Feline Diabetes Signs & Symptoms

Feline diabetes occurs when a cat's body stops processing glucose properly. There are some symptoms that occur frequently with feline diabetes, but the symptoms vary depending on the the severity of the disease.

According to Thomas Graves, an associate professor at the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine, diabetes is more prevalent in cats that are obese, but cats of all body weights are susceptible.
  1. Increased Thirst &Urination

    • A cat with diabetes cannot utilize the sugar produced by the pancreas. Glucose begins to collect in the kidneys, and the body increases urine production to reduce these amounts. A cat with untreated diabetes will drink more to compensate for the increased fluid loss. With the increase in water consumption, the cat will urinate more. Sometimes, it will start having accidents all over the house, unable to make it to the litter box in time. This is often the first symptom owners notice.

    Change in Appetite &Weight Loss

    • A diabetic cat does not feel well, so it stops eating as much. In contrast, a constant feeling of hunger might make it eat more. Even if eating more, a diabetic cat will lose weight since it is not processing the calories from its food properly. The body starts metabolizing the fat it stores.

    Lethargy

    • A diabetic cat is lethargic and depressed. It cannot use the calories it gets from the food, so it has no energy. It grooms itself less and develops a poor hair coat. As the disease progresses, the lethargy increases until it shows little interest in its surroundings.

    Change in Gait

    • A neurological condition can occur in a diabetic cat that causes a change in its walking pattern. This is called a "plantigrade stance" or "diabetic neuropathy," and is indicated by weakness in the hind legs.