Diabetes in Dogs and Cats

Diabetes mellitus

A common endocrine disorder in which the body either doesn’t produce enough insulin or can’t use it effectively, leading to persistently high blood glucose. Affects both dogs and cats, though the underlying type typically differs by species.

Symptoms

Increased thirst and urination
Increased appetite paired with weight loss
Lethargy
Cloudy eyes/cataracts (especially common in diabetic dogs)
Weakness in the hind legs (more typical in cats)
Vomiting or lack of appetite, which can signal diabetic ketoacidosis, a medical emergency

Causes

Dogs: typically Type 1-like, where insulin-producing cells are destroyed, often due to autoimmune disease or chronic pancreatitis
Cats: typically Type 2-like, involving insulin resistance, strongly linked to obesity
Genetic predisposition in certain breeds of both species
More common in middle-aged to older, female dogs and in overweight cats

Treatments

Daily insulin injections in most cases
Consistent diet and feeding schedule to help stabilize blood sugar
Low-carbohydrate diets, especially helpful for cats
Weight management and regular exercise
Routine blood glucose monitoring and veterinary checkups
In cats, diabetes can sometimes go into remission with early treatment; in dogs it’s typically a lifelong condition

This condition is common in the following Dogs & Cats

No data was found