How to Care for a Diabetic Cat: 15 Steps

2024 Author: Samantha Chapman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 09:13

Knowing that your cat has diabetes can be terrifying and unbearable. Some owners wonder how to help their pet manage the disease. You may feel overwhelmed at first, but it is entirely possible to care for a diabetic cat; if you can cope with the disease at an early stage, it is also possible to cure it with the proper treatments. If your feline friend suffers from this condition, you can take some steps to help him; you can take care of them every day, learn how to give them insulin injections, and recognize the signs to watch out for.

Steps

Part 1 of 3: Provide Daily Care

Step 1. Offer your cat an appropriate diet

Most people know that diabetic humans need to be very careful in their diet, the same is true for cats; the ideal diet for these animals must be high in protein and low in carbohydrates. Unfortunately, almost all cat foods found in supermarkets are just the opposite; therefore you must find a food that meets the needs of your furry friend.

• Many companies that sell quality pet food offer products rich in protein; among these are Purina, Hill's and Royal Canin. Purina products are available in the kibble or wet food version. As long as the cat is able to drink freely as much as he wants, both formulations are fine.
• Feeding your cat protein-rich foods helps reduce excess glucose production, thus helping to stabilize her body. For some cats, all they need to do is switch to a high-quality, protein-rich diet; after a few months of this diet, I am able to return to normal health.

Step 2. Set up a meal schedule

Until recently, many people believed that the best time to feed diabetic cats was right after they were given insulin. However, modern researchers have found that insulin levels peak 3-6 hours after injection, leading the cat to feel hungry again. Instead, you should try to match the main meal to the maximum insulin activity, which occurs about 3 hours after injecting it.

• Before giving him the dose of insulin, it is important to check if he eats as usual. This is why it is a good idea to give him a snack before the injection. If you see him refusing food, call your vet before giving him insulin; if the cat is sick, a full dose could trigger severe intoxication.

• Put simply, this means breaking up the food he eats daily into four small meals. Give him two small snacks before each insulin injection and the other two meals about 3-6 hours after taking the drug. A typical schedule might look like the one described below:

  • 7:00 am: snack and insulin injection;
  • 10:00 am: a meal;
  • 19:00: snack and insulin injection;
  • 22:00: a meal.

  

  Step 3. Have him undergo regular checkups at the vet's office

  The diabetic cat needs frequent medical visits. The vet teaches you to give insulin injections or keep track of the glucose level, but the cat also has to undergo tests that only the doctor can perform; among these are tests to check liver and kidney functions.

  • If diabetes is carefully monitored and there are no other problems, a visit every three months may be sufficient.
  • Learn to recognize the warning signs. Changes in your cat's water consumption, appetite, and amount of urine are all signs of a problem. If you see that the animal is more thirsty than usual, it may mean that blood glucose levels are not being managed properly; in this case, take the cat to the vet.

  

  Step 4. Find ways to look after your pet when you are away

  Find someone who can take care of them when you are away from home to work, school or travel.

  • Assign a person who knows how to take care of your pet, if you have to stay away for a long time, to make sure you have "left it in good hands". Most veterinary clinics offer this service and can recommend a few people who can look after diabetic cats.
  • If a friend wants to take care of your kitty, teach him to administer the drug and / or to monitor his blood glucose level. Educate him about the cat behaviors he needs to pay attention to; also explain what to do and who to contact in an emergency.

  

  Step 5. Join an online support group or forum that deals with diabetic cats

  Sites like "miagolando.com" or "gattisinasce.it" are excellent resources to help the owners of cats suffering from this disease, offering useful information and support.

  Continuing to go to your vet for treatment can become costly in the long run; some groups or online sites may offer support to diabetic cat owners

  Part 2 of 3: Injecting the Cat with Insulin

  

  Step 1. Prepare the syringe

  You must use a new, sterile one with each injection to avoid the risk of infection; fill it with the dose prescribed by the vet.

  Do not try to prepare the syringe while the cat is around; leave him undisturbed in his activities, prepare him a sweet and only at the end look for him around the house

  

  Step 2. Establish a routine

  Make sure you give him insulin at the same time every day. Prepare a high-protein, low-carb snack, then approach with the snack and syringe ready. By giving him a tasty snack before the injection you can help him associate the administration of the drug with a pleasant time.

