What to feed a cat with diabetes: features of natural and industrial nutrition

Dry food for cats with diabetes is murder

Avoid dry, high-carbohydrate foods, including treats. Calories from carbohydrates should be less than 10% of your total calorie intake.

The carbohydrate content of commercial cat foods is not listed on labels; manufacturers are hesitant to disclose this information, knowing that owners will be stunned to read how much cheap filler (often starch) is added to pet foods to keep costs down. However, you can still calculate the approximate amount of carbohydrates in a dry diet: add up the percentages of protein, fat, fiber, moisture and ash (ash is approximately 6% unless otherwise noted) and subtract the resulting number from 100%. As an example, let's take a look at one of the feeds.

Formula: 100% - % protein - % fat - % fiber - % moisture - % ash (usually 6%) = ?

Composition example: crude protein = 32%, crude fat = 14%, crude fiber = 7%, moisture = 9%, ash = 6%. Now let's plug these numbers into the formula: 100% - 32% - 14% - 7% - 9% - 6% = 32%. This 32% is carbohydrates in the feed. That is, the food contains 3 times more carbohydrates than a cat can digest without health consequences.

The Murkotiki website tested several of the most popular middle-class foods using this method and found that they contained carbohydrates from 25% to 40%. At the same time, feed containing 25% carbohydrates, that is, 2.5 times higher than the maximum allowable, was advertised as low-carbohydrate. The editors also managed to find food containing 10% carbohydrates, that is, the permissible maximum, but they cost three times more than expensive types of meat.

Many owners choose grain-free food. But it's important to understand that grain-free dry foods often have an even higher carbohydrate content than regular grain-based dry foods.

Basic rules for feeding a cat with diabetes

To normalize the condition of a cat with diabetes, it is necessary to adhere to a feeding regimen.
Veterinarians recommend 4–6 meals. Four meals a day: two main feedings + two small snacks. Studies have proven that insulin levels in cats are maximum 3 hours after injection. This peak is combined with the main feeding. Snacks are given to the animal before the injection.

The basis of a diabetic cat's diet is protein and fiber. The amount of carbohydrates consumed is minimized. The percentage of energy (calorie) obtained from them is not higher than 12%, for older animals with obesity - 6%.

A diabetic diet for a pet is based on the principles of maintaining normal body weight, strengthening muscle tissue and reducing glucose consumption. Therefore, cats are prescribed a low-carbohydrate diet. Foods labeled as high in protein are not always suitable for diabetic cats. So, in addition to a large percentage of proteins, they contain a large amount of fat. Such feeding of sick animals leads to obesity, which is extremely dangerous in diabetes.

A balance between protein and carbohydrate intake is necessary to maintain normal blood glucose levels in the animal. Controlling the amount of fat a cat eats is necessary as a prevention (treatment) of obesity.

Proteins do not cause a strong insulin response in a cat's body. Therefore, lean varieties of meat and fish are optimal for feeding a pet diagnosed with diabetes.

Carbohydrates contained in starch, pasta, and bread are excluded. The body of even a healthy animal is not adapted to absorb large amounts of carbohydrates.

Switching to a low-carbohydrate diet helps achieve remission in diabetic cats. Stabilizing the animal’s condition allows one to avoid insulin injections.

The basis of nutrition for a cat with diabetes is either low-carbohydrate food or natural products. There is no consensus among veterinarians which food is better, wet or dry. Canned food for cats is more often recommended, but there are a large number of brands of dry food on the market with a low percentage of carbohydrates, fats and high proteins.

The diet or food is selected by the veterinarian, taking into account the type of diabetes, concomitant diseases, degree of obesity and age of the animal.

Adhere to the following rules:

• Four or six meals a day according to schedule. Cats are fed at the same time.
• Do not mix food types - industrial feed or natural products.
• Do not mix the two types of food, dry or wet. The brand of food is not changed, only if absolutely necessary.
• Provide your pet with access to clean drinking water.
• Watch your portion size.

