We’ve come up with this comprehensive Feline Diabetes guide to help others manage their cat’s feline diabetes. We are not experts or veterinarians. We have had two cats that have been diagnosed with Feline Diabetes. Zipper (Zippy) was diagnosed with Feline Diabetes and after about a year of managing his condition, Zippy went into remission. This means he showed no signs of the disease and no longer needed care or management related to the disease.
We rescued another cat named Bentley and unfortunately after a few months he developed the signs of feline diabetes and was then diagnosed by a veterinarian that he indeed had the disease. Bentley needed inulin shots and a diet change to manage his diabetes. He is still a diabetic and we are still managing his disease today.
Diabetes is not a death sentence for your cat and Feline Diabetes is something that can be managed with your cat living a long healthy life otherwise.
My cat has Feline Diabetes, now what?
Zippy was our first cat that was diagnosed with Diabetes and when he was diagnosed, it was like a bomb dropping. We didn’t know how to manage it, we didn’t know the survival rate, and we didn’t know that cat’s with feline diabetes can sometimes go into remission. All we knew is that our poor cat Zipper was sick in a way we never dealt with before.
When your beloved cat is diagnosed with diabetes, it can feel overwhelming. However, with proper management and care, many diabetic cats can live long, healthy lives – some may even achieve remission, as was the case with Zippy, who successfully overcame diabetes through careful management. This guide will walk you through the essential steps of caring for a diabetic cat, focusing on the crucial aspects of diet, monitoring, and treatment.
Who can Help?
After Zippy was diagnosed with Feline Diabetes, we immediately started doing research on feline diabetes, We learned a tremendous amount online and there are a couple places that provided a wealth of information for us to understand and manage the disease. Here are a few places (in no particular order) that helped us with Zippy and Bentley after they were both diagnosed with Feline Diabetes.
- Diabetic Cats in Need (DCIN): Helping diabetic cats and their people since 2009.
- FelineDiabetes.com: FelineDiabetes.com is a complete pet health guide to treatment of diabetes mellitus in cats.
- DiabeticCatCare.com – Established in 2009, Diabetic Cat Care is a place to learn and practice a leading edge treatment protocol called Tight Regulation (TR) developed by Dr. Elizabeth Hodgkins.
- DiabeticCatHelp.com – Your partner in the fight against Feline Diabetes.
Each one of these organizations has helped us in some way shape or form and we’d recommend all of them for your own research. They are incredible resources and organizations when researching and managing your own cat’s feline diabetes.
We credit Dr. Elizabeth Hodgkins (DiabeticCatCare.com) and her method of tight regulation for bringing Zippy into his diabetic remission. Her method of tight regulation worked for us and Zippy. We’re currently doing the same for Bentley in hopes that he’ll someday also reach remission.
The Importance of Diet in Managing Feline Diabetes
Diet management stands as the cornerstone of treating feline diabetes. The food your cat consumes directly impacts their blood glucose levels, making dietary choices crucial for successful diabetes management. The right diet can help stabilize blood sugar levels and, in some cases, even lead to remission.
Making the Switch to Wet Food
One of the most significant changes you’ll need to make is transitioning your cat to a wet food diet. While many veterinarians offer prescription dry foods for diabetic cats, these options often contain higher levels of carbohydrates than what is ideal for a diabetic cat. Cats are obligate carnivores, meaning their bodies are designed to process primarily protein and fat, not carbohydrates. When a diabetic cat consumes high-carbohydrate foods, their already compromised system struggles to process these nutrients effectively.
Both Zipper and Bentley were transitioned over to wet food and neither had a problem. We had a number of cats at the time of Zipper’s diabetic diagnosis, so basically that meant every one of our cats switched over to wet food. Each one of them was picky and finicky. Eventually we found the right combination of flavors for each cat. Previous to this point we were feeding the cats with dry food and most of the time they were free feeding (leaving a bowl of food out all the time). That practice stopped because you can’t just transition one cat to wet food and leave a bowl of dry out for the rest of your feline family.
It’s important to note here that we didn’t have Zippy and Bentley at the same time, so I don’t mean to give the impression we were managing multiple cats who had feline Diabetes at the same time. However, we did have multiple cats while we had Zippy and transitioning Zipper to wet food meant they were all going to transition over.
Recommended Food Choices:
- Prescription wet foods specifically formulated for diabetic cats
- Fancy Feast Classic varieties (known for their low-carbohydrate, high-protein content)
- High-quality canned foods with primary ingredients being meat-based.
- Prescription dry formulas specifically for Diabetic cats.
Included in the list is the prescription dry formula but we think this should be a last resort. That’s because switching to wet food is normally a process that involves “feeding times” instead of free feeding. We realize this isn’t always an option for a time consumed household so we’ve included the dry food in the list. The issue is that many dry foods are carbohydrate heavy and that can be an enemy to a diabetic cat. That being said, sometimes there is no choice but to use dry. Portioning should be a thing now instead of keeping the bowl full.
Transitioning Tips
Some cats, like Zippy, may initially resist the switch to wet food. Don’t get discouraged – persistence is key. Here are some strategies for successful transition:
- Offer various flavors to find your cat’s preferences
- Focus on poultry and meat options (chicken, turkey, beef, liver)
- Limit fish-flavored varieties, as they can strain the kidneys
- Warm the food slightly to enhance aroma
- Start by mixing small amounts of wet food with their current diet
- Gradually increase the proportion of wet food
If your cat has been on dry food most of their life, they may show more resistance to the wet food. Bentley had no issues transitioning because he’s highly motivated by food. It doesn’t matter wet or dry. However, Zippy was wondering what was going on with the food and he eventually came around to the wet stuff.
