How to give a difficult cat insulin

You will want to start by being sure you have the correct insulin syringes for your cat. There are 2 different types of insulin syringes available – U-40 and U-100 syringes. Each has it’s own benefits, but are only useful with the correct insulin.

Check your insulin vial prior to drawing up any insulin; be sure to check it every time you want to use it. You will want to make sure that the insulin appears normal, there is no foreign material floating around in the insulin, the vial is not broken or otherwise damaged and that it is, in fact, the correct insulin you are supposed to be giving. This is especially important when you purchase a new vial.

Before preparing and injecting your cat with insulin, you will want to make sure that he has eaten (or is eating when the injection is given). It is not usually a good idea to give a cat that isn’t eating an insulin injection. This can cause the cats glucose level to drop too low – called hypoglycemia – and can cause severe problems if left untreated for too long.

You will want to start by gently rolling the insulin vial between your hands – do not shake the vial – this will help to mix up the insulin in case any has settled at the bottom of the vial.

Next you will turn the insulin vial upside down and insert the syringe into the top of the vial. Draw back on the plunger in the syringe to draw out the insulin. Be sure to check that you do not have any air bubbles in your syringe and that you are drawing up the correct amount as you were shown at your veterinary office. If you do find that you have some bubbles in the syringe, gently flick the syringe with your finger until the bubble floats to the top of the syringe, then just push the air out with the plunger. Remove the syringe from the insulin vial and place the vial back into it’s container (See “Diabetes Series – Part 3” for more information on insulin storage). You will want to place the cap back on your syringe if you are not going to give your cat his injection immediately.

Next you will want to position yourself and your cat in a way that is comfortable for both of you so you can give him his injection. Double check the amount of insulin in your syringe to be sure the correct amount was drawn up. Lift the skin at the scruff of the neck and puncture his skin as you were shown at your veterinary clinic. Be sure not to go all the way through the skin to the other side. Once you are sure that you are under the skin, press on the plunger of the syringe to give him his insulin dose. Be sure to press the plunger all the way to get all the insulin into him.

Remove the needle from your cat, recap it and place it inside a thick plastic container, such as a laundry detergent bottle or something similar – this way the entire container can be discarded when full. Some veterinary clinics will provide you with a biohazard container for the syringes to be discarded into (for a fee). These containers can be returned to your veterinary clinic for disposal when full. Some pharmacies will dispose of them for you also.

Most cats receive their injections in the scruff of the neck or a bit lower on the back, but it will always be subcutaneously (under the skin) not into a muscle or vein.

One of the first things you will learn about when giving injections is what it feels like to put a needle under a cat’s skin – you may feel a little “pop” indicating you are through the tough outer layer of skin and into the subcutaneous layer where you want to give the injection.

*It is very important to NEVER adjust your cats insulin dosage without consulting with your veterinarian as this could be very detrimental to your cats health!

If you are interested in a demo on how to give your cat their insulin injections, contact us at Brantford’s Park Road Veterinary Clinic.

Just like their human companions, cats can become diabetic. If your beloved feline has recently been diagnosed with diabetes, you may be feeling nervous or overwhelmed at the thought of having to administer insulin injections to your cat. Fortunately, giving insulin to a cat is not a difficult or complicated process, and is not particularly painful or unpleasant for most cats. Help your diabetic cat by learning how to store and handle insulin, develop a good injection routine, and properly administer an injection.

1. 1

   Follow the storage instructions on the label. Your insulin will come with detailed directions on proper storage and handling. Make sure to familiarize yourself with these directions, and ask your vet if you have any questions.

2. 2

   Refrigerate your insulin until you are ready to use it. Insulin will deteriorate and become ineffective if it is exposed to heat. It is best to store the insulin in the refrigerator door, where temperatures are the most stable.[1] X Research source Go to source

   • If the insulin appears cloudy, discolored, has been exposed to heat, or is expired, dispose of it and start with a new bottle.

3. 3

   Gently mix the insulin by rolling it between your hands. Roll the bottle 2 or 3 times so the contents are uniformly mixed. Never shake the insulin, as this can cause bubbles to form.[2] X Research source Go to source

4. 4

   Insert a clean syringe needle into the top of the insulin bottle. Remove the needle guard from the end of your syringe. Turn the insulin bottle upside-down and slide the needle into the rubber stopper at the top of the bottle.[3] X Research source Go to source

5. 5

   Fill the syringe with the correct amount of insulin. Draw back the plunger to fill the syringe with the amount of insulin indicated by your vet as the correct dosage for your cat. Push the plunger back in to shoot the insulin back into the bottle, then draw the insulin back into the syringe a second time. This will help reduce the chances of air bubbles getting into the syringe, which can make it difficult to measure the dosage accurately.[4] X Research source Go to source

   • Double-check the syringe to make sure that you have the correct dosage. Your vet should provide you with clear instructions about how many units or milliliters to administer to your cat.

