08/13/2025
Did you know that Diabetes mellitus, or diabetes, is a common, treatable condition in pets? Our “The More You Know” segment today will explain the symptoms, diagnoses, and treatment involved in caring for a pet with this condition.
In dogs and cats, diabetes can occur at any age, however, diabetic dogs are usually 4 to 14 years old, and most diabetic cats are older than 6 years. Diabetes occurs in female dogs twice as often as it does in male dogs. Certain breeds of dogs and cats may be predisposed to the condition. Fortunately, diabetic dogs and cats can live long, comfortable lives with appropriate treatment and monitoring.
Diabetes occurs in pets when their body can’t use sugar the way it should. Glucose, the type of sugar in question, is the main source of energy for the body’s cells, and the levels of glucose in the blood are primarily controlled by a hormone called insulin. If there isn’t enough insulin or if the body is unable to use the insulin, glucose accumulates in high levels in the blood. This condition is called hyperglycemia. When that glucose reaches a certain level, it overflows into the urine and draws large volumes of water with it. Because of this, diabetic pets often drink more water and urinate more frequently and in larger amounts. In diabetic pets, not enough glucose gets transported into the body’s cells. As a result, the cells don’t have enough energy to function normally, and body tissues become starved for energy. This state of metabolic “starvation” causes the body to breakdown fat and muscle tissue. The breakdown of body tissues results in the weight loss often seen in diabetic patients.
Your veterinarian may suspect diabetes based on the symptoms your pet is showing. To confirm any suspicions and rule out other diseases, your veterinarian will recommend a panel of blood and urine tests. Diabetic pets consistently have high amounts of glucose in their blood and urine. They also may have a urinary tract infection.
Several health factors can increase your pet’s risk of developing or having diabetes including obesity, pancreatic disease, thyroid disorders, Cushing’s disease, dental disease, urinary tract infections, skin infections, and long-term use of steroid medications or progestin.
Noticing the signs of diabetes is the most important step in taking care of a diabetic pet. Immediately take your pet to the veterinarian if you see any of the following signs: Excessive drinking and increased urination, weight loss, lethargy or weakness, cloudy eyes, chronic or recurring infections, walking or standing unusually, with the ankles touching or nearly touching the ground. The earlier your pet is diagnosed and started on treatment, the better chance of avoiding complications caused by chronically high blood sugar.
Treatment of diabetes requires regular monitoring, including veterinary checkups, blood and urine tests, and assessments of your pet’s weight, appetite, drinking, and urination. Your veterinarian may need to adjust the treatment schedule from time to time, based on these results. The goal of successful treatment is to keep your pet’s blood sugar levels within a healthy range to prevent complications and maintain a good quality of life. Insulin injections and dietary therapy are core components.
If insulin is recommended, your veterinarian will prescribe an initial dose and type of insulin that best suits your pet’s individual needs. The veterinary team will teach you how to give insulin injections, which involve a very small needle and are generally very well tolerated by pets. Insulin injections usually need to be given twice a day to keep blood glucose levels under control. The dose and timing of the injections may need a few adjustments at first, depending on how your pet responds.
Dietary management focuses on helping obese pets lose weight, and stopping diabetes-associated weight loss in others, while providing suitable amounts of protein and carbohydrates. Regular exercise may be prescribed, too, based on your pet’s age, weight, and overall health.
Pets with diabetes usually require lifelong treatment. The key to managing diabetic pets is to keep the pet’s blood glucose near normal levels and avoid too-high or too-low levels that can be life-threatening. A treatment plan that works for one pet might not work as well for another pet, and patience is important as you and your pet adjust to the new diet, medications, and lifestyle.
