When we decide to bring home a pet, we take on the responsibility of caring for that creature and tending to its social as well as its medical needs.

That’s why it’s critical to watch your pets for signs of illness.

Many conditions, if caught early, can be treated, giving your cat the chance to live a long and happy life. But without intervention, your loyal pet could deteriorate and live in pain.

Feline diabetes is a fairly common condition that affects 1 in every 230 cats (and that figure has been rising over the years with high-carb diets and the subsequent rise of the “chonky” cat).

Feline obesity, a diet high in dry food, and old age are all risk factors for cats that could lead to diabetes.

There are 10 common signs you should be on the lookout for because they likely indicate some sort of health issue with your feline friend.

If your cat suffers from the following, be sure to ask your veterinarian about testing him or her for feline diabetes.

1. Excessive urination

If you notice that scooping the litterbox reveals more clumps than ever, that means your cat is urinating more often.

Both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes lead to extra glucose in the urine, which subsequently pulls more water out of the blood.

This symptom should always be reported to a vet since water loss can lead to dehydration. Even if it’s not caused by diabetes, dehydration can lead to a whole host of other health problems.

2. Constant trips to the water bowl

If your cat is feeling dehydrated because of more frequent urination, they’re likely to drink more water.

It’s important to pay attention to how often you refill your furry friend’s water bowl and how often they visit it (or if they go looking for other sources of water all of a sudden, such as water glasses or toilet bowls).

If a cat is diabetic, their kidneys are trying to flush the extra sugar from their body. But this overworks the kidneys and starts the vicious cycle of excessive urination followed by excessive thirst due to dehydration.

3. Lethargy and loss of interest

Sometimes it’s hard to tell when a cat is lethargic as opposed to, well…just being a cat. Some cats aren’t interested in much, so it’s a challenge to notice when something’s up.

But most cats – even in old age – can be roused by extra attention, a new toy, or a look out the window. So if your cat stops looking for stimulation altogether and seems more sedentary than usual, that’s a sign that something is wrong.

A lack of energy can be a sign of advanced diabetes. And even if it isn’t, it could potentially signal behavioral or other health issues that need to be addressed.

4. Changes in appetite

When insulin levels are off, the body can’t turn food into fuel as easily. That’s part of the reason cats get lethargic.

But when a cat is diabetic, they rarely feel sated by a meal and will continue eating.

If your cat is suddenly scarfing down a lot more food, you need to intervene (even if it’s not because you suspect diabetes).

5. Weight loss despite eating enough food

Diabetic cats will overeat but not gain weight.

According to PetMD: “Because insulin helps the body to use sugar for energy, lack of insulin also means that the body’s organs will not receive enough energy. This will make your cat feel hungry all the time, and though it will eat a lot more food, it will not gain weight.”

If your cat has grown scrawny despite an increase in appetite, take them to the vet.

6. Vomiting

Cleaning up vomit is just part of being a cat owner. Our feline friends can be finicky about food and still manage to ingest some weird things that can lead to vomiting.

If your cat has chewed on some cat grass or a known non-toxic plant, or if you find food chunks or hairballs in their vomit, chances are it’s normal (as long as it doesn’t happen with great frequency).

But in diabetic cats, waste builds up in their bodies. When the waste can’t be eliminated quickly enough, they’ll vomit.

If your cat has already been diagnosed with diabetes and experiences frequent vomiting, it could be a sign that their treatment regimen needs to be recalibrated.

7. Abnormal gait and inability to jump

Feline diabetes can cause nerve degeneration in a cat’s hind legs due to a buildup of sugar in the bloodstream.

This feline diabetic neuropathy is painful and also causes weakness in the limbs.

If your cat’s gait is off or they can no longer jump up on things the way they used to, alert your vet.

8. Defecating outside the litter box

Cats stop using their litter boxes when something is wrong – but the cause can be anything from anxiety to incontinence. Punishing a cat for this behavior does absolutely no good and does not lead them to begin using the litterbox again, it only causes them to hide their actions so you’re stuck tracking down odors and stains.

Diabetic cats often urinate outside the litterbox simply because they have to urinate so often that they can’t always make it there in time.

If a cat is urinating more frequently, that means its litterbox will also fill up faster – and a dirty litter box will also cause a cat to defecate elsewhere.

9. Sweet-smelling breath

Sweet breath is a sign of diabetic ketoacidosis in cats as well as humans. The scent is due to ketones which are produced when the body can no longer convert fatty acids to triglycerides for energy.

While you might be pleased at first to smell sweet kitty breath instead of tuna-laced funk, this is not a good thing.

In fact, sweet-smelling breath is one of the surest signs that their health issue is diabetes-related.

10. Dried out fur or skin

We often don’t look our best when we’re in ill health – and it’s no different for cats.

They are proud groomers and typically do an excellent job of keeping their fur in good condition.

If your cat has stopped grooming or its fur looks dull or feels dry despite their daily kitty “baths,” this is an indication that something is wrong.

If your cat is no longer looking its best – for example, their coat has lost its gloss or their eyes look dull – that’s a good sign that a vet should be called in to assess their health.

***

Cats can experience these 10 symptoms in isolation for a number of reasons that have nothing to do with diabetes. But they are also serious enough that a veterinarian should be consulted – and a combination of these issues means there’s a good chance you have a diabetic cat.

The good news is that your cat can live a relatively normal life with feline diabetes as long as you keep it in check.

Many cats will require daily insulin injections, though some can manage through diet and oral medication.

If your cat needs treatment, you owe it to them to give it a try, despite the inconvenience. That’s all part of being a good pet owner.

Please SHARE this with your friends and family.

Source: American Humane Society, Catsanddiabetes.com, South Boston Animal Hospital, PetMD, The Spruce Pets