Three must-reads put diabetes nutrition back in focus

A new dvm360 roundup is spotlighting three papers and expert takeaways on diabetes nutrition in companion animals, with a clear message: diet is still a therapeutic tool, not just supportive care, in canine and feline diabetes. The article, by John Flanagan, PhD, Martha Cline, DVM, DACVIM (Nutrition), and Mansum Yau, DVM, pulls together evidence on low-carbohydrate feeding in cats, caloric restriction in overweight diabetic cats, and the role of structured nutrition assessment in both dogs and cats. That framing is consistent with established guidance from AAHA, which recommends calculating calorie needs, tracking body weight and body condition regularly, and tailoring diet plans to species, body condition, and concurrent disease. In cats, AAHA says high-protein, low-carbohydrate diets paired with insulin can support remission in some patients, while dogs generally benefit from consistent feeding and, often, higher-fiber approaches aimed at reducing postprandial hyperglycemia. (aaha.org)

Why it matters: For veterinary teams, the takeaway is practical: nutrition planning should be part of diabetes workups and follow-up, not an afterthought. WSAVA’s nutrition resources emphasize nutritional assessment at every patient visit, including diet history, calorie review, body condition scoring, and muscle condition scoring. That matters in diabetes because remission odds, glycemic stability, and weight management can all shift depending on whether the patient is an overweight cat, an underweight dog, or a pet with concurrent pancreatitis, kidney disease, or gastrointestinal disease. (wsava.org)

What to watch: Expect continued focus on individualized diet selection, especially for newly diagnosed cats where remission is possible, and on better practice workflows for routine nutrition assessment. (aaha.org)