Diabetes mellitus in cats requires careful management through diet, insulin and monitoring, and has significant welfare implications for both cats and their caregivers.
Well-controlled feline diabetes allows cats to maintain an excellent quality of life, but poorly controlled diabetes leads to lethargy, weight loss, nerve damage and life-threatening complications. Regular glucose monitoring - either at home using continuous glucose monitors or through blood sampling - is important for welfare. The twice-daily routine of injections and feeding can be stressful for some cats and their owners, so careful technique and positive reinforcement are important.