Cats can develop feline diabetes due to obesity, increasing age, or lower physical activities. Cat owners might be wondering, what’s the best dry food for diabetic cats, and how can I keep their blood glucose levels in check aside from their insulin injections?
It’s important to look for foods that contain more protein and a low carbohydrate level. If it’s a challenge to decide what recipes will provide your feline with the nutrition she needs, dry food for diabetic cats is a good place to start. Since these foods are formulated to support diabetes, and offer a low-carbohydrate diet, your pet will stay healthy, nourished, and maintain muscle mass.
In addition, start making changes to her lifestyle, like not giving treats between meals, as that can contribute to obesity. Of course, you can still give your kitty little rewards by incorporating treats into your cat’s diet at mealtime, but then you should reduce their meal portions.
Most importantly, the treats should be diabetic cat friendly to reduce the risk of exacerbating your cat’s symptoms.
Don’t have time to do your homework on the right food? We have spent hours on Chewy and Amazon researching and have compiled a list that provides the most nutritious and overall best dry food for diabetic cats.
These choices will help keep your cat’s blood sugar levels normal. Our list focuses on dry rather than wet cat food or pate, only because dry is cheaper and offers additional benefits (like cleaner teeth). But canned cat food has its own unique features (like added hydration), so you should consider that, too. (If you’re looking for the best wet cat food for diabetes, we recommend checking out Tiki Cat).
Table of Contents
- Best Dry Food for Diabetic Cats with Shedding Issues- ZIWI Peak Air-Dried Cat Food
- Best for All Life Stage- Ketogenic Pet Foods- Keto- Kibble- High Protein
- Best for Overall Health- Diamond CARE Specialized Diets
- Best for Animal-Based Protein Needs- Dr. Elsey’s Cleanprotein Grain Free High Protein
- Best Dry Food For Diabetic Cats-Adult-Overall Pick- Blue Buffalo Wilderness High Protein
- Best for Cats on Diet- Hill’s Prescription Diet Metabolic Weight Management Chicken Flavor
- Best Vet Recommended – Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets Diabetic Management
- Bottom Line
Best Dry Food for Diabetic Cats with Shedding Issues- ZIWI Peak Air-Dried Cat Food
If you have a cat with diabetes, it’s best to offer them a low-carb food with a high protein content and natural ingredients. Moreover, it should be minimally processed and free from artificial ingredients. Lucky for you, ZIWI’s Peak Air-Dried Cat Food ticks all the boxes. As the name suggests, ZIWI moves past the conventional dehydrator and uses the air-dry method instead, preserving essential nutrients and amino acids in the process.
This food also contains limited ingredients and is free of preservatives and fillers like peas, grain, and potatoes, which can contribute to allergies, obesity, and other health issues. ZIWI Peak Air-Dried Cat Food is not only beneficial for diabetic cats but also supports digestion and joint health, reduces shedding, and helps maintain a healthy weight.
Best for All Life Stage- Ketogenic Pet Foods- Keto- Kibble- High Protein
This is a delicious dry cat food with low carbohydrate content for your furry friend. Keto Kibble contains more than 60% protein, along with healthy fats and micronutrients. It’s formulated by veterinarian professionals to encourage metabolic balance.
This dry food for diabetic cats is free of starches and grains, so you don’t have to worry about making the switch to Keto Kibble for your cat. Since cats are carnivores, they don’t digest starches and grains as well as meat. Unlike other brands that promise to make grain-free foods but fail to eliminate fillers, Keto Kibble makes sure to avoid using inflammatory starch fillers. That’s because these ingredients can disrupt metabolism and spike insulin levels.
Best for Overall Health- Diamond CARE Specialized Diets
Your diabetic cat might be dealing with other health issues due to poor digestion and immunity. Considering your cats’ overall health is important to help them live healthy and happy life. Diamond CARE Specialized Diet makes it possible to eliminate the risk of or reduce the impact of several cat health issues.
The high-quality protein and extra fiber content help your cat feel fuller, so they’re less likely to overeat and feel hungry. L Carnitine in the food will help metabolize fat, while antioxidants boost the immune system. This cat food also offers omega fatty acids for a shiny coat and healthy skin, chondroitin and glucosamine for joints, and probiotics for better digestive health. Apart from its benefits, it has a delicious flavor that’ll meet your cat needs and make your cat a fan at the first bite.
Best for Animal-Based Protein Needs- Dr. Elsey’s Cleanprotein Grain Free High Protein
Your furry felines require high protein to optimize their body condition. With a high protein diet, they also build greater strength, helping them stay active throughout the day.
Dr. Elsey’s Cleanprotein helps you meet your cat’s daily protein requirements. Note that this product contains animal-based protein. The brand is popular for offering grain-free products of the highest quality.
Your lovely feline will also receive minerals, vitamins, and trace nutrients to boost immunity. The product is also rich in omega-3 fatty acids to reduce shedding and excellent growth of the cat’s coat. There are no fillers and artificial ingredients to limit the risk of health issues, making it one of the best dry food for diabetic cats.
Best Dry Food For Diabetic Cats-Adult-Overall Pick- Blue Buffalo Wilderness High Protein
Does your cat love the taste of chicken? In that case, this product is highly recommended for him or her. Blue Buffalo Wilderness High Protein offers a chicken taste and contains up to 30% protein. Besides this, the product offers the necessary amount of carbohydrates to meet your cat’s daily needs. Chicken is listed as the main protein source for this food.
This dry food for diabetic cats also includes cranberries and blueberries to give your kitty an antioxidant boost. The product also offers omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals to keep your pet energetic. Don’t worry about your cat being picky since the fantastic taste appeals to even the most finicky of felines.
Best for Cats on Diet- Hill’s Prescription Diet Metabolic Weight Management Chicken Flavor
If you want to maintain your cat’s weight or help her lose excess weight to control diabetes, try this cat food. Hill’s is popular for offering the highest quality pet food that fulfills nutritional requirements. This is specially designed for diabetic or obese cats.
Hill’s Prescription Diet Metabolic Weight Management triggers weight loss naturally by activating your cat’s metabolism. The best part is that you don’t have to reduce your pet’s portion size, which is usually challenging for pet parents when their fur baby tries to snag a bite of their meals when hungry. You can find several nutrients in the food, like vitamins, minerals, folic acid, etc. So, if you’re worried about helping your diabetic cat transition to a diet, go for this one.
Best Vet Recommended – Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets Diabetic Management
Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets DM Dietetic Management Feline Formula Dry Cat Food is a high-protein, low-carbohydrate dry food that is specially formulated to support the nutritional needs of cats with diabetes. It is made in collaboration with veterinarians, nutritionists, and researchers, and is suitable for all breeds and life stages (from kittens to adult cats and seniors). In addition to helping support urinary health, this dry food also includes antioxidants and helps prevent the development of struvite and calcium oxalate crystals, reducing urination problems. It is a tasty option that can help your furry friend manage their diabetes.
Bottom Line
The best diabetic cat food will ensure your cat stays healthy for the long-term. Dry food for diabetic cats is the perfect option to lower the risk of obesity and severe issues. By providing the right food, you can alleviate your cat’s symptoms and ensure a comfortable lifestyle.
You can check out the Cat Product Guide for more information if you want to learn more about cat food and products.
