Health & Wellness

Understanding cat diabetes: What every pet parent should know

November is Pet Diabetes Month — here's how to recognize and manage this common feline condition.

Team Fetch

November 19, 2025

minute read

If your cat has been drinking more water than usual or making frequent trips to the litter box, it may be time to see a vet. These changes could signal a problem like diabetes, a manageable but serious condition that affects roughly one in every 200 cats. During Pet Diabetes Month this November, we're breaking down everything you need to know about feline diabetes — from spotting the early warning signs to understanding the latest treatment options that can help your cat live a long, healthy life.

Recognizing the signs of diabetes in cats

The classic symptoms of cat diabetes often develop gradually, which means they're easy to miss at first. Most pet parents notice their cat drinking excessive amounts of water and urinating more frequently — sometimes even having accidents outside the litter box. Despite eating more than usual, diabetic cats typically lose weight, which can seem puzzling.

"As vets we get suspicious about diabetes when a cat has increased thirst and urination, and is eating a lot more yet has unexplained weight loss,” explains Dr. Aliya McCullough, Fetch's Chief Veterinary Officer. "Pet parents might also notice their cat becoming lethargic or developing a dull and brittle coat."

In some cases, you might observe weakness in your cat's hind legs or a plantigrade stance (walking on their hocks rather than their toes). If diabetes progresses to a dangerous complication called diabetic ketoacidosis, cats can experience vomiting, severe lethargy and loss of appetite — this is a medical emergency requiring immediate veterinary care.

Why some cats develop diabetes

Most cats develop Type 2 diabetes, which means their bodies either don't produce enough insulin or their bodies are unable to respond to it. The biggest risk factor? Obesity. Overweight cats are significantly more likely to develop diabetes. Male cats, particularly neutered males, face higher risk than females and the condition becomes more common as cats age.

Certain breeds, especially Burmese cats, show higher rates of diabetes. Indoor cats who lead sedentary lifestyles also face increased risk, partly because they're more prone to weight gain. While you can't change your cat's age or breed, maintaining a healthy weight through proper diet and regular play sessions is the most effective prevention strategy within your control.

Getting an accurate diagnosis

Diagnosing diabetes in cats requires more than a single blood test. Cats can experience stress-induced blood sugar spikes just from visiting the vet, which can complicate diagnosis. Your veterinarian will look for persistently elevated glucose levels in both blood and urine, along with the clinical signs you've observed at home.

A test called fructosamine provides valuable insight by showing your cat's average blood glucose levels over the past 2 to 3 weeks, helping distinguish true diabetes from temporary stress-related elevations. A full blood panel is performed to look for other diseases that have the same symptoms as diabetes and can occur at the same time, like kidney disease and hyperthyroidism. Your vet will also perform a complete urinalysis to check for glucose in the urine and rule out urinary tract infections, which are more common in diabetic cats.

The Dig, Fetch Pet Insurance's expert-backed editorial, answers all of the questions you forget to ask your vet or are too embarrassed to ask at the dog park. We help make sure you and your best friend have more good days, but we’re there on bad days, too.

Explore our products

Pet Insurance

Dog Insurance

Cat Insurance

Modern treatment options for diabetic cats

Injectable insulin remains the gold standard for treating feline diabetes. Most cats receive insulin injections twice daily, typically starting with a conservative dose that's adjusted based on their response. Two insulin types — glargine (Lantus) and protamine zinc (ProZinc) — are commonly prescribed, with dosing carefully tailored to each cat's needs.

Recently, the FDA approved two oral medications for diabetic cats: Bexacat and Senvelgo. These options can work well for certain cats, though not every diabetic cat is a good candidate for oral medication. Your veterinarian can help determine whether injectable insulin or oral medication makes more sense for your cat's specific situation.

"The main goal of treatment is to improve clinical signs of diabetes while avoiding hypoglycemia, which occurs when blood sugar drops too low," Dr. McCullough says. "This requires careful monitoring and sometimes frequent adjustments in the beginning.”

The importance of diabetic cat food

Diet plays a crucial role in managing diabetes in cats. A low-carbohydrate, high-protein diet helps regulate blood sugar more effectively than standard cat food. Many prescription diets are specifically formulated for diabetic cats, but some non-prescription canned foods can also work well.

