Cat care takes on a whole new level when your pet has diabetes. We all want our pets to enjoy a long and normal life and following the tips in this article will help make that possible. It is unfortunate that cats have their own version of diabetes, also a serious affliction among humans. It is also important for pet owners to know how feline diabetes affects cats and how they can help make life better for their pets by learning how to better care for them.
There are two types of feline diabetes that may affect your pet cats. Type 1 is caused by an insufficient production of insulin while type 2 diabetes is characterized by the inability of the cat’s body to process insulin more effectively. And just like in humans, diabetes can also strike cats at any age but is more likely to affect older cats. There is also a secondary feline diabetes that can be caused by drugs or by some diseases that may impair the natural processing of insulin in the body.
Owners often discover their cat has diabetes through routine cat care. Your cat may exhibit unusual thirst and urination, lose weight unexplainably, have vomit, weakness, a decrease in appetite and a change in skin/coat.
If your cat is experiencing any of these symptoms, it may be time for a check up at the vet. Have your vet test your pet for cat diabetes through a simple test of sugar levels. Taking two tests will give a true result, since the sugar levels may be elevated with stress for the first reading. This will help you determine if your cat genuinely has diabetes.
Just like diabetes in humans, the feline version has no cure yet available. Instead, feline diabetes can be controlled through a number of means. And for cats, it can be done through diet and weight control. A diet that is high in fiber and complex carbohydrates would be ideal for diabetic cats, especially the obese ones. This type of diet is maintained not only to control the cat’s weight but also to control the cat’s blood sugar levels. There are also oral medications available that can help your diabetic pet cat maintain a suitable blood sugar level.
Pet owners of diabetic cats may also need to carefully monitor their pet’s glucose and insulin levels. For those pet owners who resort to giving their diabetic cats insulin injections for their diabetes, care to avoid overdose should always be maintained. An overdose of insulin can be a very fatal condition in cats. There are also some dietary supplements that can be used to help diabetic cats deal with their condition.
Even if you have a diabetic cat, you can still use good cat care practices to give your pet a long and happy life. Your cat can live for many years with proper treatment. You cat will provide you with love and companionship for many year. He deserves the best from you as his owner.
David is the owner and designer of several pet sites. For information on kitties see
