What Is The Best Food For A Cat With Hyperthyroidism

Feline Hyperthyroidism

Hyperthyroidism is a common disease among older cats. In most cases it is caused by a benign tumor on the thyroid gland. The thyroid then starts to produce more thyroid hormone, which in turn speeds up your cat’s metabolism.

It is important to catch hyperthyroidism early. Your cat could be suffering from feline hyperthyroidism if she shows any of these symptoms:

• Sudden weight loss
• A sudden increase in appetite and thirst
• Hyperactivity
• High blood pressure and an elevated heart rate
• Sweating and a poor-looking coat
• Vomiting

If you recognize any of these symptoms in your senior cat, please take her to the vet immediately.

Treating Hyperthyroidism In Cats

There are several treatment options for feline hyperthyroidism. Most cat owners choose to treat their hyperthyroid cat with medication. This does not cure the disease, but helps to alleviate symptoms and prolong your cat’s life. She will have to take a pill twice a day for the rest of her life.

Second, there is the option of surgery. If medication is not a solution for you and you have the funds for an operation, then this might be the way to go. The surgeon will try to remove the enlarged part of the thyroid gland and, if successful, effectively cure your cat’s hyperthyroidism.

As with any surgery, there are some risks you should be aware of. Complications could arise during and after surgery, if it is not performed perfectly. And if any of the affected thyroid gland is left behind, your cat may not be cured after all.

The third, and most expensive, option for treating feline hyperthyroidism is radioactive iodine therapy. Yes, radioactive. This form of therapy exists for humans too and seems to be safe and very effective. They will inject some radioactive iodine, which destroys only the affected tissue of the thyroid. Leaving your cat with a completely healthy thyroid.

It sounds like a dream, but it might be a nightmare for your poor kitty. The treatment has to be administered at a special facility and your cat will have to stay there until the radioactivity wears off. Which could be more than a week. And the people taking care of her aren’t allowed to pet her for comfort either. This can all be very traumatizing to a cat, so I would consider this only as a last resort.

Medication

Since you’re reading this, you probably chose the route of medication. As said, your cat will have to take this medication for the rest of her life. There are some things you should look out for:

• Allergic reactions – The medication for hyperthyroidism can cause extreme itchiness of the face and neck. Luckily, if your cat is allergic, you will know after the first pill and you can immediately stop the medication.
• Gastrointestinal problems – Cats with hyperthyroidism often develop problems with their colon. If your hyperthyroid cat won’t eat, starts vomiting and/or has diarrhea, please take her to the vet as soon as possible. If left untreated, these issues can lead to severe, even fatal, consequences very quickly. 
• Kidney disease – Hyperthyroidism can mask underlying issues, such as a diminished kidney function. If your cat is on hyperthyroid medication, be sure to go to the vet for regular check-ups and ask them to check your cat’s kidney function as well as the levels of thyroid hormone.
• Diabetes – There is evidence that hyperthyroidism changes the way your cat processes glucose and insulin to such a degree that she basically enters a pre-diabetic state. Unfortunately, this change is not always reversed by a successful treatment of hyperthyroidism. Many cats who have or have had feline hyperthyroidism become diabetic not long after their diagnosis or treatment.

Most of these issues can be mitigated by a proper feline diet. It’s important to note that diet alone is not a treatment for hyperthyroidism. If you suspect your cat has an overactive thyroid and you haven’t seen a vet about it, please go do so now. Without proper treatment your cat’s issues are only going to get worse. You may not notice how rapidly she is decreasing, because you are masking her symptoms with a diet.

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A Healthy Diet For Hyperthyroid Cats

A cat on hyperthyroid medication requires a highly digestible diet to alleviate symptoms and minimize the risk of other diseases developing. Older cats are already prone to dehydration and this can be exacerbated by an overactive thyroid gland, so I recommend feeding your cat mostly, or exclusively, wet food.

A healthy diet for hyperthyroid cats includes:

• Highly digestible animal protein – When picking a food for a hyperthyroid cat, you should pay extra attention to the amount of protein. This is what your cat’s motor runs on and should be the bulk of her diet. The type of protein is also important. Choose a food with animal protein (meat), such as chicken, turkey, rabbit, or duck. 
• Healthy fats and fatty acids – Since hyperthyroid cats need to consume more energy per meal, it is okay to go for a food with a higher fat content. As long as they are healthy fats and they do not outweigh the protein content.
• Low levels of carbohydrates – Feeding your cat too many carbs can put them on the path to diabetes. Remember, cats don’t naturally eat grains and also have difficulty digesting them. If your cat’s health is already compromised, it is best not to put any extra strain on their system. 
• Low levels of phosphorus – Phosphorus is damaging to the kidneys. Cats with hyperthyroidism are susceptible to kidney disease. You can lower the risk of this happening by choosing a food with lower levels of phosphorus. 
• Restricted levels of iodine – Iodine is used by the thyroid gland to produce the thyroid hormone. If you restrict the amount of iodine in your cat’s diet, you reduce the amount of hormone produced. This works to alleviate the symptoms of hyperthyroidism. A word of caution: if you choose a low iodine food, make sure it is the only thing your cat eats. Other foods or treats that do contain iodine will negate the effects of the diet and render your efforts useless. If you have more than one cat and they have access to each other’s food, this may not be the best approach. On top of that, research isn’t conclusive about what is a healthy amount of iodine for a cat to begin with. So it’s a bit of a shot in the dark, really.
• Lots of moisture – Hyperthyroid kitties are extra thirsty and more prone to constipation from dehydration. Help your cat spend less time at her watering bowl with a diet that is high in moisture, like a paté. This will contribute to her overall health, but especially her kidneys. If you are already feeding your cat a wet diet and she is still drinking a lot, it may be a sign of renal problems or diabetes. Definitely go see a vet.

What you should NOT feed a cat with hyperthyroidism:

• Fish – Fish does not naturally fit into a cat’s diet. It was added to commercial cat food during WWII, when meat was scarce and expensive. But fish can contain a lot of toxins that are especially harmful to cats with digestive problems. Stick to a meat only diet to keep your hyperthyroid cat healthy.
• Soy – Soy is added as a protein to many commercial cat foods to cheaply bulk up the calories. Unfortunately, soy is difficult to digest and can actually contribute to thyroid overactivity. Therefore it is not recommended for cats with hyperthyroidism to eat any soy. 
• Grains – Grains are carbohydrates. The body converts these into energy by way of sugars. Eating too much grain can put your kitty at risk of diabetes. Of course, most dry foods out there consist almost completely of grains. If you choose to keep feeding this to your cat, please supplement it with a high-quality, grain-free wet food. 
• Fruits – Fruits are not only difficult to digest, but also loaded with sugar. Your cat should be getting the bulk of its calories from protein, so it’s best to avoid foods that contain fruits.