After consultation with a veterinarian, cats, especially those with obesity, are given fasting days. Compliance with nutritional standards improves the health of the animal.

The cat has type 2 diabetes: we treat it with diet

What to feed a cat with diabetes? The ideal food for cats with diabetes is fresh, uncooked (raw) meat, organs and bones with a small addition of vegetables. This is the diet, the feeding of the cat, which is indicated for pathology and in a large number of cases allows you to eliminate the causes of diabetes in the cat, reaching a state of remission.

However, the problem is that the vast majority of diabetic domestic cats are dependent on dry food, while dry food is contraindicated in cats with diabetes. However, despite owners' fears, any cat can be transitioned from dry food to a high-quality canned or raw diet with patience and persistence. A complete transition may take weeks, or in some cases months.

Some diabetic cats suffer from increased appetite, which helps the owner when switching to a new diet. Others do not have an increased appetite - and it may seem like mission impossible. However, in reality this is not the case. You just need to use some tricks.

What fish can harm

There is no place for fish on a diabetic's menu:

Red and black caviar are also harmful. In small doses and very rarely, a patient can treat himself to salmon caviar.

If the patient does not follow medical recommendations and does not change his diet, within a short time he will:

• your health will deteriorate greatly;
• hypertension will begin;
• body weight will increase;
• atherosclerosis will occur.

Factory canned fish is also prohibited. They contain a lot of sugar and sunflower oil, and these products are harmful for diabetics. Dairy must be excluded, as it greatly overloads the pancreas.

Variety of fish menus

There are many recipes for preparing fish for diabetics. You can diversify the table with stewed fillet. To prepare it you will need fillets of any lean fish. The carcass must be washed, cut into pieces and placed in a frying pan, adding a small amount of water to the container. Add salt and leeks, cut into rings, to the dish. Then mix low-fat sour cream with chopped garlic and pour over the fish. It is recommended to cook the dish over low heat.

Pollock fillet with the addition of young radish sauce will delight you with its taste. It's easy to prepare:

• Fish for diabetes intai – 1 kg;
• Fish for diabetes, young radish – 300 g;
• Olive oil – 2 tbsp. l.;
• Lemon juice – 1 tbsp. l.;
• A bunch of green onions;
• Kefir or sour cream (low-fat) – 150 ml;
• Black pepper;
• Salt.

In a deep-bottomed bowl, combine radishes (finely chopped), green onions, kefir or sour cream, and lemon juice. The pollock fillet needs to be simmered a little in a very hot frying pan without batter. Pour the prepared sauce over the dish and can be served. You can cook it for lunch.

Baked fish is perfect for dinner. To prepare it you will need the following ingredients:

• Rainbow trout – 800 g;
• Lemon juice – 2 tbsp. l.;
• Parsley and basil - a small bunch each;
• A couple of small zucchini and the same amount of sweet pepper;
• 3 tomatoes;
• Bulb;
• Garlic – a couple of cloves;
• Vegetable oil – a couple of spoons;
• Black pepper and salt should be used to taste.

Wash the fish, clean it and remove the entrails and gills. It is necessary to make cuts on its sides. This action will help you cut the fish into portions without any problems. Rub the pieces with a mixture of salt and pepper.

Kitchen salt can be replaced with dried seaweed, ground into powder. This ingredient will give the food a salty taste.

If a patient abuses salt, he experiences retention of excess fluid in the body. Against this background, the formation of subtle edema will begin to occur, and the symptoms of the disease will become significantly more complicated.

Pour lemon juice over the fish pieces. This manipulation must be performed from the inside as well as from the outside. Transfer the fish fillet to a baking sheet, having previously covered it with foil and greased with vegetable oil. The top of the trout carcass should be sprinkled with chopped basil and parsley. The rest of the greens should be placed inside the fish.

