Pet Diabetes Month takes place every November to help pet owners spot the early signs of diabetes in dogs, cats, and other pets before it becomes an emergency.
If your pet has started drinking more water, seems hungry all the time, or is losing weight for no clear reason, don't ignore these changes. Diabetes needs proper attention, but many pets with the condition can still enjoy a good quality of life with the right care.
Key Takeaways
What Is Pet Diabetes Month?
Pet Diabetes Month is a November pet diabetes awareness campaign that encourages owners to learn the signs and talk to their vet about their pet's risk.
It runs alongside National Diabetes Month for people. This diabetes month, a few small steps can make a real difference:
- Book a checkup, especially if your pet is seven or older. Our National Pet Wellness Month guide explains what a good wellness exam covers.
- Weigh your pet and compare it with last year's number.
- Ask about a quick blood or urine test if you've noticed changes in thirst, appetite, or weight.
What Is Diabetes Mellitus in Pets?
Diabetes mellitus happens when a pet's body doesn't make enough insulin or can't use it properly, so glucose builds up in the blood.
Insulin allows the body's cells to take in glucose from the blood and use it as energy. Without enough of it, glucose levels climb and spill over into the urine. The Merck Veterinary Manual describes it as one of the most common hormone disorders in dogs and cats.
Dogs and cats tend to experience it differently:
- Dogs: Diabetes mellitus in dogs usually means the pancreas is not producing enough insulin. Most dogs need insulin for life.
- Cats: Feline diabetes is often linked to insulin resistance, much like type 2 diabetes in people. With early treatment, some cats go into remission and no longer need insulin.
Pet Diabetes Symptoms to Watch For
The most common pet diabetes symptoms are increased thirst, frequent urination, a bigger appetite, and weight loss.
These signs of diabetes usually build slowly over weeks or months, which makes them easy to miss. Here's how they tend to show up in each species:
|
Sign |
Dogs |
Cats |
|
Drinking and urinating more |
Common |
Common |
|
Increased hunger with weight loss |
Common |
Common, though some cats eat less |
|
Cloudy eyes (cataracts) |
Common |
Rare |
|
Weak back legs or walking low on the hocks |
Rare |
Can occur |
|
Poor coat or less grooming |
Sometimes |
Often |
|
Low energy |
Common |
Common |
How Do I Know If My Dog Has Diabetes?
Watch for a dog that suddenly drinks and urinates much more, or loses weight while eating well.
Other clues include:
- Accidents in the house from a dog that's normally well-trained
- Emptying the water bowl faster than usual
- Cloudy eyes, since cataracts can develop quickly in diabetic dogs
- Less energy on walks
How Do I Know If My Cat Has Diabetes?
Some common symptoms of diabetes in cats are increased drinking, larger clumps in the litter box, and weight loss.
Other clues include:
- A greasy, messy, or unkempt coat from less grooming
- Weakness in the back legs, sometimes walking flat on the hocks
- Changes in appetite, either more or less
- Hiding or sleeping more than usual
When to call your vet the same day: If a pet with any of these signs starts vomiting, stops eating, or seems very weak, call right away. These can point to diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), a serious complication that needs urgent care.
Which Pets Are Most at Risk?
Middle-aged and older pets, overweight pets, and certain breeds face a higher risk of diabetes.
Common risk factors include:
- Obesity is the biggest risk factor, which can lead to insulin resistance
- Age, with most cases in middle-aged to senior pets
- Breed, including Miniature Poodles, Bichon Frises, and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels in dogs, and Burmese cats
- Being an unspayed female dog, since hormone changes can affect insulin levels
- Long-term steroid use
- Other conditions, such as pancreatitis or Cushing's disease
How Do Vets Diagnose Diabetes in Pets?
Vets diagnose diabetes by finding persistently high blood glucose levels and glucose in the urine.
A typical workup may include:
- Blood glucose test to measure current sugar levels
- Urinalysis to check for glucose, ketones, and infection
- The fructosamine test, which reflects the average blood sugar over the past few weeks
- Full bloodwork to look for related problems, such as pancreatitis
Cats can show high blood sugar from stress alone during a vet visit. The fructosamine test helps your vet tell stress apart from true diabetes.
How Do You Manage a Diabetic Pet?
Pet diabetes management usually combines insulin therapy, consistent meals, a healthy weight, and regular blood sugar checks.
It can feel overwhelming at first. Most pet owners find that it becomes a simple daily routine within a few weeks.
Insulin Therapy
- Timing: Insulin is usually given once or twice a day, timed with meals.
- Dose: Your vet sets the starting insulin dose and adjusts it based on your pet's response.
- Never change the dose on your own: Small changes can have a big effect.
- Match the syringe to the insulin: Veterinary insulins like Vetsulin and ProZinc are U-40, while some human insulins are U-100. Using the wrong syringe can cause a serious dosing error.
Oral Medication for Some Cats
Not every diabetic cat needs insulin shots. The FDA has approved two once-daily oral medications, Bexacat (a tablet) and Senvelgo (a liquid), for certain cats.
- They're an option for treating newly diagnosed, otherwise healthy diabetic cats.
- According to the FDA, cats that have already received insulin shouldn't receive it again because of a higher risk of DKA.
- Your vet will screen your cat before prescribing either one and monitor them closely.
Diet and Daily Routine
- Feed the same amount at the same times each day, so insulin and food line up.
- A high-protein diet with fewer carbohydrates may suit many cats.
- For dogs, keep meal portions steady.
