Messy litter box could mean diabetes for indoor cats – Palm Beach Post

Question: My cat is suddenly making a mess in his litter box. It is full of pee spots and really large-sized ones. He used to only pee in one small spot a day; now it is several large spots.

He acts fine and is eating good. He has always been a chunky cat, but I think he has lost a little weight recently.

Answer: I am glad that you are monitoring your kittys litter box so well. It is important to know what is normal for your cat. Most cats only urinate once or twice a day. When the amount in the litter box suddenly increases, it is a good indication that there is a problem. Please monitor his water and food intake as well. He is probably drinking a good bit more water.

Your kitty will need a trip to his veterinarian to check a urine sample and do a thorough physical examination. Many times, blood testing will be necessary to fully diagnose the problem. Things that can cause increased urination are: diabetes, kidney disease, infection, tumor, crystals or stones in the bladder, and thyroid disease. All of these can be serious, if left untreated.

Diabetes is most often seen in indoor cats that are overweight. The sooner they are diagnosed and treated, the better they tend to do. Diabetes occurs when blood sugar levels get too high and the body cannot utilize it. Insulin is needed to help absorb blood sugar and get nutrition to the cells that need it. When too much glucose (sugar) is in the bloodstream, it is flushed out in the urine and takes excess water with it this causes your cat to drink larger amounts of water and urinate at larger volumes. Diabetes in cats can be treated with insulin injections and a special diet high in protein, with little or no carbohydrates.

Cats are true carnivores, so too much carbohydrates in the diet are not tolerated well. Diabetes in cats can be reversed if caught quickly, however, changes must be made to control blood sugar, weight and diet.

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Messy litter box could mean diabetes for indoor cats - Palm Beach Post