Looking for the best cat food for diabetic cats?
Just like any human, even your cat is likely to suffer from diabetes. One essential part of its treatment for your cat is dietary food.
A balanced and nutritious diet can prevent unwanted spikes in blood sugar.
The important point is – no particular food type is suitable for all diabetic cats.
That’s where choosing the right cat food for diabetic cats is very important.
Just in case you are in a hurry, click on our short summary below to view our Top 5 reviewed products for the best cat food for diabetic cats:
- Instinct Grain Free Wet Cat Food Pate
- CRAVE Grain Free High Protein Dry Cat Food
- Royal Canin Glycobalance Morsels In Gravy Canned Cat Food
- ORIJEN Grain Free, Premium Fresh Dry Cat Food
- ZIWI Peak All Natural, High Protein, Grain Free & Limited Ingredient Cat Food
Best Cat Food for Diabetic Cats – 2022 Top Picks
1. Our Editor’s Pick: Instinct Grain Free Wet Cat Food Pate
If you’re looking for the best diabetic cat food, you should definitely consider Instinct Original Free Recipe as it is one of the favorite brands for best cat food for diabetic cats as rated by cat parents!
This responsibly sourced food contains 95% chicken ingredients & nutritious animal oil.
It’s cage-free chicken recipe is suitable for all cats age – kitten, adult & seniors.
Meanwhile, the rest of the 5% contains healthy vegetables & fruits with useful wholesome ingredients to address the diabetes.
Being the best wet food for diabetic cats, it delivers balanced nutrition without grains/gluten.
There comes no potato, soy, by-products or artificial preservatives to cause food sensitivity.
Its pate texture features excellent delicacy which even the pickiest diabetic cat will love.
You can serve the canned food as topper or meal; either way it ensures lean muscles for diabetic cats.
Things We Liked
- High-protein animal meat & oils.
- Pate texture for a delicious taste.
- Suitable for all – kitten to seniors.
- Balanced and complete nutrition.
- No grain, gluten or preservatives.
Things We Didn’t Like
- Some customers have reported incidences of sharp bone chips.
- Pack contains no nutrition facts.
- GRAIN FREE CAT FOOD WITH CAGE FREE CHICKEN: Instinct Original Chicken recipe is 95% chicken, liver, & turkey, and 5% vegetables, fruits & wholesome ingredients. Responsibly sourced cage-free chicken as the #1 ingredient
- CANNED WET CAT FOOD WITH NO FILLERS: Instinct Original wet cat food is made without grain, potato, corn, wheat, soy, carrageenan, by-product meals, artificial colors or preservatives - ingredients known to trigger food sensitivities
- NATURAL NO GRAIN CAT FOOD: Healthy, grain-free cat food made from real meat & whole food ingredients, packed with animal protein for strong, lean muscles. Made using the finest ingredients from around the world
- RAW INSPIRED WET CAT FOOD: Complete & balanced nutrition from real ingredients to support your cat's health from kitten to senior. Served as a meal or meal topper, this delicious pate has a texture and taste that even picky cats will love
- INSTINCT, THE RAW BRAND: We craft wet & dry cat food from real ingredients inspired by pure, real nutrition from raw ingredients. We believe all pets deserve the best life possible and that it starts with food
2. CRAVE Grain Free High Protein Dry Cat Food
Crave grain free high protein dry food is a great choice for its protein-rich dietary food inspired by cats’ ancestral & natural diet.
It contains real chicken as its main ingredient which is an ideal choice for indoor cats.
Containing essential nutrients, this best dry food for diabetic cats ensures a balanced diet for digesting aid & muscular build.
This cat food contains more meat than your average cat kibbles, with 100% pure chicken and salmon.
Aside from diabetes treatment, the included carbohydrates provide sufficient energy to strengthen your cat’s immune system.
This best cat food for diabetic cats contains no by-product meals, soy proteins & grains to worsen the diabetic condition. Without preservatives & artificial food colors, food sensitivity stands no chance here.
Things We Liked
- Special formulation for indoor adult cats.
- High protein, low carbohydrate formula
- Balanced nutrition for health improvement.
- Fully animal recipe with chicken & salmon.
- Premium meal with no grain, preservatives.
Things We Didn’t Like
- Limited suitability – for adults only.
- Quite unsuitable for allergic cats.
- Contains one (1) 10 lb. bag of CRAVE Grain Free Indoor Adult Dry Cat Food with Protein from Chicken & Salmon
- Real chicken and salmon are the #1 ingredients to give cats the flavor they go wild for and the protein-rich diet they need
- Dry, grain free cat food recipes are crafted with all natural, real ingredients inspired by your cat’s natural, ancestral diet—providing energy from quality carbohydrate sources, plus vitamins, minerals, & other nutrients
- With 40% protein, this dry cat food provides cats with essential nutrients for developing muscle, aiding in digestion, and supporting healthy immune systems
- Each grain free dry cat food recipe has no chicken by-product meal, no corn, no wheat, and no soy protein
3. Royal Canin Glycobalance Morsels In Gravy Canned Cat Food
The Royal Canin Veterinary Diet feline glycobalance morsels cat food is undeniably a pretty good choice for your diabetic cat!
What caught our eyes about this cat food is its specific formulation for diabetic cats only.
The presence of low starch content prevents the rapid release of insulin, thereby helping to maintain a healthy level of insulin in your cat.
This cat food regulates the glucose supply providing a perfect balance of nutrients in perfect quantity for cats suffering from type 2 diabetes
The gravy can contain wet food for fussy cats unwilling to take in sufficient waters.
Thanks to its moderate calorie content, it helps your cat to combats against excessive weight gain. .
Things We Liked
- Highly suitable for diabetes treatment.
- Rich in protein, quite low in starch.
- Exclusive formula with delicious flavor.
- Moderate calorie to gain healthy weight.
- A dietary balance between nutrients.
Things We Didn’t Like
- Suitable for adult cats only.
- Single can seem a bit pricey.
- A combination of prebiotics and both soluble and insoluble fibers helps minimize glucose fluctuations
- This diet promotes a urinary environment unfavorable to the development of both struvite and calcium oxalate crystals.
4. ORIJEN Grain Free, Premium Fresh Dry Cat Food
With raw & fresh animal ingredients, the ORIJEN high protein and grain free cat food pushes the limits for any dry cat food.
What really amazed us is its protein-rich meat from 6 different sources. This flavorful recipe comes from free-run turkey & chicken, cage-free eggs with wild-caught flounder, herring & mackerel.
It features low carbohydrate dry cat food for diabetic cats of 90% animal & 10% vegetable calories.
Providing a balanced diet of low carb dry cat food for diabetic cats will certainly satisfy the need for a quality diet for your diabetic cat.
Things We Liked
- Almost no carb against the high protein.
- Varied ingredients from different sources.
- Fresh & raw meat in whole prey ratio.
- Formulation to satisfy biological needs.
- 10% inclusion of vegetables & fruits.
Things We Didn’t Like
- Unsuitable for senior/elderly cats.
- Price remains on expensive side.
- One (1) 12 lb bag of ORIJEN Original Cat Food with Fresh and Raw** Ingredients
- ORIJEN dry cat food helps supports digestion, shiny coat, healthy skin and heart health for cats of all life stages
- Biologically Appropriate high protein recipe made with 90 percent animal ingredients* to deliver the nutrition cats need to thrive
- First five ingredients of this ORIJEN cat food are fresh or raw** free-run*** chicken and turkey, whole mackerel, turkey giblets and flounder, providing a strong source of essential protein, vitamins, and minerals
- Cat food kibble freeze-dried coated for a burst of raw flavor your cat instinctively craves, containing ORIJEN WholePrey ingredients that feature the most succulent parts of the prey
5. ZIWI Peak All Natural, High Protein, Grain Free & Limited Ingredient Cat Food
With the best of New Zealand’s raw ingredients, this highly nutritious recipe delivers a simple abundance of nature.
