What Causes Diabetes in Cats

Feline diabetes is a serious condition that affects many cats, particularly older or overweight felines. Understanding the causes of diabetes in cats is essential for prevention and management. Just like in humans, diabetes in cats occurs when the body cannot properly regulate blood sugar levels. Identifying the risk factors, such as obesity and diet, can help cat owners take proactive steps to prevent the disease. In this article, we’ll explore the causes of diabetes in cats, how to recognize the symptoms, and what you can do to keep your cat healthy.

How Does Diabetes Affect Cat's Daily Life?

Diabetes mellitus has a significant impact on the daily life of cats, mainly in the following aspects.

• Changes in appetite and weight

Cats may experience an increase in appetite but a decrease in body weight. This is due to their body's inability to efficiently utilise the energy they consume, resulting in weight loss. 

• Excessive drinking and urination

Diabetic cats may feel abnormally thirsty with frequent urination, which is due to the increased filtering burden on the kidneys caused by elevated blood glucose concentration. 

• Decreased vigour

Due to impaired energy metabolism, cats may show lethargy, decreased vigour and loss of interest in daily activities and play.

• Difficulty in walking

In severe cases, cats may develop neuropathy, resulting in abnormal walking postures, such as dragging the hind limbs on the ground. 

• Visual problems

Diabetes may lead to eye complications such as cataracts in cats, affecting vision.

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• Urine in diabetic cats

Diabetic cats' urine may have a peculiar odour, which is mainly due to the high glucose levels in the urine. In a diabetic state, a cat's kidneys excrete more glucose, which may give the urine a slightly sweet or sweetish odour. In addition, if the cat has a complication of a urinary tract infection or diabetic ketoacidosis, the urine may have a foul or other peculiar odour. However, it is important to note that changes in urine odour are not a symptom of all diabetic cats and can be affected by a number of factors. If you notice significant changes in your cat's urine odour, it is advisable to consult your veterinarian for further examination and evaluation. 

What Causes Diabetes in Cats?

• Obesity

There is a significant association between obesity and diabetes in cats. Obesity is a major risk factor for diabetes in cats, and studies have shown that obese cats have four times the risk of developing diabetes than non-obese cats. Obesity can cause a cat's body to become less sensitive to insulin, due to the fact that excess adipose tissue interferes with the action of insulin, which can lead to poor blood sugar control. Additionally, obesity can exacerbate existing diabetes symptoms, making treatment more complicated. 

To prevent feline diabetes, important measures include maintaining your cat's ideal weight and avoiding obesity through sensible dietary management and encouraging moderate exercise. Choosing cat food that is high in protein and low in carbohydrates, as well as regular monitoring of your cat's weight and blood glucose levels, will help maintain your cat's health. By doing so, you can effectively reduce your cat's risk of developing diabetes.

Related: Overweight Cat: A Guide to Safe and Manage Cat Obesity

• Aging

As cats age, their endocrine systems may change and their bodies may become less sensitive to insulin, leading to increased insulin resistance, an important factor in the development of diabetes. Older cats may suffer from other chronic diseases which may indirectly affect blood glucose control and increase the risk of diabetes. Certain cat breeds may have a genetic predisposition that makes older cats more susceptible to developing diabetes. 

• Lack of exercise

An inactive lifestyle may increase the risk of diabetes in cats. 

• Gender

Male cats have a higher prevalence compared to female cats, with males accounting for 70 per cent of diabetes prevalence. The reason that male cats are more likely to develop diabetes than female cats may be related to differences in sex hormone levels. Androgens in male cats may inhibit the action of insulin and increase the risk of diabetes. In addition, male cats' performance in obesity and insulin resistance may also be associated with their higher incidence of diabetes. Studies have shown that the risk associated with the development of diabetes in male cats is 1.5 times higher than that of female cats, and elevated basal insulin concentrations also contribute to the greater susceptibility of male cats to obesity. These factors combine to make male cats more susceptible to diabetes than female cats. 

