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Help! My Cat Has Been Diagnosed with Diabetes

Discovering that your cat has been diagnosed with diabetes can be overwhelming. The good news is that feline diabetes is well understood. With the right care, clinical signs of diabetes can be managed and many cats continue to live happy, comfortable lives.

Diabetes mellitus occurs when your cat’s body struggles to balance their blood glucose levels. You might have noticed that your cat is drinking and urinating a lot more than they used to, that they are losing weight despite constantly asking for food, or that they aren’t as energetic as they were before. 


Diabetes in cats is more commonly due to insulin resistance (similar to type II Diabetes in humans). Cats that are overweight are at higher risk for developing diabetes. Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas. The energy from food is converted into sugars (glucose), which enter the bloodstream. Insulin is essential to allow glucose in the blood stream to move into the cells where the body can use the glucose as energy. If the cells are resistant to the effects of insulin, glucose in the blood stream will not be able to reach the cells where it is needed, causing your cat to feel hungry, thirsty and lose weight. 


Cats who receive prompt treatment for diabetes and achieve an ideal body weight, may go in to remission. Cats in remission from diabetes do not require insulin injections any more, although they do need to maintain an ideal body weight to avoid becoming insulin resistant again.

Treatment options for diabetes


Insulin injections – insulin is injected under the skin once or twice daily, depending on the type of insulin prescribed. It’s important that your cat has eaten before the insulin injection is given.


Oral medication – Senvelgo® (velagliflozin) is a liquid medication that is given once daily. This drug causes excess glucose to be passed out in your cat’s urine, so their blood glucose levels normalise and their clinical signs of diabetes are controlled.


Your vet and vet nurse team are there to support you


Caring for a diabetic cat is a team effort. Your vet and veterinary nurses are there to support you and answer any questions you may have.


Many owners find that once a routine is in place, managing diabetes becomes part of everyday life. What once felt daunting soon feels familiar and manageable.


Practical Tips for Everyday Life with a Diabetic Cat


  • Stick to a consistent routine: Regular feeding times and medication help keep blood glucose levels steady. 

  • Watch your cat for any changes: Drinking less, gaining healthy weight and brighter energy levels are all signs treatment is helping.

  • Ask about monitoring options: Home monitoring with urine dipsticks or newer glucose sensors can reduce stress and the need for frequent clinic visits.

  • Injections: The thought of giving your cat injections can be daunting, but most cats barely notice them once you’ve been shown how.

  • Stay in touch: If something feels off, your veterinary team would always rather help early than have you worry alone.


Why Nutrition Makes Such a Difference


Nutrition plays a key role in managing feline diabetes. Cats are natural carnivores, so diets lower in carbohydrates help reduce blood glucose elevations after meals. The right nutrition can:

  • Help stabilise blood glucose levels

  • Reduce insulin needs for some cats

  • Increase the chance of remission

  • Support healthy weight and muscle strength


Your vet may recommend a purpose-formulated diabetic diet to help support this balance safely and consistently.


Where Purina® DM Can Help


One option your vet may suggest is Purina® Pro Plan® Veterinary Diets DM Diabetes Management. This clinically proven diet is designed  to help reduce blood glucose variation by combining:


  • Low carbohydrate levels

  • High-quality protein to support lean muscle

  • Controlled calories to help maintain a healthy weight


As part of a long-term diabetes plan, Purina® DM can support your cat alongside medication and monitoring. Any diet change should always be introduced gradually under the guidance of your vet.


Click this link to learn more about this diet: 


Looking Ahead with Confidence


A diabetes diagnosis may feel daunting at first, but many cats respond extremely well to treatment. With the right nutrition, medication and support, they can have a great quality of life.


By learning more and working closely with your veterinary team, you’re already taking the most important step. With the right routine and care, there’s every reason to feel hopeful about the future for you and your cat.


For more information and support visit this link:

Thank you to Purina for supporting this article

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© Nestlé Purina Petcare 2026


ISFM Consensus Guidelines on the Practical Management of Diabetes Mellitus in Cats



 
 
 
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