Diabetes in Cats: Early Signs and Risk Factors

How much do you know about diabetes in cats? If your response is “not enough,” then this is for you. By the end of the article, you’ll understand why every cat owner should be up to speed on the signs of diabetes in cats – plus the risk factors, prevention, and treatment options that can make a real difference in your cat’s life.

What is diabetes?

Let’s start by refreshing the memory about what diabetes is. Sugar diabetes (diabetes mellitus) occurs when the body can’t properly regulate its blood glucose levels, causing them to climb too high.

The hormone insulin helps cells absorb glucose, which acts as the body’s fuel – just like petrol powers a car engine. Without enough insulin, cells can’t take in glucose properly, so it stays in the bloodstream instead of being used for energy. Think of it like trying to fill up a car with fuel, but the cap is stuck. No matter how much fuel you pump, it never reaches the engine – it just builds up outside.

When blood sugar levels get too high, the excess spills over, overwhelming the kidneys ability to cope. Eventually, sugar appears in the cat’s urine because the body can’t process it correctly. This is an important clue that something is wrong.

Signs of diabetes in cats

Let’s set the scene by understanding what the signs of diabetes are. While your vet will need to confirm diabetes with blood and urine tests, these signs should raise your suspicions:

• Increased thirst – Are you frequently refilling the water bowl? Is the litter box constantly soaked? These are clues not to miss.
• Weight loss – Despite eating well, your cat is losing weight.
• An unkempt coat – If their usual glossy fur has turned dull, your cat may be unwell and diabetes is one possible reason.
• Flat-footed gait – Advanced diabetes can cause nerve damage, leading to a “flat-footed” walk on the back legs.
• Cataracts and blindness – Diabetic cataracts are a common complication of untreated advanced diabetes.
• Lethargy and urinary tract infections – Some diabetic cats may seem sluggish or suffer frequent infections due to sugar in the urine.

What causes diabetes in cats?

Put your preconceptions away because this is where things get really interesting. Yes, it’s true that some cats are genetically predisposed to developing diabetes. But, it’s also true that there are risk factors we control to reduce the chances of a cat developing the disease.

• Breed: Burmese, Maine Coons, and Siamese cats are more likely to develop diabetes than other breeds.
• Gender: Neutered males top the list.
• Age: Middle-aged or older cats are at greater risk.
• Weight: Obesity is a major risk factor.
• Diet and inactivity: Highly processed diets and sedentary lifestyles contribute to insulin resistance.
• Medications: Long-term steroid use increases the likelihood of diabetes.
• Acromegaly: Excess growth hormone can interfere with insulin function (more on this later).

Understanding the risk factors and recognising the signs of diabetes in cats early – can make all the difference. Prompt treatment is key if your cat is diagnosed with diabetes. We know that early intervention and rapid treatment gives insulin-producing cells a chance to rest and recover, potentially reversing diabetes.

Obesity and diabetes

The good news? Many risk factors for diabetes can be managed – starting with weight control, a crucial step in prevention.

No one deliberately makes their cat overweight, but be aware that overfeeding your cat invites complications like diabetes. Those extra calories turn into fat, which has to be stored somewhere. Unfortunately, one of the places the body stashes fat is in the beta cells of the pancreas, the cells responsible for insulin production.

Imagine a spare room overflowing with clutter – so packed that there’s no space left for a guest to sleep. Similarly, when beta cells become overloaded with fat, they can’t perform their primary function of making insulin.

This leads to a relative lack of insulin, causing blood sugar levels to climb too high. But here’s the good news: newly diagnosed diabetic cats have a chance to revert to being non-diabetic if they are put on a diet and lose weight. Shedding excess fat clears out those beta cells, allowing them to go back to producing insulin.

A combination of diet and exercise can go a long way toward helping a diabetic cat achieve better health.

Link between acromegaly and diabetes

Some diabetic cats are easier to stabilise than others. For a long time it’s been known that other illnesses, such as dental disease or an overactive thyroid, can make the body less responsive to insulin. It leads to dangerous swings in blood sugar levels, making diabetes harder to control.

But now, another major cause of diabetes has been identified, one that’s especially relevant for cats whose blood sugar patterns are more erratic than a kitten chasing a ball.

Acromegaly is a condition where a tiny gland at the base of the brain, the pituitary gland, produces too much growth hormone. The symptoms aren’t always obvious, but the most noticeable sign is a cat with an unusually large, chunky face or paws. Now that vets know to look for it, research shows that around one-third of all diabetic cats produce too much growth hormone.

This is significant because growth hormone interferes with how cells recognise and respond to insulin. Think of insulin as the key to a locked door, allowing glucose into the cells. But growth hormone acts like sticky tape over the keyhole, blocking insulin from unlocking the door – so glucose stays in the bloodstream instead of being absorbed.

Your vet can diagnose acromegaly via a specialised blood test sent to a lab. If confirmed, this helps predict that your cat’s blood sugar control may be unpredictable. This means home blood glucose monitoring is essential.

Fortunately, there’s an advanced treatment option. Specialist veterinary surgeons can now remove the overactive gland (yes, brain surgery) with excellent success. Many cats who undergo this procedure revert to being non-diabetic after surgery, making it a win-win situation for both cats and their owners.

Diabetes treatment in cats

Most cat owners opt for a combination of diet and insulin therapy to manage diabetes. Dietary choices play a critical role in preventing complications and improving overall health, especially when addressing the signs of diabetes in cats early.

The role of diet in managing diabetes

Helping an overweight cat safely return to a slim, trim waistline is a crucial step in managing diabetes. However, weight loss should be gradual and is best done under the guidance of your vet to avoid additional health risks.

There’s plenty of debate over the best diet for diabetic cats, but the goal remains the same – we want to keep blood sugar levels steady and prevent wild fluctuations.

• High fibre diets: These provide a slow, sustained release of calories, helping to even out blood sugar levels. Some diabetic cats do well on fibre-rich foods, while others may struggle with digestibility.

• High protein diets: As obligate carnivores, cats thrive on protein, making raw food diets a strong choice for stabilising blood sugar. Some diabetic cats on a balanced raw diet have even gone into remission, but it’s essential that the diet is nutritionally complete and includes taurine, calcium, and essential fatty acids.

Regardless of the chosen diet, portion control and regular monitoring are key. A combination of diet and exercise can go a long way in helping a diabetic cat maintain stable blood sugar and overall health.

Insulin and blood sugar control

For most diabetic cats, daily insulin injections are essential for managing blood sugar levels. These are typically given once or twice a day, depending on the individual cat – your vet will guide you on the best approach.

However, some cats have an unpredictable response to insulin, often due to underlying health conditions like infections, other diseases, or acromegaly. This can make them more vulnerable to insulin overdose, which is extremely serious and potentially life-threatening. The symptoms to watch out for are:

• Extreme drowsiness – your cat seems unusually lethargic or unresponsive.
• Excessive twitching – noticeable flicking of the ears or whiskers.
• Poor co-ordination – walking unsteadily, almost as if drunk.

If you see any of these symptoms, call your vet immediately. Left untreated, insulin overdose can lead to coma and, at worst, death so prompt action is critical.

Final thoughts

And finally, diabetes is nothing to fear, because with the right treatment, it can be managed. If your cat shows signs of diabetes, don’t wait – seek your vet’s opinion as soon as possible. Early intervention is especially important. Recognising the signs of diabetes in cats early allows for prompt treatment and gives the pancreas a chance to rest, improving the odds that your cat could revert to being non-diabetic with proper care. A little support, the right diet, and good management. That’s the recipe for success.