What To Look For In A Cat Food For Diabetic Cats
The fact that your cat has diabetes doesnt change his basic nutritional requirements. Cats are obligate carnivores, so they have an evolutionary need for protein in their diets. Generally speaking, cats are designed to consume a diet low in carbohydrates as well, though most commercial cat foods contain more than enough to meet your cats needs for fiber and nutrients.
So, what should you look for in a cat food for diabetic cats? Here are some ideas:
- High-quality animal protein
- Moderate protein from healthy, animal-based sources
- Minimal carbohydrates from digestible sources
- Rich in moisture
- Complete and balanced in terms of nutrition
For the most part, the best cat food for diabetic cats is canned food at least when youre talking about commercial cat food. Commercial canned cat food tends to be higher in protein, lower in carbohydrates, and higher in moisture than dry cat food which makes it ideal for cats with diabetes. If you can afford to feed your cat fresh, raw, or homemade cat food, those are excellent options as well.
Before getting into our picks for the best cat food for diabetic cats, we want to address one more common question do diabetic cats require a prescription diet?
Now that you have a better understanding of what to look for when shopping for diabetic cat food, youre ready to see our top picks! Keep reading to see our favorites for the best cat food for diabetic cats in different categories.
How To Buy The Best Cat Food According To Veterinarians
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Good news. Your cat needs you. They also need the right cat food, not just a separate bowl of dog food. Like dog food, there are many options on the market when it comes to cat food. Cats are often thought of and fed as smaller dogs, says Tim Julien, DVM, the chief medical officer at Paz Veterinary in Austin, Texas. It turns out cats are not small dogs. Cats are obligate, or strict, carnivores and have a decreased ability to digest and use carbohydrates.
So whats the best cat food for your obligate carnivore? We consulted experts about how to figure out which cat food is right for you and your cat, as well as compiled some of the best cat food options around.
What Kinds Of Cat Food Does Friskies Offer
Friskies offers a huge variety of wet food, a small selection of dry food, and treats.
The Friskies wet food lineup includes over 60 varieties, with lines including Lil Soups, Extra Gravy Paté, Extra Gravy Chunky, Classic Paté, Shreds, Prime Filets, Tasty Treasures®, Meaty Bits, Indoor, Cat Concoctions®, Gravy Sensations, and Flaked cat food.
Alongside its world of wet food, the brand offers six varieties of kibble and four lines of treats.
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Is Friskies Wet Food High In Carbs
Verdict on Friskies Wet Cat Food There is a substantial body of evidence that it is far too weak. This product consists of 41% protein, 9% fat, and 34% carbs total, according to the USDA. group, the brand has an average protein content of 49%, along with average fat content of 15% and average carb content of 17% as a whole.
Beef And Liver Canned Meal
The beef and liver canned cat food is really inexpensive so its perfect if you are on a budget. It contains liver pieces and beef, which we are not sure is of great quality.
But if you give it to your cat in smaller portions, then this food works great. Cats seem to like the taste, and it has a balanced amount of fats and proteins, so it is healthy as well.
Before you switch to this meal from any other, we would advise you to talk to a vet about the ingredients and nutritional requirements of your cat.
But what if your cat does not like these foods? What if the vet does not declare them fit for its requirements?
There are alternatives available. Lets look into some of them.
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Wet Or Dry Cat Food: Which One Reigns Supreme
This is a question commonly asked by cat owners whenever they are on the hunt for the best cat food. Thankfully, when it comes to having low carbohydrate content, wet cat foods rules over dry.
The fact is that even the best low carb dry cat food will contain more than 10% carbohydrates, with some containing over 20% of carbs. You might ask, Why?
Carbohydrates are necessary ingredients in manufacturing kibble. Dry cat foods are able to hold their shape or form because of the binding capacity of carbohydrates. In short, the starch present in carbs binds the kibble together. It also keeps it from crumbling.
Wet cat foods, on the one hand, can be crafted with lower levels of carbs given than it is often made with higher moisture content. The amount of moisture in this type of food is also beneficial. Some may not be aware, but our feline friends generally get the majority of their liquids from what they eat.
How Many Calories Are In Friskies Canned Cat Food
Friskies canned cat food contains moderate amounts of carbohydrates and protein and is meat-based. Most customers have no complaints about the high-quality cat food, which makes it a popular choice for pet owners. And since the brand has been around for so long, many people have been feeding it to their pets for decades. If youre interested in learning how many calories are in friskies, keep reading.
Friskies canned cat food contains moderate amounts of carbohydrates and protein and is meat-based. Most customers have no complaints about the high-quality cat food, which makes it a popular choice for pet owners. And since the brand has been around for so long, many people have been feeding it to their pets for decades. If youre interested in learning how many calories are in friskies, keep reading.
The first canned food from Friskies came out in the 1950s. The brand has since expanded to include dry and wet varieties. It is one of the most affordable brands of pet food. It is currently sold at Walmart, Target, Amazon, Chewy, and other places. But whats the nutritional value of the canned food? It has 95 calories per serving, while dry food has 280.