6. 6

   Put the safety cap back on the syringe and set it aside. Once you have double checked that you have the right dosage of insulin in the syringe, put away the insulin bottle in your refrigerator and place the syringe somewhere safe (e.g. on a clean kitchen counter, in your bathroom medicine cabinet, or in some other cool, stable place where it will be out of reach of pets and small children) until you are ready to administer the dosage to your cat.

   • Don't leave the insulin in the syringe for too long or it could bind to the plastic.

1. 1

   Decide on a schedule for administering the insulin. Your vet may instruct you to give your cat an injection once or twice a day. It is best to administer the injections at approximately the same time(s) every day. Insulin injections should be given immediately after the cat has eaten. This will prevent the cat's blood sugar from dropping to a dangerously low level.

2. 2

   Allow your cat to eat a meal before administering the injection. It is best not to inject the insulin while the cat is eating, because this may cause your cat to feel nervous and unsafe during meal times. Allow the cat to finish eating undisturbed.

   • Ask your vet what to do if your cat skips a meal or vomits immediately after eating. They may recommend giving the cat a reduced dosage in these situations.

3. 3

   Soothe your cat before administering the injection. Pet or groom your cat a few times to ease anxiety, and speak to your cat in a quiet, reassuring voice. You can try offering a small, healthy treat, like a piece of cooked, unseasoned chicken, as you are preparing your cat for the injection.[5] X Research source Go to source

   • If your cat tends to struggle or panic during an injection, you may wish to ask someone else to help you hold or gently distract the cat while you administer the injection.

4. 4

   Place the cat on a level surface. If you are confident that your cat will remain calm during the injection, you might place the cat on your lap. However, there is less risk of injury to you and your cat if you place the cat on a flat, elevated surface, like a table top.[6] X Research source Go to source

1. 1

   Have your syringe ready. Once you have the cat in position and ready to receive the injection, pick up the syringe that you filled with the correct dosage of insulin. Take the safety cap off the needle, and hold the syringe with your dominant hand (i.e. if you are right-handed, hold the syringe in your right hand).[7] X Research source Go to source

2. 2

   Grasp the cat's skin with your thumb and index finger and pinch firmly. Select a small fold of skin along the cat’s back, shoulders, side of the chest, or abdomen. Gently pull the cat's skin up so it forms a tent shape.[8] X Research source Go to source

   • Avoid injecting the insulin into the same site repeatedly, as this can result in scar tissue buildup or granulomas.[9] X Research source Go to source

3. 3

   Insert the needle into the skin at a 45° angle. Take care not to push the needle all the way through the fold of skin or into your thumb or finger where you are holding the cat’s skin. Keep your thumb on the plunger as you are inserting the needle.[10] X Research source Go to source

4. 4

   Depress the plunger in one quick movement. Push the plunger in with your thumb, and immediately pull the needle out when you are finished.[11] X Research source Go to source

   • You may wish to draw the plunger back slightly before you make the injection, to insure that you have not hit a blood vessel. If blood enters the syringe when you pull back the plunger, remove the needle and make the injection somewhere else.
   • Replace safety cap on the needle as soon as you have finished making the injection.

5. 5

   Reward your cat. Praise your cat in a gentle voice and gently pet the cat. You may also offer the cat a small treat, like a piece of cooked chicken.

6. 6

   Dispose of the used needle properly. Place the capped needle in a puncture-proof container. You may be able to obtain a specialized "sharps" container from your vet’s office or your local pharmacy. Ask your vet or your local waste disposal service about proper disposal procedures in your area.[12] X Research source Go to source

This article was co-authored by Lauren Baker, DVM, PhD and by wikiHow staff writer, Megaera Lorenz, PhD. Dr. Baker is a Veterinarian and PhD candidate in Comparative Biomedical Sciences. Dr. Baker received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Wisconsin in 2016, and went on to pursue a PhD through her work in the Comparative Orthopaedic Research Laboratory. This article has been viewed 61,449 times.

Co-authors: 15

Updated: May 14, 2022

Views: 61,449

Article Rating: 93% - 54 votes

Categories: Feline Health

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  "This article showed me several injection sites and other tips. I have set aside a small table as a "medication station." Each morning I lay out 2 syringes (AM & PM). By having them out in plain sight, I know at a glance if he has had his injections."

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  "My cat has just been diagnosed with diabetes and this article reassured me about giving the injections, etc. And what to look for in any change of behaviour."

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