Feline Diabetes

As Dr. Hodgkins states in her book, Your Cat – Simple New Secrets to a Longer, Stronger Life; Feline diabetes is a “man-made killer.” The use of steroids, and/or the consistent onslaught of high carbohydrate and dry “convenience” foods we are typically encouraged to feed our obligate carnivores can tax the pancreas to the point where it stops functioning properly and causes diabetes in cats. As the disease progresses, the liver, kidneys, and many other organs can become damaged as well.

Diabetes in cats (FD) occurs when the body does not produce enough insulin, or the body does not respond to insulin produced. High blood sugars cause a situation where the nutrients from food cannot be absorbed leading to muscle wasting. If excess glucose is not brought under control as soon as possible, permanent damage to organs as well as life-threatening diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) can occur.

The classic symptoms of diabetes in cats are polyuria (frequent urination), polydipsia (increased thirst) and polyphagia (increased hunger). In the early stages, most cats are still active and alert. As the disease progresses, severe lethargy, poor coat condition, weight loss, liver disease, infections and/or neuropathy generally occur.

When immediate, aggressive action is taken at diagnosis to provide a species appropriate diet as well as an appropriate choice of insulin for cats combined with properly practiced Tight Regulation (TR), your cat’s health will improve – not only dramatically, but typically very quickly as well. In fact, most newly diagnosed cats introduced to TR have a very good chance to achieve diet-controlled diabetic remission where they will no longer require insulin at all!

Please join the Diabetic Cat Care forum to access a wealth of knowledge and shared experience to properly treat FD. Dr. Hodgkins’ TR Protocol has saved thousands of diabetic cats’ lives. Diabetic Cat Care’s global family is dedicated to providing information and support in our effort to save as many cats as we can from FD and, to cure diabetes in as many cats as possible.