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Ultimate Buyers Guide + Reviews Of The Best Low Carb Cat Food 2022
Excess carbohydrate intake is perceived by many as the main culprit for obesity, not to mention diabetes, among cats. This is where low carb cat foods come in handy. Finding the best low carb cat food in the market, however, is not a walk in the park.
The numerous choices available and the hard-to-understand labels make the task of finding the right one downright confusing. Add to that the opposing opinions you hear from different cat owners, and the whole experience becomes a nightmare. But dont fret!
If you want the best of the best, our list would surely narrow down your choices. Still clueless on what to pick? Our unbiased reviews are here to help you decide which one is the best for your feline friend.
Here at FelineLiving.Net we have a dedicated mission to provide cat owners like you with well-researched information so they can provide the best care and nutrition to their cat.
Our readers rely upon the cat food reviews, articles and recall alerts that we research and publish. We also routinely update and review our own reviews ensuring that any changes by manufacturers are brought to your attention.
FelineLiving.Net is maintained by Mary Nielsen & her staff. Mary is an animal lover of both cats and dogs. She and her staff are passionate about animals and work hard to provide you with a wealth of information for you and your cat.
at a glance: our top 6 picks for low carb cat food
Pro Plan Diabetic Management Wet Cat Food
Vet certified, this cat food can label says its made specifically for diabetic cats.
It shows that it helps blood sugar stay under control, has a low carbohydrate rate and a good protein content.
However, this is a prescription based food, meaning you will need to show a prescription to the cashier in order to purchase this food.
So do get a vets consultation beforehand.
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What To Watch Out For When Buying Diabetic Cat Food
Liver
Avoid cat foods that list liver as the first ingredient its fine in small quantities but can cause problems when eaten in larger amounts. Tuna should also be minimized in your cats diet.
Gravy and Sauces
Look out for foods with gravy in the name or description. Thats usually an indicator that the manufacturer has used starch thickeners in the recipe that are high in carbohydrates.
Specialized or Prescription Diet Foods
While some vets may recommend a prescription diet for your cat, there are many commercial foods available with the proper carb and protein balance . In fact, some prescription foods dont even contain special medications designed to treat diabetes and can have high carb levels.
What To Look For When Buying Diabetic Cat Food
With the correct nutrition, your diabetic cat can lead a healthy, long life. Once you find a diabetic cat food that ticks the appropriate boxes and works for your cat, consistency is key. Make sure to feed them the same amount of the same food every day. The same goes for treats. Diet plays a big role in the management of feline diabetes so consider the following when choosing foods for your cat:
Wet Cat Food
Theres a long-running debate among vets, nutritionists, and other pet professionals about whether cats should be eating wet food, dry food, or a combination of both.
In the case of diabetic cats, wet food is critical. Wet foods are typically lower in carbohydrates, easy to portion control, and can leave cats feeling fuller for longer . Wet food also contains about 75% water, which helps keep cats, who naturally dont drink much, hydrated.
If cost prohibits feeding 100% wet food, be sure to give a heaping scoop on top of all dry food meals.
Proteins From Meat
Cats are obligate carnivores that require meat to survive. Their systems arent great at digesting plant proteins, so look carefully at the nutritional label when choosing foods for your diabetic cat. Purchase foods that list meat, poultry, or seafood as the first few ingredients.
Low Carbohydrate Content
For diabetic cats, a low carb diet is critical to their sustained health and wellbeing. When a cat eats carbs, their blood sugar level spikes, leading to a need for more insulin.
100 = Carbohydrate %
Calories
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Purina Fancy Feast Classic Pate
If youre looking for an affordable option for your diabetic cat, take a look at the Fancy Feast Classic Paté line of wet food. While it doesnt have certain high-end ingredients like some expensive brands, many vets recommend Fancy Feast as a great option to control or even reverse feline diabetes. Just be sure to buy the classic paté or some of the wild naturals types, as the Fancy Feast gravy options are too high in carbohydrates.
Key Features:
- Grain free wet cat food in classic paté
- Low carbohydrate content suitable for diabetic cats
- Available in three flavors: beef, chicken, and turkey & giblets
Pros:
- Higher fat content compared with other options
Kitten Adult Or Senior
Cats are roughly divided into three age groups kitten, adult and senior when it comes to cat food.
While you might have a good idea of which bucket your cat falls into, Julien recommends consulting your veterinarian about your cats specific dietary needs in conjunction with age, and to get an expert read on what needs or restrictions your cat might be exhibiting. Kittens need more energy-producing nutrients like proteins and fats and more vitamins, minerals and water than adult cats, says Ferris. Formulas made specifically for kittens provide these nutrients in the right amounts.
Most cats will move from kitten kibbles to adult food on their first birthday. Ferris tells pet owners its important to gradually work in new food over a week to help avoid upsetting your feline friends stomach. Adult cat food likely has less calories than kitten cuisine, while senior food will likely be geared toward the specific health of your cat they might have trouble chewing or a reduced ability to smell and taste.
