Hot on the heels of my previous cat-related post comes yet more kitty news from the UK. This time it's about the extent to which diabetes is affecting British cats, and the news isn't good. A study conducted at Edinburgh University reports that one in 230 pet cats in the UK is diabetic. Neutered, overweight male cats are most at risk, apparently. Hmm, at least our hefty male friends don't have to contend with the one of those risk factors! Like humans, however, the more sedentary the cat, the greater the risk.

Overall, being overweight ups the risk of diabetes in felines by three times. There are now around five times more diabetic cats in the UK than there were back in the 1970s. Says Professor Danielle Gunn-Moore of the veterinary program at Edinburgh University, "The lifestyle of cats, just like their owners, is changing. Unfortunately, just like people, cats will overeat if they are offered too much tasty food, particularly if they are bored. While cats would naturally exercise outside, many cats are now housebound, so they have little to do all day but eat, sleep, and gain weight."

Yikes, this describes our own chunky kitty Kato to a T. He is getting older, is sedentary, and weighs in at around 19 pounds last time I checked. Like many people, I'm reluctant to let my cats out in case they get lost, hit by a car, stolen, trapped and impounded...the list goes on and on. Then there's the killing of backyard birds to consider. So: what's a cat lover to do?

Pet enthusiasts may know that diabetes is rife amongst domestic cats these days. Why? Same reasons type 2 diabetes is such a problem for people - overeating and a sedentary lifestyle puts us at risk for the disease. But here's a cute story from the UK about some diabetic felines who just got lucky in life...or not, depending on your view.

The Lincolnshire Echo reports that an animal rescue organization called Lincoln Cat Care is trying to place rescued diabetic kitties with diabetic owners. Representatives with the group have appealed to diabetics in the community to come forward and help out one of the formerly-homeless cats. Their rationale is simple: people who have diabetes - or perhaps a family member with the condition - can better care for diabetic cats. They know the signs and symptoms of diabetes, they understand the whys, whens and hows of giving insulin.

Now, I'm involved in animal rescue and I have met tons of devoted pet owners over the years. I just don't buy that diabetics are more likely to make better owners. Nope. Sorry. People who really love their pets make the best owners for diabetic cats and dogs. I've met many wonderful owners of diabetic cats. None of those people are diabetic, but they've gone out, asked questions, read up in books and on the Web, and they are pretty darn knowledgeable. And who's to say a diabetic person would provide that level of care just because they have the disease themselves? Many diabetics out there don't even manage their own blood sugar very well! In short, it's dedication that matters here, not your diagnosis.