💉 Vet 2025 Guide: Home Testing of Blood Glucose in Diabetic Cats – Safe, Easy Monitoring 🐱📈

Managing a diabetic cat can be challenging—but one of the most impactful things you can do is learn how to check your cat's blood glucose at home. In this Vet 2025 guide, Dr Duncan Houston explains the benefits, techniques, and safety considerations for home glucose monitoring. 🏠💙

🎯 Why Home Glucose Monitoring Matters

When a diabetic cat visits the vet, the stress of travel and handling can cause blood glucose levels to spike significantly. This stress-induced hyperglycemia may skew results and complicate insulin dosing. 😿

📊 Home testing allows you to:

• 🩺 Get accurate, stress-free glucose readings
• 🧪 Run glucose curves at home
• 💵 Save money on frequent clinic visits
• 🆘 Catch hypoglycemia early in emergencies

📽️ Learn the Technique

A video resource is often the best way to learn. Ask your vet to share links or tutorials. The typical technique involves:

1. 🧼 Preparing a glucometer and test strip
2. 📍 Using a lancet to get a drop of blood from the ear margin or paw pad
3. 📊 Applying the blood to the strip and reading the glucose level

✅ Most cats tolerate this surprisingly well with practice and gentle handling.

🧪 When Should You Test?

Work closely with your veterinarian to determine the best schedule for your cat. Home glucose monitoring may be recommended for:

• 📉 Suspected low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
• 📈 Signs of poor control (excess thirst, urination, weight loss)
• 🧪 Performing a glucose curve (testing every 2 hours over 12 hours)

⚠️ Never change your cat’s insulin dose without veterinary approval—even if a home reading looks high or low.

💡 Tips for Success

• 🐾 Use the ear pinna (outer edge) or paw pad for sampling
• 🔥 Warm the area with a rice sock or warm cloth to improve blood flow
• 🧴 Apply gentle pressure to stop bleeding afterward
• 😻 Reward your cat with praise or a cuddle—not treats that affect glucose

Some pet parents find continuous glucose monitors helpful (like the FreeStyle Libre®). These are applied like a sticker and send readings to a phone—no pricking required. 📲

📝 Keeping Records

Record each test with:

• 🕒 Time of day
• 🍽️ When the cat ate
• 💉 When insulin was given
• 📊 Glucose reading

Apps are available to help you log results and share them with your vet. 📱

⚠️ When NOT to Test

Wait at least 7 days after an insulin dose adjustment before testing for regulation. Your vet will tell you when it’s the right time to monitor changes. 🔁

📋 Should You Do a Glucose Curve?

Your vet may ask you to perform a curve at home. This involves:

• 📅 Testing blood glucose every 2 hours over 12 hours
• 📊 Recording results to identify insulin peak and duration

✅ This data helps your vet determine whether insulin type or dosage should be adjusted.

🙅 Don’t Go It Alone

💡 Important: Never change insulin dose or type on your own. Consult your veterinarian before making any medication decisions. Insulin is powerful—overcorrection can lead to life-threatening hypoglycemia. 🆘

📱 Need Help Getting Started?

Want to learn home testing but need extra help? Visit AskAVet.com or download the Ask A Vet app for step-by-step coaching and support from experts like Dr Duncan Houston. We’ll help you get confident in your technique and stay on top of your cat’s health. 🐾💉

With the right guidance, home testing becomes an empowering way to support your diabetic cat—leading to better control, fewer emergencies, and a happier life together. 🩺🐱💙