• Genetic factors

Certain cat breeds, such as Burmese, Norwegian Forest and Russian Blue, may have a higher prevalence of diabetes. 

• Endocrine diseases

Endocrine diseases such as acromegaly and hyperadrenocorticism increase the risk of diabetes in cats. 

• Medication

Long-term use of medications such as glucocorticoids may predispose to diabetes. 

• Dietary factors

A high-carbohydrate diet may increase the risk of diabetes in cats, while a low-carbohydrate, high-protein diet may help prevent diabetes. 

• Pancreatitis

Pancreatitis may cause diabetes by destroying pancreatic tissue and affecting insulin production. 

Understanding these risk factors will help cat owners to take appropriate preventive measures, such as maintaining the appropriate weight of the cat, providing the right amount of exercise, choosing the right diet, and bringing the cat for regular health check-ups.

Also Read: Signs of Diabetes in Cats: Causes, Treatment, Prevention, and Daily Care

How to Treat Diabetes in Cats?

The treatment of diabetes in cats usually requires a combination of management, including medication, dietary modifications, weight control and regular monitoring of blood glucose levels.

Medication

Insulin is the main medication used to treat diabetes in cats and usually needs to be injected several times a day. Your veterinarian will prescribe the appropriate type and dose of insulin for your cat. In some cases, oral hypoglycemic medications, such as SGLT2 inhibitors, may be used. 

Dietary adjustments

Choose low-carbohydrate or high-protein foods: this helps to reduce drastic fluctuations in blood sugar levels, promotes weight loss, and mitigates the adverse effects of changes in hormone levels associated with obesity. 
Feed at regular intervals: establishing regular feeding times to avoid overeating in cats helps to stabilise blood sugar levels.
Avoid high-sugar snacks: Do not feed your cat snacks with high sugar content to prevent a sharp rise in blood sugar. 
Monitoring weight and blood glucose: Regularly monitor the cat's weight and blood glucose levels so that the diet plan can be adjusted in a timely manner. 
Consult your veterinarian: Before changing your cat's diet, be sure to consult your veterinarian to develop a personalised diet plan based on your cat's specific situation. 
Prefer dry or canned food: Dry food usually contains more advanced carbohydrates and plant fibre, while canned food is relatively low in carbohydrates and more suitable for diabetic cats. 
Pay attention to the stability of the food: Choose a pet food with a fixed formula to maintain a balance between blood glucose levels and the insulin required to maintain normal blood glucose levels. 

Weight Control

Obesity is a significant risk factor for diabetes in cats, so helping your cat lose weight through dietary modifications and adding moderate exercise is part of the treatment. 

Blood Sugar Monitoring

Regular monitoring of blood glucose levels is essential to adjust the treatment programme. Portable blood glucose monitoring devices can be used to track changes in your cat's blood glucose so that insulin doses can be adjusted in a timely manner. 

Using urine test strips

Use urine test strips regularly to check for glucose and ketone bodies in your cat's urine. Glucose and ketone bodies in the urine are signs of poorly controlled diabetes, especially a precursor to ketoacidosis.

Record the time and dose of insulin injections

Ensure that you accurately record the time and dose of each insulin injection as instructed by your veterinarian, as this will help to adjust the treatment programme and monitor your cat's response to treatment.

Exercise

Moderate exercise can help your cat respond better to insulin, reduce insulin requirements, and help maintain an ideal body weight. However, the exercise programme needs to be adjusted according to your cat's health and response

Treating feline diabetes requires veterinary guidance and active participation by the owner. With the comprehensive treatment approach described above, diabetes in many cats can be effectively controlled and quality of life improved.

How to Develop a Sensible Exercise Programme for Diabetic Cat?