  By giving him the injection at the same time each day, you are also less likely to forget it; you can set an alarm on your phone if you are afraid you won't remember it

  

  Step 3. Sit comfortably next to the cat

  If you are worried, the cat will try to get away from you; find a person your cat trusts who can hold it firmly but gently with both hands. Make sure you reach the animal easily and comfortably.

  By helping your cat to stick to this routine, you can make him feel calmer and more relaxed; avoid scaring him

  

  Step 4. Pinch his skin away from the muscle

  Use your thumb and forefinger for this action; usually, the injection is given to the shoulder or hip. Pulling the skin like this helps you insert the needle while numbing the area a bit.

  • If your feline friend has long hair, use a brush or comb to carefully separate the hair clumps and see the skin where you want to inject.
  • If you're not sure where to thread the needle, contact your vet.

  

  Step 5. Insert the needle into the skin

  This injection is subcutaneous and not intramuscular, otherwise you could cause pain in your cat. To correctly perform the injection, you should hold the syringe so that it is almost parallel to the animal's skin, then insert the needle into the point you are pinching; try to move as quickly and gently as possible.

  • Avoid violently sticking the needle into the skin, otherwise it will cause more pain to the cat; the needle is sharp, so you can insert it quickly and smoothly.
  • Make sure that the beveled corner of the needle tip is facing upward as you insert it so that it penetrates as smoothly and as painlessly as possible.
  • Once the needle has been inserted, push the plunger to allow the insulin to enter the skin; when finished, you can remove the needle.

  

  Step 6. Give your cat plenty of attention and praise

  When you are done with the injection, you have to praise him a lot; for example, you can stroke or brush him and tell him that he has done well; you have to make him understand that he was good, so don't neglect this aspect.

  By following a positive routine, the cat will not try to hide the next time you give it the injection

  Part 3 of 3: Monitoring the Cat's Health

  

  Step 1. Monitor your cat's blood sugar

  This is the most important thing when monitoring diabetes. Digital blood glucose meters for human use are also suitable for measuring blood glucose in cats. The standard blood glucose level of cats is in the range of 80 to 120 mg / dL. After a meal the blood sugar level in healthy cats can rise and reach 250-300 mg / dl. Since the blood sugar level is stabilized in diabetic animals with insulin injections, you should be able to keep it at standard levels.

  • Regularly monitoring your blood glucose avoids the effects of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). This disorder can occur when too much insulin is given; in this case, the animal could show weakness, confusion, loss of coordination and, in extreme cases, even go into a coma.
  • See your veterinarian immediately if your cat has high glucose levels even after administering insulin.

  

  Step 2. Check the cat's urine

  Your vet may have advised you to test her a couple of times a week using a specific kit. You can find specially made test strips on the market that change color based on the level of glucose and ketones in the urine. The main purpose of this test is to check that there are no ketones, rather than to check the level of sugar in the urine. Your vet will explain how to use the kit.

  Ketones are toxins that are produced when the blood sugar level is high for a long time. If they are present in the urine, this is a dangerous sign that the cat is unhealthy, so you need to see your vet urgently

  

  Step 3. Observe the cat's behavior

  Regardless of whether he has diabetes or not, you should always pay attention to his behavior, as he cannot tell you if he is okay or not; it is therefore important to know what is normal for the specific specimen.

  Contact your vet right away if you notice that he drinks more water than usual, urinates frequently and abundantly, has difficulty with coordination, loses weight for no apparent reason, or seems lethargic

  

  Step 4. Learn about feline diabetes

  Just like humans, cats also suffer from two distinct types of diabetes. The first is type 1, which typically requires the administration of insulin with injections, as the pancreas is unable to produce the amount needed to maintain healthy blood glucose levels. The second type is the one called type 2; if your cat has this type of diabetes, it may not even need insulin, depending on the ability or inability of the pancreas to produce enough insulin.

  • Diabetes has four main symptoms, which are: frequent urination with copious urine output, increased water consumption, unexplained weight loss, and increased appetite.
  • In some cases, diabetic cats can recover if the disease is diagnosed early and treated carefully.
  • Cats do not respond well to oral hypoglycemic drugs (which lower the glucose level); this is why insulin injections are needed to manage the disease.

  Advice

  • Although obesity is not a direct cause of diabetes, overweight cats are still more likely to develop it. If your cat is, take steps to improve his diet and make him lose weight to ensure a healthier and happier life.
  • Croquettes are not very suitable for cats; if your cat's diet is dry food, you should change it and choose high quality wet food, which is healthier. If you're not sure which product is best for your feline friend, ask your vet for advice.