What Does It Mean When the Vet Says My Cat Is in Diabetic Remission?

By Theresa Gibilisco, owner, The Hungry Puppy

"Your cat is in diabetic remission." After weeks or months of insulin shots, that's about the best news a cat owner can hear, and it usually comes with a pile of new questions. Is the diabetes gone? Can we go back to the old food? Do we still need to check anything? People ask us these at the counter when they come in for their cat's canned food, so here's what the veterinary guidelines actually say.

This is general information to help you follow the conversation. Your cat's vet has the final word on your cat's care.

What does "diabetic remission" mean?

It means your cat's blood sugar has stayed normal for more than four weeks without insulin or diabetes pills. That's the definition in the 2026 American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) Diabetes Management Guidelines for Cats. Vets call normal blood sugar "euglycemia." In plain words, your cat's body is handling blood sugar on its own again, at least for now.

One note if your cat takes one of the newer diabetes pills, called SGLT2 inhibitors. AAHA says remission in cats on these drugs "has not been evaluated at this time," and the only way to find out whether a cat is in remission is for the vet to stop the drug. That's a decision for your vet, not something to try at home.

How common is remission in cats?

About 30% of diabetic cats in the United States reach remission, according to the 2026 AAHA task force. You may see much wider numbers online. Older AAHA guidance reported anywhere from 15% to 100% across studies of cats on a low-carbohydrate diet plus insulin, with the type of insulin making a difference. Thirty percent is the more realistic headline figure.

Dogs are a different story. AAHA's 2018 guidelines say remission in dogs "occurs only rarely," and in dogs diabetes is treated as a lifelong condition: the 2026 AAHA dog guidelines note that "Many dogs who require lifelong treatment tolerate insulin therapy well." If you have one of each at home, our post on why diabetic cats and diabetic dogs eat differently explains why.

When does remission usually happen?

Usually within the first six months after diagnosis. AAHA reports that about 25% of cats who reached remission did so in the first 2 to 3 months, and a majority did within 6 months. Cornell's Feline Health Center says that if remission hasn't happened within six months, the cat will almost certainly need insulin for life.

VCA lists things linked to a better chance of remission:

• Starting insulin quickly after diagnosis
• Strictly following a low-carbohydrate diet
• Frequent monitoring
• A healthy body condition (5 on the 9-point scale vets use)
• A lower insulin requirement and an older age at diagnosis

AAHA's 2018 guidelines also list stopping medicines that work against insulin as a predictor of remission, and the 2026 guidelines say cats whose insulin resistance has a reversible cause, such as obesity or recent steroid treatment, are more likely to get there. One group is less likely to get there: cats with acromegaly, a condition where the body makes too much growth hormone, "are not expected to undergo remission without definitive treatment," per AAHA.

Does remission mean my cat is cured?

No. AAHA says it directly: cats in remission are not cured, because the pancreas's insulin reserve is permanently limited. The pancreas, the organ that makes insulin, has less backup capacity than a healthy cat's.

That's why relapse, meaning the diabetes coming back, can happen. VCA says relapse "requiring a return to insulin administration is not uncommon." And a second remission is harder to get. AAHA puts reported second-remission rates at 0% to 22%. So remission is worth protecting, and the food bowl is a big part of that.

Why can an unnoticed remission be dangerous?

Because a cat that's still getting insulin after its body has started handling sugar on its own can drop into dangerously low blood sugar. Vets call that hypoglycemia. AAHA warns that cats on insulin that go into unrecognized remission "are vulnerable to life-threatening insulin-induced hypoglycemia," and that remission "may be overlooked in unmonitored cats until there are obvious signs of hypoglycemia."

In other words, sometimes the first clue is a scary one. That's the biggest reason vets ask for regular rechecks and, often, home blood sugar checks during the first months of treatment.

• Signs to know. Cornell lists the signs of low blood sugar in cats as weakness, lethargy, vomiting, lack of coordination, seizures and coma. Ask your vet which signs to watch for in your cat. If you see them, go to the vet now.
• Have a plan before you need it. Ask your vet what to do if you see signs of low blood sugar, and ask for your cat's plan in writing.
• Never change insulin on your own. VCA notes that "it is always better in the short term for blood sugar to be too high than too low," but stopping, lowering or skipping insulin is your vet's call. If something seems off, call.

What should my cat eat now that they're in remission?

Keep feeding the low-carbohydrate canned diet. The 2026 AAHA guidelines recommend continuing a canned low-carbohydrate diet for cats in remission, and the international feline guidelines (ISFM) say cats in remission should stay on a low-carbohydrate diet. Don't celebrate by going back to the old dry food.

