A Quick Reassurance Before You Start
Almost everyone who has been managing feline diabetes for a while remembers the overwhelming feeling when their cat was first diagnosed. It can feel like a whole new world of information mixed with fear of the unknown, especially when all you want is for your cat to feel better. You’re not alone. Since the mid-1990s, over 30,000 caregivers have walked this path and shared their experiences on the Feline Diabetes Message Board (FDMB). Those shared experiences have helped shape the way feline diabetes is managed and have brought hundreds of cats into diabetic remission.
What a Diabetes Diagnosis Means
Simply put, your cat’s body is no longer regulating blood glucose (sugar) normally. It does not mean you caused this, and it does not automatically mean your cat’s quality of life will be poor. You don’t need to be an expert in insulin mechanics, spreadsheets, or home blood glucose testing right away. Those skills can feel overwhelming at first – especially if you’ve never managed diabetes in a human or a pet – but they can be learned. In the beginning, your job is to understand the basics and know where to find support as your cat begins this journey.
The First 24 Hours
Chances are your cat has just come home from the vet and has already experienced some stress. Stress can impact blood glucose (BG) numbers, and it’s often discussed on the forum that cats can pick up on our energy and body language. So let’s slow things down and focus on keeping both you and your cat calm. Your cat needs access to food, water, and a caregiver who is determined to do their best. Diabetes is a marathon, not a sprint.
This is also a good time to establish a baseline. Pay attention to appetite, thirst, energy level, urination, and general behavior. Take some time to get acquainted with the resources available on the Feline Diabetes Message Board (FDMB). Create your account, set up your profile, and familiarize yourself with how the forum works.
Order some basic supplies as well – especially items for your hypoglycemia tool kit – so you’re prepared to handle low blood glucose numbers if they occur.
- Lancets
- Blood glucose meter
- Blood glucose meter test strips
- Other Hypo Tool Kit supplies
Insulin, Food, and Timing
The big picture in the first few days is consistency. Give insulin at the same times each day, feed consistently, and avoid making large changes too quickly. That said, it’s also a good time to start thinking about next steps.
For insulin, the two commonly recommended insulins for cats are Lantus (glargine) and ProZinc. It’s worth checking which insulin your veterinarian prescribed so you’re familiar with it.
When it comes to food, and this is very important, diabetic cats – like humans – generally do best on a low-carbohydrate wet food diet. One caveat is that if your cat is currently eating a high-carbohydrate dry food, insulin needs may be artificially elevated by that diet. Because of this, and because sudden food changes can cause digestive upset, food transitions should be done very slowly – sometimes over the course of a week or more.
In some cases, cats have even gone into remission with diet changes alone. This is why home testing is so important, and why changes should be guided by blood glucose data and discussed with your veterinarian. For now, focus on learning the fundamentals of injections, home testing, and basic diabetes terminology, and build from there.
Home Blood Glucose Testing
Home blood glucose testing is the only way to keep your cat safe. Giving insulin without knowing blood glucose levels is dangerous and can lead to hypoglycemia (low blood glucose), which can be life-threatening. This isn’t meant to scare you, but it is important to be clear about why testing matters.
You may hear concerns about testing being stressful or painful, but many cats settle into the routine quickly – especially when tests are paired with a low-carb treat. Other treat options here. Some cats even come running when it’s time to test. Home testing also saves the stress and expense of repeated vet visits for glucose curves.
Testing is a skill, and it takes time to develop. Feeling hesitant or unsure at first is completely normal. The only way to build confidence is to keep practicing, because testing is essential for your cat’s safety.
Be sure to review the home testing links and tips, as well as the testing and shooting tips posts on the Feline Diabetes Message Board (FDMB). These resources include videos, photos, and step-by-step instructions.
Diet Changes
If your cat has recently started insulin, it’s important to be cautious about rapidly reducing the carbohydrate content of their food. With fewer carbs, your cat may need less insulin, which is another reason home testing is so important. We also want to avoid digestive upset by transitioning food too quickly.
For people in the United States, the Fancy Feast Classic Pates get recommended a ton on the forum for a good low-carb wet food.
The Role of Your Vet (When to Ask Questions)
Veterinarians are an important partner, especially in the early stages of diagnosis. Unfortunately, many caregivers report being sent home with insulin and a glucose meter and very little guidance. This isn’t a reflection of a lack of care – veterinarians manage an enormous range of species and medical conditions, and it’s impossible to be an expert in every detail of every disease.
This is one reason Felinediabetes.com and the FDMB community have become such valuable resources. We live with this condition every day. That said, we are strong believers in veterinary care and rely on our vets for diagnosis, prescriptions, and overall health monitoring. This site is meant to complement veterinary care, not replace it.
What The Next 48–72 Hours Might Look Like
With insulin on board, some early blood glucose data, and possibly the beginning of a diet transition, many cats start to show subtle improvements. This may look like slightly better energy levels or reduced thirst and urination. These changes can be gradual and are not always immediate.
It’s also normal for blood glucose numbers to fluctuate early on. This does not mean treatment is failing – your cat’s body is adjusting.
Common Early Mistakes to Avoid
Document as much as you can. Keep track of blood glucose readings, appetite, urination, bowel movements, and any changes in medications. At the same time, try to stay the course. It’s easy to compare your cat’s progress to others online, but every cat’s journey is different.
Another common issue we see involves the AlphaTrak pet blood glucose meter. It’s a good meter, requires a small blood sample, and is designed for animals. However, the test strips are expensive – often around $1 per strip. When testing multiple times per day, this can add up quickly. The FDMB has been around since 1996, long before pet-specific meters existed, and most dosing guidance is written with human meter numbers in mind. Pet meters also tend to read slightly higher than human meters. Popular human meters on the forum include the Contour Next and ReliOn, both of which use affordable strips and require relatively small blood samples.
Watch out for prescription “diabetic”, “dietetic” or glucose-control diets. We’ve seen these foods be too high in carbohydrates for diabetic cats and work against blood sugar regulation.
What Comes After the First 72 Hours
The first few days are about laying a foundation. Once things begin to feel more manageable, the focus shifts to refining care. This may include setting up a spreadsheet to track blood glucose values, fine-tuning insulin dosing and feeding schedules, and building routines that work for both you and your cat.
Where to Get Support
Join the Feline Diabetes Message Board (FDMB) and make a post in the Main Health forum.
Key Takeaways
- Insulin: Learn how to give injections
- Home testing: Learn how to test your cat’s blood glucose at home
- Hypo tool kit: Order basic emergency supplies
- Low-carb wet food diet: Transition gradually
