Diabetes in Cats: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

 
Its not a common diagnosis with only 0 2 to 1 of cats developing the disease. However its one you should know about. Learn about diabetes in cats including what the risk factors are the types of diabetes your cat may suffer from the symptoms to look out for and the treatment you can expect.
Diabetes in Cats
Dr. Colleen Wallace a catonly vet at the Cozy Cat in Raleigh NC told AZAnimals Diabetes in cats may develop in older cats especially if theyre obese. A lack of physical activity can lead to diabetes. In some cases treatment of another condition may result in the development of diabetes as seen with cats that receive glucocorticoids.

Just like you your cat needs glucose in its system for energy. However glucose doesnt function alone. It requires insulin which is a hormone that your cats pancreas produces. Insulin plays a role in the absorption of glucose because it communicates with the cells in your cats body to let them know when they should start the absorption process.
When this is done at just the right time your cat benefits because all of the fuel they need gets properly deposited and the levels of glucose in their blood drop appropriately. When your cat has diabetes it means that its body isnt able to either produce the insulin its body requires or the response to insulin in your cats body isnt functioning correctly. This is how you differentiate between the two types of diabetes. More on that below.
Watch your cats diet closely to prevent obesity which is a risk factor for diabetes.
Type I Diabetes
If your cat is diagnosed with Type I Diabetes it means that the glucose levels are higher than normal in their blood because their body isnt producing sufficient insulin.
Type II Diabetes
If your cat has been diagnosed with Type II Diabetes its experiencing high glucose levels because the cells arent doing what theyre supposed to do once insulin signals them to start the absorption process.
In both Type I and Type II diabetes glucose isnt being deposited and absorbed correctly so sugar levels spike in your cats blood. Its not that there isnt sufficient glucose present its that there is a process in the body that is failing to function in the way its supposed to. Either the cells arent able to access the nutrients or insulin is not being produced by the pancreas which results in