Many of us suffer from diabetes or have loved ones or friends that have diabetes, and so a lot of us are aware of its negative impact, and living life requires extra effort to manage the disease. While it is quite saddening to know that pets can develop diabetes, on the bright side, cat diabetes can be managed and treated.
Symptoms of Cat Diabetes
It is good to be proactive by monitoring cat health if you suspect that your cat might be at risk for diabetes. Perhaps your cat is:
- overweight
- suddenly lost a great deal of weight
- always thirsty
- uses the cat litter box a lot to urinate
If so, it is possible that your cat is exhibiting symptoms of cat diabetes. More advanced symptoms of cat diabetes are:
- weakness or tiredness
- breath smells like acetone (a substance used for removing nail polish)
- lack of appetite
- frequent drinking
- vomiting
Once you start noticing these symptoms – and these are symptoms that your vet will probably not notice since your cat will only be at the vet for several minutes – it is important to take your cat to the vet to get tested. Your cat’s urine and blood glucose levels will be tested for ketones.
The Good News
As mentioned, the good news is that diabetes in cats can in fact be treated and managed, if the proper measures are employed. Get the opinion of your vet with regards to how you can take care of your cat, if your cat has diabetes. There are times when drugs that are taken orally can be used to control diabetes, and in some cases, insulin shots will be required. It depends on the type and severity of your cat’s diabetes.
What Causes Feline Diabetes?
While the exact causes of feline diabetes are unknown, statistics tell us that genetics plays a big role, and statistics also show that male cats are more prone to diabetes than female cats. Feline diabetes is also seen in most cats that are obese.
How You Can Help Your Cat
Since cat diabetes is more common among obese cats, you can help your cat by creating an environment that will encourage him to lead a more active lifestyle. Get your cat some cat furniture that will allow him to get some exercise. Even in humans, exercise has proven to be a key factor in the management and prevention of diabetes. Consider some cat furniture like scratching posts, cat trees, cat exercise wheels and other toys like feather danglers, and mice cat toys, to keep your cat preoccupied and physically active. As for your cat’s diet, ask your vet to recommend some good brands of diabetic cat food.
