Managing Cheeni (Sugar) in Your Cat: A Simple Guide to Feline Diabetes

Our cats, our little dulaare (darlings), are just like us—and sometimes they can also get a condition called diabetes mellitus, or simply sugar ki beemari (sugar disease).

This happens when a cat’s body either can’t produce enough insulin (the hormone that controls sugar) or can’t use it properly. The result? Too much sugar (glucose) stays in the blood, which can cause health problems over time.

Don’t worry! This is a manageable condition. Here’s what every cat parent needs to know:

What Type of Diabetes Do Cats Get?

Mostly, cats get Type 2 diabetes. Think of it like this:

• Type 2 (The Common One): The cat’s body makes some insulin, but the body’s cells are ignoring it (resistance), and eventually, the pancreas (which makes insulin) gets tired and can’t produce enough.

7 Signals Your Cat Might Be Diabetic (Yeh 7 Baatein Dhyan Rakhen)

If you notice your cat doing any of these things, it’s a big sign to call your vet immediately:

1. Too Much Thirst (Zyaada Pyaas): Your cat is always at the water bowl and drinking much more than usual.
2. Too Much Peeing (Zyaada Peshab): They are frequenting the litter box more often, and the litter pan seems much wetter.
3. Hunger Pangs (Bhookh Badhna): They seem constantly hungry and eat a lot.
4. Losing Weight (Vazan Ghatna): Despite eating more, your cat is getting thinner.
5. Tired and Lazy (Sust aur Thake Hue): They have less energy and don’t play as much (lethargy).
6. Dull Fur (Rookha Baal): Their coat looks unkempt, dry, or dull.
7. Weak Legs (Pichhle Pairon Mein Kamzori): They might struggle to jump or seem weak in their back legs.

Who is at risk? (Kisko Ho Sakta Hai?)

• Weight (Motaapa): Obese (overweight) cats are at the highest risk. Fat tissue makes the body more resistant to insulin.
• Age (Umar): Middle-aged to older cats (around 8 years and up) are more likely to get it.
• Gender (Ling): Male cats tend to be more prone to diabetes than females.
• Lifestyle (Rehan Sehan): Cats on high-carb diets or those who don’t get enough exercise are at risk.

Diagnosis and Treatment: The Way Forward

The vet will check your cat’s health and confirm the diagnosis with a few simple blood and urine tests. They might do a special fructosamine test to see your cat’s average sugar level over the past couple of weeks.

The Treatment is Simple, But Consistent:

• Insulin Injections (Injection Lagana): Most diabetic cats will need a small insulin injection one or two times a day. Your vet will teach you how to give this shot safely at home—it’s much easier than you think!
• The Right Diet (Sahi Bhojan): A key part of management is switching to a high-protein, low-carbohydrate diet. This food helps keep their blood sugar stable.
• Weight Control (Vazan Santulan): Helping your cat reach a healthy weight is crucial for better diabetes control.

Key to Success: A Consistent Routine (Ek Jaisa Niyam)

Managing a diabetic cat is all about routine. Your cat needs you to be their lifeline with consistent care:

• Strict Timetable: Give the insulin and feed your cat at the exact same time every day. A consistent schedule prevents dangerous sugar level swings.
• Regular Check-ups: Keep up with your vet visits. They will monitor your cat’s sugar levels and adjust the insulin dose as needed.
• Home Monitoring: Your vet might teach you how to check their sugar levels at home, or at least monitor their water intake and energy carefully.

Prevention is Better (Roktham Hai Zaroori)

The best way to protect your billi (cat) is to prevent diabetes in the first place:

• Maintain a Healthy Weight: Play with your cat daily and feed them a balanced, species-appropriate diet (usually low-carb).
• Routine Vet Visits: Regular check-ups help catch any potential issues early.