Is Fancy Feast Good For Diabetic Cats?

Fancy Feast – sounds delicious. But no, I’m not having any large meal celebration, rather I’m talking about food but for cats.  When it comes to feeding your feline, and they are diabetic, the matter becomes a little bit worrisome. As a caring parent, it’s obvious to have this question: Is Fancy Feast Good For Diabetic Cats?

Yes, they are a good option for a diabetic cat. But why are they good? What type of fancy feast is better? What food should we avoid giving our diabetic cat?

Let’s dive into this flavorful inquiry and find out! 

Is Fancy Feast Good For Diabetic Cats

Is Fancy Feast Healthy For Diabetic Cats?

Before talking about Is Fancy Feast Healthy For Diabetic Cats or not, let’s talk details about diabetes in cats.

Diabetes is a common condition in cats, affecting approximately 0.2% to 1% of the feline population. It is caused by a deficiency of insulin, a hormone that helps the body to use glucose for energy.

If your cat has diabetes, they need an ideal diet. It’s an important part of managing diabetes in cats, like regulating their blood sugar levels and preventing complications. Though there’s a slight difference in adult and senior cat diets

Foods that are low in carbohydrates and high in protein are ideal for diabetic cats. So, is fancy feast a healthy choice for diabetic cats? 

Of course, it is. But it is important to choose the right varieties. Some of them are ideal for diabetic cats, Fancy Feast Classic, Flaked etc.  

Nevertheless, some Fancy Feast varieties are higher in carbohydrates and should be avoided by diabetic cats.

Why Is Fancy Feast Good For Cats With Diabetes

Why Is Fancy Feast Good For Cats With Diabetes

Let’s see, why Fancy Feast is good for cats with diabetes-

Recommended For Diabetic Cats

Fancy Feast is recommended by veterinarians for diabetic cats because it is low in carbohydrates and high in protein.

This is essential for diabetic cats, as carbohydrates can cause blood sugar levels to spike, while protein helps to keep blood sugar levels stable.

Low in Carbohydrates

Most Fancy Feast canned foods have 10% or fewer carbohydrates, which is a good level for diabetic cats. This is much lower than the average dry food, which can have up to 50% of calories coming from carbohydrates.

Carbohydrates are broken down into glucose in the blood, so feeding a low-carbohydrate diet can help to keep blood sugar levels under control.

High in Protein and Fiber

Fancy Feast foods are typically high in protein and fiber. Protein helps to keep blood sugar levels stable and provides essential nutrients for your cat’s overall health.

Fiber helps to slow down digestion and absorption of carbohydrates, which can also help to control blood sugar levels.

Less Fat, More Moisture

Fancy Feast foods are typically low in fat and high in moisture. This is important for diabetic cats because fat can contribute to weight gain, which can make diabetes worse.

Moisture is also significant for diabetic cats, as they are at risk of dehydration.

Help in Weight Maintaining

Weight management is another crucial factor for diabetic cats. Obesity can worsen the condition of diabetes. Such as increasing insulin resistance, inflammation, oxidative stress, and other health problems like arthritis, heart disease, and cancer.

Fancy Feast foods can help diabetic cats maintain a healthy weight. It can provide them with a balanced and satisfying diet. 

Fancy Feast wet foods are especially lower in calories than dry foods, which can prevent obesity. They also have a high palatability – means your cat will enjoy eating them and feel satisfied.

Talking about obesity, no doubt it’s a serious health issue for cats, so do runt of the litter. How to help a runt kitten gain weight? Click and take a look. 

What Type Of Fancy Feast Is Good For Diabetic Cats?

The best types of Fancy Feast for diabetic cats are the Classics, Flaked, and Chunky varieties. These foods are all low in carbohydrates and high in protein, which is ideal for cats with diabetes.

What Type Of Fancy Feast Is Good For Diabetic Cats

These foods are all low in carbohydrates (10% or less) and high in protein (30% or more). They are also low in fat (10% or less) and high in moisture (70% or more). 

The following types of Fancy Feast are good for diabetic cats:

1. Classic Pate Turkey

A moist, high-protein delight with minimal carbs (just 6% of calories). It offers a smooth texture and delectable turkey taste, making it a top pick for diabetic cats.

2. Chunky Chicken & Tuna

This wet food combines high protein, low fat, and rich moisture content with a mere 8% of calories from carbs. With its chunky texture and delightful chicken and tuna flavor, it’s a worthy choice for your diabetic companion.

3. Flaked Fish & Shrimp

Another high-protein, low-fat option with 9% of calories from carbs. Its flaked texture and scrumptious fish and shrimp flavor make it a tantalizing choice for diabetic cats.

4. Classic Pate Liver & Chicken

With a smooth texture and the delicious combo of liver and chicken, this option boasts high protein, low fat, and 10% of calories from carbs—ideal for diabetic cats.

5. Chunky Beef & Chicken

This caters to diabetic cats’ nutritional needs with a chunky texture and a hearty beef and chicken flavor. It offers high protein, low fat, and 10% of calories from carbs.

These Fancy Feast varieties ensure your cat’s taste buds and health are equally delighted!

