Effect of dietary insoluble fiber on control of glycemia in cats with naturally acquired diabetes mellitus

Objective-To evaluate effects of dietary insoluble fiber on control of glyc emia in cats with naturally acquired diabetes mellitus. Design-Randomized controlled crossover trial. Animals-16 cats with naturally acquired diabetes mellitus. Procedure-Cats were fed a diet high in insoluble fiber (HF) containing 12% cellulose (dry-matter basis) or a diet low in insoluble fiber (LF) for 24 w eeks; they were fed the other diet for the subsequent 24 weeks. Caloric int ake and insulin treatment were adjusted to maintain stable body weight and control of glycemia, respectively. Cats were allowed an adaption period or 6 weeks after initiation of a diet, after which control of glycemia was eva luated at 6-week intervals for 18 weeks. Variables assessed included serum glucose concentration measured during the preprandial state, blood glycated hemoglobin concentration, serum glucose concentration measured at 2-hour i ntervals for 12 hours beginning at the time of the morning insulin injectio n, 12-hour mean serum glucose concentration, and mean fluctuation in serum glucose concentration from the 12-hour mean serum glucose concentration. Results-Mean daily caloric intake, body weight, or daily insulin dosage did not differ significantly between cats when fed HF and LF diets. Mean prepr andial serum glucose concentration, most post-prandial serum glucose concen trations, and the 12-hour mean serum glucose concentration were significant ly lower when cats consumed the HF diet, compared with values when cats con sumed the LF diet. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance-These results support feeding a commerci ally available diet containing approximately 12% insoluble fiber (dry-matte r basis) to cats with naturally acquired diabetes mellitus.