Is Your Cat at Risk for Diabetes?

Everyone knows about human diabetes, but did you know that diabetes is also a relatively common disease in cats? It’s true. It is one of the top 10 diseases in cats.

Research has shown that some people are at higher risk for getting diabetes than others, and the same is true for cats.

Some studies have suggested that the quality of the cat’s food determines the cat’s risk for diabetes. For example, it was previously thought that dry foods, which are higher in starch and carbohydrates, may lead to an increased risk of diabetes as compared to higher protein-based wet cat foods. However, a study earlier this year at the University of Missouri suggested that quality is not as important as quantity. An article published in Veterinary Practice News followed researchers who looked at two groups of cats and compared their glucose-tolerance tests. One group was fed dry food and the other group was fed canned food. The researchers found that cats eating the dry food had a higher incidence of obesity than those that ate canned or wet food – and overweight cats have the highest risk for diabetes.

So, the best way to prevent diabetes in your cat is to feed the proper amount of food to maintain ideal body weight.

For more information on diabetes and common signs of diabetes, go to: Diabetes in Cats

If you aren’t sure if your cat is overweight, go to: Is Your Cat Too Fat?

For tips on helping your cat lose weight and to learn more about obesity, go to: Obesity in Cats

If you have any concern that your cat could be a diabetic, see your veterinarian. Diabetes in cats is easily diagnosed with a simple blood and/or urine test.