Recommended Glucose Meter, test strips etc

[Melanie N]

Hello, could someone recommend a glucose meter, lancets, test strips, etc so than we can begin to test our cat's glucose at home?
I do not have time to do any research
Thanks!
Melanie

 

[Albert & Xander]

Hello, could someone recommend a glucose meter, lancets, test strips, etc so than we can begin to test our cat's glucose at home?
I do not have time to do any research
Thanks!
Melanie

Hi there! The majority of people on the forum use human meters, with guidance and ranges usually given using these meters. If you have a Walmart near you, the Relion meters and test strips are very inexpensive and work great. I started with the Relion Platinum and continue to use it out of habit, but I would probably go with the Relion Classic as it is cheaper, the test strips are slightly cheaper, and it requires a slightly smaller drop of blood.

 

[CORKY]

Most of all the members use the ReliOn Premier human monitor and strips, very inexpensive and accurate, we base our numbers on it, if you are in US Walmart has the monitor for $19.00 the strips $9.00 for 50 $17.88 for 100 is always good to have extra strips

 

[squeem3]

If you're in the US, the Relion brand sold at WalMart is inexpensive and popular. But any brand of Human blood glucose meter works. Any pharmacy will have at least a few different ones. You can also buy online from pretty much everywhere, even Amazon. A basic meter that gives a reading is all you need. Some have fancy features like food tracking or smart apps to connect with your phone but you don't need those.

Test strips can be pricey so some people choose a meter that has inexpensive test strips. Test strips that use a tiny 0.3 ul drop of blood is ideal.

A starter kit usually includes a lancet device and a few lancets. Sometimes the lancet device doesn't work well on a cat so you may need to buy a different brand and matching lancets. Or just freehand the lancet without the device.

 

[Melanie N]

Thanks everyone, I am in the US and have a Walmart nearby.

 

[CORKY]

Great, please post us if you need advice or if you have any concerns

 

[Sienne and Gabby (GA)]

The brand of lancets isn't really important. However, if you're just starting out, you want lancets that are wider -- typically around a 26 gauge lancet. Once the capillary bed in your cat's ear develops and it's easier to get a drop of blood, you can switch to a thinner lancet -- like a 28 gauge.