Nearly half of all pet cats in Britain are obese — and it is estimated that a whopping 54,500 of our feline friends are suffering from diabetes, vets have warned.
The Royal Veterinary College is asking owners in Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire and London to enrol their diabetic cats in a new dietary trial.
Diabetes mellitus is one of the most common hormonal diseases in cats — and the likelihood of felines developing the condition is strongly influenced by weight.
For cats, a diagnosis of diabetes can lead to the stress of daily injections and frequent veterinary examinations — or in many cases, sadly, euthanisation.
Owners, meanwhile, can end up incurring significant veterinary costs alongside the emotional pressures of having an unwell pet.
Nearly half of all pet cats in Britain are obese (as pictured) — and it is estimated that a whopping 54,500 of our feline friends are suffering from diabetes, vets warned (stock image)
In the trial, researchers will be evaluating the effectiveness of a new prescription diabetic cat food intended to promote weight loss and diabetic remission.
'Cat owners and vets in our region can really help us to help cats with diabetes,' said small animal internal medicine expert Ruth Gostelow of the London-based Royal Veterinary College.
'Identifying new diets that can achieve diabetic remission will encourage many owners to come forward for treatment and greatly improve the quality of life for diabetic cats.
'The study has already proved incredibly successful; since it began, recruited cats have recorded a diabetic remission rate of approximately 75 per cent — an outstanding result compared to what is typically reported for diabetic cats.
'Although some cats will remain diabetic for the duration of their life, a considerable proportion can achieve diabetic remission and stop insulin treatment completely.
Achieving diabetic remission significantly increases their life expectancy, as well as owner and pet wellbeing.'
During the
