Diabetes is becoming an increasingly common chronic health condition in pets, with an estimated 1 in every 300 dogs and cats being diagnosed with diabetes.
Diabetes mostly affects middle-aged and older animals, with most pets diagnosed between 6-10 years of age.
It’s important that diabetes in cats and dogs is diagnosed and managed as early as possible to avoid long-term damage. Read on to find out the key risk factors, symptoms to look out for and treatment options.
What is pet diabetes?
Diabetes in dogs and cats is no different to the condition that occurs in people. Diabetes occurs when the animal’s pancreas doesn’t function properly, which means that the body can’t produce enough insulin. Dogs primarily suffer from Type 1 insulin-dependent diabetes, also known as sugar diabetes, while cats are more likely to have Type 2 diabetes.
Diabetes risk factors in dogs and cats
While older pets are most likely to develop diabetes, the condition can also occur in animals as young as 4. While obesity is considered to significantly increase the risk, genetics and other health conditions can also play a role. Unspayed female dogs are also twice as likely as male dogs to develop diabetes. However, in cats, males (particularly those who have been neutered) are more predisposed to developing diabetes.
Your pet’s breed also can increase their likelihood of developing diabetes. A number of breeds are more predisposed to diabetes, including:
| Dog Breeds | Cat Breeds |
| Dachshunds | Abyssinians |
| German Shepherds | Siamese |
| Cocker Spaniels | Burmese |
| Terriers | Russian Blues |
| Dobermans | |
| Labradors | |
| Golden Retrievers | |
| Beagles | |
| Poodles |
Key symptoms
There are five common signs that may indicate your dog or cat may have diabetes:
- Increased thirst
- Weight loss
- Excessive urination
- Change in appetite
- Lethargy
- Cataracts
- Repeat urinary tract infections
Your pet doesn’t need to display all five symptoms for you to take action. These signs can also point to other serious illnesses, so it’s important to make an appointment with your vet for a full examination. If left untreated, diabetes can lead to blindness, kidney failure and nerve damage – and can also increase the occurrence of other serious diseases – so it’s crucial that you take your pet to the vet soon as you start noticing symptoms occurring.
Diagnosis
To diagnose diabetes, your vet will perform a thorough examination of your pet and discuss their symptoms and behaviour. They will also undertake blood and urine testing to check for glucose levels, as well as to rule out any other illnesses.
Treatment
In pets with Type 1 diabetes, the disease cannot be cured, however, it can be managed to enable your pet to lead a happy and long life. Type 2 diabetes can be reversed with treatment and diet.
Your vet will prescribe your cat or dog insulin and will show you how to inject the insulin. The dose and schedule will depend on your pet’s age, condition and weight, and may also need to be adjusted over time to ensure their insulin levels are appropriate. Typically, your pet will receive one or two injections per day.
You will also need to make some changes to your pet’s diet and activity levels. If your dog or cat is overweight, getting them back to their healthy weight range will help their cells to use insulin more effectively. Dogs with diabetes typically require a low-fat, high-fibre diet, while cats need a low-carb, high-protein diet. It’s also important to get your pet moving as much as possible, with long, daily walks for dogs and regular playtime for kitties.
Preventing diabetes in dogs and cats
As with most illnesses – in people and pets – prevention is better than cure. Feeding your pet a balanced diet, keeping an eye on their weight and taking them to the vet for regular health checks are all positive steps in helping reduce their risk of developing diabetes and other diseases.
If you’re ever concerned that your dog or cat may be displaying possible signs of diabetes, or you’d like some advice on how to manage their weight, the Bryants Road Vet team is here to help. You can call us on 07 3801 1744, book an appointment online, or drop into our Loganholme vet clinic at 141 Bryants Road.