New member, trying to dial in dosage

Hi all! My name is Jordan, I just joined the forums and I am looking forward to learning more on how to care for my lil diabetic buddy, Hobbes.

Hobbes showed up on my screen porch on Xmas eve, 12/24/24 at 1130pm. He was covered in fleas, skin and bones with a puncture wound, dehydrated and showed all the signs of diabetes; consistent hunger & thirst, frequent large urination and diarrhea.

On Jan 1st 2025 we made our first vet visit. Vet guesstimated his age at 12-18mos.
Bloodwork confirmed diabetes, he also had hookworms and a tapeworm. All of which were treated immediately.
After clearing up fleas, parasites, and starting him on insulin, he immediately started to gain weight and transform into a happy and healthy kitty.
He is on Lantus insulin and takes 2 units 2x a day. He eats friskies shreds wet food 5.5oz cans 2x/day.

Recently, it looks like he has lost some weight, as he’s looking a bit thinner around the hips and shoulder blades, we went to vet and had bloodwork done but nothing obvious showing in bloodwork.
His appetite/eating habits haven’t changed and I feel like my vet is starting to guess at this point. Vet also did not want to change his dosage amount.

I do not have a glucose meter and I’m thinking it’s probably time to get one so I can track his curve and get his dosage “dialed in”
His initial bloodwork pre-diagnosis in January had glucose in the 500 range, bloodwork in Feb after starting insulin treatment showed glucose in the 300 range.
His bloodwork last week also showed glucose in the 300 range

I understand many cats can go into remission with proper treatment and that’s a goal I have for him especially at his assumed age, if possible.

I’ve been looking over the site here and am having a bit of information overload, but I’m looking for recommendations on a glucose meter, my budget is very tight in terms of his care as I live check to check right now.

He seems happy and healthy with his routine, however he does look like he’s lost a little fat, enough that even neighbors and friends have commented “he looks like he’s lost weight”

What should my plan of action be moving forward? I think getting a glucose meter is obviously step one, but then what?
With his glucose being in the 300s in Feb after starting insulin and still bein in the 300s 9 mos later, is that a sign that the dose needs to be adjusted?

Thank you all for your help and input!

If you're in the US, the Relion brand of meters and test strips sold only at WalMart (and WalMart's web site) are affordable. There are a couple different models: ReliOn™ Meters - ReliOnBGM All you need is a basic meter that gives you a reading, nothing fancy like food tracking or connecting to apps.

There are many other brands of meters: AccuChek, Contour, Freestyle, etc. Whatever basic meter works for Human diabetics will work for cats. The test strips are what you need to buy often so affordable test strips is what some people look for. I wouldn't buy an unheard of brand of meter that's only sold on Amazon or other web site. The test strips are only sold there and if you forget to order more test strips and don't have an auto subscription set up, you're stuck if you run out of test strips. You can't run out to CVS or other pharmacy to buy more obscure brand test strips.

Once you start testing, you'll need to track the numbers in a spreadsheet. FDMB members use a Google based spreadsheet that is easily shared with the vet. Instructions: https://felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/how-to-create-a-spreadsheet.241706/

I'm not sure if the Friskies Shreds are low carb enough for a diabetic. Under 10% is ideal for diabetics. You can check the food chart https://catinfo.org/docs/CatFoodProteinFatCarbPhosphorusChart.pdf If they're not listed there (chart is from 2017), just start a new thread and list out the exact Friskies varieties you feed and ask for carb content. If they're higher than 10%, just keep them to use in case your cat ever has hypoglycemia. The carbs will raise blood glucose levels.

It's generally suggested to feed diabetic cats several small meals daily to keep their blood glucose levels more or less stable, just like how Human diabetics often snack on healthy things between meals. Small snacks keeps a cat's tummy happy too. A programmable timed feeder works best for this.

All the info on how Lantus works for cats is here: Lantus / Levemir / Biosimilars

Many people don't really use their vet for most of the diabetes stuff. This board can help you with your cat's numbers and dosing which you can then share with the vet.

Welcome to FDMB!!

Information overload is pretty normal given how much there is to absorb. The good news is that you know how to give an injection and Hobbes is on one of the better insulins for managing feline diabetes.

Friskies is among the better priced options. However, the shreds are not low in carbohydrates. With the exception of the whitefish flavor, they are all medium carb. We consider low carb as under 10% although most members tend to feed their cat a food that's in the neighborhood of 5%. Many people feed their cat either Friskies or Fancy Feast pate style food. This is a link to a food chart that has most of the canned cat foods available in the US listed along with their carbohydrate amounts.

In addition to all of the information that Squeem3 posted and linked, you may find this link to our post on helping us to help you useful. In addition to information on the spreadsheet, there are also instructions for setting up your signature.

Please let us know how we can help.

