Should I Euthanize My Cat With Diabetes?

Diabetes mellitus is a disease in cats that affects blood glucose levels due to a lack of insulin. It can be a challenging condition, but many cats go on to live long and happy lives by following the right diet and taking insulin. Some even go into full remission. Cat owners can find diabetes to be an overwhelming diagnosis. The time and financial responsibility that goes into caring for a diabetic pet is certainly a lot to think about.

When faced with diabetes in cats, it can be difficult to decide to implement a treatment plan or to make the heartbreaking decision to euthanize.

Let’s go through some of the basics of feline diabetes to help you make an informed and confident decision for your cat.

What Diabetes Is

Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas, which is highly involved in the body’s regulation of blood sugar levels. If there is a lack of insulin, glucose levels rise and interfere with the body’s ability to use sugar effectively as a source of energy.

Feline diabetes is similar to type-II diabetes in humans, It is non-insulin-dependent. It is usually caused by abnormal cells in the pancreas,  meaning less insulin is produced, which causes ‘insulin resistance.’ This is a poor response by the body to the little insulin which is there. This is in contrast to diabetic dogs, who are usually more similar to type-I diabetics.

Diabetic cats tend to be middle-aged or older cats, and males are more commonly affected than females. Risk factors include obesity and a sedentary lifestyle, both of which contribute to insulin resistance.

There may also be a genetic component involved in feline diabetes. Some family lines of Burmese cats seem particularly affected. Diabetes in cats can also be caused secondary to other diseases or medications which result in the body responding poorly to insulin.

Also Read: 7 Best Cat Foods For Diabetic Cats

Signs And Symptoms For Pet Owners To Watch For

The major symptoms of diabetes include an increase in water intake and an increased frequency and volume of urination. Weight loss is also common, and some cats will display a markedly increased appetite. A less common symptom is diabetic neuropathy, which is a weakness of the hind legs caused by nerve damage secondary to diabetes.

However, if you have an old cat who is always at the water bowl, has stiff back legs, or is peeing everywhere (not always in the litter box), don’t jump to conclusions. There are other common cat health concerns such as kidney failure and hyperthyroidism which can lead to similar signs.

Diabetes can be diagnosed and differentiated from other conditions such as renal failure, by a visit to the vet. Cats can show high blood sugar levels when stressed, so repeated or further tests may be performed if there is any doubt.

Also Read: Feline Hypoglycemia: Causes, Symptoms, & Treatment

Treatment Of Diabetes In Cats

There are two main aspects of diabetic management for cats: diet and insulin.

1. Diet

The aims of dietary management in feline diabetes are two-fold: weight management and carabohydrate restriction.

Obesity interferes with the action of insulin.  Reducing a cat’s weight back to a healthy range can have a huge effect on their diabetes. Weight loss is usually achieved through a combination of restricting calories and increasing exercise.

Carbohydrates are converted to glucose once digested. A low carbohydrate diet can have a significant response in diabetic management.

Suitable cat food will also often reduce insulin requirements, making the condition easier to manage, In some cases, this can even fully resolve feline diabetes. A prescription diet is usually the best option for diabetic cats, but there are low-carbohydrate commercial diets to follow as well.

Also Read: Cat Obesity Chart: Find Out if Your Cat is Obese

2. Insulin

The majority of diabetic cats will need daily (or twice daily) insulin injections. Many cat owners find the thought of this very hard to deal with. However, giving injectable meds is often easier than successfully giving a pill to a cat. With some practice, this can become a very routine part of your daily cat care.

Oral medications are commonly used in humans to control diabetes. They are not, however, used in veterinary medicine. Most of these drugs are either toxic or ineffective in cats.

Diabetes And Euthanasia

Diabetes in cats is not at all a death sentence. The long-term prognosis for diabetic cats varies with age, other health conditions and how easy it is to stabilize their insulin levels. Many cats live a long and healthy life with diabetes. Still, there is significant financial and time investment to consider.

Cats with any chronic health concerns need regular veterinary visits for careful monitoring. Diabetes often requires fairly intense input from a veterinarian in the initial few months, while deciding on the correct insulin dose, monitoring weight loss, and treating any complications.

Also Read: 7 Best Cat Foods For Diabetic Cats

The Cost And Commitment Of Treating Feline Diabetes

Owning a pet comes with great responsibilities. Sometimes pet ownership involves making some really difficult decisions. Euthanasia is a valid option for any cat who is suffering, has a poor quality of life, or cannot receive the care they need.

Pet owners often struggle with the overwhelming concept of treating diabetes in cats. Their beloved pet is often old, and the thought of giving injections to them can be frightening.

However, diabetes in cats is often very treatable. Diabetic cats can live a long time with a very good quality of life. Giving injections is very easy with some practice, and most cats tolerate this much better than they would by taking long-term oral medications. The needles for the injections are so tiny, they are barely noticeable when being used.

Some cases of feline diabetes can even be managed with diet alone, with no need for any drug therapy once insulin levels have stabilized.

There is a significant cost for feline diabetes treatment. Diabetic pets require regular health check-ups. However, some clinics offer at-home testing as a way to manage diabetes with a more ‘hands-off’ approach. Once the correct insulin dose has been found, the number of check-ups, and blood and urine tests will decrease. Still, the initial stabilization periods can be intense.

There is also the increased responsibility of owning a diabetic cat. They require a specific diet, need injections at certain times, and they also need to be closely monitored. This can make things like taking vacations a bit trickier.

Some cats are difficult to stabilize, which can be frustrating for pet owners and unpleasant for the cat. Some cats have periods of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) or suffer from recurrent urine infections.

A dangerous sequela of untreated diabetes is diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) which can present as an acute episode of vomiting, loss of appetite, depression, and collapse, which requires urgent and intensive treatment.

Final Thoughts

Diabetes is a common, yet complicated disease in cats. The diagnosis, stabilization, and treatment phases vary a lot between individual cats. This can make big decisions about what to do about it difficult. However, the prognosis is generally good. If the financial responsibility and time commitments can be undertaken, treating a diabetic cat is very doable. In fact, it can be a very rewarding experience to give a cat with special health needs a better life under your care.

Also Read: Is Sorbitol Safe For Cats?