Diabetic Dogs and Diabetic Cats: Chromium Picolinate

Diabetic Dogs and Diabetic Cats: Chromium Picolinate

Over a dozen clinical studies of people with diabetes proved that supplementing with chromium picolinate was beneficial. Benefits occurred whether the people had type 1 or type 2 diabetes, diabetes that developed during pregnancy (gestational diabetes), or steroid-induced diabetes. It’s likely that diabetic cats and diabetic dogs will receive the same benefit from chromium picolinate as diabetic humans receive.

Cats have both type 1 and type 2 diabetes, but dogs usually have type 2 diabetes. The difference between the two types of diabetes is that with type 1, insulin injections are necessary, usually for life. With type 2 diabetes, weight loss and a change in diet to high protein and low carbohydrate foods often provides enough improvement that insulin is no longer necessary.

To help diabetic pets, consider supplementing with chromium picolinate. While there is more than one form of chromium, chromium picolinate was the form found most beneficial. Minerals, such as chromium, are usually difficult to absorb and a very small percentage of the minerals in our pets’ food is actually absorbed. Instead, most of the mineral passes right through the body and out with the feces. Chromium picolinate, however, is absorbed more readily than chromium nicotinate or chromium chloride and that may be why it’s most effective.

Considering that many diabetic pets are overweight, it helps to decrease calories.