A diabetic cat insulin schedule log: what to keep and what to bring to the vet
Caring for a diabetic cat means a routine that repeats every day, often with more than one person involved. A written log will not change what your vet prescribes. What it does is make the routine visible: what happened, at what time, and who did it.
This guide is about keeping that record and getting the most out of it at the vet. It is not about dosing. Your vet sets the insulin amount, the timing, and when or whether to test blood glucose. Much of what follows applies to diabetic dogs as well. If you would like a ready-made sheet, use the free printable insulin log, or the printable insulin log for cats.
Why consistency matters more than detail
A simple log that you fill in every time beats a detailed one you fill in when you remember. Pick one sheet, keep it in one place, and write in it at the moment you give the injection. A log with gaps is hard to trust, including for you.
What to record for each entry
- Date and time you actually gave the insulin.
- The amount given, written the way your vet wrote it on the prescription. Copy it from the instructions. Do not work it out yourself.
- A blood glucose reading, only if your vet has asked you to test. Write down exactly what the meter showed.
- Whether your pet ate normally. A simple yes or no, with a note if the meal was partly eaten or skipped.
- Who gave it. Initials are enough.
- Notes. Anything that seemed different that day, in plain words.
Write down what you see, not what you think it means
It is tempting to add conclusions, such as "sugar must be high today". Leave the interpreting to your vet. "Drank from the bowl three times before breakfast" is more useful than a guess about why. Never change the amount or the timing on your own because of a reading. If something worries you, call your vet.
If you are not sure a dose was given
With more than one person in the house, this will eventually happen. If you cannot tell whether the insulin was given, do not give another injection to be safe. Check the log, ask the household, and if the answer is still unclear, call your vet for guidance. Our guide on what to do if you think a dose was doubled or missed walks through it. A log with a time and a name next to every injection makes this situation much rarer.
What to bring to the vet
- Your log, or a printout of it, covering the time since the last visit.
- Any glucose readings and the meter, if your vet has you test at home.
- The insulin and the supplies you use, so your vet can see exactly what you have.
- The food your pet eats and any treats.
- Notes on appetite, water intake and weight changes.
- A list of anyone else who gives the injections.
Also write down your questions before you go. Appointments go quickly, and the questions you meant to ask tend to disappear. The vet visit checklist has room for them.
Paper or app?
If one person gives the insulin and your vet only needs a recent stretch of entries, paper does the job. If several people share the routine, or you want a longer history without stacking up sheets, an app can help. PetDose records what was given and who gave it, warns you before a second dose, and keeps readings such as weight, appetite and blood sugar alongside the entries. It still lets you save if you decide to go ahead, and flags the entry so it stays visible in your history. Everything stays on your phone, and it is free to track. Get it on the App Store.