Hyperthyroidism is a chronic condition that causes one or both of the thyroid glands to become overactive and produce too much of the hormone thyroxine. The condition often affects middle aged and older cats but some breeds are also prone to develop thyroid issues. Luckily with treatment it can be managed long term with cats living happy and normal lives.
An overactive thyroid causes the the metabolism to speed up and this can be fatal if left untreated long term, symptoms to look out include:
Weight Loss even though increased appetite
Increased thirst and needing to wee more often
Restlessness or hyperactivity
Increased heart rate
Vomiting or diarrhoea
Breathlessness or panting
Poor coat condition
Hyperthyroidism is usually diagnosed through a blood test, and your vet will discuss treatment options with you. Common treatments are:
Daily medication
Radioactive iodine therapy
Surgery
Dietary management
Once you have decided what treatment plan works best for your cat you’ll be pleased to hear that Marro does provide a suitable diet for cats with hyperthyroidism as long as a specialist diet has not been prescribed by their vet. Marro is packed with high quality protein and nutrient rich ingredients that is ideal for building lean muscle mass and so can with weight management and maintenance.
The best diet for your hyperthyroid cat satisfies their nutritional requirements as an aging carnivore recovering from a muscle-wasting disease, and avoids chemicals that may contribute to thyroid disease. It may be best to avoid:
SOY-containing foods
BPA in canned food linings
Plastic food and water bowls (replace with glass, ceramic or metal)
Storing food in plastic containers
Ultra-high or ultra low iodine diets.
Reference; Peterson, M., 2012. Hyperthyroidism in cats: what’s causing this epidemic of thyroid disease and can we prevent it?. Journal of feline medicine and surgery, 14(11), pp.804-818.