Reply #23: Well, not every cat who eats dry food is going to get diabetes (or other diseases), but

[grace0418]

there has been an enormous increase in cases of diabetes since people started feeding their cats exclusively dry food. I imagine also that at least your barn cats get a great deal more exercise than the average house cat, which would probably help keep diabetes at bay. As for your other cats, well, I would just consider yourself lucky.

I'm not trying to guilt anyone, truly, I'm just telling people about my experience and what my vet told me. He has specialized in feline diabetes for years and has let me know new information whenever he gets it. It was really hard giving my little guy two shots a day for years only to watch him die when his kidneys gave out at 10 years old. When his brother showed symptoms a couple years later, my heart broke all over again, especially when I found out the expensive dry food I was buying him could very well have been the culprit. I just want to save someone that heartache if I can. I agree that nothing soothes me better than my Frankie purring on my lap. He is my heart and soul. The day I was able to wean him off of insulin for good was a truly happy one in my house. And if I have to make him food from scratch every day to keep him around as long as possible, I will do that.

I guess what I was trying to say to the OP is that I totally get the money thing. I do, believe me. When those two cats came into my life I could barely afford to take care of myself. But I fell in love and was determined to keep them. Then they got sick and the treatment was expensive as hell. I would like to help someone avoid that if I could. They are free to take or leave my advice, I mean no ill will.

:hi: