dry food diet should be particularly mindful, because often cats on a dry food diet are chronically dehydrated.
Because cats originate from the desert, they do not have a strong natural instinct to drink water. In fact, if left to nature, a cat would obtain most of its water from its food, because small mammals and birds, which would be its prey, contain between 65-80% water. Canned cat food contains approximately 70% water, while dry food only contains 10%.
Due to the cats instinct to eat when it is thirsty, because it believes it will derive water from food, a cat that is only provided with dry food can quickly become dangerously dehydrated. Dried cat food is a convenience to humans, but it is not in the best interests of the cat. Subsequently, a dry food diet is not recommended. That is not to suggest that a cat should never eat dried food, but it should not be the only food available to your feline.
Therefore, it is important for all cat owners to concern themselves with their pet's well-being and find out as much information as possible about the ways to avoid health problems like diabetes. If you require more assistance, there are numerous holistic veterinarians and pet nutrition experts who can offer advice.
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