Diabetes mellitus, also known simply as diabetes, is a disease that is characterized by chronically high blood sugar levels. It leads to increased thirst, pathological weight loss, poor quality hair, weakness and neurological problems. If it is not treated, diabetes ultimately kills affected cats.

Feline diabetes is similar to type 2 (adult onset) diabetes in humans. Obesity is a known risk factor for the disease.

Many people, including many veterinarians, have speculated that commercial cat foods, especially dry foods, also contribute to the development of diabetes in cats.

In the wild, cats eat a diet that is high in protein and low in carbohydrates. Commercial foods, especially dry foods, have high levels of carbohydrates. Carbohydrates are readily converted to sugar in the body. Therefore, chronically high levels of carbohydrates in feline diets may contribute to the development of diabetes.

In theory, this makes sense. However, theories like this are easy to test. Take two groups of cats: one that eats dry food, another that eats wet food. Control for confounding variables such as obesity, age and breed. Compare rates of diabetes.

The April, 2008 NAVC Clinician’s Brief contains a summary of just such a study. From the summary:

Analysis of data . . . showed no significant correlation between dry food consumption and development of [diabetes mellitus]. Since dry cat food has a much greater carbohydrate content than canned, high carbohydrate intake also did not appear to be a risk factor.

In my opinion the conclusion that carbohydrate consumption is not linked to diabetes may be a bit of a stretch (I feel that the study was not comprehensive enough to draw such a broad conclusion). However, the study does provide solid evidence that dry food is not specifically linked to increased risk of diabetes.

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Dear Dr. Barchas,

Lauren and the majorly obese Lucy
Elwood, IN

Getting weight off a pet is never fun or easy. It requires dedication and persistence. Many people with overweight pets simply don’t make an effort to do something about the problem.

But you don’t sound like one of those people. You are feeding Lucy diet food, and it sounds like she is getting plenty of exercise. What is going on here?

You may be over-feeding her. If a dog eats too much of any food (even diet food), she will gain weight. Also, Lucy could be tapping into other sources of food. Children and elderly family members sometimes feed the dog on the sly. So do neighbors. Also, Lucy might be stealing your other dog’s food, so be sure to feed them separately.

Lucy also may not be getting as much exercise as it seems. She has access to a lot of land, and most Cattle Dogs love physical activity. But, are you certain that she’s not spending her days lounging rather than playing? If she is, you may need to engage in more physical activities with her.

Finally, I am suspicious that Lucy may have a medical issue that is contributing to her weight problem. Six-year-old dogs are at risk for a problem with the thyroid gland (hypothyroidism) that can cause serious weight gain. If she has this problem, it will be almost impossible for her to lose weight. However, hypothyroidism is easy to treat.

I recommend that you have a vet take a look at Lucy and run some blood tests. Otherwise, you may never get her weight under control.

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Most people know that obsesity is a, er, growing problem in pets and people the world over. And an article in the April 4, 2008 issue of The Week points out another group that is prone to weight problems: zoo animals.

America’s obesity epidemic is spreading to the nation’s zoos. Veterinary nutritionists report that gorillas, lions, and other zoo dwellers have been packing on the pounds, prompting many zoos to bring in diet and fitness experts to help them create a healthier lifestyle for their captives.

Wild animals are almost never overweight. They spend most of their waking hours searching for food, and that consumes energy. As well, food in the wild is scarce. These factors combine to make obesity almost unknown in the wild.

However, captive animals become unwilling metaphorical couch potatoes. They get much less exercise, and their food is provided regularly.

I have worked with and visited many zoos, and I know that they are doing their best with limited space, money, and resources. Zoos are vital for helping humans connect with and respect animals, and for maintaining genetic diversity in species whose habitats are threatened or gone. It is not possible for a zoo to provide a tiger with the space that the big cat truly needs. The tiger exhibit would take up many square miles, and no visitors would ever see the tiger in such a large habitat.

So, what can the zoos do? They are attempting to reduce the calories that are offered, and to increase the exercise that each inhabitant gets. As well, they are modifying their training protocols. From the article:

Zoo trainers who have traditionally used treats such as molasses and granola bars to coax or reward animals are starting to rely instead on low-calorie offerings such as sugar-free Jell-O and alfalfa biscuits.

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Maintaining your pet’s weight at a healthy level has numerous benefits. Fit pets are less likely to suffer from diabetes, arthritis, certain heart problems, and skin infections that occur when animals lack the dexterity for proper grooming. In-shape cats and dogs have higher qualities of life and longer life expectancies.

As well, Gregroy K Ogilvie, DVM, DACVIM (Internal Medicine, Oncology) points out in an article in the January/February issue of California Veterinarian that fit pets are less likely to suffer from cancer. The following quote is from the article.

[M]aintenance of lifelong lean body mass has been shown to delay the onset of cancer.

“Delaying the onset” is another way of saying preventing.

I realize that in many cases keeping your pet thin is easier said than done. But this article points out one more reason why it’s worth trying.

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