Side Effects of Diabetes in Cats

Diabetes commonly affects cats and causes a variety of symptoms. In fact, the trademark symptoms are usually what lead veterinarians to suspect diabetes. Since effective treatment is available for diabetes and this disease can lead to serious complications or death if not treated, it is important to take your kitty to the veterinarian as soon as it displays any diabetic symptoms.

  1. Increased Thirst and Urination

    • According to Dr. Holly Nash of Doctors Foster and Smith, increased thirst and urination is a common side effect of diabetes in cats. When a cat has diabetes, glucose cannot enter its cells. Because of this, the blood sugar levels become abnormally high. Glucose is filtered by the kidneys and leaves the body through urination. When it is filtered out, it carries water out with it, as well. For this reason, the cat drinks more to replace the water it is losing and urinates more because of the excess water consumption.

    Vomiting

    • Dr. Leah Cohn of PetPlace.com states that vomiting is a common characteristic of a cat with diabetes. Some cats with severe diabetes need to break down their own fat for energy. When this happens, the cats often accumulate excess waste products called ketones in their bodies. If ketones build up in the cat's blood, they can cause nausea and vomiting. Large amounts of ketones in the body can cause death in diabetic cats.

    Abnormal Behavior

    • Cats with diabetes will often experience behavioral changes, including decreased energy, depression and weakness. Cats with diabetes may eat normally, but they cannot use the calories and experience decreased energy as a result. Diabetic cats often lose muscle mass, which can contribute to the weakness. As the diabetes progresses, the cat can become lethargic and depressed. Some cats will stop grooming themselves and become disinterested in their surrounding environments, as well.

    Change in Appetite and Weight Loss

    • Nash states that cats with diabetes will sometimes not eat as much because they do not feel well. Contrarily, some cats with diabetes will consume large amounts of food because their hypothalamus persistently tells them they are hungry. As a result of the decreased appetite, many diabetic cats will lose weight. In addition, whether they eat less or more, cats with diabetes typically cannot use the calories they eat for energy and have to start breaking down their own fat for energy. This can also cause weight loss.