Steps to develop an exercise programme for your diabetic cat

• Assess your cat's health condition

Before starting any exercise programme, consult your veterinarian to ensure that your cat's heart, joints and muscles, etc. can withstand the burden of exercise.

• Gradually increase the amount of exercise

You can start with simple games, such as using a feather stick or laser pointer to guide your cat to chase, and gradually increase the duration and intensity of the activities. It is recommended that at least 15 minutes of interactive play time be scheduled each day. 

• Maintain Consistency

Try to exercise at the same time each day as this will help your cat establish a routine and better manage blood sugar levels.

• Monitor your cat's response

Observe your cat's behaviour and energy levels during exercise to make sure they are enjoying it and not showing fatigue or discomfort.

• Adjusting the insulin dose

Depending on your cat's exercise and blood sugar response, the insulin dose may need to be adjusted. Work closely with your veterinarian to adjust the treatment plan according to your cat's actual condition. 

• Avoid strenuous exercise

Strenuous or prolonged exercise should be avoided in cats to avoid hypoglycaemia or other health problems.

Through the above steps, a reasonable exercise programme can be developed for diabetic cats to help them better manage their blood sugar and improve their quality of life. Remember to always develop and adjust the exercise programme under the guidance of your veterinarian.

FAQs

What Food Causes Diabetes In Cats?

Diabetes in cats is closely linked to the high carbohydrate content of their food. Studies have shown that high carbohydrate diets can lead to increased blood sugar levels in cats, which can lead to diabetes in the long term. 

Starch and grains: Cats' digestive systems are not designed to efficiently process large amounts of starch and grains, which are rapidly converted to glucose in the cat's body, potentially leading to a sharp rise in blood sugar. 
Sugar: Sugar added to cat food can directly raise blood sugar levels, especially after ingestion by the cat.
Easily digestible carbohydrates: Some cat foods may contain carbohydrates that are easily digested and absorbed by cats, which are rapidly converted to glucose, thus affecting blood sugar control. 

How Long Do Cats With Diabetes Live?

The average lifespan of a diabetic cat is affected by a number of factors, including the management and control of the disease, the overall health of the cat, and the presence of complications. If diabetes is properly managed, a cat's lifespan may not be significantly affected. For example, some cats have continued to live healthy lives for six years after a diabetes diagnosis. Additionally, some cats may experience a period of diabetic remission after proper treatment and care, meaning they may no longer require insulin therapy. 

However, if diabetes is not effectively managed, it can lead to a range of complications such as ketoacidosis, which can shorten a cat's life. Prompt diagnosis and aggressive treatment of diabetes is therefore critical to prolonging a cat's life. 

Recent research and therapeutic approaches, such as the development of oral hypoglycaemic agents, have provided diabetic cats with more treatment options, which may help to improve their quality of life and life expectancy. Overall, with comprehensive management and emerging treatments, diabetic cats can expect a life expectancy similar to that of non-diabetic cats.

Can You Prevent Feline Diabetes?

Strategies to Prevent Feline Diabetes

Prevention of feline diabetes mainly involves dietary management and weight control. Here are some specific preventive measures:

Choose low-sugar cat food: Give preference to low-sugar or no-sugar cat food to reduce the intake of carbohydrates, which will help to control blood glucose levels.
Regular and quantitative feeding: Follow your veterinarian's advice and feed your cat regularly to avoid overeating and reduce blood sugar fluctuations. 
High-fibre food: Fibre-rich food helps to stabilise blood glucose, and cat food with a moderate amount of fibre can be chosen. 

Conclusion

Diabetes in cats is a serious but manageable condition, especially when caught early. Understanding the causes of feline diabetes—such as obesity, poor diet, and genetics—can help you take steps to prevent the condition. By providing your cat with a healthy diet, regular exercise, and proper veterinary care, you can reduce their risk of developing diabetes and ensure they live a long, healthy life. If your cat is showing any signs of diabetes, it’s important to seek veterinary attention promptly to begin treatment and management.