Diet

Diet is critical for diabetics, always. Diet-related info for diabetic pets is gathered here.

Semi-moist food^[1] for dogs and cats can contain a lot of simple carbohydrate sugars^[2]. These could be problematic in diabetes regulation.

Dry food for cats is almost always high in carbohydrates (by necessity as part of the manufacturing process) and is therefore problematic in diabetic cats.

Because the ingredients and the composition of many pet foods can be subject to change, mostly because of their availability and cost factors, this can have an effect on the control of diabetes^[3][4]. more information about Diet Solution Program]

Further Reading[]

• Felinediabetes.com on Diet, including the famous Janet & Binky's Food Charts

• Comparison of a Low Carbohydrate-Low Fiber Diet and a Moderate Carbohydrate-High Fiber Diet in the Management of Feline Diabetes Mellitus-Journal of Feline Medicine & Surgery-2006

• Diabetes Mellitus in the Cat-Schweizer Archiv fuer Tierheilkunde-2006-Abstract in English

• Nutrition of the Domestic Cat, a Mammalian Carnivore-Annual Review of Nutrition 1984

• Nutritional Peculiarities and Diet Palatability in the Cat-Veterinary Research Communications 2005
• Managing Feline Diabetes-Diet-North American Veterinary Conference-2006
• Pet Education.com-Drs. Foster & Smith-Special Nutritional Needs of Cats

• University of Queensland-Choosing a Diet-ACVIM 2008

• Dog Food Comparison Charts Most brands (dry and canned) are listed; many have carbohydrate information which is NOT found on their labels.
• Pet Education.com-Drs. Foster & Smith-Choosing a Dog Food
• Pet Education.com-Drs. Foster & Smith-Interpreting Dog Food Labels

• Introduction to OSU's Veterinary Diet Database--How To Use & Database Abbreviations The database itself provides nutritional information on prescription and applicable non-prescription dog and cat foods for various conditions.

• Veterinary Diet Database--this is updated regularly

• Home Made Diets (for Dogs & Cats)-WSAVA 2004

• Food Intake in Veterinary Therapy-WSAVA 2004 (General Feeding/Introducing Special Diets, etc.)

• Dry, Semi-Moist or Canned? Drs. Foster & Smith-Pet Education Library

• Article on Pet Food regulations and non-compliance in the US and the health problems they potentially cause in pets.

• OSU Endocrinology Symposium-2006-Feeding the Diabetic Patient-Page 33
• Pet Education.com-Drs. Foster & Smith-How Pet Foods are Manufactured

References[]