Diabetes in cats: Prevention, symptoms and treatment

Did you know that our feline friends can get diabetes too?

Cats can develop a form of diabetes known as diabetes mellitus, similar to Type 2 diabetes in people. While this condition is complex and requires significant long-term owner commitment to manage properly, cats with diabetes can still enjoy an excellent quality of life – a-meow-zing!

Here’s a shot of information to help you understand “the highs and lows” of diabetes in cats, including signs and symptoms to watch for, general prevention strategies, and what’s actually involved in managing a diabetic cat.

Understanding diabetes in cats

When food is digested, glucose (sugar) is absorbed from the gut into the bloodstream. Insulin (a hormone produced by the pancreas organ) is then required to help the glucose move from the blood into cells, where it can be effectively processed and used for energy. Healthy cats release insulin as required to maintain normal metabolic processes and keep their blood sugar levels within an appropriate range.

Cats with diabetes aren’t able to produce sufficient insulin and/or have become resistant to the effects of insulin. This means:

• The cells in the cat’s body become deprived of glucose, a key energy source, even if the cat is eating well
• The cat develops abnormally high blood glucose levels, as the glucose from their bloodstream isn’t being used by cells

This imbalance can lead to serious symptoms of unwellness, particularly if a diabetic cat becomes additionally challenged by another health issue, such as chronic kidney disease or pancreatitis. Very unwell diabetic cats are at risk of tipping into a life-threatening state of metabolic imbalance known as diabetic ketoacidosis, which requires intensive in-hospital treatment.

Signs and symptoms to watch for

Cats with diabetes can present in an overall stable condition, with symptoms including:

• Weight loss despite a normal or increased appetite
• Increased drinking levels
• Increased urination levels
• Reduced coat quality
• Sometimes, a flat-footed stance in their back legs due to diabetic nerve issues

However, cats with more severe diabetes or with a concurrent health problem that has worsened their condition to a state of DKA can present very unwell, with symptoms that may include:

• Lethargy
• A poor appetite or complete anorexia
• Weakness or collapse
• Dehydration
• Vomiting

A confirmation of diabetes involves blood tests to assess the cat’s blood glucose levels and general organ health. While diabetes is often suspected based on the finding of an abnormally high blood glucose level (known as hyperglycaemia), the stress of being in a veterinary clinic can also cause hyperglycaemia in cats. For this reason, the cat’s glucose levels may need to be assessed further with repeated blood glucose testing when the cat is calm (to see if the elevation is persistent), or an additional blood test to check the cat’s fructosamine levels, which give an indication of their average blood glucose levels over the last week or so (and is therefore less influenced by temporary stress spikes).

If the cat is unwell, the vet may recommend additional diagnostics such as:

1. Blood ketone level testing: Ketones are an alternative energy source obtained from the breakdown of fat, so can be elevated in diabetic cats, particularly in those who are becoming significantly unwell with DKA
2. Abdominal ultrasound: Used to look for another health problem that could be complicating the cat’s condition

Urine tests are also useful to check for elevated levels of urine glucose and ketones, and to screen for signs of urinary tract infection, which diabetic cats are particularly prone to.

Prevention strategies for a healthy cat

Obesity is the number one risk factor for diabetes mellitus in cats, with chonky kitties being up to four times more likely to develop the condition. Therefore, you can significantly reduce your cat’s risk of diabetes by helping them to maintain their healthiest body condition. This is particularly important if your cat ticks other risk factor boxes for diabetes that you can’t control, such as:

• Being middle-aged to older
• Being a predisposed breed, such as a Burmese
• Being a desexed male cat (note: desexing in cats is still recommended overall due to its other associated benefits!)

You can help to maintain your cat’s healthiest body weight through healthy feeding practices and encouraging them to be active through play and by providing cat climbing furniture – more on that here.

Treatment options and managing diabetes

Diabetic cats who are “well” (i.e. still bright and eating well) can often be managed as outpatients with either long-term:

1. Insulin injections: Used to augment their natural insulin levels – usually given twice daily using fine-needled insulin syringes or insulin dosing pens, or
2. Oral SGLT2 inhibitor medication (e.g. Velagliflozin): This helps to maintain normal blood glucose by clearing excess glucose from the bloodstream via the urine.

The medication recommended will depend on the cat’s particular condition.

Diabetic cats will need frequent veterinary rechecks initially to settle them onto their medications safely, and then usually rechecks every 3-6 months long-term (or any time if they show symptoms of unwellness). This is a significant time and financial commitment for owners, so it’s recommended to be honest with your vet about any concerns or constraints you may have. Many owners understandably also feel anxious about administering insulin injections to their cat, but rest assured that with early training and support from your veterinary team, most owners quickly become proficient and comfortable with the process.

If a cat is unwell (i.e. not eating or showing other signs of illness), they will usually need initial hospitalisation for more supportive medical care. Cats with DKA require intensive care in hospital for at least several days to diagnose and treat any other secondary health conditions and correct their metabolic imbalances.

To help settle a cat onto the correct dosage and type of medication (insulin or oral SGLT2i) and then maintain them (as a cat’s requirements can change over time), your vet will make recommendations for regular rechecks of your cat’s blood glucose balance. Depending on your cat’s temperament and overall wellness, and your preferences, this may involve measures such as:

• The use of a Continuous Glucose Monitor attached to your cat’s skin for several days, which sends regular readings to a connected smartphone
• Performing tiny pricks on your cat’s ear margins or paw pads to collect droplets of blood for reading their glucose levels on a vet-approved handheld blood glucometer
• Monitoring your cat’s weight, drinking levels, urination, appetite and energy
• Monitoring your cat’s urine glucose and/or ketone levels using urine test strips

For some cats, a gradual transition to a prescription diabetic diet or a wet food that is relatively higher in protein, moderate in fat, and lower in carbohydrates can also be a helpful long-term management aid.

When to consult your vet

Diabetic cats can be at risk of complications such as excessive drops in blood sugar levels (known as hypoglycaemia) and secondary health problems (such as urinary tract infections or pancreatitis) which can make them unwell or even trigger DKA.

Hypoglycaemia can cause symptoms such as:

• Weakness or wobbliness
• Appearing “drunk”, confused or disoriented
• Sleepiness or collapse
• Twitching or seizures

It’s recommended that diabetic cat owners keep glucose syrup in the house, and if they notice any of the above symptoms in their cat, they should:

• Offer them food, but if they won’t/can’t eat, rub glucose syrup on their gums to help raise their blood glucose levels
• Phone your veterinary team immediately for further advice

It’s also recommended to consult your vet immediately if your diabetic cat shows any other symptoms of unwellness such as lethargy, a reduction in their appetite for more than one meal, vomiting, or any changes in their drinking or urination.

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1 Oct 2026