Wash the vegetables, peel and chop:

• Zucchini in the form of circles about 5 mm thick;
• Peppers - in rings;
• Tomatoes into two parts;
• Onion - in half rings.

Vegetables should be placed in the following order in the baking dish next to the trout:

• 1 ball – zucchini with salt and pepper;
• 2 ball – tomatoes;
• 3 ball – pepper and onion.

Chop the garlic and carefully combine with some of the herbs and sprinkle over the vegetables. Drizzle the remaining oil over the trout and vegetables. Cover the top of the baking sheet with foil. Place the fish in the oven at 200°C. After 25 minutes, remove the foil from the dish. Leave it in the oven for another 10 minutes. Then remove the trout from the oven and leave to cool for another 10 minutes.

Six best foods for diabetes

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There are two forms of diabetes: type 1 and type 2. With both types, the body experiences an imbalance in blood sugar and problems with insulin.

Insulin is a hormone that helps convert glucose into cellular energy, which cells need to metabolize nutrients. Type I diabetes is usually called young-onset diabetes because it occurs early in life. The pancreas does not produce enough insulin, or none at all, and must be supplied to the body through injections or pills.

The pancreas works in type 2 diabetes, and it happens at a later time. However, the body is insulin-resistant, or does not use enough insulin. Often this type of diabetes can be controlled through exercise and diet to maintain blood sugar levels. Chronically high blood sugar is an indicator of both types of diabetes. But sometimes blood sugar stays low, especially with type 2 diabetes.

Many diabetes symptoms are associated with thyroid and adrenal problems, like fibromyalgia. Therefore, it is necessary to check your sugar levels to determine whether your health problems are related to diabetes or not.

What to eat for diabetes

Obviously, food for diabetics should not contain foods with a high glycemic index. These include refined starches, sugar, honey, high fructose corn syrup, sweets and cookies. Unsweetened fruit juices are a short-term solution for hypoglycemia, but you should avoid straight juices if you have high blood sugar.

Did you know that many fast foods contain a lot of sugar, even if they are not sweet? Avoid them.

(1) Vegetables, especially green ones - you can eat them every day. Stewed vegetables and raw vegetable salads are nutritious for everyone. Store-bought salad dressings often contain sugars and sweeteners. Use only cold-pressed vegetable oils for dressings, except soybean, as well as vinegar and lemon/lime.

(2) Slice avocados into your salad to add flavor and nutrition. Avocados have a low glycemic index and are also high in omega-3, which helps treat chronic inflammation often associated with diabetes and other serious diseases. Avocado is also an excellent source of plant-based protein.

(3) Walnuts also have a low glycemic index and are a source of Omega-3. You can add them to salads.

(4) Fresh sea fish, especially tuna and salmon, are rich in Omega-3 and have a low glycemic index. If you love meat, then they have a low glycemic index. But try to stick to grass-fed meats to avoid the antibiotics and hormones that are injected into farmed animals.

(5) The issue with grains is much more complicated. Obviously, processed grains must be avoided. But some whole grains have a high glycemic index. Quinoa and buckwheat are good substitutes. Organic brown rice may be suitable for some diabetics because it does not convert to glucose quickly. But many nutritionists do not recommend consuming it every day.

(6) Various legumes can be added to dishes. Legumes are rich in protein and fiber and have a low glycemic index compared to potatoes. They can also be mixed with vegetables or served as a side dish.

Mackerel benefits and harm to the body

Useful properties and composition of mackerel

1. It is called mackerel due to its fatty nutrients.
2. Noble fish - because no one will ever argue about its taste.
3. It is diverse - hundreds of different dishes are prepared from it, especially where it is mined.
4. It is rich in phosphorus and potassium.
5. It contains fluorine, sulfur and zinc, which the body always lacks.
6. Chlorine and manganese - in average quantities.
7. Sodium is present in very small quantities.

