Obesity and Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is estimated to be present in more than 80% of diabetic cats. Type 2 diabetes is characterised by insulin resistance, variable loss of insulin secretion, and amyloid deposition in the pancreatic islets. In both humans and cats, risk factors for type 2 diabetes include obesity and increasing age^.1,2 Most cats are over 8 years of age and usually between 10 and 12 years old when they get diabetes.^1,2,3 This is also the peak age for obesity. Other risk factors in cats include prior administration of corticosteroids, male gender, being neutered, and being of the Burmese cat breed in some countries. (Burmese cats in Australia and the United Kingdom are at an increased risk with 1 in 50 incidence in Burmese cats compared to other cat breeds.^3,4 )

Obesity is the most prevalent nutritional disorder in cats in first world countries. While cats with diabetes may present with a history of weight loss, obesity or overweight body condition is a well-recognized risk factor for type 2 diabetes mellitus.^1,5 Obese cats are several times more likely to become diabetic than normal weight cats as obesity causes insulin resistance (decreased sensitivity).⁶ Insulin sensitivity decreases by more than 50% in obese cats compared to lean cats^7,8 The gain of even one kg of body weight in an average sized cat may decrease insulin sensitivity by 30%. ⁷

Several aspects of obesity are thought to contribute to decreased insulin sensitivity. Adipokines are metabolically active substances secreted from the fat mass which act systemically or locally to influence metabolic reactions. Increased fat mass is thought to contribute to dysregulation of adipokine production.⁹