The Royal Veterinary College (RVC) is calling for vets and cat owners to take part in its latest study investigating the effects of supervised caloric restriction in diabetic cats who might benefit from weight loss. The research aims to provide a new and effective form of treatment for diabetic cats, using dietary change to promote diabetic remission. Identifying treatments that can achieve diabetic remission will encourage many owners to pursue treatment and greatly improve the quality of life for diabetic cats.
As part of the trial, which started in March 2021, the research team at the RVC Diabetic Remission Clinic will assess the ability of a new feline prescription diabetic food to promote weight loss – and hopefully diabetic remission – in diabetic cats who are mildly to markedly overweight.
Dr Ruth Gostelow, lecturer in small animal internal medicine at the RVC said: “The study has already proved incredibly successful: since it began, recruited cats have recorded a diabetic remission rate of approximately 75 percent, an outstanding result compared to what is typically reported for diabetic cats.
“The early success of the trial means we want to expand it, and now we need more vets and their cat owners to sign up.
“Although some cats will remain diabetic for the duration of their life, a proportion can achieve diabetic remission and stop insulin treatment. Achieving diabetic remission significantly increases their life expectancy, and owner and pet well-being.”
The study will take place over 12 months and cats joining the trial will attend between five and seven outpatient appointments at the RVC Queen Mother Hospital for Animals, near Potters Bar in Hertfordshire. Additional monitoring will also be conducted by owners at home.
Eligibility criteria include cats who have been diagnosed with diabetes mellitus in the last two years, are overweight to some extent (body condition score of six out of nine or above) and treated with insulin twice daily. As part of the study, cats will be fed the test diet for the first 12 weeks, and the remaining time period will assess and monitor cats’ longer-term outcomes.
Cats and owners joining the trial will receive free underlying disease screening, free cat food for the 12-month period, free home blood glucose monitoring supplies, newly developed glucose monitoring cat litter for use at home and dedicated diabetic care from the RVC clinic team.
This research is particularly important as diabetes mellitus is one of the most common feline hormonal diseases – with an estimated 54,500 cats suffering from this condition in the UK alone. Obesity is a strong contributing factor to diabetes and with approximately 45 percent of the UK cat population already diagnosed as obese, the number of cats affected is likely to increase further.
Diabetes mellitus can in fact increase mortality in cats, with many sadly being euthanised at the time of diagnosis. The condition requires daily injections and frequent veterinary examinations for affected cats, often resulting in huge financial and social costs for owners, as well as the emotional pressures of having a sick pet.
Loki Bailey, a domestic shorthaired cat from Ashford Surrey, initially presented to his referring vets for weight loss and hind limb weakness due to diabetic neuropathy.
Loki joined the trial in mid-June 2021 and was able to stop insulin after just four weeks and has been in diabetic remission since, despite diabetic neuropathy historically being associated with a lower chance of remission. His owners are delighted with his progress and his activity levels and hindlimb mobility have also improved.
Joy Bailey, owner of Loki, said: “I was so worried when Loki was first diagnosed with diabetes and wasn’t sure if the weakness in his back legs would ever improve. The team at the RVC were so helpful, providing loads of information about the trial and what to expect.
“After just a few months, Loki lost weight and went into remission! He’s made amazing progress and seems happier and healthier than ever – and he absolutely loves the food! I’m so happy our vet put him forward for the trial.”
Dr Amrita Mohanty, the trial’s PhD student at the RVC, said: “As a veterinarian, I am very grateful to be part of a trial that has such an effective dietary therapy and have truly enjoyed working with our trial patients, sharing in the success of the owners who achieve stability or remission.
“I am hopeful that I can help many more cats with this diet and look forward to the beneficial impact this newly developed dietary treatment will have on diabetic cat populations in the future.”
Both general practice vets and pet owners can apply for the trial by emailing in or calling 01707 666605. For cat owners wishing to apply directly, the RVC will communicate with respective practice vets to ensure trial suitability and to facilitate veterinary care throughout the trial.
For more information, visit: the project page on the RVC website.
