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Client's Name: ..........................................................................................................................
Pet's Name:................................................................................................................................
Recommended Diet: ..................................................................................................................
V ETERINA RY D IET
Recommended Daily intake: ......................................................................................................
DIABETIC
Nutrition for diabetic cats
A specific diet for your cat
The recommended diet
Diabetes mellitus (sugar diabetes) is a relatively common
disease in cats. Diabetic cats can generally be managed very
effectively with a combination of diet and insulin therapy.
Royal Canin Feline Diabetic diet is a highly palatable and
nutritionally balanced diet formulated to improve glycaemic
(blood sugar) control in cats with diabetes.
Dietary control is of major importance to the
diabetic cat. Remember – a consistent diet is a key
component of regulation of glucose supply and
successful management.
Dietary support of diabetic cats aims to regulate
glucose supply, so avoiding hyperglycaemia and
the subsequent complications associated with
diabetes. It also aims to maintain a stable, ideal
body weight and provide all the nutrients needed
for lifetime feeding.
The diet can also provide nutritional support of animals with
conditions where a high fibre level is indicated, including:
I Constipation
Designed for your pet's special needs, Royal Canin
Feline Diabetic diet is available only from your
veterinary practice and should be your pet's sole source of
food unless advised otherwise by your veterinary surgeon.
Designed to deliver all the nutrients your pet needs, the diet
is also very palatable.
I Some large bowel diarrhoeas
I Gastric motility disorders
I Colon cancer
Diabetes results in serious
problems with the metabolism
of carbohydrates, fats and
proteins and the cat may not be
able to obtain all the nutrients
that he needs from his food.
Clinical signs associated with
diabetes include increased thirst,
increased volume and frequency
of urination, increased appetite
accompanied by weight loss and
glucose (sugar) in urine.
Key features
The key features of Royal Canin Feline Diabetic diet are:
I High protein level
I Reduced energy level
I Chondroitin & glucosamine to help maintain joint mobility
I Small quantities of highly digestible complex carbohydrate
I Moderate levels of soluble and insoluble fibre
Diabetic animals may also lack energy or tire easily and have
poor coat condition. In the more advanced and sometimes
life-threatening stages of the disease, pets can be severely
depressed, vomit or refuse food, or show neurological signs
Changing your pet’s diet
Changing your pet’s diet should always be carried out over
several days. It is not uncommon for pets to refuse a new diet or
to suffer from stomach upsets if the change is not gradual. On
day 1, begin by adding a small amount of the new diet to your
pet’s existing food. As each day passes, add more of the new
diet to less of the original food, until eventually you are only
feeding the new diet. This change should take around 5 days.
Royal Canin are leaders in palatability. So confident are we
that your pet will enjoy his food that we offer a no quibble,
money-back guarantee. Simply return the food to your
veterinary practice for a full refund.
Antioxidants
Royal Canin Feline Diabetic diet is
enriched in antioxidants (vitamin E,
vitamin C, taurine, lutein, polyphenols
from grape and green tea) to help
maintain health and vitality.
Antioxidant is a general term for
different types of nutrients such
as vitamins, minerals and other components, naturally present
in many foods. Antioxidants neutralise the free radicals
produced even during normal body metabolism.
Royal Canin Customer Services
+44 (0)845 300 6015
Email: [email protected]
www.royalcanin.co.uk
www.royalcanin.ie
Photo: Lanceau
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DIABETIC
Nutrition for diabetic cats
Answers to your questions
What causes diabetes mellitus?
The pancreas has small, specialised groups of cells (alpha and
beta) which produce the hormones glucagon and insulin. These
two hormones work together in the healthy pet to maintain
blood sugar levels within a tight range. Diabetes mellitus occurs
when the beta cells are unable to produce insulin, or unable to
produce enough insulin to meet the body’s needs.
consistent release of sugar into the bloodstream. A blend of
both soluble and insoluble sources of dietary fibre provides
the optimum effect.
Why should my cat lose weight?
Slimming your pet down to his ideal weight means he will need
less energy to maintain himself, can eat less and can improve his
response to insulin so may need less daily insulin. Ask your
veterinary surgeon or nurse to check your pet’s weight.
This can occur because of:
Should my cat be neutered?
I Disappearance of beta cells (because of ageing)
Neutering your cat may stop hormones from antagonising
treatment, therefore making insulin therapy more effective.
This should be discussed with your veterinary surgeon.
I The presence of hormones which ‘antagonise’ or work in
opposition to insulin e.g. male and female hormones
How does insulin reduce blood sugar levels?
I Damage to the beta cells (disease of the pancreas)
I Failure of tissues to respond to insulin (insulin resistance)
I Obesity, which may eventually lead to exhaustion of the
beta cells and the development of diabetes
Insulin reduces blood sugar levels in several ways:
Why are there different types of fibre in the diet?
I Inhibits the body from producing glucose from the
metabolism of fat and protein
Certain forms of fibre are beneficial to diabetics. Soluble fibre
slows down the rate of digestion and optimises a slow,
I Aids uptake of glucose by the body tissues
I Stimulates the conversion of glucose to glycogen – an
energy source which is stored in the liver
How long before my cat is cured?
Key benefits
Royal Canin Diabetic diet has special ingredients to meet the
specific needs of your pet.
Diabetes mellitus cannot usually be cured. However, successful
stabilisation can be achieved for many pets with a combination
of insulin therapy, dietary management and a consistent
amount of exercise. For success, it is important that you
carefully follow the advice of your veterinary surgeon.
How will I know when my pet’s condition is stable?
MODERATE
ENERGY
A moderate energy intake promotes an optimal body
composition and minimises insulin resistance associated
with being overweight.
GLUCO
MODULATION
The combination of low glycaemic index cereals with the
gelling action of psyllium
mucilages slows glucose absorption
G
following a meal, reducing postprandial hyperglycaemia (the
increase in blood sugar level after eating).
HIGH
PROTEIN
Increased protein content promotes maintenance of
muscle mass.
Your veterinary surgeon may wish to admit your pet into the
hospital for stabilisation. This allows him to accurately
determine the amount of insulin required daily under
controlled conditions and a fixed diet. Once stabilised, your
pet will be discharged for insulin injections at home, where
needed, in conjunction with a fixed diet and daily routine.
How much and how often do I give my cat insulin?
Your veterinary surgeon will develop a treatment plan for
your cat. He will advise:
I Amount of insulin your cat requires
I Type of insulin necessary for your cat
I How to inject your cat
JOINT
JOINT
SUPPORT
SUPPORT
Joint support agents (glucosamine and chondroitin
sulphate) help to maintain joint health and mobility in
diabetic cats.
Additional Information:
Next Visit:
I What time the insulin should be given
I The best feeding pattern for your cat
If you have further questions,
please contact your veterinary practice: