Pet Diabetes Awareness: How to Recognize and Manage

November is Pet Diabetes Month, making it the perfect time to talk about a condition that affects thousands of cats and dogs across Canada. If you’ve recently noticed your pet drinking more water than usual, losing weight despite a good appetite, or making more frequent trips outside, diabetes could be the reason. While a diabetes diagnosis might feel overwhelming at first, understanding this condition is the first step toward helping your furry friend live a full, happy life.

At Langley Animal Clinic, our Internal Medicine team works with pet owners every day to diagnose, manage, and monitor diabetes in both cats and dogs. Whether you’re concerned about symptoms you’ve noticed or you’re already navigating life with a diabetic pet, we’re here to support you with expert care and practical guidance.

What Is Pet Diabetes?

Diabetes mellitus—commonly just called diabetes—is a condition that affects how your pet’s body processes glucose (sugar). When your pet eats, their body breaks down food into glucose, which provides energy to cells throughout the body. Insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas, acts like a key that unlocks cells so glucose can enter and be used for energy.

In pets with diabetes, one of two things happens: either the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin, or the body’s cells don’t respond properly to the insulin that’s produced. Without sufficient insulin function, glucose accumulates in the bloodstream instead of being used to fuel cells. This leads to high blood sugar levels and a range of symptoms that, if left untreated, can become serious.

With proper diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring, most diabetic pets can live comfortable, active lives.

Diabetes in Dogs: What to Watch For

Diabetes in dogs typically presents as Type 1 diabetes, meaning the pancreas produces little to no insulin. This condition can develop at any age, though it’s most commonly diagnosed in middle-aged to senior dogs, typically between seven and nine years old. Female dogs are twice as likely to develop diabetes as males, particularly unspayed females.

Common Signs of Diabetes in Dogs

The early warning signs of diabetes in dogs often develop gradually, which is why they’re sometimes mistaken for normal aging. Watch for these key symptoms:

• Increased thirst and urination: This is often the first sign pet parents notice. Your dog may be draining their water bowl multiple times a day and asking to go outside far more frequently than usual, sometimes even having accidents in the house despite being well house-trained.
• Increased appetite with weight loss: It might seem contradictory, but diabetic dogs often eat more than usual while simultaneously losing weight. Because their cells can’t access glucose for energy, their body starts breaking down fat and muscle for fuel instead.
• Lethargy and weakness: Without proper energy from glucose, diabetic dogs may seem tired, less interested in activities they once enjoyed, or reluctant to exercise.
• Cloudy eyes: Many dogs with diabetes develop cataracts, which can progress quickly and cause vision problems. If your dog’s eyes appear cloudy or bluish, this warrants immediate veterinary attention.

Diabetes in Cats: What it Looks Like

Diabetes in cats presents some interesting differences compared to canine diabetes. Cats typically develop Type 2 diabetes, where the pancreas produces insulin, but the body’s cells become resistant to it. Obesity plays a particularly significant role in feline diabetes—overweight cats are up to four times more likely to develop the condition than cats at a healthy weight.

Recognizing Diabetes in Cats

Diabetes in cats can be sneaky, as cats are masters at hiding illness. However, there are telltale signs to watch for:

• Excessive drinking and urination: You might notice your cat’s water bowl needs refilling constantly, or their litter box is much wetter and heavier than usual. Some cats may even start having accidents outside the litter box.
• Ravenous appetite: Diabetic cats often seem constantly hungry, begging for food more insistently or more frequently than normal.
• Weight loss: Despite eating well (or even more than usual), diabetic cats often lose weight, particularly from their muscle mass. You might notice your cat’s spine or hips becoming more prominent.
• Poor coat condition: Cats with diabetes may stop grooming themselves properly, leading to a dull, unkempt, or matted coat—especially over the back and hindquarters.
• Weakness in hind legs: A distinctive sign in cats is a plantigrade stance, where they walk flat on their hind legs instead of on their toes. This happens when diabetes damages nerves in the legs.

Feline Diabetes Risk Factors

Male cats are more prone to diabetes than females, and the condition is most common in cats over eight years old. Obesity is the single biggest modifiable risk factor. Indoor cats, who tend to be less active and more prone to weight gain, also face increased risk.

Interestingly, some cats achieve diabetes remission with early intervention, proper treatment, and weight management. This is one reason why catching diabetes in cats early makes such a significant difference.

How Diabetes Is Diagnosed

If your veterinarian suspects diabetes based on your pet’s symptoms, they’ll recommend blood work and a urinalysis. The diagnosis is typically confirmed when both blood glucose and urine glucose levels are consistently elevated. However, diagnosing diabetes isn’t always straightforward, particularly in cats.

Cats, in particular, can develop stress hyperglycemia—temporary high blood sugar simply from the anxiety of a veterinary visit. To distinguish between stress and true diabetes, your veterinarian might recommend a fructosamine test, which measures average blood glucose levels over the past two to three weeks, or they may suggest multiple tests over several days.

Once diabetes is confirmed, additional testing helps identify any underlying conditions or complications. This might include checking for urinary tract infections (common in diabetic pets), pancreatitis, or other hormonal disorders that could affect treatment.