Yes, I am US based. Will look into the tester suggestions.
As for feeding, I am looking at the chart you linked and I can see the shreds I have been buying are 12-14% carbs.
I have been buying variety packs and now notice the flavors differ in their protein/fat/carb distribution.
proteins are 50+ and fats are 30-40.

I have noticed that a lot of the food under 10% carbs have a higher fat content than protein content.
Which is better when selecting a food under 10% carbs: higher fat content or higher protein content?

I’m thinking apart from getting a tester and tracking the data, I need to switch his food up as well.

As for feeding schedule, vet instructed the 2 meals day, 12 hours apart with an insulin injection. I do give him small treats every so often throughout the day.

One note to make: I used to feed him at 6am and 6pm due to my work schedule, but as of July I’m now in a work from home role and his feeding schedule has shifted to 8am and 6pm. So his injections are now at that time as well. Vet set that was no issue.

I thought maybe these subtle changes were playing a role in weight loss but my vet says no.
I also have his recent bloodwork in pdf and can share that with anyone who would like to review.

And agree with you on vet, upon discussion of bloodwork I could tell he was throwing out guesses to an extent.

squeem3 said:

If you're in the US, the Relion brand of meters and test strips sold only at WalMart (and WalMart's web site) are affordable. There are a couple different models: ReliOn™ Meters - ReliOnBGM All you need is a basic meter that gives you a reading, nothing fancy like food tracking or connecting to apps.

There are many other brands of meters: AccuChek, Contour, Freestyle, etc. Whatever basic meter works for Human diabetics will work for cats. The test strips are what you need to buy often so affordable test strips is what some people look for. I wouldn't buy an unheard of brand of meter that's only sold on Amazon or other web site. The test strips are only sold there and if you forget to order more test strips and don't have an auto subscription set up, you're stuck if you run out of test strips. You can't run out to CVS or other pharmacy to buy more obscure brand test strips.

Once you start testing, you'll need to track the numbers in a spreadsheet. FDMB members use a Google based spreadsheet that is easily shared with the vet. Instructions: https://felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/how-to-create-a-spreadsheet.241706/

I'm not sure if the Friskies Shreds are low carb enough for a diabetic. Under 10% is ideal for diabetics. You can check the food chart https://catinfo.org/docs/CatFoodProteinFatCarbPhosphorusChart.pdf If they're not listed there (chart is from 2017), just start a new thread and list out the exact Friskies varieties you feed and ask for carb content. If they're higher than 10%, just keep them to use in case your cat ever has hypoglycemia. The carbs will raise blood glucose levels.

It's generally suggested to feed diabetic cats several small meals daily to keep their blood glucose levels more or less stable, just like how Human diabetics often snack on healthy things between meals. Small snacks keeps a cat's tummy happy too. A programmable timed feeder works best for this.

All the info on how Lantus works for cats is here: Lantus / Levemir / Biosimilars

Many people don't really use their vet for most of the diabetes stuff. This board can help you with your cat's numbers and dosing which you can then share with the vet.

Click to expand...

Sienne and Gabby (GA) said:

Welcome to FDMB!!

Information overload is pretty normal given how much there is to absorb. The good news is that you know how to give an injection and Hobbes is on one of the better insulins for managing feline diabetes.

Friskies is among the better priced options. However, the shreds are not low in carbohydrates. With the exception of the whitefish flavor, they are all medium carb. We consider low carb as under 10% although most members tend to feed their cat a food that's in the neighborhood of 5%. Many people feed their cat either Friskies or Fancy Feast pate style food. This is a link to a food chart that has most of the canned cat foods available in the US listed along with their carbohydrate amounts.

In addition to all of the information that Squeem3 posted and linked, you may find this link to our post on helping us to help you useful. In addition to information on the spreadsheet, there are also instructions for setting up your signature.

Please let us know how we can help.

Click to expand...

Thank you for the warm welcome! Please see my reply to Squeem3

I disagree with your vet's opinion regarding shot time. With Lantus, you want to stick as closely as possible to a 12-hour shot interval. Lantus is a depot type of drug (there's a sticky note on the Lantus board about the depot). What this means is that you are shooting 10 hours apart in the PM and 14 hours apart in the AM. I'd suggest picking whichever time works best and shoot at 12-hour intervals. With Lantus, an early shot acts like a dose increase and a late shot acts like a dose reduction. Moving the times around does not give the dose a chance to stabilize and you're not able to take advantage of how Lantus works.

As for the food, I'd be more concerned about the carbohydrates. A higher carb food is likely causing Hobbes' numbers to be higher. We aim to see a cat that is at least well regulated with numbers below renal threshold (around 200). If you are aiming for good regulation or remission, you want your kitty's numbers much closer to normal range (50 - 120). Protein is also more important than fat. Cats are obligate carnivores. They don't process carbs well. A high quality protein (i.e., "muscle meat") is best for their diet. If you are concerned about weight loss, I'd look at the calories of what you're feeding. You can always feed Hobbes more to bump up the calories.

