You may be surprised to learn that one of the symptoms of feline diabetes is weakness in your cat’s legs.  If you notice your kitty walking on her “elbows” on her back legs instead of her feet, or on her “wrists” on her front legs, you may have a diabetic cat.She may be clumsy, with her legs going out from underneath her with no warning. She may also tire easily, and need to lie down for a while after a short walk.  This problem is called “feline neuropathy.”

Why Does Diabetes In Cats Cause Weak Legs?

Many cat owners are unaware of the link between feline neuropathy and feline diabetes.  This condition is a result of nerve damage caused by high blood sugar levels.  It’s very important that a diabetic cat receives veterinary treatment to lower blood glucose levels as soon as possible to prevent any further damage to her nerves.

Why Does Nerve Damage Often Go With Feline Diabetes?

Both people and pets develop diabetes when their bodies are unable to regulate their blood glucose levels.  Either your kitty’s body isn’t producing enough insulin (type 1 feline diabetes), or her body isn’t able to use the insulin being produced (type 2 feline diabetes).

High blood sugar levels are especially dangerous for nerve, kidney, and eye cells.  Why?These cells are able to absorb so much sugar from the blood that it damages the cells. This is because they don’t need insulin to absorb glucose.This is why it’s important that owners of feline diabetics keep the cat’s blood glucose at normal levels.  

Can Feline Neuropathy Be Reversed?

Sometimes the nerve damage is reversed when the high blood sugar levels are brought under control, and the cat is able to walk normally again.

It’s also possible that the weakness in the cat’s legs is due to muscle wasting, which is a result of untreated feline diabetes.  Once the blood sugar levels are controlled, the cat owner may wish to gently exercise the feline to rebuild the muscle.  

Some owners have had some success in reversing feline neuropathy by treating their cats with methylcobalamin, also known as methyl B-12.  This product is available at natural food stores.

The Best Treatment Is Prevention

The best way to avoid complications of diabetes in cats is to prevent the disease in the first place.  Avoid letting your feline friend get too heavy.Fat cats are victims of many health problems, including diabetes.Overfeeding your cat should be avoided. Feed her a high-quality canned food, and not dry cat food, which is too high in carbs.

Regular exercise is a natural way to control blood sugar levels, besides keeping your pet slim and in good condition.

Can Natural Remedies For Cats Help A Feline Diabetic?

Certain herbs, such as fenugreek, astragalus, and goat’s rue, along with chromium, a trace mineral, can help to control blood sugar levels naturally in human diabetics.  Would these herbs work in cats, too?  The answer is yes.   

Many cat owners have been successful in using a combination of diet, exercise, and herbal remedies to regulate their pets’ blood sugar levels naturally.  You can learn more about natural remedies for cats with diabetes by clicking on any link in this article.