Is diabetes common in cats?
Cats with diabetes most commonly suffer from the Type II form of the disease. It is estimated that between 0.2 % and 1 % of cats will be diagnosed with diabetes during their lifetime.
How long do cats with diabetes live?
Cats who are treated effectively for diabetes can live for very prolonged periods after diagnosis. Average length of life after diagnosis is variable dependent on which study is examined, however, average lifespans of up to around three years are reported in some studies.
Is diabetes in cats the same as humans?
Warren says in cats, as in humans, Type 2 diabetes is associated with age and weight gain. “Clinically they present the same way.” People and cats with Type 2 diabetes have a decreased number of cells producing insulin compared to those without diabetes. Without insulin, blood sugar isn’t regulated.
What are cat diabetes symptoms?
The four main symptoms of diabetes mellitus are increased thirst, increased urination, weight loss, and increased appetite. Because of the nature of cats, these signs may go unnoticed, especially in the early stages of disease or if a cat spends a lot of time outdoors.
Can I feed my diabetic cat dry food?
Texture: Both dry and canned diets can be fed to diabetic cats. The nutritional profile is more important that the form of the food. Canned diets are frequently, but not always, lower in carbohydrates. They also tend to be higher in protein and fat, which may not be ideal for every cat.
What is best Fancy Feast for diabetic cats?
If you have an overweight or diabetic cat and it will only eat a dry food, then Dr. Craig recommends EVO Herring and Salmon Dry food (preferred) or EVO Turkey and Chicken Cat and Kitten food. These diets are about 50% protein and 10% carbohydrate.
What you should know when your cat has diabetes?
Watch your cat’s water bowl to see if the water levels are decreasing more quickly than usual. You should also be mindful about whether your cat is searching for alternative water sources – like drinking out of the sink, the toilet, or other unusual locations. A diabetic cat will seem to be constantly drinking water.
What are signs that cat has diabetes?
Feline Diabetes Symptoms. Due to an increased level of glucose in the blood, a diabetic cat will experience the following symptoms: Increased thirst. Increased appetite. More frequent urination. Weight loss.
How does vet determine if cat has diabetes?
Initial symptoms of diabetes can include increase or decrease in appetite, increased drinking and urination, lethargy and sometimes, weakness in the hind legs. The only way to know if your cat has diabetes is to have her evaluated in person by the vet and have a routine senior blood panel run.
How do you treat cat with diabetes?
Treatment options include insulin, tablets, weight control and a switch to a cat diabetic diet (low calories and carbs, higher levels of protein). With treatment the disease can be managed effectively, enabling your cat to live an excellent quality of life.”.