Treatment and Management: What to Expect

Managing diabetes requires commitment, but the routine quickly becomes manageable, and the reward—a healthier, more comfortable pet—is well worth the effort.

Insulin Therapy

Most diabetic dogs and many diabetic cats require daily insulin injections to regulate their blood sugar. While the idea of giving injections might sound daunting, most pet parents find it much easier than expected. The needles are very small, and most pets tolerate injections well, especially when they’re incorporated into a regular routine with positive reinforcement.

Your veterinarian will determine the right type and dose of insulin for your pet, and our team will teach you proper injection technique and storage. Initially, your pet will need frequent veterinary visits to monitor their response and adjust insulin doses as needed. This adjustment period typically takes a few weeks to a couple of months.

Dietary Management

Proper nutrition plays a crucial role in diabetes management. For dogs, consistent feeding times and a diet high in fiber and complex carbohydrates help regulate blood sugar levels. Your dog should eat the same amount at the same times each day, ideally timed with their insulin injections.

For cats, high-protein, low-carbohydrate diets are typically recommended, as these most closely match their natural carnivorous diet and help maintain stable blood glucose levels. Some diabetic cats on the right diet and treatment plan can even achieve remission.

Our Internal Medicine team can recommend specific therapeutic diets designed for diabetic pets and help you establish a feeding schedule that works with your lifestyle while meeting your pet’s medical needs.

Weight Management

For overweight pets, gradual weight loss significantly improves diabetes control and, in some cats, can even resolve diabetes entirely. However, weight loss must be carefully managed in diabetic pets to avoid complications. Our team can create a safe, structured weight loss plan tailored to your pet’s specific needs.

Monitoring at Home and at the Clinic

Managing diabetes is a partnership between you and your veterinary team. At home, you’ll monitor your pet’s water intake, appetite, energy level, and weight. Some pet parents also learn to monitor glucose levels at home using a pet glucometer, which can provide valuable information between veterinary visits.

Regular veterinary check-ups are essential. Initially, these might be every few weeks; once your pet is stable, they’ll typically transition to every three to six months. During these visits, we monitor your pet’s overall health, check for complications, and adjust treatment as needed.

Potential Complications and When to Seek Emergency Care

While most diabetic pets do well with proper management, it’s important to recognize signs of complications that need immediate veterinary attention.

Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) can occur if your pet receives too much insulin, doesn’t eat after their insulin injection, or exercises more than usual. Signs include weakness, trembling, disorientation, seizures, or collapse. If you notice these symptoms, offer food immediately if your pet can eat safely, or rub honey or corn syrup on their gums, and contact your veterinarian right away.

Diabetic ketoacidosis is a life-threatening complication that develops when diabetes is uncontrolled. Warning signs include vomiting, diarrhea, complete loss of appetite, extreme lethargy, rapid breathing, or a sweet or fruity smell to the breath. This requires immediate emergency care.

Living Well with Diabetes

A diabetes diagnosis doesn’t mean your pet can’t enjoy a wonderful quality of life. Many diabetic pets continue to play, explore, and enjoy their favourite activities for years after diagnosis. The key is establishing a consistent routine and working closely with your veterinary team.

Yes, managing diabetes requires dedication—insulin injections, regular feeding schedules, monitoring, and veterinary visits all become part of your life. But for most, these routines quickly become a habit, and the joy of seeing their pet feel better makes every bit of effort worthwhile.

Our clients often tell us that the first few weeks feel challenging, but by the second or third month, they can’t imagine not being able to manage their pet’s care. Many also find that the increased attention to their pet’s health and well-being strengthens their bond.

How Langley Animal Clinic Can Help

Managing pet diabetes takes a team approach, and our Veterinary Internal Medicine specialists are here to provide expert, compassionate care every step of the way. From initial diagnosis through long-term management, we work closely with you to ensure your pet receives the individualized treatment they need.

Our Internal Medicine services include comprehensive diabetes diagnostics, insulin therapy guidance and dose adjustments, dietary counselling, home monitoring education, and ongoing progress evaluations. We understand that every pet and every family is different, so we tailor our recommendations to fit your pet’s specific needs and your lifestyle.

Whether you’re noticing concerning symptoms in your pet or you’d like a second opinion on your current diabetes management plan, we’re here to help. Our team takes time to answer your questions, address your concerns, and ensure you feel confident in caring for your diabetic pet.

Don’t Wait: Early Intervention Makes a Difference!

The earlier diabetes is diagnosed and treatment begins, the better the outcome for your pet. Uncontrolled diabetes can lead to serious complications, including vision loss, kidney disease, nerve damage, and life-threatening infections. But with prompt diagnosis and proper management, most of these complications can be prevented.

If you’ve noticed any signs of diabetes in your cat or dog—increased thirst, frequent urination, unexplained weight loss, or changes in appetite—don’t wait to reach out. This Pet Diabetes Month, take action to protect your furry family member’s health.

Contact Langley Animal Clinic today to schedule an appointment with our Internal Medicine team. Together, we’ll ensure your pet gets the expert care they deserve, so they can continue bringing joy to your life for years to come.