Diabetes is a common disease in cats that affects how their bodies control blood sugar. Veterinarians now have more treatment options than ever before, including different types of insulin and new oral medications. A team of cat health experts created new guidelines in 2025 to help veterinarians and cat owners manage this disease more effectively. These guidelines emphasize the importance of working together as a team, testing for related health problems, choosing the right treatment for each individual cat, and using new monitoring tools like continuous glucose monitors to track how well the treatment is working.
The Quick Take
- What they studied: How veterinarians should diagnose and treat diabetes in cats, including the best ways to monitor treatment and handle complications
- Who participated: Expert veterinarians specializing in cat care from the International Cat Care Veterinary Society created these guidelines based on research and their experience treating diabetic cats
- Key finding: There are now multiple effective treatment options for diabetic cats, and the best approach depends on each cat’s individual situation, other health conditions, and what works for the cat owner
- What it means for you: If your cat has diabetes, your veterinarian now has evidence-based guidelines to help choose the best treatment plan. Working closely with your vet and using new monitoring tools may help your cat live a longer, healthier life. However, diabetes management requires commitment from both you and your veterinary team.
The Research Details
This is not a traditional research study with patients. Instead, it’s a set of expert guidelines created by leading veterinarians who specialize in cat health. The experts reviewed all the scientific research available about cat diabetes, combined it with their own clinical experience treating hundreds of diabetic cats, and created practical recommendations that veterinarians can use in their daily practice.
The guidelines cover the entire process of managing a diabetic cat: how to diagnose the disease, how to choose the right treatment, how to monitor whether the treatment is working, and how to handle complications that might arise. The experts emphasized that successful treatment requires teamwork between the veterinarian, the cat owner, and sometimes other veterinary professionals.
Guidelines like these are important because they help standardize care and ensure that cats with diabetes receive the best possible treatment based on current scientific evidence. They also help veterinarians and cat owners make informed decisions together, which leads to better outcomes for the cats. By bringing together expert knowledge and research, these guidelines can improve the quality of life for thousands of diabetic cats.
These guidelines were created by a respected panel of experts from the International Cat Care Veterinary Society, which is a well-known organization in feline medicine. The recommendations are based on a combination of published scientific research, expert clinical experience, and consensus among specialists. However, individual cats may respond differently to treatment, so your veterinarian may need to adjust recommendations for your specific cat’s needs.
What the Results Show
The guidelines identify several key aspects of managing diabetic cats effectively. First, diabetes in cats can develop in different ways—sometimes the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin, and sometimes the cat’s body doesn’t respond well to the insulin that is produced. Understanding which type of diabetes a cat has helps determine the best treatment.
Second, the guidelines emphasize that many diabetic cats have other health conditions that need to be identified and treated. For example, a condition called hypersomatotropism (where the body produces too much growth hormone) is a common underlying cause of diabetes in cats and must be addressed for treatment to be successful.
Third, treatment options now include insulin injections (which have been used for years) and newer oral medications called sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors that can be given by mouth. The choice between these options depends on the individual cat’s situation, how well the cat owner can manage the treatment, and how the cat responds.
Finally, the guidelines recommend using continuous glucose monitoring devices when possible. These small devices measure blood sugar levels throughout the day and night, providing much more detailed information than traditional blood tests. This helps veterinarians and cat owners see exactly how well the treatment is working and make adjustments when needed.
The guidelines also address important complications that can occur in diabetic cats. Diabetic ketoacidosis is a serious condition where the body breaks down fat too quickly, creating dangerous acids in the blood. Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) can occur if a cat receives too much insulin. Regular monitoring helps catch these problems early. The guidelines stress the importance of diet in managing diabetes—the right food can sometimes help cats go into remission, meaning they no longer need insulin treatment. The guidelines also emphasize that successful management requires excellent communication between the veterinarian and the cat owner, with regular check-ins to adjust treatment as needed.
These 2025 guidelines represent an update to previous recommendations and reflect the significant advances in cat diabetes treatment over recent years. The availability of new oral medications and continuous glucose monitoring devices gives veterinarians and cat owners more tools than were previously available. The guidelines also place greater emphasis on identifying and treating underlying conditions like hypersomatotropism, which was not always done in the past. This more comprehensive approach to diagnosis and treatment reflects current best practices in feline medicine.
These are expert guidelines based on available research and clinical experience, not the results of a single research study. Individual cats may not respond the same way to treatments, so recommendations may need to be adjusted for each cat. The guidelines cannot account for every possible situation or complication that might arise. Additionally, some of the newer treatments and monitoring devices may not be available or affordable for all cat owners, which could limit how widely these recommendations can be applied. Your veterinarian is the best source for determining which recommendations are appropriate for your specific cat.
The Bottom Line
If your cat has been diagnosed with diabetes, work closely with your veterinarian to: (1) Test for other health conditions that might be contributing to the diabetes, (2) Choose a treatment plan that works for both your cat and your lifestyle, (3) Monitor your cat’s blood sugar regularly, either through blood tests or continuous glucose monitoring devices, and (4) Adjust diet and treatment as needed based on how your cat responds. These recommendations are supported by expert consensus and current research (high confidence level for the overall approach, though individual results may vary).
These guidelines are primarily for veterinarians treating diabetic cats and for cat owners whose cats have been diagnosed with diabetes. If your cat shows signs of diabetes (increased thirst, increased urination, weight loss, or increased appetite), discuss testing with your veterinarian. These guidelines may also be relevant for cat owners whose cats have risk factors for diabetes, such as obesity or certain breeds. However, these guidelines are not meant to replace professional veterinary care or to be used for self-diagnosis.
Improvements in a diabetic cat’s condition may be seen within days to weeks of starting treatment, though some cats take longer to respond. Some cats may go into remission (no longer needing insulin) within weeks to months with proper diet and treatment. However, diabetes management is typically a long-term commitment. Regular monitoring is essential to ensure the treatment continues to work well and to catch any complications early. Most diabetic cats can live happy, healthy lives with proper management.
Want to Apply This Research?
- Track your cat’s daily insulin doses, blood sugar readings (if using a home monitor), water intake, food intake, and litter box usage. Record any changes in your cat’s behavior or appetite. Note the dates of veterinary visits and any treatment adjustments made.
- Set daily reminders for insulin injections at the same time each day to establish a routine. Use the app to log each injection immediately after giving it, so you don’t forget. If your cat uses a continuous glucose monitor, log the readings regularly. Schedule and track veterinary appointments for blood work and check-ups.
- Create a weekly summary view showing insulin doses given, average blood sugar readings (if available), food and water intake patterns, and any concerning symptoms. Share this data with your veterinarian at each visit to help them make informed decisions about treatment adjustments. Over time, this data helps identify patterns and shows whether the current treatment plan is working effectively.
These guidelines are intended for educational purposes and to inform discussions with your veterinarian. They are not a substitute for professional veterinary diagnosis, treatment, or advice. Diabetes in cats is a serious medical condition that requires professional veterinary care. If you suspect your cat has diabetes or if your diabetic cat is showing new symptoms, contact your veterinarian immediately. Treatment decisions should always be made in consultation with your veterinarian, who can evaluate your individual cat’s health status, other medical conditions, and specific circumstances. Never start, stop, or change your cat’s diabetes treatment without veterinary guidance.