Diabetes in cats

What is diabetes?

Diabetes occurs when a cat’s pancreas does not produce enough insulin – or if its body’s cells become desensitised to it (also known as insulin resistance).

Cells in the body need sugar for fuel – and insulin allows cells to absorb sugar from the blood.

The most common diabetes in cats is very similar to type 2 diabetes in humans.

Symptoms of diabetes in cats

• Frequent or increased need to pee
• Drinking more water
• Reduced weight, despite your cat eating normally/a lot.
• Weak back legs due to nerve damage.

Your cat can also experience tiredness and lethargy – because the sugar needed for fuel is instead pee’d out of the body. To get energy, the body therefore breaks down fat and protein instead, leaving the cat very weak. At later stages, your cat can become severely affected.

Overweight and older cats at higher risk of diabetes

Just like for humans, being overweight is the biggest risk factor for diabetes in cats. And often it is middle-aged or older cats that get diabetes. Most typically, vets tend to treat overweight, neutered male cats for diabetes. Some breeds are more at risk of diabetes than others.

Did you know over a third of cats in the UK are overweight? Check out our guide on keeping your cat in good shape.

How is diabetes diagnosed?

Symptoms of diabetes are similar to other diseases, so it’s important to take your cat to the vet if you suspect they have diabetes – so they can make an informed diagnosis. They will conduct blood and urine tests to determine if your cat is diabetic.

What causes diabetes in cats?

It’s important to investigate the cause of diabetes in your cat – as this can also help with treatment. Common causes include:

• Obesity
• Hormonal diseases
• Infections
• Treatment involving cortisone
• Diseases of the pancreas.

Treatment for diabetes in cats

Cats with diabetes are treated using daily hormone injections. These usually need to happen twice a day to keep the blood sugar levels even.

You may also need to take a blood test from your cat, so you can keep track of their blood sugar levels. Your vet will advise you on the best treatment plan for your cat.

Once you’ve started the treatment plan, you’ll also need to return to the vet for a check-up. Your vet can then monitor your cat’s weight, symptoms and blood sugar levels.

Ultimately, with successful treatment, your cat’s diabetes symptoms will subside, their blood sugar levels will stabilise, and they’ll be able to live a normal lifestyle. The goal can also be to recover from diabetes and go into remission.

Cats that go into remission no longer need insulin to control their blood sugar levels.

What are the costs of treating a cat with diabetes?

Costs can depend on things like how often you need to visit your vet – and how your cat is treated. Both syringes and insulin may be prescribed for treatment.

Diabetes can place practical demands on you as a cat owner, as well as financial. You’ll need to give your cat daily treatment – and be sure to monitor your cat’s blood sugar levels.

How to prevent diabetes in cats

• Regularly check your cat’s weight (so you can detect if there are any changes or fluctuations)
• Ensure your cat gets enough exercise and stimulation
• Keep track of how much your cat eats – for example, control portions rather than always having dry food available in your cat’s bowl
• Avoid giving your cat the same food you eat. It usually contains more fat and carbohydrates. And some foods are toxic to cats. 

Nutrition and diet for diabetic cats

The right type of food is key to treating your cat’s diabetes. Wet food is best, with high protein and low carbohydrate content.

You can also get special diabetic cat food.

The link between dry food and diabetes

There might be a connection between food cats eat and their risk of developing diabetes. However, more research is needed to determine this for sure.

In cats of normal weight, researchers have been able to identify that those who ate mostly dry cat food were more often affected by diabetes than cats who mainly ate wet food.

FAQs about diabetes in cats