Diabetes in Cats

Feline diabetes is a hormonal issue where the pancreas either does not produce enough insulin or occurs when their body is unable to respond to the hormone. As insulin helps to absorb sugar into the blood stream, cats with diabetes run the risk of their sugar levels becoming dangerously high, which is known as hyperglycaemia. When blood glucose levels are too low, it’s known as hypoglycaemia. Both come with different symptoms and owners need to learn to tell the difference between the two if their beloved pet has diabetes.

In the same way that people have two different types of diabetes they can suffer from, cats also have type one and type two diabetes.

Type one diabetes is the same as the human form of type one diabetes in which the pancreas is not producing enough or any insulin for the body to process sugars. This is not very common in cats, for the most part, they suffer almost exclusively from type two diabetes.

Type two diabetes is when their cells do not know how to respond appropriately to insulin. It can be diagnosed alongside an insufficient amount of insulin being produced, but the main issue is the body’s inability to properly use it to process sugars in the blood.

One of the most prominent symptoms of diabetes in cats is weight loss, despite a good appetite. This is the main symptom regardless of which type of diabetes our moggy may be suffering from. As they struggle to convert sugars into energy, they can’t process their nutrients from their food, so will tend to suffer from weight loss and their muscle mass with deteriorate. Making it quite noticeable for owners.  

You might even see them eating more than usual as their bodies will still tell their brain that they’re hungry, but they will continue to lose weight. Other symptoms include:

Without treatment, the severity of the symptoms will continue to worsen and can be fatal if left untreated. If you suspect even a single symptom, it’s best to get them checked over by their vet.

Diabetes in cats can lead to what is called diabetic retinopathy. The eye contains blood vessels in the retina that can weaken over time if there are chronic sugar imbalances in the blood. This can cause leaking of fluids and blood into the retina. Which over time can lead to blindness. It isn’t as common in cats as it is in dogs who suffer from diabetes, but it can still occur.

Diabetes in cats can be caused by several different factors including genetics, obesity, diet and as a secondary disease in relation to other illnesses or drugs. Drugs like steroids can cause diabetes or if your moggy is diagnosed with pancreatitis or another hormone disease, they can develop diabetes alongside it.

Stress does not cause diabetes in cats, however it can be the cause of hyperglycaemia in cats which is when their blood sugar levels become high. As their stress reduces, so will their blood sugar so it’s only a temporary peak.

Vets tend to diagnose diabetes in cats through blood and urine glucose levels. Vets will often start by testing a cat’s urine and if this shows high glucose levels then they will also run blood tests to confirm the diagnosis. Since cats can demonstrate high glucose levels when they are stressed, vets will usually require multiple tests to verify if the spike was due to stress or if it remains consistent. 

Your vet will be able to prescribe the best course of action to treat diabetes in your four-legged friend. Many cats will need insulin injections to support their body in processing the blood in their sugar. These are usually given twice a day, approximately twelve hours apart and just before they eat. Owners are taught how to administer these injections by the vet.

Other treatments that can help with diabetes include a vet prescribed diet, exercise and managing their weight carefully. In some less severe cases, owners can manage diet, exercise and can sometimes resolve the issue. If a cat is prescribed insulin injections, then they are likely to need them for the rest of their life.

If your cat has been diagnosed with diabetes and you’re worried their sugar levels may be too high or too low, you can keep a lookout for the symptoms and contact your vet if you are worried. If they don’t have enough insulin and their sugar levels grow too high, you may notice some of the following signs:

If their blood sugars are low, you are likely to notice:

All of these can be symptoms that either your feline friend needs their medication, or it could be that their medication hasn’t worked.

To help care for diabetic pets and for all your other kitty essentials, check out our wide range of stock in-store and online.