Diabetes in Cats - Types, Causes, Symptoms, Treatment

Diabetes mellitus (or ‘sugar diabetes’) is a condition caused when either the body doesn’t produce enough insulin (a hormone needed to absorb glucose [sugar] into the cells), or when the body doesn’t respond to insulin as it should. This results in high blood glucose (sugar) and associated signs.  

Diabetes in cats appears to be very similar to type II or non-insulin-dependent diabetes in people. Abnormalities within the pancreas affect insulin production, and/or ‘insulin resistance’ can reduce the ability of the body to respond to the insulin that is produced. Together, these combine to cause diabetes.   

Diabetes can also occur as a secondary disease in cats as a result of certain types of drug therapy (eg, prolonged use of steroids), and risk factors such as obesity, inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis), sedentary lifestyle and middle age/ old cats are more at risks.  

Written by Dr. Mariella Roberts, Veterinary Surgeon, Animal Trust Vets CIC | Published August 2025 | Review date August 2027 | This advice is for UK pets only and is not a replacement for seeing a vet