A dog who suddenly needs to go out more. A cat who is always at the water bowl. A pet who is eating well but losing weight.

Those changes can be easy to explain away, especially in a busy household. Maybe it’s hot. Maybe the food changed. Maybe your pet is just getting older. But they are also classic reasons to call your veterinarian, because diabetes in dogs and cats is manageable—especially when it is caught and organized early.

That message is newly timely. AAHA released updated 2026 Diabetes Management Guidelines for Dogs on September 1, following its 2026 cat diabetes guidelines earlier this year. The details are written for veterinary teams, but the takeaway for pet owners is simple: diabetes care is not one-size-fits-all, and it depends on clear communication, monitoring, and follow-up with your veterinary team.

Watch for the “water bowl” pattern

Diabetes affects the way the body uses sugar for energy. When blood sugar stays too high, pets often drink more and urinate more. The AVMA also lists weight loss, appetite changes, cloudy eyes in dogs, unusual hind-leg posture in cats, and recurring infections as signs that deserve a veterinary visit.

You do not need to diagnose this at home. In fact, you shouldn’t. Your job is to notice patterns and bring useful information to your vet.

Before you call, jot down:

  • When the change started
  • Whether the water bowl is being emptied faster than usual
  • Whether your dog needs more potty breaks or your cat’s litter box is wetter
  • Any weight loss, appetite change, vomiting, low energy, or accidents in the house
  • Current food, treats, supplements, and medications, especially steroids

That short list can help your veterinarian decide what testing makes sense.

Dogs and cats are not treated the same

One helpful part of the new AAHA guidance is that dogs and cats now have separate diabetes guidelines. That matters for families.

AAHA says diabetic dogs typically require insulin therapy, but many can live comfortably with good monitoring, realistic goals, diet and schedule adjustments, and follow-up visits. For dog owners, the goal is not perfection on every number. The goal is a pet who feels better: less excessive drinking and urinating, steadier weight, and fewer symptoms.

Cats are different. Some cats may be candidates for oral SGLT2 inhibitor medications, such as Bexacat or Senvelgo, while others need insulin. AAHA is clear that not every cat is a good candidate for these newer drugs, and the FDA warns that they require careful screening and monitoring because serious complications can occur.

So if you have heard “there’s a pill for feline diabetes now,” treat that as a conversation starter—not a shortcut. Ask your veterinarian why a certain plan fits your cat’s health, lab work, temperament, and home routine.

Ask about the daily routine before you leave

Diabetes care happens mostly at home. That can sound intimidating, but a good veterinary team will break it down. Many pet owners learn to give insulin with a tiny needle, keep a feeding schedule, track appetite and thirst, and return for follow-up testing.

Before you leave the clinic, ask:

  • What signs mean my pet is improving?
  • What signs mean I should call the clinic right away?
  • How often will we recheck blood or urine?
  • Should I track weight, appetite, water intake, or litter box changes?
  • Is home glucose monitoring or a continuous glucose monitor appropriate?
  • What will this likely cost in the first month, and what might it cost after we are stable?

That last question is important. Diabetes is an ongoing schedule and monitoring commitment, not just a prescription. Your veterinary team can help tailor the plan to your pet’s medical needs and to the routine you can realistically follow. The best plan is the one that is medically sound and doable in your real life.

Why follow-up matters

Diabetes is chronic care. It is not a single visit, a single test, or a single refill. Your pet may need dose adjustments, diet changes, monitoring tweaks, and help when something else—dental disease, infection, pancreatitis, weight change—throws the plan off.

That is where ongoing veterinary follow-up matters. Your veterinarian can reassess your pet’s signs, weight, lab results, and home monitoring information over time, then talk through adjustments when the plan needs to change.

If your pet is drinking more, urinating more, eating more but losing weight, or just seems off, do not wait for a crisis. Call your vet, ask what they recommend, and bring your notes.

Practical takeaway: the empty water bowl is not a diagnosis. It is a signal. Catching that signal early gives your pet—and your veterinary team—a better chance to build a plan that works.