Glucose Level of a Feline

A cat's blood glucose levels can vary dramatically depending on his diet and any medical conditions that he may have. Feline diabetes is a fairly common condition--affecting roughly one in 400 cats, and owners of diabetic cats must carefully evaluate the cat's blood sugar on a regular basis.

  1. Hypoglycemia

    • A blood glucose level of less than 40 mg/dL is considered to be an indication of clinical hypoglycemia in an insulin-dependent cat. In nondiabetic cats with no obvious symptoms, this level may be a benign fluctuation.

    Average Range

    • A safe, normal blood glucose range for a nondiabetic cat is 50 to 130 mg/dL. A range of 57 to 79 mg/dL is most typical for a nondiabetic cat, but this range is too low as a target for insulin-dependent diabetic cats.

    Normal Range for Diabetic Cats

    • Experts generally assign a target blood glucose range of 100 to 180 mg/dL for insulin-dependent cats with diabetes.

    Hyperglycemia

    • In cats, a blood glucose level between 180 and 270 mg/dL is considered to be clinically hyperglycemic. At this level, the cat experiences discomfort and minor long-term organ damage.

    Severe Hyperglycemia

    • At levels above 300 mg/dL, cats begin to experience severe negative effects and may even experience ketoacidosis, which can become life-threatening. Consult a veterinarian immediately.