Can Pets Get Diabetes If They're Not Overweight?

Over the past decade, obesity in dogs and cats has been on the rise, and so has diabetes. But while there are some known links between excess weight and diabetes, a healthy body condition score does not grant your pet immunity to this chronic condition.

Yes, pets can get diabetes even if they’re not overweight. In fact, many pets are actually underweight at the time of diagnosis.

In honor of Pet Diabetes Month, learn how diabetes can be linked to obesity - but not how you may think - and what other factors can increase your pet’s chances of developing this chronic condition.
 

Does Obesity Cause Diabetes in Pets?

Like people, pets can be diagnosed with Type I or Type II diabetes.

Type I diabetes, the type that virtually always affects dogs, is similar to what’s known as “childhood diabetes” in humans. In those with Type I, the pancreas does not produce enough insulin, the hormone cells need to absorb and utilize glucose (sugar) from the bloodstream.

Type I diabetes is not directly caused by obesity in dogs. However, it’s often caused by pancreatitis, an inflammatory disease that damages the pancreas. Around 30% of dogs with diabetes have pancreatitis. Since pancreatitis is triggered by fatty foods, it makes sense that dogs that are overweight may seem more likely to develop diabetes.

Type II diabetes, the type that affects cats the most, is caused by insulin resistance. This is when the pancreas produces enough insulin, but the cells do not respond to it. In cats, obesity is a major risk factor of diabetes.
 

Why Do Diabetic Pets Lose Weight?

One of the most common signs of diabetes in pets is unexplained weight loss. Pets with undiagnosed diabetes tend to have a ravenous appetite, yet continue to lose weight no matter how much they eat.

This is because their lack of insulin (or inability to utilize it), makes the body’s cells unable to absorb and use glucose for energy. Instead, the glucose stays in the bloodstream, leading to high blood sugar. This puts a strain on the kidneys, which filter excess glucose from the blood through the urine. That’s why many untreated, diabetic pets experience increased thirst and urination.

Keep in mind, though, that many pets with diabetes are diagnosed in any body condition. They may have once been obese, or never been overweight at all. Body condition is just one risk factor of diabetes in dogs and cats.
 

Risk Factors of Diabetes in Dogs and Cats

Diabetes can affect pets of any age, though dogs and cats are most commonly diagnosed after age six.

For dogs, damage to the pancreas greatly increases the risk of diabetes. Those that have suffered pancreatitis, have Cushing’s disease, or have used long-term steroid medications are at increased risk. Certain breeds, including the Miniature Poodle and Dachshund, seem to have a genetic predisposition for diabetes.

Obese cats are four times more likely to develop diabetes than their average weight counterparts. Male cats, those that have been on long-term steroid medications, and those that have chronic conditions like Cushing’s disease are at greater risk.

If your pet is six years of age or older, talk to your veterinarian about managing their risk of developing diabetes, maintaining a healthy weight, and monitoring regularly for early symptoms.