Just as with people, more and more pets are overweight and suffering from diabetes. A major cause of these afflictions is the animal's diet. Many pet parents are now looking for low glycemic foods to help alleviate the onset of diabetes and obesity. A good place to start is to obtain a some general knowledge about the glycemic index (GI).
Glycemic Index (GI) Explained
The glycemic index, or GI, is a ranking of different foods, mainly carbohydrates, from 0 to 100, according to how high they raise blood sugar levels after they are eaten. The GI was based on testing humans, and there is no actual GI index for dogs or cats. Pet food companies usually convert the glycemic index for humans into similar ranges for animals when formulating pet food. Though there is no actual glycemic index for dogs or cats, it is thought that certain foods will raise blood glucose levels similarly in animals as they do in humans.
The Benefits of a Low Glycemic Diet
Low glycemic foods are digested slower than high glycemic foods, and the nutrients take longer to be absorbed by the body. This slow digestion means that an animal eating low glycemic carbohydrates will feel more full for a longer period of time. This is an obvious advantage for a dog or cat that needs to loose weight.
The slow digestion and absorption of low glycemic foods means that blood sugar levels rise slowly, which is perfect for an animal that is diabetic. Low glycemic diets have been shown to improve glucose and lipid levels in people with diabetes, and the same is thought to be true for diabetic pets.
Ingredients In a Low Glycemic Pet Food
Diabetes and obesity in cats and dogs is often a result of poor nutrition. Low quality, grocery store brands of pet food that have mostly corn and wheat as their main ingredients are usually the culprits, as corn and wheat score high on the glycemic index. Diabetic animals should definitely stay away from corn and wheat, and so should a dog or cat that is fighting obesity.
There is a growing number of people who feel that corn should not be used in a pet food at all, whether the animal has health problems or not. This is a hot topic, as some corn (but not a food that is mainly made from corn) may be good for a healthy animal. There is no doubt, though, that corn has a high GI rating, and shouldn't be fed to an animal with diabetes.
Other ingredients score high on the GI, yet are not seen as being particularly unhealthy. These ingredients are fine for healthy, fit animals, but should be avoided if the animal is having problems.
One of these ingredients is rice. Rice is a staple in many pet foods, from grocery brand to high-end holistic diets, yet its high GI rating make it a no-no for overweight and diabetic pets.
Another one is potatoes. Potatoes are often used in high end grain-free foods, and in pet foods designed to help alleviate allergies. Yet, once again, potatoes score high on the glycemic index, and are terrible for diabetic animals.
Low glycemic pet foods use peas, lentils, barley, alfalfa and even apples as their source of carbohydrates. These carbs are absorbed slowly by the digestive system, and only score half as high on the GI.
Below is a quick guide to refer to when looking for a low glycemic diet for obese and diabetic cats and dogs:
Stay away From:
- Corn
- Wheat
- Rice
- Potatoes
Look For:
- Peas
- Lentils
- Barley
- Alfalfa
- Apples
Good nutrition for your pet doesn't have to be a mystery. If you think, or a vet has recommended, that your dog or cat should be on a low glycemic diet, all you have to do is read the ingredients on the bag. Someone at a pet specialty retailer can help you pick a food that will get your fat cat or diabetic dog back on the track to good health. Remember that a veterinarian should always be consulted whenever you feel your animal has a serious medical condition.
Sources
- www.glycemicindex.com
- www.commonsensehealth.com
- www.glycemicindex.ca/glycemicindexfoods.pdf
Ian Shoust - With a degree in Communications and a certificate in Digital Video Editing, Ian Shoust has worked as a freelance videographer, editor, and ...
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