Diabetic Cat Care

The information contained in this sticky is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace veterinary advice. The intention of this sticky is to open doors to understanding about the specific medical condition or topic, allowing for educated and on-going discussion with your vet.

Diabetic Cat
Care

Netherland Info

The Answer for Alex; Raw Food and Tight Regulation, from the Feline Nutrition Education Society.

For your convenience, click here for international laws when it comes to obtaining insulin and syringes.

Glucometers & Syringes

Two glucometers available in the Netherlands are the One Touch and FreeStyle brands. Abbott Laboratories offers a FreeStyle Insulix, Libre and several others. This meter has many functions offered which may not be necessary(This meter uses Freestyle Lite test strips). Also, there is an offer for a FreeStyle Lite meter at no charge and free postal service. This meter takes a minimal amount of blood and works very well for cats. It is important to note that very informal on-forum comparisons with the FreeStyle meters indicate that the meter tests lower when in higher numbers; with that knowledge, there is strong encouragement to get and keep your cat's BG below 8.3/150 as much as possible.

Prices for meters range from €10 to €30 and for test strips the range is between €50-€65 for 50 in pharmacies. Hulpmiddelendirect and Boeren Medical are two cost effective sources for half-priced glucometers and strips. Diabetes Centrale is also another source for diabetic supplies.

For U100 3/10cc syringes with half-unit marks, NewPharma is an online source.

Insulin

Most vets in European countries prescribe Caninsulin as the first insulin. It is very difficult to find a vet who is willing to prescribe any others first. Options for the Netherlands include both Lantus and Levemir. If your cat has not been on insulin before, Lantus can work very well. For some cats on insulin before, Lantus can be more difficult to manage. Levemir is a relatively new insulin being used for cats and we are having good success so far with it at DCC. Europaplein Dierenkliniek will dispense Lantus but they are expensive.

Dr.Tannetje Koning (a holistic veterinarian) is the greatest hope for treating cats with diabetes (and other chronic symptoms) in the Netherlands. After having little success with regular diabetic protocols, she became very interested in the Tight Regulation approach to diabetes. She has now published a book on diets for carnivorous pets, strongly supporting low-to-no carb wet/raw diets and home testing of BG. Please feel free to contact Dr Koning regarding your cat's FD. Her practice is located in Otterlo (Gelderland), however on Mondays she consults at Zoo-Natuurlijk in Amsterdam (Rivierenbuurt). She also consults in Zeewolde (Flevoland). Her website link: www.holistischedierenartsen.nl Dr. Koning is a very supportive veternarian open-minded about insulin for cats although we now are advised she is prescribing Lantus because Hypurin Bovine PZI was difficult to get.

FOOD for cats in the Netherlands and Flemish Belgium

Tinned food ingredients can change repeatedly so always check ingredients to make sure there are no grains, glutens or sugars added! It is always best to use the Carb Calculator Tool download to test the protein and carbohydrate content first.

FELIX IN GELEI (PURINA), 9.7% Dry Carbs
This comes in a 410g tin. It is cheap and it is readily available. Only the flavours duck and poultry, beef and liver do not contain grains. Although the Tuna in Tomato Jelly has the same figures, it lists sugar as an ingredient and so has not been considered safe. The other flavours contain grains which are not suitable for diabetic cats.

Catz FIJNE MOUSSE, 2.4% Dry Carbs
It comes in an 100g tin. Of all the varieties, only the FIJNE MOUSSE has no grains added and is thus the only suitable option for diabetic cats. The other types of Gourmet Gold (e.g. geroosterde stukjes) have inappropriate carbohydrate levels because they contain grains and/or sugars. The kip (yellow), tonijn (light blue), kalkoen (orange), zalm (salmon), rundvlees (pink) sold loosely (smaller shops may only have rundvlees & kalkoen) However the boxes of 8 (2 each of beef, turkey, liver, tuna) and 8 (2 each of salmon, rabbit, kidneys and chicken) work out to be a lot cheaper per tin, about 30%. For those transitioning to raw, he suggests this product as it mixes easily with the raw foods.

AnimondaPouches-Exotic
This German product is not found in supermarkets, only at some of the better pet supply stores. It is the tinned food that seems to have the best quality ingredients (though not all cats eat all flavours) and does not make the litter box stink like other brands.

K-Favourites 30% Ente – Premium Pastete – 415g
3 flavors meet the required Dry Matter carbs for Tight Regulation
Duck – Dry matter carbs 7.5%
Veal –ry matter carbs 7.5%
Turkey –ry matter carbs 7.5%

All Ragout in Gelee are over the 10% Dry Matter Carbs for Tight Regulation

Feeding a raw food diet to pets in the Netherlands is gaining more attention. Forums like www.barfplaats.nl will provide local knowledge There are many shops selling proper products such as frozen food, treats and will be willing to give advice. They also have other products, such as heart and dried meat for chewing, whole prey, chicken necks etc. One such shop in the Amsterdam area are: De Vergulde Hond

CARNIBEST

Carnibest FD Cat (carbs = 0%)
Carnibest Duck (carbs = 3%)(intended for diabetic dogs but suitable for cats too)
This food as a complete and healthy diet for animals. The website also gives good nutritional information for cats and dogs and list.

BANDIT raw food

Bandit raw food has an EKO mark which means it is organic and is particularly good for weaker cats. The product for cats with diabetes & kidney problems contains very small amounts vegetables (4%) but no grains - this food may be a good option if it does not affect the BG. The food comes in 500g tubs. Bandit also sells Wild Salmon oil. Mixing a little of this oil with the non-organic options will improve the cat’s condition.

HAAKS BARF products contain no vegetable or grain material, however they also contain no additives: the product consists only of ground up muscles, organs and bones and it is suggested to mix different flavours so that there is a variety of different proteins. The rabbit seems to be the flavour that is most easily accepted by (difficult) cats. The food comes in tubes of 250g, 500g and 1kg. It will be necessary to add all of the required supplements to this food. Please see the Raw Feeding sticky for further information about creating a well-balanced diet for your cat if feeding this product.

TC Feline (formerly Instincts TC)
This additive means it is possible to make a good home-made raw food without bones. This is the product that books most success with fussy cats. It is the most expensive option. It is shipped to the Netherlands from Germany
www.tatzenladen.de

* Please note that frozen foods for ferrets contain more muscle meat and less organ meat than the cat options.
* Chicken hearts and liver from supermarkets is not recommended; organic supermarkets can order it for you.