Diabetes Symptoms in Cats

Lethargy, excessive thirst and unexplained weight loss are some of the common diabetes symptoms in cats. Urinating in large amounts frequently, is common in cats diagnosed with diabetes. To know more about diabetes in cats read on...

Diabetes is a condition wherein the sugar in the blood is abnormally high. Diabetes in cats occur when the body shows its incapacity to produce a hormone known as insulin, which maintains normal sugar levels in the blood. Diabetes can also happen as a result of the body's inefficiency to utilize insulin properly, leading to elevated blood sugar levels.

Symptoms of Diabetes in Cats

Diabetes in cats typically changes the behavior of these animals. Although diabetes can affect cats belonging to any age, old and obese cats are susceptible to this condition. Following are the diabetes symptoms in cats:

Frequent Urination

Diabetes in cats always brings some unwanted changes such as increased urination, which means more cleaning work for the cat owners. Frequent urination is the result of high sugar (glucose) levels in the blood. As we all know, urine is being produced from filtered blood by the kidney, it primarily contains water and waste matter of the blood. The kidneys remove all the unwanted material from the blood during filtration and deposit it into the urine. Thus, when the kidneys detect high glucose levels in the blood, it responds by increasing urine production, in order to remove excess glucose.

Feline Fur Devoid of Luster and Shine

Poor coat condition is one of the most common diabetes symptoms in cats. Lackluster coat is often an indicator of untreated diabetes. Diabetes in cats literally mars the appearance of the coat as the hair look dull and dry. Frequent hair loss is also commonly reported in diabetic cats. In other words, the cat look pretty ugly.

Drinks Water Frequently

The diabetic cats drink water several times in a day to quench its 'unconquerable' thirst. As the cat drinks more water than usual, it triggers another problem in the form of frequent urination. The increased urine production is what makes the body dehydrated and triggers excessive thirst.

Lethargic Appearance

Excessive laziness is commonly associated with cats suffering from diabetes. Lethargy that remains persistent, could also be an indication of diabetes in cats. The cat no longer seems to be interested in activities which it enjoyed thoroughly. It prefers to lie down in one corner of the room the whole day.

Loses Weight

Weight loss is also included in the list of diabetes symptoms in cats. The cat's appetite while suffering from diabetes increase remarkably, but strangely it fails to increase the weight. Decrease in weight (unexplained weight loss) has been linked to one of the symptoms of diabetes in cats.

Becomes Weak

The excess food intake due to diabetes also does not transform into increased weight. On the contrary, decreased weight is accompanied by weakness. To be more specific, the hind legs become weak and are unable to bear body weight. As a result, the cat uses the hocks (ankles in humans) for walking. The weakness in legs is the result of nerve damage to the extremities (limbs). This is a weak leg syndrome and mostly occurs because of uncontrolled diabetes. Nerve damage related to diabetes is referred as peripheral neuropathy. Weak back legs is one of the diabetes symptoms in cats and indicates that treatment has been completely ignored.

To know more about diabetes in cats, read:

Cat Diabetes Symptoms

Symptoms of Feline Diabetes

Diabetic Cat Food

In order to improve diabetes symptoms in cats, it is necessary to keep the blood sugar levels in control. As this condition cannot be cured, treatment aims at managing the symptoms effectively. Cats can remain physically active even during diabetes. All it requires is, appropriate treatment at the right time. Cat owners tend to neglect health issues associated with their pets and expect them to get cured on their own. Unfortunately, this kind of attitude does not work. Insulin injections or oral medicines are generally needed to regulate sugar levels in the blood. Along with medicines, the cat's diet is modified that keeps diabetes under control. In some cases, the veterinarian prescribes only a changed diet plan to maximize utilization of insulin, so as to bring the sugar level in the normal range.