Why does my pet have a pancreas?
The pancreas is an organ located close to the liver, the stomach, and the small intestine. It has two separate and distinct functions: endocrine functions are associated with hormone production, while exocrine functions are involved in digestive enzyme production.
As an endocrine organ, the pancreas controls blood sugar levels by secreting insulin and glucagon hormones. As an exocrine organ, it aids in digestion by secreting lipase, amylase, and other digestive enzymes.
What pancreatic diseases can be affected by nutrition?
The most common diseases that affect the pancreas in cats are pancreatitis, diabetes mellitus (DM), exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI), and insulinoma. The pancreas is important for digestion and nutrient metabolism, so nutritional changes benefit cats with pancreatic disease. Dietary modifications can improve or control the clinical signs, depending on the type of pancreatic disease and its effects on digestion, nutrient metabolism, or both.
How can nutrition affect cats with pancreatitis?
Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas, and it is often associated with other conditions, such as diabetes mellitus, hepatic lipidosis (fatty liver), or chronic inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract (e.g., chronic enteropathy or inflammatory bowel disease). In cats, it is usually not possible to identify the underlying cause. Although it is not clear whether nutrition is essential for prevention of pancreatitis, it is vital during treatment.
Unlike dogs, cats do not appear to develop pancreatitis as the result of eating a high-fat diet. However, some veterinarians prefer to avoid excessive fat during treatment. There are no specific diets for pancreatitis, so you may need to offer different options to identify which one your cat adapts to. Other diseases that respond to nutrition are commonly associated with pancreatitis (e.g. chronic enteropathy or diabetes), so your veterinarian may recommend a diet specific to those conditions.
Since cats with pancreatitis can be in pain and not eat well, offering different diets might help to ensure they do not lose weight. Appetite stimulants and treatments to control pain can be used and should be discussed with your veterinarian if there are changes in your cat's appetite. A cat that isn’t eating enough calories can develop a severe liver condition called hepatic lipidosis (fatty liver).
If your cat is hospitalized, they may need nutrition support with a feeding tube to ensure they take in adequate calories. Depending on the cat’s response, they may go home with the feeding tube.
How can nutrition affect cats with diabetes mellitus (DM)?
Cats with DM may require insulin treatment to control blood glucose levels. However, diabetic cats can go into remission (no longer requiring insulin) depending on their response to treatment, ability to achieve an ideal body condition (usually requiring weight loss), and how long they have had diabetes. Any weight loss must be controlled or it can lead to complications.
Since cats are usually not good drinkers, diabetes can predispose them to dehydration because they urinate more. Using wet or canned foods can help increase water intake. Adding water to dry food/kibble helps, but it may not be enough. Adding multiple water bowls throughout the house is valuable. Try different sizes and formats, such as water fountains.
Diet changes can improve blood glucose levels after meals and thereby lower the amount of insulin the cat requires. There are two diet approaches for diabetic cats:
- Feed a food enhanced with dietary fiber and moderate starch (carbohydrate), like those used for dogs and humans, or
- Feed foods with minimal carbohydrates (low in starch and fiber).
Diets for diabetic cats avoid sugars (simple carbohydrates) because they are easily digested and can lead to a quick glucose peak. Avoid diets, treats, and "people foods" that contain sugars or sweeteners, such as honey, fruits, and syrups.
Some cats may require a specific diet because of another disease (e.g., chronic kidney disease). These situations might be more challenging, but maintaining adequate glucose control with other diets is possible. It is essential to work closely with your veterinarian to monitor and adjust the diet and insulin dose.
How often should I feed my diabetic cat?
Cats do not usually adapt as well as dogs to being meal-fed. This preference affects their feeding schedule and their recommended insulin type. Consistency in the diet and routine is critical for diabetic cats.
It is essential to measure the daily food amount with a digital (kitchen) scale to avoid fluctuations. Keep a food diary that records the time and amount of food offered; it will help your veterinarian to adjust the treatment more precisely.
Any additional foods or treats that a cat receives will affect glucose levels. The importance of these extra foods depends on the nutrient profile and the amount fed. Feeders with microchip readers or automatic feeders can be helpful in multi-pet homes or when humans are working outside the home.
What should I do if my cat has low glucose levels (hypoglycemia)?
Hypoglycemia can be life-threatening. If your cat has an episode of hypoglycemia, discuss it with your veterinarian. It is a sign that the treatment, including the diet, should be carefully reviewed.
