Dietary Measures at diabetes mellitus for dogs and cats

Especially in older and overweight animals, diabetes mellitus is the most common endocrinopathy in dogs and cats. Besides an adapted insulin therapy, dietary support is the most important pillar in the treatment of diabetic patients. In addition to a quantitative reduction in the intake of carbohydrates, particular attention should be paid to their influence on the postprandial glucose peak. Feedstuffs such as millet or barley should be preferred due to their low glycemic index. In addition, soluble fibers such as pectins are beneficial to slow down the flood of glucose into the bloodstream. To compensate for the reduced carbohydrate content, rations for diabetic patients usually have increased protein content. These are particularly beneficial for cats. As prey predators they are still adapted to protein-rich rations. Therefore, the carbohydrate content should be kept to a minimum. If necessary, attention should be paid to a reduction of overweight, especially in the cat. The achievement of ideal weight in cats is often accompanied by a remission of diabetes mellitus. The effectiveness of adding trace elements and plant extracts to the cats diet has not yet been proven.