What is Cat Diabetes
Feline diabetes is one of the most common ailments that affect cats.
Similar to human diabetes, feline diabetes is essentially a condition in which either low insulin production or insufficient insulin response leads to consistently elevated blood sugar levels.
While it can start early in a young cat’s life, cat diabetes occurs more often in older pets than it does in younger ones.
And it occurs more often with females than with males.
How is Cat Diabetes Diagnosed
This condition is usually diagnosed and confirmed by blood tests and urine tests.
Symptoms of Feline Diabetes
The symptoms of diabetes can vary between cats, but many cats will show a loss of interest in food. Others will put on weight. And some will do both.
Feline diabetes symptoms may include muscle issues such as weakness or cramps, a general overall lethargy, increased vomiting and more infections.
Severe symptoms such as seizures, unusually slow walking and dramatic lack of appetite can be alarming and worrisome to the owner.
If you notice this type of changes in your kitty’s behavior, you should contact your veterinarian.
Cat Diabetes Treatments and Control
There is no simple cure for feline diabetes.
But you can take steps to control the situation.
It begins with diet and nutrition. Some diabetic cats are obese. Some are not.
Either way, you start by sticking to a regular feeding schedule. You feed your kitty at the same time each day.
If you have always left dry food out 24-hours-a-day so she could eat whenever she wants, this will be a change.
The type of food will probably change too. Most diabetic cats need a high protein, low carbohydrate diet.
This helps control their insulin levels and helps them to feel better.
Sometimes these high-protein foods are only available at a veterinarian or through a prescription. They generally cost more than regular cat food.
Since you most likely will be trying to cut back on calories, you may need to cut back on those extra treats you love giving him too.
As they start their new diet, they will often lose some weight. That is good too.
After weeks or months, once they have become accustomed to their new food and mealtimes, you can gradually increase the amount they get to an amount that makes them happy.
Drinking a lot of water is important too.
Do whatever you need to do to increase their interest in drinking.
Leave out multiple water dishes or different cups or invest in one of those machines that constantly circulates water to interest him into drinking more.
Give your cat plenty of attention and help them to be more physically active. Play with them more. Make them get more exercise.
Besides a change of diet and exercise, your vet may prescribe supplements, medicine or insulin. They may suggest other options too.
Get Started
If you think your cat is showing symptoms of diabetes, contact your vet to look into it.
It’s a difficult condition to control, and symptoms can progress quickly, but it’s up to you to monitor them and take care of them.
There are treatment options that can help you improve your cat’s condition and make them feel better and live better.
Once you start treatment if your cat is not responding well to those treatments, for example, if he is not eating at all, it is important you get back to your veterinarian and explore alternative treatment options.
NOTE: Any content in this article is not to be considered medical or veterinarian advice. This content is strictly for general information only. Be sure to consult with a professional veterinarian before starting, or deciding to not start, any treatment option.