Best Wet Cat Food For Diabetic Cat : Alternative to Fancy Feast

Fancy Feast is a good choice for diabetic cats, but it is not the only one. There are other brands of wet cat food that can also provide your cat with a low-carbohydrate, high-protein, low-fat, high-moisture, and high-palatability diet. 

Before introducing these options to your diabetic cat’s diet, it’s essential to consult with an experienced veterinarian. 

Here are some other good options for wet cat food for diabetic cats:

Do you know wet cat foods are best to hide pills? This is the easiest way to give your feline medicine and works effectively. 

How Much Wet Food Should a Diabetic Cat Eat

The amount of wet food that a diabetic cat should eat will vary depending on their individual needs. However, a good rule of thumb is to feed your cat 1–2 ounces of wet food per pound of body weight per day. 

How Much Wet Food Should a Diabetic Cat Eat

You may need to feed your cat more or less food depending on their activity level, blood sugar levels, and other factors.

It is important to talk to your veterinarian about the best feeding schedule and amount of food for your diabetic cat. 

They can help you to create a personalized plan that will help your cat manage their diabetes and stay healthy.

Additional Tips for Feeding a Diabetic Cat

  • Feed your cat small, frequent meals throughout the day. Cats on long-acting insulin are fed twice a day, while short-acting insulin cats may need three or four meals.
  • Avoid feeding your cat treats, such as commercial cat treats, dairy products, human food and so on. Many treats are high in carbohydrates and sugar, which can spike your cat’s blood sugar levels.
  • Monitor your cat’s blood sugar levels regularly. This will help you to determine how their blood sugar is responding to the new diet.
  • If you have any concerns about feeding your diabetic cat, be sure to talk to your veterinarian.

Does Fancy Feast Cat Food Have Sugar In It?

Fancy Feast cat food does contain sugar, but the sugar content varies by variety. Most Fancy Feast canned foods have less than 1% sugar, a relatively low amount.

However, some, like the Classic Pate with Gravy, can have up to 2% sugar.

It’s worth noting that not all sugars are the same. The sugar in Fancy Feast is mainly sucrose, a type of table sugar that’s less harmful to cats than high fructose corn syrup. Nevertheless, it’s wise to manage your cat’s sugar intake, particularly if they have diabetes

What Not To Give a Diabetic Cat

What Not To Give a Diabetic Cat
What Not To Give a Diabetic Cat
What Not To Give a Diabetic Cat
What Not To Give a Diabetic Cat

Avoid these foods and treats for your diabetic cat, as they can lead to dangerous spikes in blood sugar:

Here is a list of foods and treats to avoid giving a diabetic cat:

  • Dry cat food: Dry cat food is typically high in carbohydrates, like above 35%, and low moisture content, typically around 10%. This can cause high blood sugar levels. 
  • Table scraps: Table scraps are often high in carbohydrates, sugar, and fat, all of which can be harmful to diabetic cats.
  • Commercial cat treats: Commercial cat treats are often high in carbohydrates and sugar, so it is best to avoid feeding them to diabetic cats.
  • Dairy products: Dairy products, such as milk, cheese, and yogurt, can be high in lactose, which can be difficult for diabetic cats to digest.
  • Starchy vegetables: Starchy vegetables, such as corn, peas, and carrots, are high in carbohydrates, so it is best to avoid feeding them to diabetic cats.
  • Fruit: Fruit like bananas, grapes, and raisins is high in sugar, so it is best to avoid feeding it to diabetic cats.

Instead, consider offering your diabetic cat small portions of fresh meat, cheese, or veggies as treats. You can also find low-carb and diabetic-friendly cat treats available.

If you are unsure whether a food or treat is safe for your diabetic cat, it is always best to err on the side of caution and avoid giving it to them.

FAQs

Are Diabetic Cats More Hungry?

Diabetic cats may be more hungry than non-diabetic cats. This is because their bodies are not able to use glucose from food as efficiently as they should. As a result, they may need to eat more food to get the energy they need.

What happens if you overfeed a diabetic cat?

Overfeeding a diabetic cat can cause their blood sugar levels to rise to dangerous levels. This can lead to a number of health problems, including ketoacidosis, a life-threatening condition. 

Why is my diabetic cat suddenly not eating?

There are a number of reasons why a diabetic cat may suddenly stop eating. Such as, illness, stress, medication side effects, diabetes-related complications (e.g., ketoacidosis and neuropathy).

If your diabetic cat is suddenly not eating, it is important to take them to the veterinarian to determine the underlying cause.

Are fancy feasts good for normal cats?

Yes, Fancy Feast cat food is good for normal cats. It is a nutritionally complete and balanced food that meets all the essential nutrient requirements for cats.

Fancy Feast foods are also available in a variety of flavors and textures, so your cat is sure to find one they love.

Enclosure

Fancy Feast can be a good choice for diabetic cats, as long as you choose the right products and follow the feeding guidelines. 

You should also consult your veterinarian before changing your cat’s diet, as they can advise you on the best food and portion sizes for your cat. 

We hope you had a pawsome time reading about Fancy Feast and diabetic cats! If it was helpful, share it with friends and family with diabetic felines. Feel free to drop a comment below – we’re all ears for your thoughts and questions!

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