{"id":3573,"date":"2023-11-23T12:15:16","date_gmt":"2023-11-23T12:15:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vetic.in\/blog\/?p=3573"},"modified":"2025-11-01T12:21:54","modified_gmt":"2025-11-01T12:21:54","slug":"what-is-diabetes-in-cats-regulating-your-cats-blood-sugar","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vetic.in\/blog\/pet-health\/what-is-diabetes-in-cats-regulating-your-cats-blood-sugar\/","title":{"rendered":"What is Diabetes in Cats: Regulating Your Cat&#8217;s Blood Sugar"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Diabetes in cats is a chronic illness. It is caused due to insufficient insulin secretion or insulin resistance. It causes high blood glucose levels in cats.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Type II diabetes is the most common form of diabetes in cats. As many as 1% of all <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vet.cornell.edu\/departments-centers-and-institutes\/cornell-feline-health-center\/health-information\/feline-health-topics\/feline-diabetes\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">cats may have diabetes<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is a rather common hormonal disorder in the entire cat population. It is easily treatable when diagnosed early. If you notice any of the following signs of diabetes in cats, you need to contact the nearest veterinary expert on endocrinology.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What are Signs of Diabetes in Cats?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-3583\" src=\"https:\/\/vetic.in\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/WhatsApp-Image-2023-11-23-at-17.15.50.jpeg\" alt=\"infographic on Diabetes in Cats. the signs of diabetes include weight loss, increased appetite, increased urination and increased thirst.\" width=\"1600\" height=\"899\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The four main signs of diabetes in cats are &#8211;<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Increased thirst<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Weight loss<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Increased appetite<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Increased urination<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you see your cat losing weight despite having a healthy appetite, speak to your veterinarian. Your cat might need a few additional<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.diabetes.co.uk\/info\/CatsWithDiabetes.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> tests to determine their blood glucose levels<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Types of Diabetes in Cats<\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Type II Diabetes<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Type II is the most common type of diabetes in cats. It accounts for 90% of all cases across the globe. Here\u2019s what defines Type II Diabetes in cats &#8211;<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Insulin Resistance &#8211; The body doesn\u2019t respond to insulin.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Insulin Deficiency in Cats &#8211; The pancreas doesn&#8217;t produce enough insulin.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Obesity &#8211; Overweight and obese cats are more prone to Type II diabetes.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Type I Diabetes<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The next most common type of diabetes is Type I. It is usually an <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC4435650\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">autoimmune form of diabetes<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. In this disorder, the body\u2019s immune cells attack and destroy the pancreatic cells that produce insulin. The cells of the pancreas that produce and secrete insulin are nearly all destroyed.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The treatment of diabetes will depend upon the type as well as the cause of the hormonal disorder.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What Causes Diabetes in Cats?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-3584\" src=\"https:\/\/vetic.in\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/blog-images-1.jpg\" alt=\"A very overweight female mackerel cat lying on a small couch with her belly up and two front limbs up in the air. diabetes in cats is more common among chubby or overweight felines.\" width=\"1654\" height=\"930\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Diabetes in cats is caused by the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.medicalnewstoday.com\/articles\/325018\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">failure of the pancreas<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to secrete enough insulin that regulates blood sugar.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Genetics and other co-occurring disorders do play significant roles in the development of diabetes in cats. However, here are some risk factors for diabetes in cats &#8211;<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Old age\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Physical inactivity<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Obesity<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Male gender\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Prolonged use of steroids<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nonetheless, a female cat can also get diabetes irrespective of their breed and neutering status.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Once your cat reaches around 7 years of age, an annual check-up of their fasting glucose levels is recommended by expert veterinarians.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What is the Treatment of Diabetes in Cats?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Diabetes in cats can be treated although the treatment of diabetes in cats is long-term.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The first step includes the removal of the predisposing factors such as steroids that may have been prescribed for asthma or severe allergies.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Another step is to reduce a cat\u2019s weight if they are overweight. Refer to our post on obesity in cats to find out if your cat is within the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/vetic.in\/blog\/diet-and-nutrition\/how-to-help-your-cat-lose-weight-the-causes-effects-and-management-of-obesity-in-cats\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">correct weight range<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Removal of high-starch, commercial food from your cat\u2019s diet. At the same time, your veterinarian will recommend special, easy-to-digest, low carbohydrate, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/vetic.in\/blog\/diet-and-nutrition\/veterinarian-recommended-cat-food-across-life-stages-newborn-kitten-adult-and-more\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">prescription food for your cat<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. You will have to monitor your cat\u2019s daily dietary intake to control their weight.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Depending on the treatment facilities and medications available in your area, your veterinarian may recommend insulin injections for your cat. In the first few days, your vet will administer the insulin, note the dose and resulting drop in blood glucose levels.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Treatment of diabetes in cats in a long-term commitment. Along with controlled diet and insulin injections, your cat will also receive supportive treatment for their liver and kidney health, and other co-existing disorders.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><i>Never increase the dose of the medication or stop the supportive meds without consulting your veterinarian.\u00a0<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How Long do Cats Live with Diabetes?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cats who have been diagnosed with diabetes in the early stages can live a normally expected lifespan.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is very difficult to predict the life expectancy of a cat with diabetes since a number of comorbidities are often associated with the hormonal disorder.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sadly, in a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/23786195\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">few studies in the UK<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, veterinarians report a shortened lifespan of around 3 years after a diabetes diagnosis.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Diabetes in cats is a chronic illness. It is caused due to insufficient insulin secretion or insulin resistance. It causes high blood glucose levels in cats.\u00a0 Type II diabetes is&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":3372,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[118,71,64],"tags":[9,112,133],"class_list":["post-3573","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-cats","category-diet-and-nutrition","category-pet-health","tag-cat","tag-cat-disease","tag-cat-nutrition"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/vetic.in\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3573","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/vetic.in\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/vetic.in\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vetic.in\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vetic.in\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3573"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/vetic.in\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3573\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6846,"href":"https:\/\/vetic.in\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3573\/revisions\/6846"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vetic.in\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3372"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/vetic.in\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3573"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vetic.in\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3573"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vetic.in\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3573"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}