Diabetes mellitus in cats requires careful monitoring and insulin management. Home glucose testing and dietary control can achieve remission in many cats.
Diabetic cats experience polydipsia, polyuria, weight loss, and progressive neuropathy if poorly controlled. With appropriate management including insulin, dietary change, and monitoring, quality of life can be excellent and remission is achievable for many cats. The key welfare consideration is consistent monitoring to prevent both persistent hyperglycemia and dangerous hypoglycemia. Home glucose curves — measuring blood glucose at multiple time points following insulin administration — enable dose adjustments that maintain stable control. Owners who commit to this monitoring provide dramatically better outcomes than those relying solely on periodic veterinary visits.