Have any of your vets suggested trying to regulate with diet BEFORE insulin?

[Erin Patters]

Have any of your vets suggested starting to try to regulate diabetes with food BEFORE insulin?

I am awaiting copies of her fructosamine labs, but she's not far along if so (three months since last all normal check up, found glucose in urine while getting a dental) but this was something we spoke about, and I'm curious about the knowledgeable input of all of you.

Thanks so much.

 

[Steph & Quintus & L & O]

From what I read it seems like the way to go. Having done it, trying to transition food while the cat is on insulin is tricky, with risks of hypo and having to reduce insulin dramatically. If you haven't started insulin yet it would indeed sound interesting to change food first and see how things go.

 

[Erin Patters]

That's such a good point about diet switches during insulin being trickier! I'll definitely be meeting that in mind!

 

[JanetNJ]

Yes. You might as well go low carb first and try it, but after a week if the numbers are still high, don't wait too long to start insulin. The quicker you start the better your chance of a quick remission. No need for perscription food. Most of us feed fancy feast classic or Friskies pate foods.

 

[Critter Mom]

If a cat's in diabetic numbers but not yet receiving insulin (e.g. when changing diet first) it is especially important to test urine daily for ketones. More info here:

Are you testing your cat for ketones?

Tips for collecting urine samples


Mogs
.

 

[Lesliejm]

I wish I would of tried the food change first. I would suggest it to see how her numbers are going with the switch. Like they said, test for ketones to be safe.