Diabetes Treatment in Cats: Understanding the Options

Thanks to advancements in veterinary medicine, feline diabetes very manageable. With the right treatment plan, many cats can live long, happy lives. Let’s take a look at the main treatment options available today, focusing on insulin therapies like glargine and protamine zinc, as well as a newer oral medication, Senvelgo.

Treatment usually focuses on regulating blood sugar, and for many cats, that means twice daily insulin injections.

Glargine (Optisulin® or Toujeo®):

Glargine is a long-acting insulin that’s often the first choice for newly diagnosed diabetic cats. It provides a steady release of insulin over time, which can help minimize spikes and dips in blood sugar. One reason glargine is popular is that some cats treated with it early and consistently may go into remission—meaning they no longer need insulin shots after a period of good blood sugar control.

Key points:

• Long-acting, stable insulin

• Given every 12 hours by injection under the skin

• May increase the chance of remission in some cats

It does require commitment: you’ll need to monitor blood or urine glucose levels at home or with your vet’s help and give injections regularly.

Human glargine insulin is the first line treatment for most cats with diabetes

Follow this video for advice on how to use an insulin pen.

*In this video, the demonstrator advises to store the pen at room temperature while in use. We're also happy for the pen to be allowed to come to room temperature for 30-45 mins prior to use if you do chose to store it in the fridge during summer months or if the pen is in use for many months.

ProZinc® (Protamine Zinc Insulin)

ProZinc is another insulin specifically formulated for animals. It’s considered an intermediate-acting insulin, which means its effects typically last between 10 to 14 hours. Like glargine, it’s usually given twice daily.

While the remission rate may not be quite as high as with glargine, it’s still a very effective choice, especially for cats who don’t respond well to other insulins.

Key points:

• Veterinary-specific insulin

• Needs special syringes

• Intermediate-acting

• Given every 12 hours

• Good choice for ongoing management

The video below demonstrates its use.

Senvelgo® (Velagliflozin Oral Solution): A New Option Without Needles

For cats who are difficult to inject or for owners who feel uncomfortable with needles, Senvelgo is a new and exciting alternative. This is an oral liquid medication that’s given once a day and works differently from insulin. Instead of adding insulin, Senvelgo helps lower blood sugar by encouraging the body to remove excess glucose through the urine.

It can be a game changer in some cases—especially for cats with mild or newly diagnosed diabetes, or for those who can’t receive insulin for medical reasons.

Key points:

• Oral liquid, given once daily

• No needles required

• Works by helping the body eliminate excess glucose

• Not suitable for every cat—especially those with kidney issues

• Needs close montioring for ketones in the first couple of weeks

• Can be costly as it is a new medication

Senvelgo is an easy to use, once daily liquid medication.

You can find more information about Senvelgo here.

Choosing the Right Treatment for your Cat

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer for managing feline diabetes. We will help you choose the best option based on your cat’s overall health, blood sugar levels, lifestyle, and your ability to monitor and administer treatments.

Here are a few questions that can help guide that conversation:

• Is my cat likely to respond well to insulin therapy?

• Can I commit to giving injections or is an oral option more realistic?

• How often will I need to monitor blood sugar?

• What are the costs and follow-up needs for each option?

  
  

Conculsion

While a diabetes diagnosis in cats can feel overwhelming at first, there are more treatment options now than ever before. Whether our vet recommends glargine, ProZinc, or Senvelgo, the goal is the same: to keep your cat feeling their best. With patience, monitoring, and a bit of teamwork, diabetes is something you and your feline friend can absolutely manage together.

As always, please consult our vets before making any changes to your cat’s care plan—we’ll help guide you through the best next steps based on your cat’s unique needs.