What is the expected lifespan for a diabetic cat?
The prognosis for diabetic cats depends in part on owner commitment to treating the disease, as well as whether other diseases are present. Diabetic cats that survive the first 6 months can generally maintain a good quality of life for more than 5 years with the disease. Also, keep in mind that many cats are diagnosed later in life, so a 2 to 5-year life expectancy may not be that different from their average lifespan anyway. Recent data suggest that, if a cat is kept well regulated and does not have any other health problems, it should be able to have a normal life expectancy with a high quality of life.
