Reviewed by Dr. Fiona Lee
Just like humans, cats can get diabetes. The disease can develop at any age, but it's more common in older cats and tends to occur more often in overweight cats.1 Unfortunately, obesity-related diabetes is on the rise among our feline friends.
While there is no known cure for diabetes mellitus in felines, the good news is that cats with the condition can live reasonably normal lives if they are diagnosed early and receive daily treatment. And in some cases, cat diabetes can even go into remission.1
Understanding Cat Diabetes
Diabetes develops when your cat's body can no longer produce or use insulin properly. This makes the cells in a cat's body unable to absorb glucose, thus starving the animal of energy.1
Cats can suffer from both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, but the latter is far more common. With Type 1, cats don't produce insulin (called insulin-dependent). In Type 2 (called insulin-resistant), cats still produce insulin, but their bodies don't respond well to it. Type 2 can sometimes go into remission.2
Causes and risk factors
Several factors can put your cat at greater risk of diabetes:1
These risks can cause insulin resistance, which leads to blood sugar rising to levels that are potentially toxic to the pancreas. Since the pancreas produces insulin, this can cause even less insulin production.3
Signs and symptoms
The most common symptoms of feline diabetes include:1
- Increased thirst
- Increased urination: You may need to change the litter more frequently, or you may see your cat peeing outside her box.4
- Weight loss despite a normal appetite
- Changes in how your cat walks (i.e., walking on their hocks)2
Other diabetic symptoms that need urgent attention include:2
- Lethargy or lack of interest in normal activities
- Decreased appetite
- Weakness
- Vomiting
Diagnosing Cat Diabetes
Your veterinarian will do a thorough exam and perform tests such as:2
- Glucometer (blood glucose) test: Since stress can temporarily raise blood glucose in cats, this won't be the only test.
- Urine glucose test: Also not definitive on its own, since urine glucose levels can increase from stress too.
- Blood work: Ruling out other diseases with overlapping symptoms.
- Serum fructosamine blood test: This test will determine if blood glucose has been persistently high over several weeks.
Cat Diabetes Treatment
After a diagnosis, your cat will need insulin injections or oral medication. Diet changes will likely also be recommended.1
Blood sugar monitoring and insulin injections
Many cats will be put on insulin injections. Some will need them twice a day, some only once a day.2
First, your veterinarian will do an in-clinic blood glucose curve, tracking your cat's glucose level throughout the day, both before and after an insulin injection. Once the correct insulin dosage is determined, you'll give your cat insulin injections under the skin, at home.1 This will typically be once or twice a day, and you'll store the insulin in your refrigerator.2
You'll still need to bring your cat to the veterinarian periodically for the first few weeks to make sure a dosage adjustment isn't needed. After that, you might be able to do blood glucose curves at home as needed.1 If so, ask your veterinarian about glucose monitoring devices like FreeStyle Libre, which send real-time information to your phone and can be used on cats, not just humans.
Diet changes
In addition to insulin injections, your veterinarian will likely recommend a diet low in carbohydrates. You might even be asked to start a prescription food for diabetic cats. These come in both wet and dry varieties.1
Your veterinarian will recommend the best timing for your cat's meals. It might be when you give your cat an insulin injection. Or you may be able to free-feed your cat if using a longer-acting insulin.1
Oral medications
Since 2023, daily oral medications have become another treatment option. These are known as SGLT2 (sodium-glucose cotransporter-2) inhibitors. They aren't insulin pills. Rather, they increase the amount of glucose your cat's kidneys excrete, which in turn lowers blood glucose.1
For these pills to work, your cat must still be able to make insulin. Thus, the medication works best for newly diagnosed cats who don't have other chronic conditions. Even on this pill, your cat will need regular veterinarian appointments to check blood ketone levels to see how your cat's doing.5
Can Diabetes Be Reversed?
There's no cure for feline diabetes. However, if Type 2 diabetes is caught early, you may be able to put your cat's diabetes in remission. This means your cat won't need insulin injections or pills. Instead, she'll simply need diet changes and regular veterinarian checkups.2 But keep in mind that without close monitoring and diet adherence, your cat's diabetes could return.1
Diet Tips To Help Prevent Diabetes
Because obese cats can be four times more likely to develop diabetes, a healthy diet is perhaps the best way to help prevent diabetes.1
1. Portion control
The amount of food your cat needs each day depends on her age, health and activity levels. Kittens need more calories than adults, for example.6
Adult cats typically need about 25 to 35 calories a day per pound of body weight. Your veterinarian can help you determine exactly how much your cat needs, based on the factors listed above and whether your kitty is overweight. Once you know the calorie goal, check your cat's food packaging to see how many calories are in a cup. Then, divide out two or three portions a day that will meet your kitty's calorie needs, keeping in mind any treats you may also feed.6
2. Healthy weight
Maintaining an ideal weight, including muscle mass and fat, can help your cat avoid developing Type 2 diabetes.7 For pet owners who want to gauge whether their cat is overweight, consider the body condition score. Run your hands over your pet's chest. You should be able to feel their ribs with a slight amount of fat covering them. Next, look down at your pet while standing above them. Your pet should have a well-defined waist.8
However, your cat's ribs shouldn't be easily visible or the waist too pronounced, as this means your cat is too thin. And a waist that's hard to see or ribs that are difficult to feel are signs your cat is overweight.8
3. Best types of food
You can help reduce your cat's risk of diabetes with a nutritious diet. A high-protein, low-carbohydrate diet can be especially helpful since carbohydrates can spike blood sugar.9 And while both dry kibble and canned food can be fine, some cats—especially those at risk of medical issues—may do better with canned food. Canned food can also help your cat avoid dehydration.7
High-quality proteins for your cat can include chicken, turkey, beef, lamb, fish or organ meats as the first ingredient on the label. Fiber is also important for gut health and digestion. Try to avoid fillers like corn, wheat, soy and corn syrup.10
4. Daily activity
Encouraging your cat to be physically active can help your kitty avoid weight gain. Play with your cat every day.1 This also helps reduce stress and provides mental enrichment.7
Water Intake and Its Role
Hydrated cats are healthier cats. Just like humans, cats need plenty of water for digestion, organ function, electrolyte balance, kidney health and more. Dehydration can put your cat at risk of getting sick, and it's also a symptom of many diseases, including diabetes.11
A 10-pound cat needs to drink about a cup of water a day. Adding wet food to your cat's diet can help avoid dehydration since wet food can contain as much as 80% water.11
You can encourage your cat to drink more by doing the following:11
- Set up water bowls in multiple places for easy access.