Here are the targets AAHA gives for most diabetic cats. "ME" stands for metabolizable energy, which is the share of the food's calories the body can use.

• Why canned. AAHA says canned food is lower in carbohydrates, easier to portion, less calorie-dense and adds water. Tufts adds a caution: canned diets are "frequently, but not always" lower in carbs, so check.
• Watch the calories, too. VCA warns that "not all low-carbohydrate diets are the same," and many are calorie-dense. Weight gain works against remission.
• If your cat is overweight. For obese cats (body condition above 7 out of 9), AAHA says a lower-calorie weight-loss diet with moderate carbohydrate, 15 to 25% of calories, may work better, losing 0.5% to 2% of body weight per week. Weigh on the same scale at least once or twice a month. Your vet sets the pace.
• Reading the can. AAHA's method: subtract the listed protein, fat, fiber, moisture and ash percentages from 100. If ash isn't listed, estimate 2 to 3% for canned food. That gives a rough carb percentage, which a nutrient converter can turn into a percent of calories. We're glad to do this math with you at the store.
• Keep it the same. Tufts advises keeping food and treats consistent, down to brand, product and flavor. Check with your vet before switching foods, since AAHA recommends cats in remission stay on a canned low-carbohydrate diet.

How will my vet keep an eye on remission?

Expect lab checks about every six months, per AAHA. ISFM also recommends regular blood or urine sugar checks, twice weekly at first, which owners can often do at home. Between visits, you're the early warning system. Increased thirst and urination are classic diabetes signs, per Cornell, so if your cat starts drinking or peeing more again, call your vet. A fructosamine test (explained below) can also help your vet see the bigger picture. Our post on glucose curves and fructosamine tests walks through what those numbers mean.

What words might I hear?

• Euglycemia: normal blood sugar.
• Hypoglycemia: blood sugar that's too low. VCA lists causes such as too much insulin for the cat's current needs, eating less, being more active, or a missed meal.
• Relapse: diabetes coming back after remission.
• Fructosamine: a blood test that reflects average blood sugar over roughly the past week, per ISFM. A low value can mean excellent control, too much insulin, or remission in cats.
• Glucosuria: sugar in the urine. AAHA says no urine sugar for more than 48 hours in a cat suggests either excellent control or ongoing low blood sugar, so tell your vet.
• SGLT2 inhibitor: a newer diabetes pill used for some cats.
• Acromegaly: too much growth hormone. The 2018 AAHA guidelines list it among the conditions that cause insulin resistance in cats, which makes diabetes harder to control.

What should I ask my vet?

• Is my cat officially in remission, or are we still watching?
• What signs of low blood sugar should I watch for, and what's our written plan if I see them?
• How often should we recheck, and should I keep checking blood sugar or urine at home?
• Should my cat stay on this exact food? What carb and calorie level do you want?
• Is my cat at a healthy weight, and if not, how fast should we go?
• What signs mean the diabetes may be coming back?

Where to go from here

For the bigger picture on feeding, see our guide to special diets for dogs and cats. If your cat's bloodwork was borderline before the diagnosis, our post on what "prediabetic" means may help. For rewards that won't undo good work, browse our cat treats and show the label to your vet first.

Prescription diets need your vet's authorization, and we're happy to reach out to your vet for you. Our own trucks deliver free on each town's route day, Tuesday through Friday, with a $20 minimum. Find your day on our local delivery page, or call 732-938-4470. For a sit-down conversation about your pet's food, book a free 45-minute Personal Pet Consultant appointment.

Sources

• 2026 AAHA Diabetes Management Guidelines for Cats, Section 9: Diabetic Remission. American Animal Hospital Association, 2026.
• 2026 AAHA Diabetes Management Guidelines for Cats, Section 8: Dietary Management. American Animal Hospital Association, 2026.
• 2018 AAHA Diabetes Management Guidelines for Dogs and Cats (2022 update). Behrend E, et al. Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association, 2018 (doi:10.5326/JAAHA-MS-6822).
• ISFM Consensus Guidelines on the Practical Management of Diabetes Mellitus in Cats. Sparkes AH, et al. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, 2015 (doi:10.1177/1098612X15571880).
• Feline Diabetes. Cornell Feline Health Center.
• Don't Sugar Coat It: The Best Diets for Cats with Diabetes. Tufts Petfoodology, 2018.
• 2026 AAHA Diabetes Management Guidelines for Dogs (overview). American Animal Hospital Association, 2026.
• Diabetic Remission in Cats. VCA Animal Hospitals.
• Nutrition for Cats with Diabetes Mellitus. VCA Animal Hospitals.
• Diabetes Mellitus: Insulin Treatment in Cats. VCA Animal Hospitals.