If your cat is diabetic, or at risk of developing low blood sugar for another reason, be sure to watch out for the symptoms above. They can be subtle during the early stages of hypoglycaemia and some cats may not show any obvious signs, but just become slightly quieter than normal.
Contact your vet as soon as you notice any signs of hypoglycaemia. They will advise you on how to treat your cat at home, or ask you to take them in for tests and treatment.
Often, mild cases of hypoglycaemia can be resolved by giving your cat a small amount of sugar. You can rub honey or corn syrup into their gums or under their tongue. Then offer food every hour until your cat’s glucose levels are back to normal. Keeping your cat calm can also help, as if they’re overstimulated or stressed, this can create an increased demand for energy that can make things worse. In severe cases, intravenous dextrose may be administered at your vet practice to help increase blood sugar levels. Even if things seem to normalise after home treatment, it is always sensible to take your cat to the vet soon afterwards for a check-up.