The Best Diabetic Cat Food? We Checked

Nobody wants to hear that their favorite cat is diabetic. It’s a scary diagnosis that can seem like a life sentence and a point from which there is no return.

Diabetes is not the end, however. Usually, with some lifestyle changes and medication, you can manage this illness in your cat. Diabetes does not mean that your cat’s quality of life has to change.

One way that vets recommend helping your diabetic cat is by monitoring their diet. There is no better way to control the sugar level of your cat than through their diet. Weight management is also recommended, but diet is known to have a more direct link. 

The best diabetic cat food is one that has lots of protein and a reduced amount of carbs. Now many brands claim to offer this, but as we know, your cat deserves only the best. That’s why we’ve researched, ranked, and reviewed the best diabetic cat foods available so all you have to do is choose the one that’s right for your precious kitty.

A-Z-Animals’ Top Picks for Best Diabetic Cat Food

#1 Best Overall: Hill’s Prescription Diet m/d GlucoSupport with Liver Flavor Canned Cat Food, Veterinary Diet

Cats love the taste of Hill’s Prescription Diet m/d GlucoSupport with Liver Flavor Canned Cat Food, Veterinary Diet, and we aren’t surprised. This recipe was created by the best vets and nutritionists to manage your cat’s glucose level and weight while promoting a healthy immune system. In fact, it has been clinically proven to reduce blood glucose levels and weight and to reduce body fat with therapeutic levels of L-carnitine, high protein and low carbohydrates.

It’s also enriched with arginine and taurine, two essential amino acids that cats must acquire from dietary sources.

You must obtain a prescription from a veterinarian to purchase this food.

The primary complaint from reviewers is that it’s expensive.

Pros and Cons of Hill’s Prescription Diet m/d GlucoSupport with Liver Flavor Canned Cat Food, Veterinary Diet

Best Overall

Hill's Prescription Diet m/d GlucoSupport with Liver Flavor Canned Cat Food, Veterinary Diet, 5.5 oz., 24-Pack Wet Food

• Created by vets and nutritionists
• Manage your cat's glucose level
• Promote a healthy immune system
• Clinically tested

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2. Best For Picky Eaters: Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets DM Dietetic Management

Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets DM Dietetic Management is formulated to meet the unique nutritional requirements of diabetic felines. This formula was created by a team of scientists, including veterinarians and nutritionists, to be high in protein and low in carbohydrates to support healthy feline glucose levels.

And it’s also specially formulated to support urinary health by promoting an environment that’s unfavorable to the development of struvite and calcium oxalate crystals.

A veterinarian’s prescription is required to purchase this product.

An overwhelming majority of reviewers reported that their cats loved this food. But since cats are the fickle creatures they are, some didn’t like it.

Pros and Cons of Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets DM Dietetic Management

Best For Picky Eaters

Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets DM Dietetic Management

• Specially formulated for diabetic cats
• High in proteins
• Contains antioxidants
• Cats love the flavor

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3. Best Dry for All Life Stages: Nulo Freestyle Cat & Kitten Food, Premium Grain-Free Dry Small Bite Kibble Cat Food, High Animal-Based Protein with BC30 Probiotic for Digestive Health Support

Nulo Freestyle Cat & Kitten Food, Premium Grain-Free Dry Small Bite Kibble Cat Food, High Animal-Based Protein with BC30 Probiotic for Digestive Health Support is appropriate for kittens, adults, and seniors. This proprietary formula includes 83% animal-based protein for the amino acids your feline needs and better flavor It also includes less carbs and utilizes low-glycemic ingredients like lentils, sweet potatoes, and chickpeas.

The recipe supports gut health with flora that aids digestion and enhances metabolism and immune response. Plus, it’s grain-free. In fact, the first four ingredients are made from animal sources.

Nulo Pet Foods is based in Austin, TX. Their products contain no corn, wheat, gluten, soy, artificial preservatives, colors, or flavors.

No prescription is required to purchase this food.

A few cat parents reported that their cats didn’t like this food. Several said that their feline friends vomited after eating it.

