Feline Diabetes has become quite common in cats, especially as they age or if they are overweight. Like humans, cats can have either Type I or Type II Diabetes. It is estimated that 50-70% of cats with Diabetes have Type I. The most common cause of Type I Diabetes in cats is amyloidosis. The top cause for Type II Feline Diabetes is obesity, but it can also be caused by genetics, infection, pancreatitis, and medications.
NOTE OF CAUTION: A Veterinarian should be involved in the diagnosis and maintenance of feline diabetes. Your Veterinarian should be informed of all natural methods you want to use on your diabetic cat to avoid complications like drug interactions or for dosage recommendations, etc.
Natural Support for Feline Diabetes
Exercise – Simple, consistent exercise will reduce insulin requirements. It also helps to prevent secondary conditions related to feline diabetes.
Glandular therapy – A promising therapy that uses animal tissues and pancreas extracts. Basically, glandular therapy can repair damage to organs and glands, improve hormone production, as well as supplementing nutrients.
Homeopathic treatments for diabetic cats – Natural treatment of feline diabetes with homeopathy may include Belladonna 30C, Thuja 30C, Natrum muriaticum 6C, and Phosphorus 6C.
Natural Diet – Both dogs and cats respond to a specially formulated, homemade diet. Recommendations vary, but generally dogs are fed a diet of 50-55% premium complex carbohydrate (high in soluble and insoluble fiber), up to 30% protein and less than 20% fat. Naturally, no simple sugars are allowed. A similar diet is often recommended for cats, but an increasing number of professionals acknowledge that cats are obligate carnivores who need a diet that is primarily meat protein regardless of what condition they’re suffering from. They recommend a high protein diet with as much fiber added as the cat will tolerate.
Example diet for diabetic cats
You may want to begin with just the meat and supplements in the following recipe. Once everything has stabilized, you can slowly add the rest.
1/4 pound cooked ground turkey. If you’re a raw feeder that’s fine, but it isn’t necessary.
1/4 pound of chopped sardines
1 hard boiled egg
2 TBSP chopped clams
1 TBSP chicken fat
1/8 – 1/4 c pureed, unseasoned pumpkin
1 tsp freeze-dried ground Krill
1/8 tsp Mixed Seaweed
1/2 tsp bonemeal
Naturally-sourced vitamin supplement that includes Taurine
Small dash of raw sea salt
Small dash of Calcium Montmorillonite Clay
With the guidance of a holistic vet or other professional, you could add some of the herbs or supplements listed below.
Natural Herbs & Supplements for Feline Diabetes
Natural support for Diabetes in cats can be provided through high quality, fresh herbs, extracts, and dietary supplements (under the guidance of a veterinarian). Herbs and supplements support pancreas, liver, kidney and eye health, insulin/blood sugar stability, cholesterol, and triglycerides. Others support optimum function. For example, Goat’s Rue supports the body’s ability to tolerate carbohydrates. Seaweed helps balance blood sugar levels, prevents insulin over response, regulates metabolism, contains chromium, promotes healthy kidney function, promotes healing and prevents infection. Cat’s can be highly sensitive to some herbs and essential oils, another reason why working with a professional is critical.
Note: It’s important to use high quality herbs for full effectiveness. We rely on Starwest Botanicals for most of our herbs and essential oils.
Commonly recommended herbs and other supplements for diabetic cats include:
Devil’s Club root bark (Oplopanax horridum)
Gymnema leaf (Gymnema sylvestre)
Fenugreek seed
Burdock root
Goat’s Rue
Dandelion leaf and root
Bilberry fruit
Huckleberry leaf
Hop
Mixed Seaweed
Turmeric Root
Calendula
Chamomile
Alfalfa
Marshmallow
Juniper Berries
Panax ginseng
Hawthorn
Yucca
Aloe vera
Bitter Melon
Chromium and Vanadium (Calcium Montmorillonite Clay is a natural source of both)
Brewer’s Yeast
Astragalus membranaceus
Omega-3 fatty acids (Krill, sardines)
Vitamin B6
Vitamin E
DMG Dimethylglycine (Vitamin B15)
Glycoproteins
N-acetylcysteine
Proanthocyanidin complex
Alanine
Glutamine
If you’re looking for an easier, more convenient way to provide some of this natural support for your cat’s diabetes, there are prepared blends available. One of the most frequently recommended by holistic veterinarians is Blood Sugar Gold for Diabetes in Cats.
??? Have you tried any natural methods of treating Feline Diabetes? Please share your experience or questions in the comments below.
Sources:
Pitcairn, Richard H. Dr. Pitcairn’s New Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs and Cats. 2017.
Messonnier, Shawn DVM. Natural Health Bible for Dogs & Cats: Your A-Z Guide to Over 200 Conditions, Herbs, Vitamins, and Supplements. 2001.
Tilford, Gregory L. & Wulff, Mary L. Herbs for Pets: The Natural Way to Enhance Your Pet’s Live. 2009.
Cooksley, Valerie G. RN. Seaweed: Nature’s Secret to Balancing Your Metabolism, Fighting Disease, and Revitalizing Body and Soul. 2007.
Lan, M. Rare Earths: Forbidden Cures. 1995.
✔ You may also be interested in reading:
Natural Support for Feline Chronic Kidney Disease / Renal Failure
Seafood Cat Treat Recipe with Natural Supplements
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Oh my gosh this is so wonderful!! I love the internet for bringing natural living to the world. Thanks so much!!
We just found out our puss has diabetes and found your article so helpful. She’s overweight so we’re hopeful with weight loss and natural support she will be off her medicsation someday. Everyone with overweight cats should pay attention because you’re risking your cat’s health AND YOUR WALLET!!! It isn’t cheap to manage cat diabetes!!!
I see so many people proudly posting their fat cats on Facebook and it just makes me ill to watch them kill their cat with kindness. Thanks for getting the word out.
WOW! There’s a lot more natural remedies than I thought! We had a scare but our senior cat doesn’t have diabetes after all THANK GOODNESS!