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My cat has diabetes. Can I feed him an all-meat diet, raw or cooked?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Domestic Shorthair | Male | neutered | 35 lbs

Hi, my cat has just been diagnosed with diabetes and I’m wondering how feasible it would be to start him on an all meat diet? Should I cook the meat or leave it raw etc. Is there any suggestions you have for feeding a cat with diabetes. Thanks :)

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Lindsey Edwards MVB, BSc, IVCA

Veterinarian

Published on May 5th, 2018

A high protein/moderate fat/low carbohydrate diet is recommended for many cats with diabetes (such as hills m/d or royal canin diabetic). A meat only diet however is not suficiently balanced and would be lacking in many trace elements, vitamins, minerals and fiber. If you wish to prepare a home cooked diet which is safe and effective in any pet, and especially a diabetic such as Tiger, I recommend scheduling a consult with clinical nutrition service at Tufts (http://vetnutrition.tufts.edu/) - this can be done in person or by phone as far as I am aware and will help to tailor a safe and effective diet recipe for his condition and takes into account what is likely to be available to you

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    Answered By Dr. Heidi DVM, CVA, CCRT, CVTP, CVSMT, CVCH

    Veterinarian, Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist, Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner

    Published on December 6th, 2017

    I'm so sorry that Quito has been diagnosed with diabetes. My best recommendation for cats is the following website. http://binkyspage.tripod.com There are lists of canned and dry food that are high in protein and low in carbohydrates. You can certainly add small amount of protein to the diet, but if Quito's diet is variable from day to day, it can make his diabetes more difficult to regulate, so I recommend sticking with a commercial food if possible. Good luck! I hope that was helpful. Thanks for using PetCoach.

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I'm so sorry that Quito has been diagnosed with diabetes. My best recommendation for cats is the following website. http://binkyspage.tripod.com There are lists of canned and dry food that are high in protein and low in carbohydrates. You can certainly add small amount of protein to the diet, but if Quito's diet is variable from day to day, it can make his diabetes more difficult to regulate, so I recommend sticking with a commercial food if possible. Good luck! I hope that was helpful. Thanks for using Boop by Petco.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
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Why is there no diabetes cat food available with good meat instead of by products? Main ingredient on bag I almost purchased said "by products". Not only does that sound counter-productive and decreasingly unhealthy for my cat, it is pure garbage.
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My cat is diabetic and has urinary issues - which cat food is the best for him - he is 15 years old
The best food for a cat with diabetes and urinary issues will always be a canned food diet. For diabetics, we try to keep their carbohydrates low. This is only possible with a canned food. I am attaching a link below to a list of canned foods which lists the carbohydrates (which are often not on the label). In general, I try to keep my diabetic patients in the 10-15% carbohydrate range if possible. http://binkyspage.tripod.com/CanFoodNew.html Good luck! I hope that was helpful. Thanks for using Boop by Petco.
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Can I feed my diabetic cat small amounts of dry food in addition to the wet?
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My cat is ten yrs old and recently diagnosed with diabetes I give her 1 unit of insulin 2 times a day the food they gave me she will not eat!! So I'm thinking to put her on Fancy Feast she lost 6lbs and she needs something that appeals to her so I'm
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Updated on September 24th, 2025
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my 14 yr old cat is now diabetic. I was told to give him 3 units of Vetsilan 2x a day. No info on what to feed him or how much. He is on a urinary tract health dry and canned food. How much do I feed daily. He now weighs about 9 lbs.
I'm sorry that Garfield was diagnosed with diabetes. Here is a great article about feeding diabetic cats. http://www.vetstreet.com/our-pet-experts/feeding-the-diabetic-cat How much to feed is completely dependent on the diet you are feeding (specific brand, ingredients, calorie count, etc). Without that information it is hard for me to comment. What I will tell you though is that dry food is not recommended and the urinary tract diet is not recommended. He needs canned food only and one that is high in protein and low in carbs. Check this list and find ones that have the lowest carbs and try one of those. You need to find one he likes and that keeps him regulated. You may have to try a few before you find the right one. http://binkyspage.tripod.com/CanFoodNew.html Here are some feeding instructions from Vetsulin: http://www.vetsulin.com/vet/Cats_DosingFeeding.aspx Hope this helps. After this information if you have more questions please feel free to post again.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Hello, My cat Tigger was just diagnosed w diabetes. I made the huge error of letting all my cats eat temptations treats and they are addicted. Plus Tigger is addicted to Fancy Feast cheap food. I need to give him insulin but he wont eat good stuff. D
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Updated on September 24th, 2025
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