The combination of appropriate insulin therapy and dietary management gives many cats the best chance at achieving diabetic remission — some cats can actually stop needing insulin altogether.

Managing diabetes at home

Successful diabetes management extends beyond the vet's office. Home blood glucose monitoring, while it might seem intimidating at first, becomes routine for many pet parents. Veterinary-specific glucometers like AlphaTRAK provide accurate readings, and newer continuous glucose monitors can track levels throughout the day without repeated needle sticks.

Keeping a daily log helps you and your vet spot patterns and adjust treatment as needed. Record insulin doses, feeding times, water consumption and any changes in behavior or symptoms. Consistency is key — try to give insulin and meals at the same time each day. Regular veterinary checkups also ensure your cat's treatment plan stays on track.

Living well with diabetes

With proper management, diabetic cats can have a good quality of life. The key is catching the condition early, committing to consistent treatment and maintaining open communication with your veterinary team. While the diagnosis might feel overwhelming at first, most pet parents find that managing their cat's diabetes becomes second nature within a few weeks.

Remember that preventing diabetes (when possible) is always easier than treating it. Keep your cat at a healthy weight, encourage regular play and exercise and schedule annual veterinary checkups to catch any changes early. If your cat does develop diabetes, know that you're not alone — your veterinary team can guide you through every step of the management process, and many cats with diabetes continue to enjoy excellent quality of life for years to come.

This information is descriptive only. Policy activation periods, risk free cancellation terms, waiting periods, limitations, exclusions to coverage and other terms and conditions vary by state or province and are subject to change without notice. Please see your policy for full terms and conditions of coverage. If there is any conflict between the policy and this product information, the provisions of the policy shall prevail.

Fetch insurance policies are administered by Fetch Insurance Services, LLC (d/b/a Fetch Pet Insurance, Fetch Pet Insurance Services in New York and British Columbia, Fetch Insurance in Nebraska, Fetch Pet Insurance Services, LLC in Michigan, North Dakota, New Mexico and California) CA license # 0F60627 and underwritten by AXIS Insurance Company, an Illinois Corporation, in the U.S. and AXIS Reinsurance Company (Canadian Branch) in Canada. For more information, visit fetchpet.com. ©2025 Fetch, Inc.

Discounts and offers are subject to approval and may change at any time. Maximum available discount is 10% and may not be available in all states and is not valid with any other offer. Charitable donations offer not available in AK, HI, ID, IN, KS, ND, NY, RI, SC, or TX, limited to $15 in AL and $10 in MI and UT. For policies purchased in LA or NH, the installment fee is waived for the first payment and applied to all remaining payments.

Most comprehensive and most extensive coverage according to Consumers Advocate, January 2023. Based on a comparison of injury and illness coverage between Fetch and North American pet insurance providers on consumersadvocate.org. Consumers Advocate is a Fetch partner. Best pet insurance according to Consumer Rating, August 2023. Based on a comparison of top pet insurance companies on consumerrating.org. Consumer Rating is a Fetch partner. Unmatched according to The Dodo, May 2022. Rated 'Excellent' on Trustpilot based on consumer reviews as of February 2025.

Fetch is a registered trademark owned by Fetch, Inc. Made for More and Love Longer are trademarks owned by Fetch, Inc. Fetch Wellness is insurance coverage added by endorsement to the core injury and illness policy, if purchased. It is not a “Wellness Program” meaning a subscription or reimbursement-based program that is separate from an insurance policy.

Average monthly premiums are based on U.S. annual premiums for dogs and cats, using the most common coverage configuration of $10,000 annual limit, $300 deductible, and 80% reimbursement rate for the period of 07.01.2024 through 06.30.2025. Exam fees based on average costs. Policies in force and number of pets helped based on Fetch data as of 8.15.2025.

Fetch Health Perks offers access to savings on health and wellness products and services that policyholders may purchase from independent vendors, which are not covered benefits under your policy. Fetch does not recommend, endorse, warrant or guaranty any specific vendor, product or service available under or through the Fetch Health Perks program or site. Fetch Health Perks is not insurance and is not provided by AXIS Insurance Company. The service discounts described on this page are not insurance and are not affiliated with AXIS Insurance company.

Please click here to review terms and conditions.