Diabetes in Cats: Understanding the Root Causes

Diabetes in cats is a serious but manageable condition that occurs when a cat's body can no longer produce enough insulin or properly respond to the insulin it does produce. This leads to high blood sugar levels, which can cause a variety of symptoms and complications if not properly managed. There are two main types of diabetes in cats: Type 1 and Type 2, though Type 2 is more common in felines. Understanding the causes of diabetes in cats is key to preventing and managing the disease.

Types of Diabetes in Cats: Type 1 vs. Type 2 Diabetes in Felines

Diabetes in cats primarily manifests as Type 2 diabetes, which occurs when the body’s cells become resistant to insulin. Type 1 diabetes, on the other hand, involves the failure of the pancreas to produce enough insulin. While Type 1 is more common in dogs, it can occur in cats as well.

Type 2 Diabetes (Most Common in Cats):

• The pancreas produces insulin, but the body’s cells are resistant to it.
• Often associated with obesity and lack of physical activity.
• Can often be managed with diet, weight control, and insulin therapy.

Type 1 Diabetes:

• The pancreas fails to produce enough insulin.
• This form is less common but more severe and often requires lifelong insulin injections.
• Typically develops in older cats or those with a history of pancreatitis.

Understanding the difference between these two types is important for choosing the right treatment plan for your cat.

Symptoms of Cat Diabetes

Excessive drinking and urination: Due to elevated blood sugar levels, the kidneys need to filter more blood to get rid of the excess sugar, which can lead to an increase in the amount of urine produced (polyuria), which in turn triggers thirst and drinking more water (polydipsia).

Treatment of Urinary Inflammation

Frequent urination; dysuria; hematuria; urodynia

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Weight loss: although the cat's appetite may be normal or even increased, the body's inability to utilize sugar efficiently will begin to break down fat and muscle to provide energy, resulting in weight loss.

Increased appetite: as the body is unable to utilize sugar properly, the cat may feel hungry and thus increase its food intake.

Fatigue and decreased activity: As the body is unable to utilize sugar efficiently, the cat may feel tired and weak, leading to decreased activity.

Vision problems: High blood sugar levels may lead to swelling of the lens, which in turn affects vision and can lead to blindness in severe cases.

Chronic infections: A high blood sugar environment is conducive to the growth of bacteria and fungi, so diabetic cats are more prone to skin infections, urinary tract infections and more.

Ketoacidosis: When the body cannot utilize sugar as a source of energy, it will begin to break down fats to produce ketone bodies. If too many ketone bodies accumulate in the body, it can lead to ketoacidosis, a serious complication that requires immediate treatment.

If your cat is experiencing any of these symptoms, it is recommended that you take him to your veterinarian as soon as possible for an examination and diagnosis. Early detection and treatment of diabetes can significantly improve your cat's quality of life and prognosis.

What Causes Diabetes in Cats?

The causes of diabetes in cats are multi-faceted, mainly including the following aspects.

• Dietary factors

As a carnivore, the physiological structure of cats is not suitable for a large intake of carbohydrates. Long-term consumption of cat food high in starch and sugar will lead to abnormal fluctuations in blood sugar levels and increase the risk of diabetes.

• Obesity

Obesity is one of the major triggers of feline diabetes. Excessive accumulation of fat in the body of obese cats can interfere with the normal function of insulin, leading to an imbalance in blood sugar regulation. Studies have shown that the risk of diabetes in obese cats is four times that of normal weight cats.

• Stress

Cats are sensitive creatures, and long-term mental or physical stress can prompt an increase in the secretion of hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol, which in turn affects the blood glucose regulation mechanism, leading to elevated blood glucose levels.

• Pancreatitis

Pancreatitis affects the normal functioning of the pancreas, leading to insufficient or ineffective insulin secretion, which can lead to elevated blood sugar and diabetes.

Also Read: Pancreatitis in Cats: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

• Medications

Certain medications such as adrenocortical steroids, progesterone, diuretics, heart medications, and anticonvulsants can weaken insulin and cause diabetes.

• Genetic factors

Diabetes in some cats may be genetically related, e.g. certain breeds of cats may have a high genetic susceptibility.

• Age

Feline diabetes is most common in cats over 10 years of age, which may be related to a decline in basal metabolism, leading to excessive meal intake.

