Cats and Diabetes

Guest Blogger

Did you know that cats also get diabetes? Diabetes mellitus results from shortage of insulin. Diabetic cats would suffer from intense thirst; produce large amounts of urine and high sugar levels in their blood. When they get cuts or wounds, these would not heal right away. When left untreated a cat suffering from diabetes will lose weight and become weak.
However, diabetes usually occurs in older cats, usually before seven years of age. It can be controlled through proper diet and supplementary insulin.
So how do we care for cats with diabetes?
1.  Watch your cat’s weight. Be very observant with your cat’s weight. Chances are, obese cats are more prone to diabetes. Cats that weigh more than 15 pounds are at higher risk of diabetes. You can try to keep your cat’s weight down by feeding it regularly with the right amount of food and avoiding excessive snacks and treats.  Chubby cats may be just as cute, but they’re not as healthy.

2.  Give your cat high fiber foods. You can help control your cat’s diabetes by regulating food intake. Give it high fiber foods to keep blood sugar levels more consistent. You can also feed your cat with several small meals as it will help stabilize blood sugar levels. Most cats suffering from diabetes return to normal with weight loss and diet.

3.   Be ready. Be sure that you have enough supply of food and medicines for your diabetic cat just in case. Sometimes, a diabetic cat would suffer from hypoglycemia, a condition wherein blood sugar level suddenly decreases resulting to shaking, disorientation, salivating, and seizures. Better keep some sugar source close such as honey so you can rub this on your cat’s gums when it shows signs of hypoglycemia.

4.  Consult your veterinarian regularly. To keep your cat’s medication successful, visit your vet regularly. Remember, leaving your diabetic cat untreated for a long time might only worsen its condition. If your diabetic cat suffers from early signs of hypoglycemia, take it to the vet immediately for appropriate medication.

When a cat has diabetes, it’s important that you really pay attention to warning signs and look out for their overall health.  From making sure they’re a stable weight to making sure they take their medicine on time, you can help take care of them and prevent even more problems from occurring now and in the future.

MyGetRidOfGuide.com,  a website that can offer several solutions to your most unwanted problems.
BIO:  Lauren is a stay at home mom that enjoys spending time with her children, as well as blogging in her spare time.