- Count treats as part of daily calories. Our National Treat Your Pet Day guide explains the common 10% rule.
- Keep exercise steady. A sudden burst of activity can lower blood sugar unexpectedly.
Where Supplements Fit In
Supplements can't replace insulin, but some owners ask their vet about adding one alongside treatment.
- Herbal formulas such as Pet Wellbeing Blood Sugar Gold for Cats and Blood Sugar Gold for Dogs are designed to support healthy blood sugar levels.
- Some herbs may lower glucose levels, which can change how your pet responds to insulin.
- Only add a supplement with your vet's approval, and plan on closer blood sugar checks when you start.
How Is Blood Sugar Monitored in Pets?
Blood sugar in pets is monitored with glucose curves, home glucose meters, continuous glucose monitors, and periodic fructosamine tests.
Here's what each one does:
- Glucose curve: Blood glucose levels are measured at intervals throughout the day. This shows your vet how long each insulin dose works.
- Home glucose meter: A tiny drop of blood from the ear or paw pad is read using test strips. Pet-calibrated meters like the AlphaTRAK 3 Starter Kit are designed for dog, cat, and horse blood.
- Continuous glucose monitor: Some vets use a small sensor, such as the FreeStyle Libre, that reads glucose for up to two weeks.
- Fructosamine test: A lab test your vet runs every few months to see average control.
Tips for Pet Blood Sugar Monitoring at Home
- Ask your vet to show you how to take a sample before you try it yourself.
- Warm the ear first with your hand. It helps blood flow and makes sampling easier.
- Stick with one meter so your readings stay consistent over time.
- Keep spare supplies on hand. HardyPaw's diagnostic devices include test strips and lancets.
- Log every reading along with meals and insulin times, and share it at each visit.
According to the Merck Veterinary Manual, at-home monitoring can improve control and increase the chance of remission in diabetic cats. It's one of the most helpful tools for safely regulating blood sugar.
Low Blood Sugar: The Emergency Every Owner Should Know
The most common emergency in diabetic pets is low blood sugar, or hypoglycemia, which can follow too much insulin or a missed meal.
Watch for these signs:
- Weakness or wobbly walking
- Trembling or muscle twitching
- Confusion or unusual behavior
- Seizures or collapse
If you see them, here's what to do:
- If your pet is conscious, gently spread approximately one tablespoon of honey or corn syrup over their gums.
- Once they can swallow, offer their usual meal.
- Call your vet right away.
- If your pet is unconscious or seizing, go to an emergency vet immediately.
To lower the risk:
- Make sure your pet eats before giving insulin. If they won't eat, call your vet before giving a dose.
- Choose one person to give insulin, so no dose is ever given twice.
- Keep corn syrup or honey at home and in your pet's first aid kit.
Can Pet Diabetes Be Prevented?
Pet diabetes can't always be prevented, but keeping your pet at an optimal weight is an effective way to lower the risk.
Simple habits for preventing diabetes:
- Measure every meal instead of free-feeding.
- Keep treats to a minimum, aiming for less than 10% of your pet's daily calorie intake.
- Make time for daily activity, such as walks with dogs or playtime with cats.
- Ask your vet whether spaying your female dog is advisable, and discuss any plans for prolonged steroid use.
- Arrange annual blood tests for senior pets to help detect early increases in blood glucose.
Blood Sugar and Insulin Problems in Horses
Horses rarely develop diabetes mellitus the way dogs and cats do, but many struggle with insulin resistance.
- Insulin problems in horses are usually linked to equine metabolic syndrome (EMS) or equine Cushing's disease (PPID).
- High insulin levels raise the risk of laminitis, a painful hoof condition.
- Management focuses on weight control, low-sugar forage, and regular exercise.
- Some owners use metabolic supplements such as InsulinWise Pellets for Horses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Can diabetic cats go into remission?
Ans: Yes, some cats can, especially when diabetes is caught early and treated promptly with insulin, diet changes, and close monitoring. Remission means the cat no longer needs treatment, but diabetes can return, so regular blood sugar checks and vet visits still matter.
Q2: Should I give insulin if my pet won't eat?
Ans: Don't give the usual dose without talking to your vet first. Insulin without food can cause dangerously low blood sugar Call your vet promptly, especially if your pet is also vomiting or lethargic, as these can signal a more serious problem.
Q3: Can I use a human glucose meter for my pet?
Ans: Some owners do, but human meters can read differently because they're calibrated for human blood. Pet-calibrated meters are designed for dogs and cats. Ask your vet which meter they recommend, and use the same one every time to keep your readings consistent.
Q4: Will my diabetic dog go blind?
Ans: Many diabetic dogs develop cataracts, which can cause vision loss, especially when blood sugar is poorly controlled Good glucose control and regular eye checks are important, and some dogs may be candidates for cataract surgery.
Q5: How often should a diabetic pet see the vet?
Ans: Visits are usually frequent at first, every week or two, while your vet finds the right insulin dose. Once your pet's blood sugar is stable, rechecks every few months are common. Your vet will set a schedule based on your pet's needs.
Q6: Can horses get diabetes?
Ans: True diabetes mellitus is uncommon in horses. More often, horses develop insulin resistance linked to equine metabolic syndrome or Cushing's disease. This can make laminitis more likely. Your equine vet may recommend tests a diet lower in sugar, steps to manage your horse's weight, and regular exercise.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information only and isn't a substitute for advice from your veterinarian. Insulin and oral diabetes medications require a prescription and should only be used under veterinary supervision. Never change your pet's dose or add a supplement without talking to your vet.
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