AAHA issues first feline-only diabetes management guidelines

The American Animal Hospital Association has released its 2026 Diabetes Management Guidelines for Cats, marking the first time AAHA has split feline and canine diabetes guidance into separate, species-specific documents. The update reflects how much feline diabetes care has changed in the past few years, especially with the arrival of FDA-approved SGLT2 inhibitors for certain newly diagnosed cats, including bexagliflozin and velagliflozin, alongside broader use of continuous glucose monitoring and less reliance on in-hospital blood glucose curves. AAHA says the new guidance is designed for primary care teams and includes step-by-step algorithms for diagnosis, treatment selection, monitoring, troubleshooting, and remission. (aaha.org)

Why it matters: For veterinary professionals, the biggest shift is practical: feline diabetes is no longer being treated as a close cousin of canine diabetes. The guidelines emphasize careful patient selection before starting an SGLT2 inhibitor, routine ketone monitoring, and a stronger focus on clinical signs and body weight, not just glucose numbers. That’s important because the FDA-approved oral drugs can reduce the burden of twice-daily insulin for some pet parents, but they also carry serious safety risks, including diabetic ketoacidosis and euglycemic diabetic ketoacidosis in inappropriate candidates. (ebvminpractice.org)

What to watch: Expect clinics to update feline diabetes protocols, client education materials, and monitoring workflows as the new AAHA recommendations are adopted. (aaha.org)