Diabetes may not be the first condition that comes to mind when thinking about cat health, but it affects more cats than many realize. Experts estimate that around one in every 100 cats could have diabetes, a condition that, like in humans, often requires daily medication and special diets.
Feline diabetes is similar to Type 2 diabetes in humans. It occurs when the body doesn’t produce enough insulin or doesn’t respond to insulin properly. Symptoms can include weight loss, excessive thirst, frequent urination, and increased appetite.
Some cat owners in the UK are sharing their stories to raise awareness of the condition. Emma Damen, from Andover in southern England, noticed something was wrong with her cat Woody in 2023. “He was drinking constantly and losing a lot of weight,” she told the BBC. Woody also lost muscle in his back legs and had trouble standing. Blood tests confirmed that he had diabetes.
“I had never heard of diabetes in cats,” Damen said. She now gives Woody two insulin injections a day and keeps a strict schedule using a smartwatch alarm. Without insurance, she pays over £80 (more than $100) each month for his treatment and food.
Nearby in Bishop’s Waltham, Stacey Goddard cares for her diabetic cat, Buddy. “It’s like having three children,” she said. Buddy was adopted in 2017 and diagnosed a year later after becoming lethargic and losing interest in food. He now gets two injections a day, follows a special diet, and wears a glucose monitor.
In advanced cases, cats can develop diabetic neuropathy, which causes weakness in the back legs. If left untreated, they may also suffer from diabetic ketoacidosis, a dangerous condition that can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, extreme fatigue, and even death.
Veterinarians urge owners to speak to a professional if they notice any symptoms. With proper care, diabetic cats can still live full and happy lives.
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