What impresses us the most is its completely natural & low carb wet cat food formulation.
The best cat food for diabetic cats here contains fully sustainable, ethically sourced meat & seafood from free-range farms. There come no hormones, antibiotics, sugar, filler, preservatives & BPA.
With 7% tripe & 3% mussels, the formulation supports leaning joint health.
Things We Liked
- Fresh & raw meat from free-range farms.
- Natural formula with great purity.
- Highly suitable for all ages, all cat breeds.
- No presence of any grain, carb or filler.
- Considerable improvement in cat health.
Things We Didn’t Like
- Not for cats with constipation/digestion issues.
- Percentage of fat seems high against the protein.
- REAL MEAT, HIGH PROTEIN: Our Mackerel fish wet cat food delivers Peak Nutrition without Compromise, matching your cat's natural, whole-prey diet: featuring 92% fish and New Zealand green mussels. Our pâté-style, moisture-rich, highly palatable, chunky-loaf canned cat food delivers the nutrition and taste your cat craves.
- GRAIN-FREE, LOW CARB & LIMITED INGREDIENT DIET: Our L.I.D premium cat food recipes are made without unnecessary carbohydrates or fillers. Other brands include low quality cheap fillers such as grain, potato or peas that can be associated with sensitive stomach, obesity, food allergy, and other health concerns.
- 10% HEALTHY SUPERFOODS: Z-Boost superfood inclusions deliver an all-natural nutrition boost that helps to promote your cat’s health. Highly palatable and delicious cold-washed green tripe is a natural source of enzymes and probiotics for improved digestion. New Zealand Green Mussels contain chondroitin, glucosamine, and omega-3 for joint health and enhanced skin and coat. Organic Kelp is a natural source of minerals and antioxidants known to improve metabolism, reduce inflammation and protect the heart and brain.
- ALL LIFE STAGES & ALL BREEDS: Formulated for kitten, adult, and senior cats – ZIWI’s holistic approach is for all life stages, focused on delivering peak nutrition for your cat’s health and wellbeing. Perfectly fed as a complete meal or topper for a nutritional boost; optimized for both indoor and outdoor cats.
- ETHICAL NEW ZEALAND INGREDIENTS: 100% free-range, grass-fed meats, cage-free poultry, and wild-caught seafoods, all sourced from New Zealand farms and pristine oceans. Raised without added hormones, antibiotics, or growth promotants, these all-natural ingredients provide a taste of life in New Zealand.
How Do Cats Get Diabetes?
Scientific studies depending on case numbers reported a varied prevalence of 0.25% – 1.00% for Type 2 diabetes in cats.
There are two particular types seen in cats – Type 1 & Type 2.
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder that basically reduces the body’s ability to produce insulin in cats. Only a tiny fragment of diabetic cats suffers from this meticulous condition.
The majority of diabetic cats exhibit the metabolic patterns of Type 2 diabetes, which is also known as High Blood Sugar (Idiopathic Hyperglycemia) diabetes. This endocrine circumstance is a combo of reduced insulin production & insulin resistance.
It’s still to fully understand the exact cause of diabetes in cats. But genetic & environmental factors are likely to play a role.
Like human diabetes, researches came up with some certain reasons:
- Obesity/Overweight
- Indoor Confinement
- Significant Physical Inactivity
- Being Neutered, Old & Male
- Previous Drug Treatment
Unfortunate enough, the number of suffered cats is simply getting increased. It’s important to ensure address any potential risk in accordance with the aforementioned causes.
Symptoms of Cat Diabetes
The sooner you can apprehend the symptoms, the better chances to cure. That’s where you need to understand the major & minor symptoms.
- Increased thirst and frequent urination
The most significant syndrome comes with excessive thirst & frequent urination.
If your 4-legged friend starts to drink more often & urinate more than usual, it’s time to consult the veterinarian. - Changes in behavior
If your cat shows a considerable change in its behavior, particularly in gaiting and walking or a changed appetite are all noticeable symptoms that could indicate the onset of diabetes in your cat. - Changes in diet
An increase in hunger & therefore, eating more than normal is likely to happen with affected cats.
