Diet is one of the main ways we can help cats cope with diabetes – and this is one of my home-cooked recipes that’s ideal for cats with this condition.
Diabetes is a disease which interferes with the body’s ability to regulate the amount of sugar in the bloodstream, and feeding a suitable diet is one of the most important ways in which the disease can be controlled.
The ideal diabetes diet for a cat is high in fibre and protein, and this mix is best provided in a commercial diet specially formulated for diabetic cats. However, not all cats will eat these diets, so sometimes a little home-cooked taste is required to make sure they are getting sufficient nutrients.
This recipe makes a puree of sweet potato and beef, and is ideally used mixed in with your cat’s prescription diabetes diet from your vet. The sweet potato is a good source of fibre and is also known to be ‘anti-diabetic’ – it can reduce the amount of insulin required to treat the disease.
Make up a batch and store it in the fridge, adding a spoonful to her meals – it provides taste to get her eating her prescription food as well as a healthy balance of nutrients ideal for the diabetic cat.
For a week’s worth for one cat you will need:
• 1 medium-sized sweet potato
• 1 can tuna in oil
• 1 teaspoon all-bran cereal
Simply dice the sweet potato (just wash it, don’t bother to peel as the peel adds more fibre) and boil it for about 7-8 minutes, until soft. Then mash, adding in the tuna, complete with oil, and the all bran cereal. Mix thoroughly and store in the fridge, adding a small amount to each of your cat’s meals.
