Can Too Many Treats Give Cat Diabetes?

Every pet owner wants to care for their pets. Some prefer to give their cats treats, but can too many treats give cat diabetes? In this article, we will look at the connection between treats and diabetes in cats and how to prevent it.

Obesity predisposes cats to develop diabetes, which can easily be attributed to many treats that are given to them regularly. Diabetes in cats is a complicated condition classified as a feline disease.

Feline diabetes is the inability of your cat’s body to control blood sugar levels. Feline diabetes is not rare; however, it occurs mostly when the cats get older. Just like humans, when a cat has diabetes, what it means is that the cat’s body either produces little insulin or cannot use the insulin it produces properly.

Types of Feline Diabetes

There are two main types of feline diabetes: Type 1 and Type 2. Type 1 diabetes in cats is nonetheless identifiable, whereas Type 2 diabetes is typically associated with poor diet and obesity.

Feline Type 1 diabetes may be difficult to treat due to the need for insulin administration in cats. Unfortunately, this type of diabetes is more characteristic of younger cats. Cats with Type 1 diabetes symptoms are polydipsia (excessive drinking), polyuria (frequent urinating), anorexia, and listlessness.

For instance, Type 2 diabetes is observed in older cats and will either be influenced by obesity or a lack of physical activity. Diabetes can sometimes be controlled with diet and exercise, but some cats may need insulin shots to regulate their blood sugar.

Many of the signs of type 2 diabetes in cats are like that of type 1 diabetes and may include frequent hunger, frequent urination, weight loss, and lethargy.

Can Too Many Treats Give Cat Diabetes?

So, can giving your cat too many treats cause diabetes? The answer is yes. Almost all the treats are sweet and contain fat, and this can cause obesity in cats. In the long run, this extra weight may result in a rise in insulin production and type II diabetes.

When cats take treats that are high in carbohydrates, it can make their blood sugar levels rise. This can later affect the pancreas, which is responsible for producing insulin to balance blood sugar levels. Too much workload may overwhelm the capability of the pancreas to produce insulin, and one may develop the disease diabetes.

On the other hand, feeding a cat fattening treats can lead to obesity, which can easily predispose the cat to diabetes.

The connection between treats and diabetes in cats

Although it may be safe to give them a portion of the snack, many foods that are good for humans are toxic to cats. Limit yourself to treats that are produced specifically for cats and are healthy for them to consume.

Cat, treats: Soft & Chewy is one of the most famous treats that cat owners usually buy for their pets. These treats are tender for cats to chew. Especially for cats with tooth problems or for those cats that do not like to chew hard items.

Second, freeze-dried treats are also perfect for the dog’s snack time; they are healthy yet tasty. These treats are often prepared using grounded real meat or fish, and they contain protein. Cats enjoy them because of their crispy nature, and of course, the beef flavor is an added bonus.

In addition, there are dental treats available. Not only that they are delicious, they also help your cat’s teeth by removing plaque and tartar.

Symptoms of diabetes in cats

It’s important to note that symptoms differ from cat to cat, but these are signs that may suggest a cat has diabetes: Here are some common signs and symptoms of diabetes in cats:

• Always feeling thirsty: One of the ways to know that your cat has diabetes is when the urge to drink more water increases. You should see your vet doctor.
• Frequent Urination: Not just humans; cats pee often when they are diabetics. So, if you see your cat urinating frequently
• Weight loss: Diabetic cats may eat well and still lose weight without any obvious reason. This is because their bodies are unable to metabolize glucose, and instead they lose muscle mass.
• Increased appetite: Even though weight loss is a common feature in diabetic cats, others may eat much more than before getting diabetes. This is because their bodies fail to metabolize the nutrients in the food they eat as they should.
• Lethargy: Another symptom of diabetes in cats is lethargy. This is a situation where the cat becomes less active than it used to be. This could be because their bodies are unable to receive adequate energy from glucose.
• Weakness in the hind legs: It also affects the hind parts of a cat and can make the cat unable to jump or climb stairs well.

How many treats a day can you give a cat?

Given that your kitten’s overdose can make them have diabetes. So, you should not give a kitten treats to more than 10% of their daily calorie requirement. However, the frequency at which a kitten can be given treats depends on factors like age, weight, etc.

As for the treats, always use a high-quality product produced for kittens or for young cats. Choose natural sweet treats that have little or no added sugar.

Read also: Signs Of Diabetes In Cats

How to prevent diabetes in cats

• Maintain a Healthy Weight: Cats too can have obesity. Obesity is a leading cause of diabetes in cats. To prevent diabetes in cats, make sure that your pet’s weight is normal. So, check what treats you give to your cat to avoid being overweight.
• Use a High-Quality Diet: Feed your cat with high-quality cat food and make sure that the feed is suitable for their age. Choose foods low on the glycemic index and have high protein content, because consuming such products will serve to prevent insulin resistance.
• Monitor Blood Sugar Levels: Always check the blood sugars in your cat. When the blood sugar level is high, your cat is at risk of developing diabetes. Your veterinarian can do blood tests to look for abnormalities; if there are any, it is important to commence treatment immediately.
• Provide Plenty of Water: Cats are particularly vulnerable to diabetes; they are prone to developing the condition once their bodies become dehydrated. Always provide fresh and clean water for your cat. Water bowls should be available in different areas of your home to entice them to drink.
• Schedule regular vet check-ups: You can check on your cat’s overall health at least every three weeks. You should not ignore other health concerns in your cat. Take your cat to a vet doctor to carry out a proper check.
• Avoid Stress: If you do not know, too much stress can affect your cat’s well-being. Cats’ stress symptoms are quite simple: for example, they may scratch something, which might be furniture, or just run and hide. This may lead to things like becoming overweight or having gastrointestinal problems.

Read also: Can Diabetes Take Vyvanse?

FAQs

Q: Can too many treats give my cat diabetes?

Yes, too, man treats can give cats diabetes. Just like humans, foods high in sugar and carbohydrates are not good for cats. You should check what you feed your cat with and make sure they are in moderation. For example, it is good to give your cat treats, but if your cat takes a treat instead of food, your cat can easily develop diabetes.

Q: How do treats contribute to diabetes in cats?

Cats can become diabetic if they eat teats regularly because these treats are high in sugar and carbohydrates. So, when they eat more of it, it leads to weight gain and insulin resistance in cats.

Q: How many treats are too many for my cat?

The exact amount of treats to give to your cats depends on the weight of your cat and how active your cat is. Ideally, treats should be below 10% of the total daily calorie need of your cat. But to get the right amount, you should take your cat to see a veterinarian. The doctor will check things like weight and age before recommending the amount for your cat.

Q: What are some healthier alternatives to treats?

If you want something healthier for your cat, then you can offer him/her a tiny piece of chicken or turkey, freeze-dried fish, or some cat-safe fruits and vegetables. This option has fewer calories, and they have a cut on their sugar content, which makes them appropriate for the cat.

So yes, feeding your cat too many treats could cause diabetes. Although you care for your cats, you should consider their health too. Treats are good; however, it is not what you always give to cats.

Too many treats can expose your cat to obesity, diabetes, and other related diseases. So, if you must give your cat treats, do that moderately, and give according to your doctor’s recommendation.