- Set up water fountains since some kitties prefer fresh, running water.
- Add a little tuna or low-sodium chicken broth to water.
Monitoring Your Cat's Health
After your cat is diagnosed with diabetes, regular veterinarian checkups are vital to monitor how your cat is responding to medication.1
You should also watch for changes in behavior, appetite, weight or urination. These can be signs that insulin levels aren't right. If your cat stops eating, visit a veterinarian right away, as this is particularly dangerous for diabetic kitties.1
Another major potential complication is ketoacidosis. This happens when your cat's body produces a dangerously high level of ketones. This can cause fluid and electrolyte imbalances, leading to heart and muscle issues and possibly death.12 Emergency symptoms, like lethargy, vomiting, clumsiness or seizures, warrant an emergency veterinarian visit.1
Monitoring cats with insulin injections
After the first few weeks of blood glucose monitoring by your veterinarian, cats getting insulin injections can be monitored at home. You'll typically do the blood glucose curves every three to four months.1
Another option is continuous blood glucose monitoring. This involves implanting a monitor in your cat's skin, which records glucose levels every few minutes for up to two weeks.1
Monitoring cats taking pills
If your cat is taking pills, you'll still need to monitor her health closely at home. Rather than blood glucose curves, your veterinarian will do regular blood work to check your cat's blood ketone levels.
Most diabetic cats do well with insulin injections or pills, along with careful monitoring from loving cat parents.
With Care, Cats With Feline Diabetes Can Live Happy Lives
Feline diabetes is a serious health issue if left undetected or untreated. But early detection and proper veterinarian care can help your cat live a happy life and, in some situations, even put the diabetes into remission. So don't delay visiting your veterinarian if you notice any potentially worrisome symptoms. You and your cat will be thankful you did.
Pets Best Can Help You Keep Your Diabetic Cat Healthy
Purchasing a pet insurance plan before symptoms of diabetes are present may help you get your cat the medication and treatment they may need if they ever show signs of diabetes in the future. At Pets Best, our cat insurance plans can be customized for your pet's unique needs. In addition, Pets Best policyholders can speak to a veterinary expert anytime through a 24/7 Pet Helpline.
Sources/ Citations
1. "Feline diabetes," (2024), Cornell Feline Health Center, https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/cornell-feline-health-center/health-information/feline-health-topics/feline-diabetes
2. "Helping clients get a grip on diabetes," (11/2023), American Animal Hospital Association, https://www.aaha.org/wp-content/uploads/globalassets/06-publications/trends/digital-editions/2023/11-nov-2023/07-ht-chronic-diseases-nov23/diabetesgl_vettechresource.pdf
3. "Feline diabetes overview fact sheet," (n.d.), Davies Veterinary Specialists, https://www.vetspecialists.co.uk/fact-sheets-post/feline-diabetes-overview-fact-sheet/
4. "Pet care in Abilene: 4 symptoms your cat needs a diabetic check-up now," (n.d.), Windmill Animal Hospital, https://www.windmillvet.com/blog/13/symptoms-of-diabetes-in-cats/
5. "10 things to know about the new diabetes drug for cats," (8/2023), American Animal Hospital Association, https://www.aaha.org/wp-content/uploads/globalassets/06-publications/trends/digital-editions/2023/08-aug-2023/podcast-aug23/10_things_to_know_bexacat.pdf
6. "How much to feed a cat," Barri J. Morrison (6/2024), PetMD, https://www.petmd.com/cat/nutrition/how-much-to-feed-a-cat
7. "Your cat and diabetes: Everything you need to know," Beth Turner (8/2024), Preventive Vet, https://www.preventivevet.com/cats/your-cat-and-diabetes-everything-you-need-to-know#preventing-diabetes-in-cats
8. "Cat body condition score chart: How to score your cat 1-9," Kate McMahon (2/2024), Expert Cat Care, https://www.expertcatcare.com/article/how-to-body-condition-score-your-cat-1-9-underweight-ideal-weight-or-overweight
9. "How to prevent diabetes in cats and dogs," (n.d.), Veterinary Medical Center, https://ocvetmedcenter.com/news/prevent-diabetes-cats-dogs/
10. "5 cat food ingredients to look for & ones to avoid," Joshua Montgomery (8/2024), BetterVet, https://bettervet.com/resources/pet-nutrition/cat-food-ingredients
11. "Hydration," (2021), Cornell Feline Health Center, https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/cornell-feline-health-center/health-information/feline-health-topics/hydration
12. "Diabetes in cats: Prevention and treatment," (11/2023), Medical District Veterinary Clinic, https://www.medicaldistrictvet.com/blog/diabetes-in-cats-prevention-and-treatment/