Pros and Cons of Freestyle Cat & Kitten Food, Premium Grain-Free Dry Small Bite Kibble Cat Food

Best Kibble

Nulo Freestyle Cat & Kitten Food

• Contains 83% animal-based protein for better flavor and more amino acids.
• Includes less carbs and low glycemic ingredients like lentils, sweet potatoes, and chickpeas.
• Contains BC30 biotic to support healthy gut flora to aid digestion and enhance metabolism and immune response
• Grain-free and free from corn, wheat gluten, soy, artificial preservatives, colors, or flavors

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4. Best Fish Flavored: Forza10 Wet Diabetic Cat Food for Diabetic Support and Control, Fish Flavor Canned Cat Food Wet, for Adult Cats with Diabetes

If your diabetic cat likes fish, it will love Forza10 Wet Diabetic Cat Food for Diabetic Support and Control, Fish Flavor Canned Cat Food Wet, for Adult Cats with Diabetes. This wet food recipe is specially formulated to support insulin-dependent diabetic cats.

It’s based on salmon, which is rich in omega-3 fatty acid for great overall and helps control glucose intake. It’s enriched with dried kelp, bitter orange, and chitosan for their anti-inflammatory and immune supporting benefits. And this food is made in Iceland from natural raw ingredients that have antioxidant properties that help eliminate and prevent food intolerances.

This vet-recommended recipe tastes great and is ideal as a diabetic management cat food.

Several reviewers said that their cats wouldn’t eat this food.

Pros and Cons of Forza10 Wet Diabetic Cat Food for Diabetic Support and Control, Fish Flavor Canned Cat Food Wet, for Adult Cats with Diabetes

Best Fish Flavored

Forza10 Wet Diabetic Cat Food for Diabetic Support and Control

• This specially designed formula helps support therapy of insulin-dependent diabetes in cats
• Based on salmon, which contains omega-3 fatty acid for overall health and helps control glucose intake
• Enriched with dried kelp, bitter orange, and chitosan for anti-inflammatory and immune support.
• Works as a diabetic management cat food.

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Choosing The Best Diabetic Cat Food What To Look For

As you already know, you can improve your diabetic cat’s condition by selecting the right diet. Foods high in protein and low in carbs can help immensely. When choosing the best diabetic cat food, below are some important factors to watch out for:

Carb Content

Diabetic cats need foods that contain lower carbs and higher proteins. A reduced carbohydrate consumption will lead to a lower blood sugar level for your cat. When switching, however, please ensure that you monitor your cat’s sugar level. Most times, when a diet like this is combined with insulin, it can lower the sugar level too much, which is also problematic.

Calories

Calories affect the weight of your cat. Most diabetic cats are overweight, which stops their cells from properly using insulin. Controlling your cat’s calorie intake is a great way to help them gradually lose weight and improve.

Wet Cat Food

Wet cat food is recommended for diabetic cats because most dry cat foods have high starch content. They need it to remain crunchy, which is not the case for wet cat food. As we’ve already established, high starch content is bad for cats with diabetes. Wet cat food also has moisture which is excellent for your cat’s urinary health.

Animal Protein

All felines are obligate carnivores, which means that they need meat to be healthy. Your diabetic cat needs the same too. This is why the diabetic cat food we reviewed here has high animal protein content.

The Different Types of Cat Food: Pros and Cons Compared

When choosing the right cat food for your cat, you should first be aware of the various options. While there are types available, for this article we discuss wet cat food, dry cat food, and prescription cat food. Here are the pros and cons of each to help you make a better-informed decision.

Wet Cat Food

As we’ve already discussed, wet cat food is best as it often has a lower carbohydrate content than dry cat food. It usually comes canned and does not need to be refrigerated until it’s opened.

Dry Cat Food

Dry cat food is the most common type of cat food but might not be best for your diabetic cat. This is because it is usually made with a high carb content to maintain its crunchiness. However, some dry cat food can be specifically made with low carb content.

Prescription Cat Food

Prescription cat food can be dry or wet, but you’ll need a prescription from your veterinarian to purchase it.