- If your cat can swallow without difficulty during an episode: Offer small amounts of glucose solution, honey, or corn syrup.
- If your cat cannot swallow appropriately during an episode: Rub a small amount of glucose solution, honey, or corn syrup into the gums or under the tongue. Then call your veterinarian or emergency service.
Do not offer any liquids by mouth. There is a high risk of the cat breathing in the liquid, which can cause severe respiratory complications.
How can nutrition affect cats with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI)?
In cats with EPI, the pancreas does not produce digestive enzymes (pancreatic secretions). To treat this problem, your veterinarian will provide enzyme supplements for your cat. Diet changes may also be necessary, depending on the response to enzyme treatment.
Diet Balance
- Feed a diet with a reduced amount of fiber, because fiber affects the digestion and absorption of other nutrients.
- The diet's total fat content must be adjusted based on the cat's response. Following a diet change, the veterinarian will monitor fecal color and consistency with a fecal scoring chart. Pale or yellowish stools can be a sign of fat maldigestion (steatorrhea).
- Fat provides more energy (calories) than protein or carbohydrates, but also requires more time for digestion and absorption. For that reason, the diet may be adjusted to address weight gain or fat maldigestion.
- Proteins and carbohydrates also require pancreatic secretions but are usually less affected than fat, so are of less concern when selecting an appropriate diet for a cat with EPI.
Nutrient Absorption
The pancreas is also critical for cobalamin absorption (vitamin B12). Cats with EPI require cobalamin supplementation, even when receiving pancreatic enzymes. Cobalamin supplementation can be given orally or as an injection. Blood testing is essential to monitor and adjust the treatment when necessary. Folate (vitamin B9) in the blood might be elevated in cats with EPI, due to increased production by intestinal bacteria. Bacteria also use cobalamin, so measuring both folate and cobalamin is ideal.
There are no specific diets for cats with EPI. A good initial combination is low fiber, moderate protein, and moderate fat, depending on the cat. Your veterinarian will monitor your cat’s response, and may adjust the diet type and enzyme supplementation in order to achieve a good response.
How can nutrition affect cats with insulinoma?
Insulinomas are pancreatic tumors that can increase insulin production and cause low blood glucose (hypoglycemia). Diets that prevent high peaks in glucose levels can benefit cats with insulinoma. For example, veterinary therapeutic diets with specific complex carbohydrate sources and enhanced amounts can contribute to the gradual absorption of glucose. Avoiding a high glucose peak will prevent a quick release of insulin and resulting hypoglycemia.
Feeding management for insulinoma is essential: smaller and more frequent meals are recommended to decrease the amount of glucose absorbed at each meal, reducing insulin secretion. If your cat has low blood glucose levels, even with an adequate diet and feeding adjustments, follow the steps outlined above for addressing hypoglycemia.
What should I do if my cat has a pancreatic disease and is not eating?
Some pancreatic diseases can lead to pain and vomiting, so your cat's appetite might be reduced. If you notice that your cat is not eating and is losing weight or acting like they are in pain, contact your veterinarian for support.
Cats are not well adapted to using fat as an energy source. When they lose weight quickly, they can get a fatty liver (hepatic lipidosis), a life-threatening condition that requires appropriate treatment. To minimize the risk of this happening, cat owners need to understand how many Calories their cat needs each day. Your veterinary healthcare team can provide this information, along with suggestions for improving food and water intake.
- Feeding smaller but more frequent meals can help a cat eat the daily amount and tolerate it more easily.
- Offering wet or canned foods can help improve a sick cat’s appetite, but not every cat will like wet food. Offer the new and usual foods side by side, in two different containers, instead of mixing them in the same bowl. It may take weeks for a cat to accept a new food, so be patient.
- Diets with higher protein and fat, such as kitten foods, can be used as toppers or mixers to improve your cat's appetite.
- Adding water or warming the food can improve food intake. Usually, a temperature close to the animal’s body temperature is the best.
- Providing multiple water bowls in quiet, low traffic areas can help cats eat without distractions.
- Consider consulting a trained veterinary nutritionist to formulate a complete and balanced homemade diet. A balanced homemade recipe can be a good option if the pet has multiple medical conditions not easily managed with a commercial food.
Professional organizations such as the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM), the American Academy of Veterinary Nutrition (AAVN), and the Canadian Academy of Veterinary Nutrition (CAVN) can provide guidance for pet owners seeking an experienced veterinary nutritionist.
