How to Prevent Diabetes in Cats
Preventing diabetes in cats is much like preventing diabetes in humans. It requires proper diet and exercise. It also requires owners to pay attention to changes in activity levels and the appetite of their cats. For starters, it’s a great idea to have a cat door so the cat doesn’t have to rely on you for all of their exercise, but there are other elements you need to address as well.
Don’t Stop at the Cat Door
Cat doors allow your pet to get outside as needed, but there are other dangers outside. Make sure you have an area that is completely enclosed so your pet can wander outside and get some exercise, but isn’t at risk for getting out of the yard or facing intruders inside the yard. You might even set up a sort of jungle gym for your pet to play on outside.
Mix Up the Diet
Most people use dry cat food because it’s convenient and much more affordable than canned cat food. Dry cat food contains a lot of carbohydrates, increasing your cat’s risk for diabetes. You can use this diet, but be sure to add in some canned cat food or other high protein cat-friendly foods as well.
Monitor Your Eating Habits
One of the biggest issues that people have with cats is the fact that they like to get on the counters. When they do, they are usually in search of food. Don’t leave your food on the counter for your cat to find. There is a very good chance that the things you eat aren’t necessarily good for your cat. Avoid feeding him or her table scraps. In fact, it’s best if you eat at the table instead of other areas of the house. This way, you can train your cat to stay away from the table. This makes it much easier for small children and guests to avoid being tempted to feed the cat table scraps.
Take Play Time Seriously
Although diet has an enormous impact on the health of your cat, exercise is just as important. Take the time to play with your kitty, even if it only involves sitting on the couch and trying to get your cat to catch a feather or ball that you drag along the floor.
From offering access to the outdoors to changing the way you eat your own meals, there are a lot of small things you can do to prevent diabetes in your cat. It’s also important to schedule regular visits to the vet and monitor the behavior of your cat. Keep in mind that things like excessive weight gain, increased thirst, and frequent trips to the outdoors or litter box can all be signs of the onset of diabetes.
If you happen to notice any of these things, consider decreasing carbohydrates, increasing proteins, and offering your pet more opportunities for exercise. Otherwise, you could be preparing yourself and your pet for a long road of expensive insulin injections and other elements that go along with treating diabetes in cats.
