free feeding

[Kathlyn21]

My cat was recently diagnosed as diabetic. The vet said we should try controlling this with food first so we have Purina DM wet and dry. Can he free feed on the dry?

So far we have been trying to control it but he is constantly acting like we are starving him. I dont know what to do. Right now I feed him about half a can of wet and 1/2 cup dry (in small portions throughout the day).

But we are about to go out of town for 3 days. I have someone coming in 2 times a day to feed him but I dont think this will be enough.

 

[SashaV]

Until he is regulated he is starving.
And dry food isn't the best, it's high carb, counteracting the insulin. You shouldn't change diet though, before you have help and is prepared for him going low.
Witch insulin are you using? Are you home testing?

 

[Katherine&Ruby]

Hi Kathlyn,

Yes, unregulated diabetic kitties will be ravenous until their glucose levels are under control. The Purina DM wet food is low carb and ok to feed but you can also feed Friskies or Fancy Feast pates that are similarly low carb and are much less expensive than the prescription foods. If you can, wean him off the dry because even the DM dry is too high in carbs. Diabetic cats should be fed food that is less than 10% carbs; most people on the board will feed their cats 5% carbs or less. Dr. Lisa Pierson has put together a really compelling website that tells us why dry food is bad for all kitties, not just diabetics: catinfo.org. She has also assembled a table of cat foods and their carb percentages here: https://catinfo.org/chart/index.php.

How much does your kitty weigh? My 11 year old senior cat weighs 12 lbs and I was feeding her about 10 ounces of canned food every day until she got regulated. Now she eats between 4-5 ounces spread out over three meals in the morning and three meals in the evening. If you're going to be away, you might consider getting an automatic feeder. Catmate and Petmate feeders seem to be the most popular here. Your sitter can fill the feeder in the morning and then in the evening with small portions and the doors will open out at scheduled times so your cat can eat all day long. Some feeders come with compartments for you to insert ice to keep the food fresh.