8-12-22 New Member Rebecca Rushing

[Rebecca Rushing]

Hi all! My cat, Norman, is a wonderful 14 year old void-boy. He was always healthy up until this past November 2021, when he developed a tooth infection that landed him in the vet hospital for 3 days and a diagnosis of diabetes. He started on 1 & 1/2 units of ProZinc insulin twice a day with meals, but he's been at 1/2 a unit of ProZinc twice a day for the past six months. He's gained weight and energy back, and in general is doing very well. We feed him Fancy Feast pate salmon, chicken, or tuna three times a day, though I'm about to switch him and the other two non-diabetic cats we have to healthy dry food for lunch. I didn't realize we could test his glucose at home, so I'll be doing that soon. I think his glucose is getting close to being regulated, and may be so already but I'm not sure. We just took him to the vet this week and they said all his numbers are good but to keep giving him 1/2 unit of insulin and bring him back in three months.

 

[Sienne and Gabby (GA)]

Welcome to FDMB!

I would not switch your kitty to dry food. There are only a few dry foods that are diabetes friendly and the switch may throw your cat into less good numbers. The majority of dry food is very high in carbohydrates. In addition, cats are obligate carnivores. There are ingredients in dry food that a cat can't metabolize. You might want to take a look at this website on feline nutrition. It's authored by a vet who has a strong interest in nutrition. She also notes that cats have a limited thirst drive and there's very little moisture in dry food. This is particularly important with diabetics. Diabetes is hard on the kidneys so giving your cat a food that's higher in moisture is beneficial for kidney health.

I'm also linking information on home testing. Since testing will be a new venture for you, the link may be of use. Many of the members here use the Walmart Relion brand meter. The strips are inexpensive -- and strips are the most expensive part of the process.