10/31/2023
Could My Cat Have Diabetes?
It is estimated that 11.3% of the US human population has diabetes
mellitus (≈37.3 million people).1 Diabetes is also one of the most
common endocrine diseases in cats, affecting up to 1.2% of cats seen in
private veterinary practice.2
Diabetes is a chronic disease in which the body cannot properly produce or respond to insulin,
3 a hormone produced in the pancreas that is critical to maintaining normal blood sugar
(ie, blood glucose) levels in the body.3,4 Without the effects of insulin, the body’s cells do not
get the energy source they need, causing excess glucose to build up in the blood. As glucose
levels rise, it “spills” into the urine. Excess glucose is often detected in both the blood and
urine of diabetic patients.3
As in people, there are 2 major forms of diabetes in animals:
• Type I occurs when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin, necessitating insulin
supplementation (by injection) to control the disease.3,4
• Type II occurs when the body’s tissue cells do not appropriately respond to or become
“resistant” to insulin being produced.3,4 Most diabetic cats have type II diabetes.
When cats cannot properly transport glucose from their bloodstream to their cells with the
assistance of insulin, the cells do not get the energy source they need, causing the body to
break down fats and proteins.2,4 The result of protein breakdown is a reduction in the body’s
muscle mass.2 Collectively, these problems can lead to severe illness and even death if not
appropriately diagnosed and treated.
Is My Cat at Risk for Diabetes?
Although several factors may play a role in the development of diabetes in cats, the most
significant risk factor is obesity.2 Obese cats are 4× more likely to develop diabetes than nonobese
cats.2 If your pet is overweight, your veterinarian can discuss strategies or diets to help
your cat achieve an optimum body weight.
Other risk factors include age, as diabetes is typically diagnosed in older cats, with risk for disease
peaking between 10 and 13 years of age.2 Although both male and female cats can be
affected, diabetes appears to be more commonly found in male cats.2 Some breeds are also
at higher risk for developing diabetes, such as Burmese, Tonkinese, and Norwegian Forest
cats.2 Cats receiving steroids (often used to treat other diseases such as respiratory or gastrointestinal
disease) are also at an increased risk for diabetes.3
Brought to you by
Boehringer Ingelheim
PET OWNER HANDOUT
“ Obese cats are
4× more likely
to develop
diabetes than
nonobese cats.
What Are the Symptoms of Diabetes?
There are several symptoms of diabetes that you can monitor
your cat for at home. The most common include:
• Increased thirst: On average, healthy cats drink ≈1/2 a cup of
water per 5 pounds of body weight per day.5 This means that a
10-lb cat, on average, will drink ≈1 cup of water per day. If you
are concerned your cat may be drinking more than average,
consider measuring how much water you are giving each day
and subtracting what is left at the end of the day.
• Increased urination: Pets with diabetes will drink more water
and therefore have larger amounts of urine. Larger clumps of
litter in the litter box may be an indication that your pet has an
increased volume of urine. Urinating outside the litter box can
also be an indication that your pet is drinking more and therefore
urinating more than normal.
• Increased appetite: Because diabetic cats have trouble utilizing
the nutrients they ingest, they are often hungrier than normal
but may be losing weight. If you observe any changes in
your cat’s appetite or weight, bring them to the attention of
your veterinary team.
Other, more generalized symptoms of illness may include:
• Lethargy/tiredness
• Lack of grooming/poor haircoat
• Reduced ability to jump or climb stairs
– Your cat may seem weaker or clumsier in the hind end, and
he/she may walk with “heels” lower to the ground.
Early detection is key; the sooner a diagnosis can be made, the
faster treatment can be initiated, leading to better outcomes. If
your cat has any of these symptoms, contact your veterinarian.
How Is Diabetes Diagnosed?
Together with clinical signs, a diagnosis of diabetes can be confirmed
through simple laboratory testing. If high glucose levels
are detected in the blood or urine, this may be an indication of
diabetes. Your veterinarian will likely recommend repeating
these tests to confirm persistent glucose elevations and make a
diagnosis of diabetes. Of note, cats that are stressed may have
elevated blood glucose, so this finding alone does not always
indicate diabetes.3 Your veterinarian may also run a blood test
called a fructosamine level to get a clearer understanding of
whether your cat’s blood sugar has been consistently elevated,
which can aid in confirming a diagnosis.2 Blood and urine testing
is a common part of an annual examination for healthy pets, so
it is possible for your veterinarian to detect signs of diabetes
before symptoms are apparent at home.
PET OWNER HANDOUT
Copyright 2023
Educational Concepts, LLC,
dba Brief Media
US-PET-0574-2023
Is Diabetes Treatable?
In most cases, diabetes is a manageable condition. For most
cats, injectable insulin is an appropriate treatment and generally
administered 1 to 2 times a day.6 Although it may seem
daunting, most pet owners are able to successfully administer
insulin at home, and most cats tolerate the injections well.3 If
needed, ask your veterinarian about alternate options to treat
diabetes orally in your cat.
Dietary modification is also important. Feeding a specially formulated,
higher-protein, lower-carbohydrate diet may help
control blood glucose levels, and canned food may also offer
benefits over dry food due to lower carbohydrate levels.2 In
overweight cats, a plan may also be recommended to help
achieve optimum body weight.
In some cases, a cat’s diabetes may enter a state of remission
and the cat may no longer require insulin injections but will still
require close monitoring at home and by their veterinarian to
detect signs of recurrence.
Conclusion
Diabetes is one of the most common endocrine diseases in cats,
and understanding the basics can help reduce the risks of your
cat developing diabetes. However, blood and urine testing are
the only ways to definitively determine whether a cat has diabetes,
which is why it is critical for pet owners to take their cat to
the veterinarian for routine examinations, regardless of obvious
concerns seen at home. Although diabetes requires close management
and monitoring both at home and in the veterinary
clinic, early intervention and dedicated management can lead
to a good prognosis. If you have any concerns regarding diabetes
or your cat, contact your veterinarian.
References
1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. National diabetes statistics report:
estimates of diabetes and its burden in the United States. CDC website. https://
www.cdc.gov/diabetes/data/statistics-report/index.html. Accessed June 7, 2023.
2. Rothrock K. Diabetes mellitus (feline). Healing Paws Veterinary Care website.
https://carlisleveterinarian.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Diabetes-
Mellitus-Feline-Diagnosis-and-Treatment-VINcyclopedia-of-Diseases-VIN.pdf.
Updated January 26, 2023.
3. Cornell Feline Health Center. Feline diabetes. University of Cornell website.
https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/cornellfeline-
health-center/health-information/feline-health-topics/feline-diabetes.
Accessed June 7, 2023.
4. Merck Animal Health. Feline diabetes overview. Merck website. www.merckanimal-
health-usa.com/vetsulin/cats/about-overview. Accessed June 7, 2023.
5. Grzyb K. Why your cat won’t drink water and what to do. PetMD website. https://
www.petmd.com/cat/symptoms/why-your-cat-wont-drink-water-and-what-do.
Published September 16, 2022. Accessed June 7, 2023.
6. American Animal Hospital Association. Insulins commonly used in dogs and
cats. AAHA website. https://www.aaha.org/aaha-guidelines/diabetesmanagement/
treatment/insulin-therapies. Accessed June 7, 2023.
