New Member - overwhelmed
- OP MathSusan
- Start date
CORKY
Member Since 2023
squeem3
Member Since 2009
Here's a shopping list: Info - Getting started shopping list
Initial costs will be high since there are things you need to buy to get started but they do go down.
Food - don't buy the expensive prescription stuff the vet may insist you need. There's nothing in the food that will help or has any "prescription" quality. It's ok to disagree with the vet about food and totally safe to do so. Low carb canned food is best. If you can get your cat onto low carb canned food before starting insulin, it will help blood glucose levels a bit. Any food under 10% carbs is best. Food charts are here:
Cat Food As-Fed Chart
Links to FOOD CHARTS
Glutenfree - Felinediabetes.com
Treats need to be low carb, too. Freeze dried meat or seafood treats are best. Plain cooked chicken is popular with many cats.
No dry food at all. The carbs in dry food keeps blood glucose levels too high and is why so many cats develop diabetes. For crunchies, air dried raw or freeze dried raw or a few freeze dried treats are enough to satisfy most cats.
Insulin - the two best choices for cats are ProZinc and Lantus (glargine) There's a coupon to get a box of Lantus pens for $35 (US only). The box will last you at least a year if kept in the fridge. Each pen is good to the last drop. The prescription has to specify the box, not the 10 ml bottle. Buy Lantus at any Human pharmacy. U100 syringes can be bought online, Amazon doesn't require a pescription but Human diabetic supply web sites may. ProZinc is a bit pricier since it's made just for pets. You by this and the matching U40 syringes from a veterinary pharmacy such as the one at Chewy.com or from your vet (at a marked up price).
Blood glucose testing - If you're in the US, the Relion brand of Human diabetic meters sold at Walmart is affordable. But any brand you can easily find at the local pharmacy works. A bare basic meter is all you need. I use the AccuChek Guide. Test strips you can buy online or at your local pharmacy. Off-brands of meters and the related supplies may only be sold online. If you have a spicy cat, a CGM is an option but expensive. It lasts for about 2 weeks but is known to fall off or malfunction before then, sometimes the same day you put it on. You need to keep several on hand to use just in case.
If you test at home, you don't need expensive vet-office curves done. You can just do it at home where your cat isn't stressed out. Log the numbers into a spreadsheet and share it with your vet. We use this spreadsheet: https://felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/how-to-create-a-spreadsheet.241706/
There are ways to keep costs down. In the past, members have shared that they are diabetic themselves or have a family member who is and use their Human health insurance to buy insulin and syringes. One member used Lantus themself and just set aside a clearly labeled pen just for the cat.
If your vet didn't give you much info (common), here's some reading on current diabetes treatments you can discuss with your vet:
2025 iCatCare consensus guidelines on the diagnosis and management of diabetes mellitus in cats
2026 AAHA Diabetes Management Guidelines for Cats
If your vet doesn't listen to you, also common, it's in your cat's best interest to find a new vet who is wiling to listen to you and work with you. Lots of newbies have had to change vets.
Initial costs will be high since there are things you need to buy to get started but they do go down.
Food - don't buy the expensive prescription stuff the vet may insist you need. There's nothing in the food that will help or has any "prescription" quality. It's ok to disagree with the vet about food and totally safe to do so. Low carb canned food is best. If you can get your cat onto low carb canned food before starting insulin, it will help blood glucose levels a bit. Any food under 10% carbs is best. Food charts are here:
Cat Food As-Fed Chart
Links to FOOD CHARTS
Glutenfree - Felinediabetes.com
Treats need to be low carb, too. Freeze dried meat or seafood treats are best. Plain cooked chicken is popular with many cats.
No dry food at all. The carbs in dry food keeps blood glucose levels too high and is why so many cats develop diabetes. For crunchies, air dried raw or freeze dried raw or a few freeze dried treats are enough to satisfy most cats.
Insulin - the two best choices for cats are ProZinc and Lantus (glargine) There's a coupon to get a box of Lantus pens for $35 (US only). The box will last you at least a year if kept in the fridge. Each pen is good to the last drop. The prescription has to specify the box, not the 10 ml bottle. Buy Lantus at any Human pharmacy. U100 syringes can be bought online, Amazon doesn't require a pescription but Human diabetic supply web sites may. ProZinc is a bit pricier since it's made just for pets. You by this and the matching U40 syringes from a veterinary pharmacy such as the one at Chewy.com or from your vet (at a marked up price).
Blood glucose testing - If you're in the US, the Relion brand of Human diabetic meters sold at Walmart is affordable. But any brand you can easily find at the local pharmacy works. A bare basic meter is all you need. I use the AccuChek Guide. Test strips you can buy online or at your local pharmacy. Off-brands of meters and the related supplies may only be sold online. If you have a spicy cat, a CGM is an option but expensive. It lasts for about 2 weeks but is known to fall off or malfunction before then, sometimes the same day you put it on. You need to keep several on hand to use just in case.
If you test at home, you don't need expensive vet-office curves done. You can just do it at home where your cat isn't stressed out. Log the numbers into a spreadsheet and share it with your vet. We use this spreadsheet: https://felinediabetes.com/FDMB/threads/how-to-create-a-spreadsheet.241706/
There are ways to keep costs down. In the past, members have shared that they are diabetic themselves or have a family member who is and use their Human health insurance to buy insulin and syringes. One member used Lantus themself and just set aside a clearly labeled pen just for the cat.
If your vet didn't give you much info (common), here's some reading on current diabetes treatments you can discuss with your vet:
2025 iCatCare consensus guidelines on the diagnosis and management of diabetes mellitus in cats
2026 AAHA Diabetes Management Guidelines for Cats
If your vet doesn't listen to you, also common, it's in your cat's best interest to find a new vet who is wiling to listen to you and work with you. Lots of newbies have had to change vets.
Last edited:
squeem3
Member Since 2009
Adding the link to the Supply Closet where members post items to give away:
https://felinediabetes.com/FDMB/forums/supply-closet-for-sale-or-free.15/
There are some recently posted threads with items that would help you get started.
https://felinediabetes.com/FDMB/forums/supply-closet-for-sale-or-free.15/
There are some recently posted threads with items that would help you get started.
Bron and Sheba (GA)
Member Since 2015
Hi and welcome to the forum.
It is normal to feel overwhelmed in the beginning. We all felt it. You have come to the best place to get help and support.
Keep posting and asking questions
It is normal to feel overwhelmed in the beginning. We all felt it. You have come to the best place to get help and support.
Keep posting and asking questions