Overweight Cat and Diabetes

Question:

I have a long hair feline friend that is about 2 years old and 20 pounds!  Her stools are some times very light in color and/or gray.  (I have read on your site that gray stools may indicate liver dysfunction.)  My regular vet is warning that my pet is overweight and could become diabetic if the issue is not rectified. 

For about 1-2 months, I have reduced her feeding to about 3 oz, twice per day of a canned Friskies Turkey Dinner.  I also have tried to engage her in more activity.  Her weight is unchanged.  She has also become very irritable and grouchy.  Unfortunately, my vet is more interested in my buying (from her) very expensive (and unpalatable to my cat) specialized food or using drugs to control this issue once it manifests.

I believe there must be a natural way to get my cat's weight under control while improving her health.  Though expensive, I am considering a "natural diet" over the medicinal canned stuff she does not like.  Do you have any supplements, enzymes, herbs I could just add to her existing food that she is happy to eat?  Or, other suggestions that may help, that are more natural, safe and cost effective?
Thank You,
Patrick Wood

Response:

Hello Patrick,
Thank you for your inquiry to Holistic Pet Info. I would definitely change her food but I highly recommend a canned cat food with high protein and no grains. Several diets that I commonly suggest are EVO 95% meat, Wellness no grain, and Halo. These diets are not prescription and are well liked by most cats.

If your cat is becoming “grouchy” due to the decreased amount of food then try to split it up into 3 feedings a day. That should increase her metabolism and help improve fat mobilization.

Glucobalance by Pet Alive is an excellent supplement to help regulate blood glucose even before she becomes diabetic. Feline diabetes is very similar to human Type II and therefore weight reduction is the primary solution. Super EPA by Thorne is also a great supplement to support the immune system, decrease cholesterol and is highly anti- inflammatory. Best of luck.
Sincerely,
Colleen Smith DVM, CVA