Diabetes is an increasingly common chronic disease in cats, and treatment combines lifelong insulin, diet and monitoring. It is not a one-off bill: it is a recurring monthly cost that, with the check-ups, adds up year after year. Here is what it involves, roughly what it costs, and how a policy that reimburses 100% covers it.
What is feline diabetes?
The cat’s pancreas does not produce enough insulin (or the body cannot use it), and sugar builds up in the blood. The cat drinks and urinates more, loses weight despite eating and becomes listless. It is treated with insulin injections twice a day, a special diet and glucose monitoring. Good news: with intensive, early treatment many cats go into remission and stop needing insulin.
How much does it cost to treat diabetes in a cat?
| Item | Indicative cost in Spain |
|---|---|
| Diagnosis and initial stabilisation (glucose curve, possible hospitalisation) | several hundred € (one-off) |
| Insulin + single-use syringes | recurring monthly cost |
| Special diet | recurring monthly cost |
| Glucose checks and blood tests (every 2–4 months) | depends on the case |
| Estimated monthly management | ~€60 – €120/month (indicative) |
Indicative prices; they vary with the insulin dose, the clinic and the stage of treatment.
Why does the cost add up?
Because it is a daily, ongoing treatment: every month there is insulin, syringes, diet and, periodically, glucose checks and blood tests. On top of that is the initial stabilisation, usually the most expensive part (glucose curves and sometimes hospitalisation). Added up over time the total is high — unless the cat goes into remission. It is exactly the kind of ongoing cost where having insurance in place before diagnosis makes the difference.
How Petplan covers it
Petplan reimburses 100% of the bill up to €3,100/year, at any vet, with a €45 co-pay. If you take out the policy before diagnosis and keep it, the diabetes treatment is covered year after year. Remember: pre-existing conditions are excluded by every company, so it pays to insure your cat while it is healthy.
FAQ
How much does it cost to treat a cat’s diabetes per month?
Indicatively, between about €60 and €120/month (insulin, syringes, diet and check-ups), varying with the dose and stage.
Is it lifelong?
It is chronic, but with intensive, early treatment many cats go into remission and stop needing insulin.
Does insurance cover feline diabetes?
Yes, if it is not pre-existing and you keep the policy. With Petplan you get back 100% of the bill up to €3,100/year, every year.
What makes treatment most expensive?
The initial stabilisation (glucose curves and possible hospitalisation) and periodic monitoring; the daily insulin is a smaller but constant cost.
Indicative prices in Spain (no official scale) updated for 2026; they vary by clinic, region, dose and stage. Petplan Spain cover. More in the best cat insurance. Sources: feline veterinary guides (cuasveterinaria) and product information (Caninsulin).
