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To suit your pet’s needs, choose vet fee cover from £1,000 to £15,000. The limit resets every year you renew.
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When a cat has diabetes, it means their pancreas isn’t producing enough insulin. Or it could mean their body isn’t responding to insulin properly, which is called insulin resistance.
Insulin is needed to help absorb sugar from the bloodstream into cells around the body, giving your cat energy.
Cats with diabetes struggle to control their glucose levels in the bloodstream, so they can suffer from dangerously high spikes of sugar called hyperglycaemia. Diabetic cats may also have to use muscle or fat for energy as the sugar isn’t getting where it needs to be. This process can create dangerous by-products called ketones.
Type 2 diabetes is more common than type 1 diabetes in cats.
Male cats are more likely to develop diabetes. Other risk factors include obesity, age, inactivity, plus using steroids to treat other conditions.
Any cat can develop diabetes, but some breeds are more likely to get it than others, including:
Risk factors are mainly due to genetic predisposition, body composition and lifestyle.
Certain breeds, especially Burmese and Siamese cats, have been shown to have a higher genetic risk for diabetes. Likewise, Burmese and Norwegian Forest Cats tend to have a stockier build and can be prone to obesity, a key risk factor for diabetes.
But while genetics play a role, diet and exercise also influence diabetes risk – regardless of your cat’s breed.
The most common signs and symptoms to watch out for include:
Some other symptoms you may spot include:
If you think your cat might have diabetes, speak to your vet. They’ll be able to do a few tests to see how likely it is, including urine samples and blood tests to see if sugar levels are high.
Cats can have high glucose levels when stressed, such as during a vet trip. Your vet may need to perform an additional blood test called fructosamine. This acts as a marker of blood glucose over the previous few weeks. They may also want to take glucose measurements over the course of a day.
There are two main diabetes treatment options that are often used together to get the best results.
Most cats with diabetes will need insulin injections once or twice a day, usually just after they eat. Your vet will show you how to use the injections, usually in the scruff of their neck.
Routine is important, with meals and injections given at the same time each day where possible. There are different types of injections, so you can discuss with your vet which option would be best for your cat.
When controlled with insulin injections, your cat shouldn’t have any symptoms of diabetes. And if caught early enough, your cat could even become non-diabetic.
Diabetic cats need a special diet to make sure they keep their weight down and their glucose levels controlled. Your vet will be able to advise you of the best steps to take.
Diabetes can often be a lifelong condition for cats. But caught early enough and with the right treatment, there’s the possibility of reversing it altogether in some cats. Sadly, there are some cats who don’t respond well to treatment for a variety of reasons.
“In my experience working in a first‑opinion practice, cats with diabetes often present with surprisingly subtle early signs, including increased thirst or more frequent litter‑tray visits. It can be easy for owners to overlook the change until more obvious symptoms such as weight loss or lethargy appear.
“Because stress can temporarily raise blood glucose, a single ‘high’ reading doesn’t always mean diabetes: that’s why many vets recommend a full diagnostic workup (clinical signs + persistent hyperglycaemia/glycosuria, or a serum fructosamine) before confirming the diagnosis.
“With early diagnosis and careful management (insulin therapy, a low‑carbohydrate wet diet, weight control, and monitoring), many diabetic cats go on to live comfortable, active lives. Some even enter remission, no longer needing insulin. I’ve worked with several cats over the years whose owners were initially anxious, but who went on to enjoy many happy, stable years once a tailored care plan was in place.”
Dr Emma Chandley – BVetMed PGCert SAS MRCVS
When getting a Petgevity Lifetime Plus insurance quote, tell us about your cat’s diabetes and any other conditions they’ve had in the past two years*.
It’s important to list your cat’s conditions when taking out cat insurance, so you increase your chances of a successful claim in future.
Find out more about our cat insurance for pre-existing medical conditions.
Defaqto 5 star rating when you choose vet fees over £4,000 with all optional add-ons included.
Basic cover alone has 3 star rating
Three-time winner National Insurance Awards Pet Insurance Award 2022, 2023 & 2024.
Awarded Best Pet Insurance Provider at The Times Money Mentor Awards 2024
Choosing Petgevity to protect your pets gives you more than just vet fee cover. Here's what you get from our policy.
Dental accident
Covers your pet up to the chosen vet fee limit if they have a dental accident or injury. Always be sure to take your pet for annual dental check-ups, and follow your vet’s advice.
Behavioural treatment
Get expert help with your pet’s mental and emotional wellbeing, as advised by your vet. Cover up to your chosen vet fee amount or the cost of up to 12 sessions, whichever is lower (Lifetime Plus); or up to £1,000 (Lifetime).
Complementary therapy
As advised by your vet, this covers alternative treatments like acupuncture or hydrotherapy. Cover up to your chosen vet fee amount (Lifetime Plus); or up to chosen vet fee amount or £1,500, whichever is lower (Lifetime).
Emergency care
If you can’t look after your pet due to an emergency, such as an unplanned hospital visit, this covers you for up to £1,500 (Lifetime Plus) in minding costs.
Third-party liability for dogs
Covers you for legal costs if your dog causes injury to somebody or their pet, or causes loss or damage to someone’s property. Protects you for up to £2 million in a legal action.
Choice of optional extras
Need extra protection? Choose from several optional extras to cover your pet’s needs, including dental illness, or cover if your pet is stolen or lost.
†For Lifetime Plus policies only – details correct as of 10 September 2024 via competitor websites. Competitor products are subject to their own T&Cs and can have different limits and requirements for cats versus dogs at different ages. For full details, please check the relevant policy wording. For full details of Petgevity pet insurance, please read our policy wording.
Some people find that their cat walks strangely before their diagnosis. This is because the nerves can sometimes get damaged which causes your cat to walk on their ankles instead. Diabetic cats may also be lethargic and sleep more than usual.
Most diabetic cats will need some form of insulin. If caught early enough, it may be manageable with diet-only treatment, or they can come off insulin injections after an initial treatment.
But this is something to chat to your vet about, as every cat is different and some respond to treatment better than others.
With the appropriate treatment, your cat could live a long and happy life after their diabetes diagnosis. Sadly, sometimes treatment isn’t an option or your cat might not respond well to it.
†Lifetime Plus policies only
*Cover for pre-existing medical conditions is subject to acceptance. They will not be covered unless you have declared them and they are shown on your Confirmation of Cover.
**Illnesses and symptoms won’t be covered in the first 14 days and accidents won’t be covered in the first 2 days of the policy. This is unless you are switching from another lifetime pet insurance product with no break in cover and the claim you want to make would have been covered by your previous policy. Other exclusions may apply to other sections.