Just as people become more prone to diabetes as they age, so do cats. If you have a kitty who's getting up there in age, make sure you keep an eye out for symptoms of feline diabetes. The disease can be managed, but it's important to recognize and begin treating it early. Here are some common signs that may indicate your cat is diabetic:

Increased Thirst

Cats don't have very high water needs. If your cat is suddenly going through bowls of water a day, this is a pretty clear indication of diabetes. In diabetic cats, the glands on the pancreas do not produce enough insulin, and as a result, the blood sugar levels stay too high. In order to bring blood sugar levels down, the kidneys filter the sugar out – and it's excreted in the urine. Your cat will have to drink a lot to keep flushing the sugar out of their system.

Frequent Urination

All of the extra water that your cat drinks needs to come out! If your cat's litter box is soaked, this is an indication of diabetes. A lot of diabetic cats start urinating outside of the litter box because they either can't make it to the box or become deterred from urinating in the box because it's already so wet. Some cats urinate on the carpet, their owner's beds, or right next to the litter box.

Sudden Weight Loss

Since diabetic cats' cells cannot take the sugar up from their bloodstream, they have a hard time using the fuel supplied in their diets. Thus, they usually lose weight quite rapidly once they become diabetic. Obese cats are at a higher risk of diabetes, so most diabetic cats start off overweight but then become quite slender after a few weeks or months of suffering from the condition.

A Ravenous Appetite

Since the cat cannot utilize the fuel in his diet, they often becomes very hungry. They may finish their bowl of food and immediately start meowing for more, or they may constantly beg for food you're eating even though they previously had no interest in "human food." Any food you do put down may be devoured in seconds.

If you think your older cat may be developing diabetes, make sure you take them to the vet as soon as possible. Regular insulin injections can keep the condition under control, but without this treatment, your cat won't have much longer to live. For more information, contact an animal hospital like Stewartstown Vet Services.