🐾 Diabetes in Cats
❓ What Is Diabetes?
🐾 Feline diabetes is similar to type II adult-onset diabetes in humans.
🐾 Diabetic cats typically start out overweight but lose weight as the disease progresses.
🐾 Common signs include increased thirst and urination, weight loss, lethargy, poor coat condition, and difficulty walking with the back legs.
🐾 Diabetes is managed through a low-carbohydrate diet and/or insulin injections, depending on severity.
🥫 Diabetic Diet Recommendations
🐾 Feed grain-free, meat-based canned food—avoid rice, gravy, and fish flavors. Commercially prepared raw diets are also acceptable.
Recommended healthy canned food brands:
• Blue Basics
• Call of the Wild
• Evanger’s
• Identity Pet
• Innova
• Honest Kitchen
• Natures Variety
• Natural Balance
• Tiki Cat
• Walk About
• Wellness Core
• Ziwi
🐾 Look for grain-free, preferably organic meat flavors with recognizable ingredients.
🐾 This diet is similar to a human Atkins-style diet: it supports stable blood sugar and weight loss.
🐾 Daily Portions:
• 2–3 cans of a 3 oz size (e.g., Fancy Feast), or
• 1–1.5 cans of a 5.5 oz size (e.g., Friskies)
🐾 Approved treats: cooked meat, lunch meat, or freeze-dried meat.
🐾 If your cat refuses canned food: use grain-free dry food, Purina DM dry or Young Again Zero dry food.
• Feed 1/8 cup, 3–4 times per day.
• Note: Cats on dry food cannot go into remission and will require insulin.
🩺 Monitoring Your Diabetic Cat
🐾 For cats managed with diet alone:
• Check blood glucose every 4–6 weeks until it normalizes.
🐾 For cats on insulin:
• Recheck exam and fructosamine test every 3 months to monitor long-term regulation.
• Feed and medicate your cat as usual—no fasting required.
• This test can be scheduled at any time of the day.
🐾 For all diabetic cats:
• Chemistry panel and CBC recommended annually.
• These tests detect complications early, including infections and fatty liver disease.
💉Insulin Use & Safety
If your cat requires insulin, it must be given exactly as prescribed. Proper handling and consistency are essential for safe and effective treatment.
- Store insulin as directed (typically refrigerated—do not freeze or overheat).
- Gently roll the vial to mix—do not shake.
- Use only the prescribed syringes and dose carefully.
- Dispose of needles safely in an appropriate container.
⚠️ Signs of Low Blood Sugar (Hypoglycemia)
Low blood sugar can occur if too much insulin is given, your cat does not eat, or their insulin needs change.
Watch for:
- Lethargy or weakness
- Tremors or unsteadiness
- Disorientation
- Seizures (in severe cases)
If you suspect low blood sugar, offer food immediately. If your cat will not eat, rub a small amount of corn syrup or honey on the gums and contact your veterinarian.
⚠️ When to Stop Insulin and Call Us Immediately
If your diabetic cat becomes sick, stops eating, or seems unusually lethargic, do not give insulin or oral diabetic medications and contact your veterinarian right away.
These signs may indicate dangerously high or low blood sugar—both of which can be life-threatening.
Diabetic cats are also more prone to infections, such as urinary tract infections, due to a weakened immune system. Illness can cause sudden changes in blood sugar and requires prompt medical attention.
👉 If your cat is not eating, seems weak, or “just isn’t right,” an appointment is needed as soon as possible.
🎥 Learn to Give Insulin
🐾 Visit www.youtube.com and search for ‘vetvid diabetes’.
🐾 Recommended videos:
• How to Give Your Diabetic Cat an Insulin Injection
• How to Prepare an Insulin Syringe to Inject a Diabetic Cat
Have questions or need support with your diabetic cat?
We’re here to help—contact our feline-focused team:
📞 610-398-3556