Blood Glucose Monitoring and Insulin Management
The Importance of Home Testing
Home blood glucose testing represents a vital component of managing feline diabetes. While it might seem daunting at first, regular monitoring helps you:
- Track your cat’s response to treatment
- Identify patterns in glucose levels
- Adjust insulin doses appropriately (under veterinary guidance)
- Detect potential complications early
- Minimize stress-induced glucose spikes that often occur at vet visits
We have developed a cat diabetes tracker that keeps track of your cat’s glucose readings. They’re stored in a database and available whenever you need them. There’s an average reading displayed from all readings in the designated time period (30, 60, 90, all) so you can immediately see your cat’s average reading. You can print out the readings table for a physical copy of your cat’s glucose readings and there’s even a button to chart your readings. It’s a great tool that we’ve used and are making public for everyone to use.
Learning Insulin Administration
Proper insulin administration is crucial for managing feline diabetes. Many veterinary clinics offer one-on-one training sessions for pet owners, which can be invaluable for both you and your cat. These sessions typically cover:
- Proper insulin handling and storage
- Correct injection techniques
- Recognition of injection sites
- Monitoring for adverse reactions
- Record keeping
If in-person training isn’t available, numerous online resources and videos demonstrate proper technique. While the prospect of giving injections might seem scary, most cats tolerate them well, and owners typically become comfortable with the process quickly. While most cats will fall into this category, our cat Bentley can be an issue sometimes. We’ve gotten in the habit of testing his glucose levels regularly for tighter regulation and if he needs a shot, then we give it to him WHILE he’s eating. The eating distracts him enough that he doesn’t care about the shot. We didn’t have to do this for Zippy.
Signs of Progress and Potential Remission
With diligent management, some cats, like Zippy, may achieve diabetic remission. Signs of improving glucose control include:
- Reduced water consumption
- Normal urination patterns
- Improved energy levels
- Stable weight
- Consistent appetite
- Better coat condition
However, even if remission occurs, continue monitoring your cat’s condition, as diabetes can recur. Regular veterinary check-ups remain essential for long-term health management. We continued to to test Zippy’s glucose levels well after his vet confirmed he had gone into remission.
However, his testing was much less frequent and after several month in remission he was tested periodically when we thought he was showing signs of being ill. The diabetes never came back for Zippy.
Lifestyle Adjustments and Routine Care
Creating a consistent routine helps manage feline diabetes effectively. Consider these aspects for your cat:
Daily Schedule
- Feed at the same times each day
- Maintain consistent insulin injection times
- Monitor water intake and litter box usage
- Check for signs of low blood sugar (lethargy, weakness, seizures)
This means you have to monitor your cat likely a little more than you’re used to. Are they going to the litter box more or less? Are they drinking water more or less?
Environmental Considerations
- Keep stress levels minimal
- Maintain a comfortable indoor temperature
- Ensure fresh water is always available
- Provide quiet spaces for rest and recovery
Most of these considerations weren’t an issue for us because we have a multi-cat household and we make sure that every cat has it’s own place to rest and relax with a cat tree in every room. They all have enough water to drink and multiple litter boxes helps keep the cat’s out of each other’s way. Again, monitoring your cat’s day can help immensely to understanding their needs and issues.
Regular Health Monitoring
- Track weight changes
- Monitor appetite and thirst
- Note changes in behavior or energy levels
- Keep detailed records of glucose readings and insulin doses
We kept a log for all these things for both Zipper and Bentley. This is important for feeding times and insulin management among other things. How much food did you give them. What time? how much insulin does your vet recommend for the glucose level? Was there activity. Keeping a log helps in so many ways here.
Working with Your Veterinary Team
Successful management of feline diabetes requires a strong partnership with your veterinary team. Regular check-ups help:
- Adjust treatment plans as needed
- Monitor for complications
- Address concerns promptly
- Track progress toward potential remission
- Maintain overall health
We’ve had multiple vets over the years. Veterinary care and recommendations in conjunction with your cat’s glucose/insulin logs and activity regimens can all help in keeping your cat healthy and content. Keeping your veterinarian in the loop can not only help your cat but also help you in learning what’s new in the veterinarian world when it comes to feline diabetes.
After all, your vet is most likely the one that reads the veterinary journals along with various articles. If they know they have a patient with feline diabetes, they’re more likely to pass that information along to you.
The Emotional Journey
Managing a diabetic cat requires dedication and patience. Remember that the adjustment period takes time for both you and your cat. Many owners report that what initially seems overwhelming becomes routine with practice. It certainly was that way with Zipper and when Bentley came along it was a slight adjustment but mostly routine because we were very much aware of what was needed. The reward of seeing your cat thrive with proper management makes all the effort worthwhile.
Remember, each cat responds differently to treatment. What works for one may not work for another, so staying flexible and observant helps optimize your cat’s care plan. With commitment to proper diet, monitoring, and medical care, many diabetic cats can maintain a good quality of life and potentially achieve remission like Zippy did.
We’re still hoping for that outcome with Bentley but we’ve also resolved ourselves in the fact that he may never reach that point of remission. Diabetes may be a struggle he is dealing with for the rest of his life. We just want Bentley healthy and happy. Caring for his feline diabetes is just another step towards that goal.
