11/14/2025
November is Pet Diabetes Month
November is Pet Diabetes Month, and November 14 marks World Diabetes Day — a time to raise awareness about diabetes in both humans and animals. At our south store, this cause is close to our hearts because of one very special cat: Gilligan. We get regular questions about Gilligan, and he his happy and healthy.
Gilligan was diagnosed with diabetes last year, and his journey has taught us so much about care, patience, and the power of positive training. With the right management, diabetic pets can live long, happy, and healthy lives — and Gilligan is living proof. To keep his blood sugar under control, and keep him out of treats, he now resides in the back office.
One of the most valuable tools in his care has been operant conditioning, a training method that uses positive reinforcement to encourage voluntary participation in medical care. Through this approach, Gilligan learned to voluntarily accept his twice daily insulin injections — no restraint, no stress, just trust and cooperation.
This kind of training benefits pets and veterinary teams alike by:
Reducing fear and anxiety during medical procedures
Building stronger bonds between pets and caregivers
Making daily treatments safer and more efficient
Pet diabetes doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With early detection, proper veterinary guidance, and compassionate training methods, pets like Gilligan can thrive.
Visit the store this month to learn more about managing pet diabetes, see Gilligan in action, and discover how positive training can make a difference in every pet’s health journey.