Other diabetic cats tend to eat less as a result of feeling consistently unwell/sickness. - Weight loss
Constant and or rapid loss of weight could indicate the onset of diabetes too.
It may be accompanied by vomiting, depression, weakness and/or decreased activity.
How to Choose the Best Cat Food for Diabetic Cats?
The ultimate key to treating diabetes in your pet friend lies with the best cat food for diabetic cats. With the right choice, you can certainly bring in a new life for the cat.
To make the choice, you better focus on the following factors.
1) Wet Food vs Dry Food
Both wet & dry foods are suitable for diabetic cats.
Considering all aspects, wet foods seem somewhat better than dried ones as it provides the much needed water that diabetic cats lack.
Wet food also tend to contain more meats against fewer grains, revealing its high protein content.
For cats who drink much water, dry food holds better.
Also read: Best Cat Food for Urinary Health
2) High-Protein & Low-Carbs
Lower carbohydrate diminishes the hunger for more insulin inside the body. That’s where protein-based calories in forms of protein & fat come into function.
Calories from animal sources tend to provide an excellent balance between protein & fat.
For the best results, 50% protein with 40% fat gives good dietary supplements. But for carbohydrates, the portion has to remain within 10%, ideally 5% at most.
3) Balanced Portion Size
Food quantity is as important as the nutrient portion.
For obese cats, you should offer the amount which will trigger a healthy weight loss. You can target a weight loss of 1% body weight per week.
Meanwhile, for weakly/unhealthy cats will require more quantity. But you’ll have to ensure that amount of taken carbohydrates shouldn’t go far.
4) Canned Food Holds Best
Dry foods often require a good amount of carbohydrates to create its formulation. When your cat requires strictly limited carb, you better choose canned ones.
Being in a wet solution, it barely contains any carbohydrates. But carbohydrate is still important, specifically for unhealthy cats. For a generous amount of carbs, you can go for dried ones instead of a can.
5) Palatability is Important
Cats suffering from Type 2 diabetes have to take their meals on a set schedule. Specific recipe or flavor has nothing to with effectiveness, but it’ll definitely increase the food’s palatability.
In this regard, you have to keep your cat’s likes & dislikes in mind. The chosen food has to taste good so that your cat eagerly looks forward to its mealtime.
Tips for Management Diabetes in Cats
Just like human diabetes, there’s no defined treatment for diabetic cats either.
But diagnosing your cat should restore its physical wellness to an excellent extent.
The main purpose of treating Type 2 cat diabetes is to maintain a normal insulin level & retain a healthy body weight.
Cat’s diabetes treatment basically consists of insulin therapy & dietary management.
1) Insulin?
It’s rare for Type 2 diabetes but extreme/severe conditions may require insulin.
It prevents rapid or unnecessary rise or falls in blood sugar levels.
For this part, you need to consult a veterinarian for prescribed doses. This process includes a regular measurement of glucose level & therefore, required dose injection.
2) Eliminate high carb food
Coming to dietary management, the first thing to do is eliminating high carb foods.
It’s indeed the high protein low carb cat food for diabetic cats you’ll need all along.
You may even need to alter the frequency & quantity of meals per day.
It directly affects the sugar level in the blood, so you better get recommendations from vets.
How to Feed Diabetic Cats?
Consistency in the scheduled meal is a key factor to treat Type 2 cat diabetes.
Your cat should take in the same meal in same amount on same time per day. The veterinarian should come up with a detailed plan in accordance with the cat’s lifestyle.
Whatever happens, don’t make any significant change in diet without adjusting insulin dose accordingly.
Wrap Up
Considering all options, Instinct Original Grain Free Recipe Natural Wet Canned Cat Food takes the ultimate prize. It is highly energy-dense with animal-sourced fat aside from veggies & fruits.
Unlike any other, the best cat food for diabetic cats here delivers 37 calories per ounce, far more than most dietary foods in the market.
