Tiki Cat includes many wet food options that can work well for diabetic cats, but suitability depends on the specific line and individual flavor. Based on Feline Diabetes Message Board (FDMB) food chart data and caregiver experience, After Dark, Aloha Friends, Luau, Grill, Velvet Mousse, and Silver (Senior) all include low-carbohydrate options, while Gelée likely falls into a low-carbohydrate range but lacks sufficient chart confirmation and should be verified independently. Kitten formulas are generally not appropriate, Mega Packs must be evaluated flavor by flavor, and Tiki Cat dry food and Gluco-Balance formulas are not typically suitable for diabetic cats.
Tiki Cat is frequently recommended in diabetic cat communities because many of its recipes are high in protein, low in carbohydrates, and moisture-rich. That said, not all Tiki Cat lines are appropriate for diabetic cats, and even within “good” lines, only certain flavors truly qualify as low carb.
This guide breaks down each major Tiki Cat product line, explains which ones are generally safe for diabetic cats, which require caution, and which are best avoided, based on ingredients and caregiver experience.
What “Low Carb” Means for Diabetic Cats
For most diabetic cats, foods under roughly 10% of calories from carbohydrates are considered low carb. Many cats do best with the lowest carbs possible, especially early in treatment or when numbers are difficult to regulate. Blanket statements rarely apply in feline diabetes, so you’ll need to see over time what percentage works best for your cat.
For more general guidance on feeding, see our other article: What to Feed a Diabetic Cat – A High-Level Overview.
Formula Changes Happen
Cat food manufacturers can change ingredients, formulations, and sourcing at any time, sometimes without obvious labeling changes. Because of this, carbohydrate percentages and suitability for diabetic cats can change over time. Always verify the specific flavor you are feeding using current food charts or a carb calculator, and monitor blood glucose when introducing or reintroducing any food.
Line-by-Line Breakdown
After Dark
Chewy: After Dark, Amazon: After Dark
Generally low carb, but requires flavor-level scrutiny.
After Dark recipes focus on meat and organ meats like liver, heart, and gizzard. Many of these recipes are among the lowest-carb options Tiki Cat offers, particularly the shredded and pate styles that avoid starches and vegetables.
Within the After Dark family, the “Soft Paté” varieties (which are different from the regular Paté) are on the upper end of what would still be considered low carb.
For more detailed carb percentages, see the Food Charts on the Feline Diabetes Message Board (FDMB).
Velvet Mousse
Chewy: Velvet Mousse, Amazon: Velvet Mousse
Often acceptable, if your cat will accept the texture.
Velvet Mousse recipes are smooth and simple, usually fish or chicken-based with minimal fillers. Many of these formulas fall into a reasonable low-carbohydrate range, especially when compared to gravy-style foods.
Aloha Friends
Chewy: Aloha Friends, Amazon: Aloha Friends
Good low carb option, if your cat will eat food in broth.
Aloha Friends recipes use simple proteins with pumpkin added in small amounts. Despite the presence of pumpkin, many flavors remain surprisingly low carb and well-tolerated by diabetic cats. Within the FDMB community, pumpkin is often discussed for its digestive benefits, particularly as a gentle source of fiber that may help some cats with constipation or irregular stools.
Luau
Generally low carb and appropriate for diabetic cats.
Luau recipes are high in moisture and protein and, based on FDMB food chart data, the Luau flavors commonly fed by caregivers fall within a low-carbohydrate range appropriate for diabetic cats.
Gelée
Probably low carb, but not confirmed in the FDMB food charts.
Gelée recipes look like they’re likely low in carbohydrates based on the ingredient style and how similar Tiki Cat lines tend to formulate, but Gelée isn’t well represented in the FDMB food charts, so there isn’t enough chart data to call it confirmed. If you want to use Gelée for a diabetic cat, run the numbers yourself using a cat food carbohydrate calculator (using the guaranteed analysis from the label or the manufacturer’s as-fed data if available), then introduce it like any new food: watch blood glucose for a few cycles and treat it as a trial until you see how your cat responds.
Grill
Generally low carb and appropriate for diabetic cats.
Grill includes flaked fish recipes with shellfish toppers. Whether a specific Grill flavor is low carb depends on the individual recipe, so treat it like any other Tiki Cat product: verify the carb estimate using the food charts if it’s listed, or run the guaranteed analysis through a cat food carb calculator if it isn’t.
Silver (Senior)
Generally low carb, but still verify by flavor.
Tiki Cat Silver is the senior line (11+), and the Silver varieties that show up in the FDMB food charts are low carbohydrate and can be appropriate for diabetic cats. Because formulas can vary by flavor and can change over time, confirm the specific recipe in food charts when possible, or run the label numbers through a carb calculator if it isn’t listed.
Kitten
Not generally appropriate for diabetic cats.
Tiki Cat Kitten formulas may be low in carbohydrates, but they are designed for growth and higher caloric intake, with nutrient profiles that don’t match the needs of most diabetic cats, who are often older. For that reason, kitten foods are generally not recommended for diabetic management unless there is a specific medical reason and blood glucose is closely monitored.
Mega Packs
Chewy: Mega Packs, Amazon: Mega Packs
Varies entirely by included flavors and product lines.
Mega Packs contain a mix of recipes from other lines. Some included flavors may be excellent low-carb options, while others may not be appropriate at all. Always evaluate the individual recipes inside the pack.
Tiki Cat Dry Food
Chewy: Dry Food, Amazon: Dry Food
Tiki Cat dry food is not appropriate for diabetic cats. Like the majority of dry kibble, it is significantly higher in carbohydrates. It also lacks the moisture content that diabetic cats benefit from. Even “high-protein” or grain-free dry formulas rely on starches to hold the kibble together, which makes them incompatible with blood glucose control. In the FDMB community, dry food is consistently discouraged for diabetic management for various reasons including carbohydrate content.
Tiki Cat Gluco-Balance
Chewy: Gluco-Balance, Amazon: Gluco-Balance
Be careful with any prescription or veterinary marketed foods. On the FDMB, caregivers frequently report that these foods end up being too high in carbohydrates, and a switch to a simple, tried and true low carb food ends up working better.
A Note on Tiki Cat Stix
Tiki Cat Stix are a popular choice for a post-test treat or for delivering medications among diabetic caregivers. It’s worth checking the ingredients though before assuming every option is low carb.
Key Takeaways
Tiki Cat offers many genuinely low-carbohydrate options that can work well for diabetic cats, but suitability depends on the specific line and individual flavor, not the brand name alone.
Based on FDMB food chart data and caregiver experience, After Dark, Aloha Friends, Luau, Grill, Velvet Mousse, and Silver (Senior) all include low-carb options appropriate for diabetic cats, with After Dark and Luau being among the most consistently used. Gelée appears likely to be low carb but lacks sufficient chart data, so it should be treated as a trial and verified with a carb calculator. Kitten formulas are generally not appropriate despite potentially low carbs, because they are designed for growth and higher caloric needs. Mega Packs must be evaluated flavor by flavor, since they mix multiple lines. Any new food should be introduced with blood glucose monitoring to confirm it works for the individual cat.
In conclusion, Tiki Cat has some good options for our diabetic cats. Fancy Feast Classic Patés and Tiki Cat are recommended most often for caregivers starting out due to widespread availability, reasonable cost, and the benefits of wet food over dry food.
Resources:
Mady & Egon’s Food Chart (Updated 2025)
