Companion Animal Welfare

Cat Welfare and Diabetes Mellitus Management

Feline diabetes mellitus is manageable with appropriate diet and insulin. Successful management enables diabetic remission in some cats, restoring normal welfare.

Key Facts

Feline diabetes mellitus is increasingly common, with obesity as a major risk factor
Low-carbohydrate wet diets significantly improve glycaemic control
Most cats require twice-daily insulin injections initially
Diabetic remission occurs in up to 90% of cats with aggressive early management
Regular glucose monitoring at home reduces stress and improves management

Welfare Considerations

Diabetes mellitus is highly manageable and sometimes curable in cats. Aggressive early management with appropriate diet and insulin achieves remission in many cases, restoring long-term welfare.

What You Can Do

Seek prompt veterinary assessment if your cat is showing increased thirst and weight loss
Discuss low-carbohydrate diet options with your vet
Learn home glucose monitoring techniques to reduce veterinary visit stress
Commit to consistent insulin administration and monitoring for best outcomes