Diabetes in Cats
Feline diabetes is a common hormonal disease that can often be managed successfully with veterinary care. Because cats often hide illness until signs are more advanced, early detection of changes in thirst, urination, appetite, or weight is especially important.
Schedule a veterinary visit promptly if you suspect diabetes
Diabetes in cats is not always an immediate emergency, but it should be evaluated quickly. Call your vet promptly if your cat is drinking or urinating more than usual, losing weight despite eating well, or seems weak. Seek emergency care right away for vomiting, severe lethargy, collapse, seizures, refusal to eat, or trouble walking, as these can signal hypoglycemia or diabetic ketoacidosis.
Symptoms to Watch For
Increased thirst
Drinking more water than usual can be one of the earliest signs.
More frequent urination
A larger volume of urine or more trips to the litter box may occur.
Weight loss
Cats may lose weight even while eating normally or seeming extra hungry.
Big appetite
Some diabetic cats seem unusually hungry because their cells cannot use glucose properly.
Walking on the hocks
In some uncontrolled cases, nerve damage can cause a plantigrade stance in the hind legs.
Lethargy or weakness
Low energy, weakness, or reduced grooming may appear as the disease progresses.
What Causes Diabetes
Diabetes mellitus happens when the body does not make enough insulin, does not respond normally to insulin, or both. In cats, the disease most commonly resembles Type II diabetes, where insulin resistance plays a major role. Over time, high blood sugar can damage insulin-producing cells in the pancreas, making the problem worse. Because cats can hide illness well, the disease may be present for some time before changes are obvious at home.
- Obesity is one of the most important risk factors, and overweight cats are up to four times more likely to develop diabetes.
- Risk increases with age, especially in middle-aged to older cats.
- Physical inactivity and indoor sedentary lifestyles can contribute.
- Male cats are at higher risk.
- Use of glucocorticoids (steroids) can increase risk in some cats.
- Burmese cats are reported to have increased risk in some countries, though Cornell notes this may not be true in the United States.
How It's Diagnosed
Your veterinarian diagnoses diabetes by combining clinical signs with persistently high blood glucose and glucose in the urine. Because cats commonly develop stress-related high blood sugar during vet visits, a single glucose reading may not be enough on its own. Additional testing often helps confirm the diagnosis, assess overall health, and check for related problems or diseases that can affect diabetic control.
- Physical exam and history, including changes in thirst, urination, appetite, and weight
- Bloodwork to measure glucose and evaluate organ function
- Urinalysis to identify glucose in the urine and check for ketones or infection
- Fructosamine testing to help distinguish diabetes from stress hyperglycemia
- Additional tests for concurrent conditions such as urinary tract infection, chronic kidney disease, pancreatitis, or hyperthyroidism
- In some cats, home glucose curves or continuous glucose monitoring may be recommended for follow-up
Treatment Options
Treatment aims to control blood sugar, reduce excessive thirst and urination, prevent dangerous low blood sugar, and help your cat maintain a healthy weight and quality of life. Injectable insulin remains a standard treatment for many cats, usually paired with diet changes and regular monitoring. Cornell also notes that newer oral SGLT2 inhibitor medications may be appropriate for some newly diagnosed cats, but they are not suitable for every patient and must be chosen by a veterinarian. Some cats can go into diabetic remission, especially when treatment starts early and monitoring is consistent.
- Injectable insulin is a mainstay of treatment for many diabetic cats.
- Dietary therapy often focuses on low-carbohydrate nutrition and, when needed, slow veterinarian-guided weight loss.
- Home monitoring of appetite, water intake, urination, body weight, and glucose trends can be very helpful.
- Oral SGLT2 inhibitor medications may be an option for select newly diagnosed cats under veterinary supervision.
- Routine rechecks are important because insulin needs can change over time.
- Call your vet right away if your cat seems weak, collapses, has tremors or seizures, vomits repeatedly, or stops eating.
Living with Diabetes
Frequently Asked Questions
Is diabetes in cats an emergency?
Can feline diabetes be cured?
What do diabetic cats usually eat?
How is diabetes different from stress-related high blood sugar in cats?
Are some cats more likely to get diabetes?
What if my diabetic cat starts walking on the hocks?
Sources
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute veterinary medical advice. Reading this content does not establish a veterinarian-client-patient relationship. Every pet is different — always consult a licensed veterinarian before making decisions about your pet's health, diet, or care. If you'd like personalized guidance, you can talk to one of our vets. If your pet is experiencing a medical emergency, contact your local emergency animal hospital immediately.