Cat Diabetes Home Care: Insulin Injection Step-by-Step Guide

Your cat has been diagnosed with diabetes and needs daily insulin injections? Don't panic! While cat diabetes is a chronic condition, with proper insulin administration, dietary control, and regular monitoring, most diabetic cats can maintain a good quality of life. More importantly, about 80% of diabetic cats under good control have a chance of achieving remission.

## Understanding Cat Diabetes

Diabetes occurs when the pancreas cannot produce enough insulin, or the body develops insulin resistance, causing blood sugar to rise because it cannot be properly metabolized.

### Common Symptoms: Three Mores and One Less

* **More drinking**: Noticeably increased water intake
* **More urination**: Increased urine volume, larger clumps in litter box
* **More eating**: Increased appetite but losing weight
* **Weight loss**: Weight continues to drop even with increased eating

### Other Symptoms

* Coat becomes rough, loses luster
* Hind leg weakness (diabetic neuropathy)
* Abnormal walking posture (plantigrade stance—walking on heels)
* Decreased energy, lethargy

## Treatment Methods

Most diabetic cats require insulin therapy, combined with dietary control and regular monitoring.

### Insulin Treatment

* Usually twice-daily subcutaneous injections of long-acting insulin
* Injections every 12 hours
* Recommended to feed before injection to avoid low blood sugar

### Dietary Control

* Low-carbohydrate, high-protein diet
* Fixed feeding times and portions
* Avoid treats

### Regular Monitoring

* Blood glucose curve monitoring
* Weight tracking
* Regular veterinary visits

## Insulin Injection Step-by-Step Guide

Many owners are afraid when they hear about giving injections, but insulin needles are very fine, and cats have fewer nerves under the skin, resulting in minimal pain. Once proficient, the entire process takes only seconds.

### Preparation

**Required Equipment:**

* Insulin (as prescribed by veterinarian)
* Insulin-specific syringes
* Alcohol swabs (not essential)
* Treat rewards

**Insulin Storage:**

* Unopened: Store in refrigerator
* Opened: Store according to instructions, usually room temperature or refrigerated
* Gently roll before use (don't shake) to mix evenly

### Eight-Step Injection Process

**Step One: Prepare the Environment**

* Choose a quiet, well-lit location
* Let the cat relax, can give a small amount of food first

**Step Two: Confirm Dosage**

* Carefully confirm the veterinarian's prescribed dose
* Insulin syringes have markings, ensure you draw the correct amount

**Step Three: Draw Up Insulin**

* Gently roll the insulin to mix evenly
* Insert needle through rubber stopper
* Draw correct dose
* Confirm there are no air bubbles

**Step Four: Choose Injection Site**

* Back skin between shoulder blades and pelvis
* Change injection sites each time, avoid fixed locations
* Long-haired cats can have area shaved locally

**Step Five: Pinch the Skin**

* Gently pinch a fold of skin with thumb and index finger
* Form a "small tent" shape

**Step Six: Insert Needle**

* Insert needle at 45-degree angle into the base of skin fold
* Movement should be quick and confident
* Avoid piercing through the other side of skin

**Step Seven: Inject Medication**

* Confirm needle is under skin, then slowly push medication
* Wait 1-2 seconds after injection before withdrawing needle

**Step Eight: Reward the Cat**

* Give treats or affection after injection
* Build positive association

### Injection Precautions

**Correct Practices:**

* Confirm dosage before each injection
* Rotate injection sites
* Feed before injection
* Record each injection time

**Things to Avoid:**

* Don't inject in the same spot repeatedly
* Don't adjust dosage on your own
* Don't miss injections
* Don't shake insulin vigorously

## Blood Glucose Monitoring Methods

### Veterinary Clinic Monitoring

**Blood Glucose Curve:**

* Measure blood sugar every 2-4 hours
* Understand blood sugar changes throughout the day
* Help adjust insulin dosage

**Fructosamine Testing:**

* Reflects average blood sugar over past 2-3 weeks
* Not affected by single measurements

### Home Monitoring

**Glucometer Monitoring:**

* Purchase a glucometer suitable for cats
* Common blood collection sites: ear edge, paw pads

**Daily Observation Records:**

| Observation Item | Record Content |
|------------------|----------------|
| Water intake | Daily water consumption |
| Urine output | Size and number of litter clumps |
| Appetite | Amount and speed of eating |
| Weight | Measure weekly |
| Energy level | Activity, responsiveness |

These records are very important for veterinarians adjusting treatment plans.

