New Member

[Blue123]

My Boo was prediabetic last year and the vet said he his back was a bit boney...I lost my other kitty little Ted (Boos bro..14yrs) to diabetes last year around this same time when I had Boo (15 yrs now) checked... All his other bloods were perfect and he had a dental so he'd be in tiptop .. Since then he's been in and out the catflap all day and night and haven't really noticed his drinking and peeing.. I went into hospital recently and stayed with relatives afterwards along with my 2 kitties (Mom and son Boo) when I noticed his increased thirst and thought maybe he was stressed having to stay inside during my stay (he found some wonderful hiding spots away from home)... Upon returning home, he desperately wanted to go outside and had a few arguments with local cats who must have thought he'd left home permanently and moved into his territory.. Since then he's decided to stay in and I can now see his increased thirst and peeing in the litter tray.. Thinking his diabetes has progressed, I'm watching everything he eats hoping diet alone will resolve this.. Some days he has a healthy feel to his back and tummy and other days I think he's boney and this seems to be day to day... Not sure if I'm imagining things.. Can't get to vet as still in house quarantine, but planning to as soon as able.. Couldn't carry him as he is a big lad (not fat, just large cat).. So he drinks mostly every hour and then he goes 3/4 hours on occasion.. I keep trying to correlate this to what he eats...
Anyone else had this?

 

[Sienne and Gabby (GA)]

Welcome to FDMB.

A lot depends on what Boo is eating. For managing diabetes, just like with humans, cats need to be on a low carbohydrate diet. Unfortunately, many of the prescription diets that are supposed to be diabetes friendly, aren't. I'm linking a chart that has most of the canned cat food available in the US and has nutritional information, including the amount of carbs. You want to use foods that are less than 10% carbs. However, most of the members here use food that is in the range of 5% carbs. Fancy Feast Classics is very popular with members. Also, canned foods are far healthier than dry food in part because dry food is MUCH higher in carbs.

You may also want to purchase a glucometer. We strongly encourage home testing so you know what your cat's blood glucose level is. A human glucometer is fine especially since the strips cost a lot less than the strips for a pet specific meter. We have a lot of information on home testing.