{"id":3425,"date":"2017-11-07T08:37:08","date_gmt":"2017-11-07T14:37:08","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/dev.diamondpet.wearewoodruff.xyz\/?p=3425"},"modified":"2022-01-19T20:13:34","modified_gmt":"2022-01-20T02:13:34","slug":"pet-diabetes-myths","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.diamondpet.com\/blog\/culture\/myths\/pet-diabetes-myths\/","title":{"rendered":"Seven Myths About Pet Diabetes"},"content":{"rendered":"

Welcome to \u201cDebarking Pet Myths,\u201d a monthly series dedicated to addressing common myths, misconceptions and old wives\u2019 tales about dogs and cats.<\/em><\/p>\n

Like millions of Americans, millions of dogs and cats are living with diabetes. And as with people, the number of diabetic pets is climbing. Because November is recognized as Pet Diabetes Month\u2122 and National Diabetes Month by veterinary and human health organizations, it\u2019s only appropriate that we debunk seven common myths and misconceptions about diabetes in cats and dogs.<\/p>\n

Myth #1: Dogs and cats don\u2019t get diabetes like people do.<\/h2>\n

Totally false. Diabetes \u2014 or more appropriately, diabetes mellitus \u2014 is more common in cats and dogs than many pet owners realize. So if you didn\u2019t know your dog or cat could develop diabetes, you\u2019re not alone.<\/p>\n

Diabetes occurs when your pet\u2019s pancreas doesn\u2019t make enough insulin or has lost the ability to produce insulin altogether. It also results when the body\u2019s cells don\u2019t respond properly to the insulin that the pancreas does make, a phenomenon called insulin resistance.<\/p>\n

Veterinary internal medicine specialists estimate that between one in 100 and one in 500 dogs will develop diabetes<\/a>. Most dogs will be dependent on insulin at diagnosis, which is similar to type 1 diabetes in people. In these cases, the pancreas has permanently lost the ability to make sufficient insulin. That means diabetic dogs need lifelong insulin therapy.<\/p>\n

Experts also estimate that between one in 100 and one in 500 cats will develop diabetes<\/a>. The majority (70 to 75 percent) of cats are also insulin-dependent<\/a> at diagnosis and will need lifelong insulin injections. The remaining 25 to 30 percent of cats have a form of diabetes that\u2019s similar to human type 2 diabetes. Early diagnosis, treatment with insulin and a change in diet provides the greatest chance of reversing diabetes (called diabetic remission) in a cat. However, if a cat hasn\u2019t gone into remission within six to 10 months of diagnosis, they\u2019ll likely need lifelong insulin treatment.<\/p>\n

Myth #2: Your pet got diabetes because he\u00a0or she is\u00a0overweight or obese.<\/h2>\n

That\u2019s not really true, but obesity does play a role in diabetes development. Obese cats and dogs are at greater risk for getting diabetes, just like overweight and obese people are. However, diabetes occurs in dogs and cats of all ages, both genders and all breeds. The disease frequently affects middle-aged to older dogs, especially intact (not spayed) females, and older cats, especially neutered males.<\/p>\n

Research has shown that obesity, sedentary lifestyle, genetics and health conditions such as chronic pancreatitis and hyperthyroidism are the primary risk factors for diabetes in cats. In dogs, the primary cause of diabetes is unknown; however, experts believe genetics plays the biggest role in its development.<\/p>\n

RELATED POST: Are They at Risk for Pet Diabetes?<\/a><\/p>\n

Myth #3: Carbohydrates in pet food cause obesity and diabetes in cats.<\/h2>\n

Nope, that\u2019s false. It\u2019s the intake of excess calories<\/em> \u2014 whether from protein, fat or carbohydrates \u2014 that leads pets (and people) to pack on the pounds. Low-carbohydrate foods, which may be higher in fat and calories, are more likely to cause a cat to become overweight, especially if that cat is an inactive indoor kitty.<\/p>\n

Veterinary researchers have specifically looked into the connection between carbohydrates in dry cat food and feline diabetes. What they found is that lack of physical activity, indoor lifestyle, gender, breed and high-fat \u2014 but not high-carbohydrate \u2014 diets were the factors that lead to increased weight, insulin resistance and diabetes in cats.<\/p>\n

RELATED POST: Does Dry Food Really Cause Diabetes in Cats?<\/a><\/p>\n

Myth #4: Diabetes is hereditary and can\u2019t be prevented.<\/h2>\n

True and false. Scientists have found genetic markers that suggest certain breeds of cats and dogs \u2014 such as Siamese cats and Samoyeds, cairn terriers, border terriers, dachshunds and schnauzers \u2014 are more likely to develop diabetes. But that doesn\u2019t mean all dogs or cats of those breeds will<\/em> have diabetes. It just means they have an increased risk of the disease and steps should be taken to reduce the odds that it develops.<\/p>\n

To help your pet avoid diabetes:<\/p>\n