## Low Blood Sugar Emergency Response

Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) is the most dangerous complication of diabetes treatment and can be life-threatening.

### Low Blood Sugar Symptoms

* Weakness
* Staggering walk
* Trembling
* Lethargy or confusion
* Seizures, convulsions (in severe cases)

### Emergency Response Steps

**Step One: Immediately Provide Sugar**

* Prepare 20% glucose solution (available at pharmacies)
* Dose: 1 ml per kilogram of body weight
* Slowly administer into both sides of mouth using syringe

**Step Two: Observe Response**

* Usually improvement within 5-10 minutes
* Give small amount of food after consciousness returns

**Step Three: Seek Medical Care**

* Even if symptoms improve, still recommended to see vet promptly
* Inform vet about the hypoglycemic episode

### Preventing Low Blood Sugar

* Confirm cat has eaten before injection
* Don't increase insulin dosage on your own
* If cat vomits or won't eat, ask vet if dosage needs adjustment

## Dietary Management Principles

Dietary control is an important part of diabetes treatment.

### Dietary Golden Rules

**Low Carbohydrate, High Protein**

| Nutrient | Recommended Ratio |
|----------|------------------|
| Protein | 45% or higher (dry matter basis) |
| Carbohydrates | 10% or lower |
| Fat | Moderate |

### Food Choices

**Suitable Foods:**

* Diabetic prescription food or canned food
* High-protein wet food
* Low-carbohydrate food

**Foods to Avoid:**

* High-carbohydrate dry food
* Grain-containing foods
* Treats (unless low-carb treats)

### Feeding Schedule

* Divide daily calories between two feedings (to match 12-hour injection intervals)
* Fixed feeding times to avoid blood sugar fluctuations
* Feed 15-30 minutes before injection

## Follow-up Visit Frequency

| Stage | Recommended Visit Frequency |
|-------|---------------------------|
| Newly diagnosed | 3-4 weeks after for blood glucose curve |
| Adjustment period | Every 2-4 weeks |
| Stable period | Every 3-4 months |

## Possibility of Diabetes Remission

Good news: about 80% of diabetic cats under good control may achieve "remission"—no longer needing insulin injections.

**Factors That Increase Remission Chance:**

* Early aggressive treatment after diagnosis (within first 6 months)
* Strict dietary control
* Maintaining healthy weight
* Regular monitoring with treatment compliance

**Note:**

* Remission doesn't mean cure, continued monitoring still needed
* Relapse is possible, stay vigilant

## Daily Care Essentials

### Establish Routine

* Fixed feeding times
* Fixed injection times
* Regular daily schedule

### Weight Management

* Obesity worsens insulin resistance
* Maintain ideal weight
* Moderate exercise

### Reduce Stress

* Provide quiet, comfortable environment
* Avoid sudden life changes
* Reduce stress factors

While cat diabetes requires long-term management, as long as owners are willing to learn and cooperate with treatment, most diabetic cats can live normal, happy lives. Learning to properly administer insulin, observing your cat's condition, and following dietary control is the best care you can give your diabetic cat.

---
**References:**
* [貓咪胰島素怎麼打？獸醫師教你8步驟正確施打 - 汪喵星球](https://www.dogcatstar.com/blog/insulin-treatment-in-cats/)
* [貓咪糖尿病｜飲食管理與居家照護 - 犬貓聯合捐血中心](https://dogcatbloodbank.com/cat-diabetes-mellitus/)
* [貓糖尿病不可怕！資深獸醫詳解症狀、治療與飲食護理 - 萊奧動物醫療中心](https://lamcvet.com/貓糖尿病不可怕！資深獸醫詳解症狀、治療與飲食)
* [貓糖尿病會好嗎？注意「3多1少」症狀 - HeroMama](https://heromamapet.com/blog/cat-diabetes/)
* [貓糖尿病怎麼辦？常見症狀、治療費用與照護重點 - 怪獸部落](https://litomon.com/blog/cat-diabetes/)

---