• Sex

Male cats are twice as likely to be affected as female cats.

• Other Diseases

Diseases such as hyperthyroidism, hyperadrenocorticism, and acromegaly can increase insulin resistance and lead to diabetes.

• Lifestyle

Indoor cats and inactive cats have a higher prevalence, which may be related to their susceptibility to obesity.

How to Prevent Diabetes in Cats?

1. Dietary management

Choose low-sugar cat food: Prioritize low-sugar or no-sugar cat food to reduce the intake of carbohydrates, which will help control blood sugar levels.
High-fiber food: Foods rich in fiber help stabilize blood sugar, and you can choose cat food that contains a moderate amount of fiber.
Moderate amount of protein: Ensure that cat food contains enough high-quality protein to help maintain your cat's muscle health and blood sugar stability.
Timed and measured feeding: Follow your veterinarian's recommendations and feed your cat at regular intervals to avoid overeating and reduce blood sugar fluctuations.
Avoid high-sugar snacks: Do not feed your cat snacks with high sugar content, which may cause a sharp rise in blood sugar.

2. Weight control

Overweight and obesity are one of the main risk factors for diabetes and your cat's weight should be regularly monitored and controlled within a healthy range. Appropriate exercise and toys can be provided to help your cat burn excess energy and fat.

3. Regular checkups

Regular checkups can help detect early signs of diabetes, such as excessive drinking and urination, weight loss, and loss of appetite. You can visit your veterinarian for regular checkups, including blood sugar tests and urine tests. If early signs of diabetes are detected, they need to be treated and controlled promptly.

4. Avoid stress

Stress is also one of the major risk factors for diabetes. Stressors in cats should be avoided, such as inappropriate environments, overfeeding, and excessive exercise. Quiet, comfortable environments can be provided to keep the cat stable and relaxed.

5. Use medication with caution

The side effects of some medications may cause diabetes in cats, such as cortisol and medroxyprogesterone, so don't give your cat medications indiscriminately, especially those so-called “regular medications” for human use, which may not be suitable for pets. Consult your veterinarian in advance if you need to give medication to your pet.

6. Sports and Exercise

Exercise can enhance the cat's body resistance and also promote insulin secretion. For example, proper exercise can promote blood circulation flow and metabolism to regulate blood sugar balance, and can also prevent cat obesity or help overly obese cats to lose weight.

7. Maintaining health

Maintaining health is also an important aspect of diabetes prevention. Proper nutrition and supplementation of vitamins and minerals can be provided to enhance the cat's immunity and health. Also, regular vaccinations should be given to prevent other cat diseases.

FAQs

Scrambled eggs are not an ideal food choice for diabetic cats. While eggs themselves are a source of high-quality protein, the fats and seasonings added during the cooking process may increase the calorie and fat content of the food, which can be detrimental to the health of diabetic cats. Diabetic cats need to control the sugar, fat and calorie intake in their diets to maintain stable blood sugar levels.

Suggested Foods

Fresh meat: such as chicken and beef, these foods are rich in protein.

Low-carb cat food: Low-carb cat foods help control blood sugar levels because they reduce the rapid rise in blood sugar. Many diabetic cats respond well to foods with less than 10 percent carbohydrates, and some even require less than 5 percent.

High Protein Foods: High protein foods help maintain muscle mass and blood sugar stability. High-quality protein sources include chicken, turkey, duck, beef, liver, and fish (e.g., salmon).

High-fiber foods: High-fiber foods slow the digestion of food in the stomach, which slows the rise in blood sugar. Fiber also helps control weight, which is especially important for overweight diabetic cats.

Are cats with diabetes in pain?

Cats with diabetes do not themselves feel pain due to diabetes. However, diabetes can lead to complications such as ketoacidosis and infections, which may cause discomfort or pain in cats. Therefore, it is very important to treat and manage your cat with diabetes in a timely manner to avoid complications. 

Conclusion

Understanding the causes of diabetes in cats, multiple factors can cause diabetes in cats. Obesity, genetic predisposition, pancreatitis, dietary factors, age, and hormonal changes all play important roles. By being aware of these causes, cat owners can take proactive steps to prevent diabetes in their furry friends. This may include maintaining a healthy weight, providing a balanced diet appropriate for a cat's carnivorous nature, and regular veterinary check - ups to detect any early signs of potential problems.