What is Pet Diabetes?

What is Pet Diabetes?

November has many events within it, but a special one for us is Pet Diabetes Awareness. This month is dedicated to learning about what Pet Diabetes is in cats and dogs, how it affects them and what we need to do to keep them healthy.

What is diabetes?

Diabetes is a condition that affects insulin production. The body's ability to recognise and balance it’s hormone production results in blood glucose, or blood sugar, levels being too high. There are two types of diabetes, Type 1 and Type 2. Type 1 is where the body doesn’t produce enough insulin and Type 2 is when the cells don’t respond to the insulin as they should. Both types of diabetes can affect our pets.

What is diabetes in dogs?

Type 1 diabetes is most common in dogs - the pancreas isn’t producing enough insulin. This can be seen in symptoms like excessive urination which inturn shows a symptom of excessive drinking. They begin to lose weight because the insulin isn't created to process sugar, the calories aren’t being used and the body is forced to use fat reserves. You may also notice an increase in appetite because your dog is continuously hungry.

What is diabetes in cats?

Type 2 diabetes is most common in cats - the body produces insulin but the cells don’t respond to it properly. It’s most likely to be found in cats that are elderly or overweight and can be seen in symptoms similar to dogs, increased urination, excessive drinking, weight loss and a pet that’s constantly hungry. It’s very rare that a cat would have Type 1 diabetes.

What medication and diet do they need?

Regulation of the condition is crucial. Once diagnosed a vet will prescribe the correct insulin medication. It will need to be administered twice a day with their food. Although many owners are hesitant in administering this medication, the needle is tiny and the amount administered is minimal, making it feel less invasive. Set meal times help maintain the sugar balance and often owners are asked to reserve giving treats throughout the day to stop any insulin spikes occurring. Weight is an important element of diabetes and has to be controlled effectively through their diet as well. There’s no one size fits all rule. After diagnosis, the first few weeks or months can be difficult in establishing the correct dosage because of varying factors like a change diet or stress. Once things settle, it becomes easier to manage.

It’s not fun for any animal to have diabetes nor any owner to have to administer their medication. But with the correct management our pets can continue to live their lives comfortably and we get to learn new skills in the process. It’s possible to see improvements in your pets health with the correct supervision, if you see any symptoms or have any concerns speak to your vet for the best advice.

You can check out our Proflax holistic supplements range here, several of which have anti-diabetic properties

As much as we love animals, we must inform you that our knowledge comes from pet ownership and not a certified veterinary professional. This information is to help educate our audience about health issues their pets could encounter and should not be supplemented for true veterinary advice. If you have any concerns please speak to your vet or send us a message for us to put you in contact with a veterinary professional.