Understanding Feline Diabetes: Symptoms, Treatment, and

Part 1: Which Cats Are More Prone to Developing Diabetes?

1. Overweight cats are at a higher risk for health issues, including diabetes. When a cat is overweight, its sensitivity to insulin decreases, making it about four times more likely to develop diabetes compared to a cat with a normal weight.

2. Older cats tend to have reduced insulin utilization, which also increases their susceptibility to diabetes.

3. Some cats are treated with glucocorticoids and progestins when they are sick. However, longterm use of these hormones can enhance insulin resistance, making diabetes more likely in these felines.

Part 2: Symptoms and Treatment of Diabetes in Cats

1. Classic Symptoms: After developing diabetes, cats may experience a sudden increase in appetite and, consequently, their water intake. This leads to an increase in urination. Even though the cat may eat normally and appear to have a good appetite, it may still lose weight.

2. Atypical Symptoms: Besides the classic symptoms, diabetic cats may exhibit dry, matted, and sparse fur, limping, abnormal posture, and may become more lethargic, weak, and less active.

3. Treatment: If a cat's blood glucose levels are higher than normal, it is considered hyperglycemia. However, to determine whether the high blood glucose is due to stress or diabetes, multiple measurements are needed for diagnosis. Diabetes in cats requires insulin injections for treatment. The type and dosage of insulin may vary depending on the cat's condition and weight, so pet owners should never selfmedicate and should always follow the doctor's advice.

Part 3: Care and Prevention of Diabetes in Cats

1. If a cat has diabetes, it's best to feed it a diabetic prescription diet. If financial constraints are a concern, a grainfree dry kibble or chicken breast as the main course can be provided, along with other nutrients as recommended by the veterinarian.

2. To prevent diabetes in cats, it's crucial to control their weight, encourage regular exercise, and schedule routine veterinary checkups to monitor their health status.

Once a cat is diagnosed with diabetes, it may require insulin therapy for life. Therefore, pet owners must take preventive measures seriously. If you have any further questions, don't hesitate to consult an online veterinary expert.