Mackerel has a number of elements and vitamins, such as B12, PP and group A and C. The meat of this fish is very beneficial for the human body:
Mackerel is good for the brain and heart. It is good for the spinal cord, digestive system and scalp. The nervous system is restored and supplied with a strong protective reflex due to vitamins entering the vessels.

The benefits and harms of mackerel for the body

And thanks to enzymes, it is easier for a person to renew cells - chemical reactions occur faster, metabolism increases, blood flows to all organs. Phosphoric acid salts are very necessary for children during the autumn decline in vitamins, especially when brain activity increases. Over time, the child will no longer experience problems with the musculoskeletal system.

And don’t forget about the joints, which need fish oil and oxygen. It nourishes bone and cartilage cells. Just like any type of fish, mackerel may be contraindicated for some people:

If kidney failure is diagnosed, salted and smoked fatty mackerel is contraindicated. Not recommended for hypertension and diseases of the intestinal tract.

Mackerel during pregnancy and breastfeeding

Pregnancy will go well if you eat a little baked fish. Fatty smoked delicacies will negatively affect your eyesight. A woman can observe how “pictures” in the corner of her field of vision disappear, as if there was a “snowball” on the TV. It depends on the pressure, and no vitamins will help. But it is possible to cleanse blood vessels, since fish contains vitamins D and group A complexes, which have a positive effect on cholesterol levels in the blood and brain function.

Special feed

Therapeutic food for diabetic pets not only reduces glucose levels and normalizes its absorption, but also helps fight obesity and muscle atrophy. The brand is selected by the veterinarian, taking into account the type of disease, the age of the animal, and the presence of concomitant diseases.

When choosing food yourself, give preference to foods high in protein, low in fat and carbohydrates. Products labeled “high protein” may contain a high percentage of fat and have a high calorie content. They are not suitable for cats with diabetes.

Premium, superpremium and holistic food classes have a truly healing effect. Products from the “economy” lines, despite advertising, contain a large percentage of carbohydrates and are not suitable for feeding animals with diabetes.

Why diabetics shouldn't give up fish

This product has increased nutritional value due to the following characteristics:

Fish, like poultry, is one of the most quickly digestible types of meat. Fish contains high-quality protein, which is responsible for the synthesis of insulin, which is important for diabetics. Moreover, this protein is easily digestible and has a long-lasting effect, thereby enhancing the body’s immunoprotective properties. Fish saturates the body's tissues with omega-3 acids, a sufficient amount of vitamins (A, group B, C, D, E), and is also the main source of potassium, phosphorus, magnesium and iodine.

Fish preparation

For this dish you need 1 kg of fresh fish and additional ingredients:

• Sea salt – 1 tbsp. l.;
• Vegetable oil;
• Carrots – 700 g;
• Onion – 500 g;
• Tomato juice;
• Bay leaf and black pepper.

1. Remove the fish from skin, fins and entrails. Cut the fillet into pieces, add salt and leave to marinate for 1.5 hours;
2. Prepare jars for the dish;
3. Pour spices into the bottom of the glass container;
4. Place prepared fish vertically in jars;
5. Place a wire rack on the bottom of the pan and canned food on top;
6. Pour water into a large container so that there is about 3 cm left to the top of the pan. Cover the top of the canned food with iron lids;
7. Bring water to a boil over low heat;
8. When the water boils, liquid will appear in the glass jars, which should be collected with a spoon.

While the fish is cooking, you need to make the tomato filling:

• Sauté carrots and onions until transparent;
• Tomato juice is added to the ingredients;
• Boil the mixture for 15 minutes.

When preparing a dish, you need to take a little vegetable oil. The optimal solution is to use a non-stick frying pan. When the filling is ready, pour it into jars with fish. Canned food must be sterilized for at least an hour and then sealed.

The next step in this recipe is to carry out further sterilization - at least 8-10 hours. This action is performed over very low heat. Upon completion of this process, the jars must be cooled without removing them from the container with water. Such a dish may be on the menu of a patient suffering from diabetes, since it is made from natural products that cannot harm the pancreas.