It's also not critical to feed only twice a day. Most members feed their cat several smaller meals up until the cat's nadir (lowest point in the cycle). Nadir is theoretically at about mid-cycle but not all cats read the instruction manual and can have an early or later nadir. Feeding only twice a day can put stress on the pancreas. Also, you do not want to feed Hobbes in the 2-hour window prior to shot time. You want your pre-shot test to not be influenced by food. It's the best way to be certain that it's safe to give insulin.

Such great information! Thank you again!

I will be getting a meter, and adjusting the food, I am currently researching based on the charts/information sent.

Before, I had to feed twice a day bc of my work schedule and wasn’t home to give snacks throughout the day.
I am now wfh so can break down feeding to 3-4x a day in smaller portions
His most recent glucose reading at vets office was 315, I feel like I’m close and just needing to incorporate the fine touches to get his levels down a bit more

Hey Jordan and Hobbes, welcome and looks like you’re getting some good help so far.

They also make auto feeders for wet food that keeps it cold and fresh. Even if you’re home, it’s still nice to automate some of that…

Tim & Pookey said:

Hey Jordan and Hobbes, welcome and looks like you’re getting some good help so far.

They also make auto feeders for wet food that keeps it cold and fresh. Even if you’re home, it’s still nice to automate some of that…

Click to expand...

An auto feeder sounds like a good idea! However, I have another male cat at home so there might be competition!

Welcome to FDMB, we all have had overloads of information at the beginning, but you are doing awesome already to start, and you are in the right place, you have been given excellent tips to follow and yes, the ReliOn Premier monitor and strips you can purchased at Walmart you can get the monitor on line for $9.00 and the strips are $9,00 for 50 and $17.46 for 100, is always good to have extra strips handy. below is a link of a cat food calculator, you will insert in the cells the nutrient % of each food you choose the Dry Matter carb is the correct carbs to look for I shop at Chewy.com by the case monthly, it is cheaper by the case of 24 .and no shipping charge delivery in tow days. I have two cats one is Corky, diabetic, but I have them both on the Fancy Feast Pates and some flakes, no gravies please, they are high carbs, and I use 4 cans a day 1/2 for each and 4 different flavors; so, on their web site, you find the food you want click on the can, scroll down find ingredients, you will see the nutrient chart, use those numbers, the most important goal to regulate diabetes, is low carb foods, home testing, several meals during the day, the right insulin and lots and lots of love

Cat Food Nutrition Calculator | Elizabeth C Scheyder

0-10% Low Carbs
11-15% Medium Carbs
16-24% High Carbs

Also, you can choose other brands from the food list, I personally like the Fancy Feast because it is US made, regulated so no waste goes into the food, but of course you can choose any brand even raw food is great, a lot of members also use Friskies.

There are microchip feeders that allow only the cat wearing the special microchip collar tag to access the feeder. If your cat has a microchip, there may be a way to connect that with the feeder.

What do you feed the other cat? Many people who have multiple cats just feed the same diet as the diabetic so it doesn't matter who eats what. If you have to feed dry food, try one of the suggested brands that are ok if a diabetic eats it and use a microchip feeder: Young Again or Dr Elsey's. Air dried raw is another crunchy option and low carb enough for a diabetic.

squeem3 said:

There are microchip feeders that allow only the cat wearing the special microchip collar tag to access the feeder. If your cat has a microchip, there may be a way to connect that with the feeder.

What do you feed the other cat? Many people who have multiple cats just feed the same diet as the diabetic so it doesn't matter who eats what. If you have to feed dry food, try one of the suggested brands that are ok if a diabetic eats it and use a microchip feeder: Young Again or Dr Elsey's. Air dried raw is another crunchy option and low carb enough for a diabetic.

Click to expand...

That sounds interesting. Not sure if it would work for my guys. Neither wear collars. I had one on Hobbes in the earlier months but he’s particularity smart for an orange boy and figured out he can take it off at will.

My other boy is Smokey. He’s an older guy, I estimate him to be likely 10 or so. I’ve owned him since 2018 and he was fully grown when he came into my care.
Smokey is on the same diet now, he used to free eat dry food whenever he wanted but that had to change with Hobbes arrival, and I put him on Hobbes food/feeding schedule.
Hobbes diabetes makes him a little food fixated, he gets excited and energetic for treats and food, his pupils get extremely dilated and he gets talkative and very obsessed, he also eats really really fast, I feed them separately bc of this.
If they are fed together, 2 things happen: he will stop halfway thru his food and non-aggressively push in on Smokey’s food and he will finish eating faster and try to push in to finish Smokey’s food for him when his runs out.

So he eats by himself in the bathroom with the door shut and stays in til Smokey is done.

They are gorgeous