Diabetes had become an epidemic for pets and the number of dogs and cats suffering from it is growing every year. There isn’t a week going by without me answering questions and consulting concerned pet owners on how nutrition is able to assist in managing this condition. This article will help you better understand diabetes and the role of diet for diabetic pets.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a complex (but manageable) disease caused by either a lack of insulin or an inadequate response to insulin. Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas.
After our pet eats, their digestive system breaks down the food ingredients into various components; one of which is sugar (Glucose). Glucose circulates through the bloodstream and carried into the cells as an energy source by insulin.
When our pets body does not produce insulin or cannot utilize it normally, blood sugar levels elevate. This results in hyperglycemia.
Types of diabetes:
Type 1 – in this case there is a lack of insulin production due to impaired secretion by the pancreas. This is the most common form in dogs and they receive insulin injections.
Type 2 – the pet may produce enough insulin but there is an inadequate response to the hormone by the body. Most common in cats.
Symptoms of diabetes:
The following symptoms may indicate that your pet has diabetes. If you recognize them, do contact your vet immediately in order for him to check and diagnose.
- Change in appetite
- Chronic skin infections
- Excessive thirst/increase in water consumption
- Weight loss
- Urinary tract infections
- Increased urination
- Unusually sweet-smelling or fruity breath
- Lethargy
- Dehydration
- Vomiting
- Cataract formation/blindness
Obesity and diabetes:
Obesity is the greatest predisposing factor for diabetes in dogs and cats. Like humans, pets become obese as a result of over-sized portions of an inappropriate diet (low in protein and high in carbohydrates) combined with inadequate levels of exercise.
Being overweight is a key factor in reducing the response of your pet’s body’s cells to insulin (called insulin sensitivity). Insulin sensitivity is a measure of the ability of insulin to move a set amount of glucose into the cells. If the sensitivity is reduced, your pet will need more insulin in order to move the same amount of glucose to the cells. The body’s reaction is by trying to produce more insulin and as a result puts more pressure on the pancreas and make the effects of diabetes worse.
Carbohydrates and diabetes:
A high carbohydrate diet may lead dogs and cats to obesity. Especially when cats, as true carnivores, don’t need any grains and high carbohydrates ingredients in their diet.
Carbohydrates transfer in your pet’s body to glucose and cause an extra need for insulin production. By lowering, or eliminating, the percentage of carbohydrates in the diet, we will help our pets not only to lose weight, but also lower stress on the pancreas.
Proper diet for diabetic pets?
low carbohydrates – lowers the need of the body to produce insulin and encourage the use of fat as an energy source.
High in protein – helps keep and maintain muscle mass.
High in fat – most pets become obese from access simple carbohydrates and not from fat. In fact, pets need fat to supply energy, protect neurons and nerve cells, helps absorb vitamins and is vital to the proper development of cells and tissues.
Feeding a proper diet that suits the needs for a diabetic pet can assist in lowering insulin dependency and improve overall wellbeing.
If you have a question or want to learn more about your dogs nutritional needs, feel free to contact me.