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Tiki Cat Queen Emma Luau Wet Cat Food
The Tiki Cat Luau line of wet cat foods is a best bet for diabetic cats. It has some of the lowest carbohydrate content of any food we reviewed, with three flavors having literally zero carbs, and is grain free, preservative free, and affordably priced.
Key Features:
- Wet cat food with shredded meat in broth
- Very low carbohydrate content suitable for diabetic cats
- Complete and balanced diet with essential vitamins, minerals, and taurine
Pros:
- Well priced given the quality of ingredients
- No wheat, soy, corn, MSG, carrageenan, or artificial flavors
- Available in six different flavors: ahi tuna & chicken, wild salmon, chicken with egg, chicken, ahi tun & mackerel, wild salmon & chicken
Cons:
- Picky cats may not like all the flavors in the variety pack
Is Fancy Feast Better Than Friskies
The difference between these two brands is really small. However, if we speak from a nutritious point of view, Fancy Feast is better than Friskies because it has more of a nutritious composition. But if you want your kitty to live a long and healthy life you might look at a bit more expensive but better quality brands.
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Premium Pick: Open Farm Harvest Chicken Rustic Blend Wet Food
Quality ingredients make all the difference in your cats diet and Open Farm uses only 100% human-grade, ethically sourced ingredients. This chicken recipe wet food, for example, features humanely raised chicken as the main ingredient with chicken bone broth for moisture.
This chicken recipe wet food is made with a fairly limited list of main ingredients including fresh chicken, chicken bone broth, pumpkin, carrots, spinach, and red lentils. Pumpkin provides fiber to help regulate your cats digestion while carrots and spinach provide natural sources for essential nutrients.
Legumes and pulses like red lentils are garbanzo beans are not our favorite ingredients in cat food, though they arent necessarily unhealthy. They contain some plant-based protein which wed prefer to see replaced with animal-based sources and they contribute to the total carbohydrate content of the recipe which is around 16.7%.
Overall, this a protein-rich recipe with moderate fat and carbohydrate content that provides the moisture your cat needs for hydration.
Why Are Carbs Bad For Cats
Carbs are bad for cats because they are not essential to the cats diet. Cats must get their nutrition from animal protein and fat. Carbs break down into sugar. And sugar promotes hunger, weight gain, and obesity-related health issues. Obese cats are at higher risk for very serious health-related issues and shortened lives.
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Blue Buffalo Wilderness High Protein Pat Wet Cat Food
The Blue Buffalo Wilderness High Protein Paté is a solid choice for low carb cat food. 95% of the protein content comes directly from chicken, and is made without poultry byproducts or wheat fillers. The food also includes flaxseed for omega 3 and 6 fatty acids. Using the guaranteed analysis below, weve calculated the carbohydrate percentage in this food to be a low 11%.
Key Features:
- Wet cat food, 100% grain free paté
- Made in the USA with all natural ingredients
- Primary food ingredient is chicken and chicken liver
- No poultry byproducts, corn, wheat, or soy fillers
- Doesnt contain artificial flavors or preservatives
- Includes flaxseed, taurine, and other essential vitamins
- Also available in a turkey and salmon paté
Guaranteed Analysis:
Moisture: 78%
Carbohydrate percentage on a dry food basis: 2%
For more information on what ash is, read this article. In short, it refers to a collection of vitamins that your cat needs to function.
What Customers Think About Friskies
A handy way to check product quality is to see what others are saying about it.
If you just rely on company statements, youll always hear positives.
If customers are positive too, thats a good sign.
There are mixed reviews so far. Some are good and some are bad.
This could be because there are many brands of Friskies, and some are not as good as the others.
As youll now know, the ingredients can make a real difference. If a cat has an allergic reaction, thats obviously going to trigger a bad review.
Thats why its always best to check the label before you buy.
For example, reviewers complain about the artificial coloring and by-products that we warned you about earlier in this article.
So avoid any of that if you can.
But theres one review we saw that stood out. The person said their cats lived for over 21 years eating mostly canned Friskies.
Those are the two types of reviews that are out there. Some question the ingredients, and some say the food did a good job and kept their pets nourished.
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Nomnomnow Fresh Food Delivery
When it comes to quality nutrition, its hard to beat fresh food. Not only is fresh food rich in nutritional value, but it is also very high in moisture because it hasnt been exposed to high-heat cooking processes like commercial dry food. NomNomNow is a fresh food delivery service for pets that sends fresh-made, perfectly-portioned meals right to your door. They offer two recipes for cats, both of which are high in protein, high in moisture, and made with premium-quality ingredients. If youre worried about the price, know that it costs an average of $14/week to feed a 7-pound cat NomNomNow. The leading canned food costs about $16 per week, so the price is better or at least comparable. If your cat has diabetes, quality nutrition that is rich in protein and moisture is essential thats what NomNomNow provides.
- Pros: Made with wholesome natural ingredients, food prepared fresh, delivered right to your door, high in protein and moisture, over 50% calories from protein, only 10% calories from carbs
- Cons: Somewhat expensive to feed as a staple diet, only two recipes to choose from