Caring for a Diabetic Cat

Owning a cat with cat diabetes takes on a new level of care. All pet owners want their pets to enjoy long life, so we've compiled some tips to help you give your cat care that will help them live as long as possible. While it's sad that cat diabetes is such a common problem, we know a lot about the disease since it also affects people. It is essential for a pet owner to learn about how diabetes can affect their cat, and what they can do to provide the best quality of life.

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.

Routine cat care will alert owners when they need to have their cat tested. Much like human symptoms, a cat will experience excessive thirst and output (urination). The cat may also lose weight due to the body's ability to process the glucose. Your cat may also experience vomiting, decreased appetite and weakness, and there may be a change in skin and coat condition.

When a pet cat displays the symptoms of diabetes, it might be wise for pet owners to have their cats tested for sugar levels in the blood as well as in their urine. The reason why both tests might be required is that cats under stress may experience a temporary spike of their blood sugar levels. The two tests will help confirm if your pet cat really 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.

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