Treating Feline Diabetes
Finding the right plan for your cat—and being ready for remission
A diabetes diagnosis in your cat can feel overwhelming at first, but with the right care plan and support, it becomes a manageable part of daily life. In fact, many cats go on to live full, healthy lives—and some even achieve remission. Here's what to expect when it comes to treating feline diabetes.
Insulin Injections Are the Gold Standard
For most cats, treatment begins with insulin injections, given once or twice daily. While this may sound intimidating, most owners quickly find that giving injections is easier than expected—and your veterinary team is here to guide you every step of the way.
We’ll work closely with you to:
Select the right type of insulin for your cat
Train you to administer injections confidently at home
Create a meal and insulin schedule that fits your cat’s routine
Cats often respond well to insulin, especially when combined with a low-carbohydrate, high-protein diet, which helps stabilize blood sugar levels and encourages remission.
What About Oral Medications?
In some cases—particularly when injections aren't possible—oral medications like glipizide may be considered. However, not all cats respond to oral options, and these medications aren’t suitable for every situation. Your veterinarian will determine whether this is a viable alternative for your cat, but insulin remains the most effective and predictable treatment.
Monitoring Is Key—Especially Early On
When starting treatment, we’ll need to monitor your cat closely, with visits every 1–2 weeks for:
Blood glucose curves or spot checks
Urinalysis to detect glucose or ketones
Weight and appetite assessments
Detailed conversations with you about your cat’s energy level, behavior, and litter box habits
This monitoring helps us adjust your cat’s insulin dose safely and identify early signs of remission, when the body starts producing and responding to insulin on its own.
Long-Term Monitoring
Once we’ve found the right treatment plan and your cat’s blood sugar stabilizes, we’ll move into maintenance mode—with checkups every 4–6 months to ensure continued success.
At home, you’ll monitor a few simple parameters to keep your cat safe:
Appetite
Water intake
Urination patterns
Energy level
Body weight
Some owners also choose to monitor blood glucose at home using a pet-specific glucometer or continuous glucose monitor. This can be especially helpful if your cat starts showing signs of improvement, as remission requires careful tapering and eventually discontinuation of insulin under veterinary guidance.
Remission Is Possible
Up to 30% of diabetic cats may go into remission, especially when treatment starts early. If your cat enters remission, we’ll guide you through stopping insulin, monitoring closely, and watching for any return of symptoms.
Feline diabetes doesn’t have to be scary. With consistent care, clear communication, and a strong partnership between you and your vet team, your cat can thrive—and maybe even beat the disease.
