Serious severity

Hypoglycaemia (Low Blood Sugar)

An abnormally low level of glucose in the blood, which starves the brain of fuel and can cause weakness, disorientation, collapse and seizures.

⚠️ Common symptoms

Weakness, wobbliness or an unsteady, drunken gaitLethargy, dullness and disorientation or confusionTrembling, twitching or muscle tremorsCollapse, seizures or loss of consciousness in severe casesPale gums, hunger, and cold body temperature

Hypoglycaemia means an abnormally low level of glucose — sugar — in the bloodstream. Glucose is the brain's primary fuel, so when it falls too low the nervous system is quickly affected, producing weakness, confusion, trembling and, in severe cases, collapse and seizures. It is best thought of as a medical emergency wherever it occurs.

By far the most frequent cause in pet cats is a mismatch between insulin and food in a diabetic cat: too much insulin, or a normal dose given to a cat that then refuses its meal or vomits, can send blood sugar plummeting. This is why owners of diabetic cats are urged never to give insulin to a cat that has not eaten and never to double up on a missed dose without veterinary advice. Other triggers include prolonged fasting, serious infection, liver disease and, uncommonly, an insulin-secreting tumour.

Very young kittens are especially vulnerable, because their tiny bodies hold only small reserves of glucose and lose heat easily; a chilled, unfed kitten can become hypoglycaemic alarmingly fast. Prompt action — rubbing sugar on the gums of a conscious cat and getting straight to a vet — can be life-saving, but because the low sugar is always a symptom of something else, identifying and treating the underlying cause is essential to prevent it happening again.

🔍 Causes

In cats, the commonest cause is an accidental overdose of insulin, or a diabetic cat that has received its insulin but not eaten. Other causes include prolonged not eating (especially in tiny kittens with little reserve), severe infection, liver disease, and rare insulin-producing tumours. Newborn and very young kittens are particularly prone because they cannot store much glucose.

🛡 Prevention

In diabetic cats, careful insulin dosing, feeding as directed around injections, and never guessing or doubling a dose are the key safeguards; always contact your vet if a dose is missed or a cat is off its food. Keep young kittens warm and regularly fed, and treat underlying illnesses promptly.

💊 Treatment

Hypoglycaemia is an emergency. If a cat is conscious and able to swallow, rubbing a little honey or glucose syrup onto the gums can raise blood sugar quickly on the way to the vet; never pour liquid into the mouth of a collapsing or seizing cat. Veterinary treatment involves intravenous glucose to stabilise blood sugar, followed by investigation and treatment of the underlying cause, whether that is an insulin overdose, illness or a problem such as a liver disorder or tumour.

When to see a vet: Seek emergency veterinary care immediately for any cat that becomes suddenly weak, wobbly, disorientated, or that collapses or has a seizure, particularly a diabetic cat on insulin or a very young kitten. Untreated hypoglycaemia can cause permanent brain damage or death within hours.

⚕️ Medical disclaimer

  • This information is educational only and is not a substitute for veterinary advice.
  • Symptoms overlap between conditions — only a vet can diagnose accurately.
  • Never withhold treatment or self-medicate based on information found online.
  • When in doubt, call your vet. Early intervention almost always leads to better outcomes.

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