Cat Eating & Drinking More, Losing Weight: What's Wrong

The pancreas plays a crucial role in maintaining blood sugar levels within a healthy range. One of its primary tasks is to ensure that glucose levels do not spike too high. It achieves this by steadily producing and secreting a small amount of insulin each day, which helps to manage elevated glucose levels (blood sugar). The pancreas also produces another hormone called glucagon, which is released in response to low glucose levels (blood sugar).

However, unlike insulin, glucagon works in the liver. It stimulates the liver to release a small amount of stored glucose (also known as glycogen), and it also prompts the liver to manufacture large quantities of glucose from amino acids. This entire process is known as gluconeogenesis.

In a healthy cat, these two organs work seamlessly together to keep the cat's blood sugar levels within the normal range.

When a cat's blood sugar levels drop significantly, such as during intense exercise, more glucose is released from the liver. Conversely, when blood sugar levels rise, such as after eating, insulin is released to control the glucose levels.

Four Warning Signs of Diabetes in Cats!

1. Increased Thirst and Urination: If there's no change in the cat's diet or water bowl, but it suddenly starts drinking more water, don't be too pleased that your cat is finally drinking more. This sudden change could be a sign of diabetes! Due to high glucose levels in the body and a lack of insulin to properly use the glucose, cats will constantly signal thirst, leading to excessive drinking.

2. Increased Appetite and Weight Loss: This is because the cat's insulin deficiency prevents glucose from being used normally, leading to the body struggling to obtain energy and feeling hungry. This results in the cat eating more but losing weight in an unusual state.

3. Silence and Drowsiness: Despite eating a lot, cats with persistent hunger may become less energetic and less playful than usual.

4. Abnormal Walking Posture and Dragging the Rear Feet: Diabetes, as a chronic disease, can also lead to other complications, including neuropathy that causes muscle weakness. This can lead to cats not being as agile as before and even having difficulty entering the litter box.

How to Diagnose Cat Diabetes:

Diabetes in cats can be diagnosed when blood sugar levels significantly rise after fasting. Cats may temporarily have elevated blood sugar levels during excitement, so repeated monitoring of blood sugar and urine tests are necessary to confirm the condition. Other tests are typically aimed at identifying complications of diabetes (such as urinary tract infections or fatty liver). These include a complete blood count, blood chemistry tests, urine analysis, urine culture, and abdominal Xrays. Older cats are also prone to hyperthyroidism, so thyroid function tests may be required.

Diabetes can be caused by either congenital factors or a variety of acquired reasons. Cat owners should pay close attention to their pets' diet and behavior, as well as carefully controlling their weight to ensure the health of their beloved feline companions!