Does my cat have diabetes?

We’ve been seeing a lot of talk about diabetes diagnoses increasing for humans in the next few years, but do our cats suffer from the disease, and how can we be sure if they are?

What is feline diabetes?

The official name for cat diabetes is Mellitus, which is actually pretty common in older, overweight cats. It occurs when there isn’t a sufficient amount of insulin in your cat’s body to balance out any sugar in their diet – so it’s pretty similar to diabetes in humans.

If your cat isn’t suffering from the disease, their food will be broken down when they digest it and the remaining sugar will enter the bloodstream. Insulin is then released, which regulates glucose levels; in a diabetic cat, this process does not happen. If too much sugar builds up in your cat’s body, it can be very dangerous, and if you suspect that this is happening you should always contact your pet insurance provider for further advice.

How do I know if my cat is suffering?

Symptoms of diabetes in cats can be as simple as obesity and old age. If your cat is older and slightly overweight, it’s best to keep an eye out on them more closely; if their water bowl goes dry and food is being consumed much more rapidly than usual, this could be a sign that your cat has diabetes. Frequent urination is often linked to the disease and is often assign that your pet’s glucose levels are unregulated. Your pet insurance provider can always put you in touch with a vet who can run tests to check how much sugar is in your cat’s urine and blood and will be able to give you a diagnosis.

What if my cat does have diabetes?

If your cat is diagnosed with having diabetes, they may need to receive regular insulin injections or be prescribed pills which will keep their sugar levels regulated. You’ll also have to revisit your pet’s diet and feed smaller portions, which have been designed by your vet to help handle your pet’s sugar intake. There isn’t necessarily a sure cure for diabetes, but even after a few months, some cats stop needing insulin as their pancreas can successfully supply the correct amount of insulin that their bodies need.
If you need further advice, please feel free to contact us on Facebook, or Twitter, or your pet insurance provider will be happy to put you in touch with a vet for more information.