Pet Diabetes Month Breakthrough: New Global Guidelines Promise Happier, Healthier Lives for Australian Cats

This November, as we recognise Pet Diabetes Month, there is significant news offering renewed hope and clarity for Australian cat carers: the release of ground-breaking global veterinary guidelines that promise to revolutionise the way feline diabetes is managed.

A Needed Update: The 2025 iCatCare Consensus Guidelines

To mark World Diabetes Day (November 14th), International Cat Care (iCatCare) officially announced the release of the brand-new, comprehensive veterinary resource: the ‘2025 iCatCare consensus guidelines on the diagnosis and management of diabetes mellitus in cats.’

Diabetes mellitus is a challenging disease, but its treatment has seen significant advancements in recent years. Recognising the need for an updated "playbook," a panel of world experts collaborated on this essential resource.

Local Relevance: The guidelines were developed by experts from the USA, Netherlands, UK, Italy, and Australia, ensuring they reflect the latest, globally informed best practices for local veterinary professionals.

These essential guidelines, co-authored and chaired by iCatCare Veterinary Specialist Consultant Samantha Taylor, are available to access for free in the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery (JFMS).

Empowering Vets with a Comprehensive Resource

Designed as an everyday reference tool, the 2025 consensus guidelines provide detailed and practical information across the entire scope of feline diabetes care:

• Pathogenesis and diagnosis.

• Making informed treatment choices.

• Managing complications and comorbidities.

• Anaesthetic guidance for diabetic patients.

• The latest feeding recommendations.

The resource also features easy-to-use charts, such as the Diabetic Clinical Score, to support rapid decision-making and patient monitoring in Australian vet practices.

Team-Based Care: New Guides for Nurses and Carers

The biggest breakthrough for the local care team is the addition of two key supplementary guides, promoting a comprehensive, team-based approach to managing the disease:

1. Brand-New Nursing Guide

For the first time, iCatCare has produced a dedicated Nursing Guide, created specifically to help vet nurses and technicians deliver consistent, high-quality care for diabetic cats.

• Title: ‘Nursing the cat with diabetes mellitus’

• Access: Available to download for free from the JFMS website.

2. Clarity for Cat Caregivers

Crucially, a dedicated Cat Carer Guide is now available to help owners navigate their cat’s condition with confidence.

• Title: ‘Managing the diabetic cat: a guide for caregivers’

• Value: It provides a clear, jargon-free explanation of the disease, available treatment options, and essential daily care considerations.

• Access: This guide is free and available on the iCatCare website, allowing veterinary professionals to easily share it with caregivers to support conversations about home care.

Call to Action for Australian Cat Carers

If you share your home with a diabetic cat, or suspect your cat may be at risk this Pet Diabetes Month, the release of these guidelines is a major step forward.

These new guidelines are endorsed by the Feline Veterinary Medical Association (FelineVMA), confirming their status as the gold standard for care.

Your Next Steps This November:

• Talk to your vet about the new 2025 iCatCare consensus guidelines and how they might inform your cat’s treatment plan.

• Ask your clinic for the free Cat Carer Guide to ensure you have the best, most current information available for home management.

Access Links:

Guidelines: 2025 iCatCare consensus guidelines on the diagnosis and management of diabetes mellitus in cats.
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/1098612X251399103

Nursing Guide: Nursing the cat with diabetes mellitus.
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/suppl/10.1177/1098612X251399103/suppl_file/sj-pdf-3-jfm-10.1177_1098612x251399103.pdf

Cat Carer Guide: Managing the diabetic cat: a guide for caregivers.
https://icatcare.org/resources/cat-carer-guide-managing-the-diabetic-cat.pdf

Send Your Young Feline Enthusiast to Future Vet Kids Camp 2026!

Is your child obsessed with cats and animals generally? This 5-day holiday camp, designed by vets from Bondi Vet, offers hands-on skills in pet care, first aid, and nutrition to inspire their future career!

If your budding animal lover spends their days reading about cat breeds and wants nothing more than to help every purring friend in need, the Future Vet Kids Camp is the ultimate summer adventure designed just for them! This is a unique opportunity to turn their passion for paws and whiskers into real-world skills, all while making wonderful memories.

Designed by highly respected veterinarians, including Drs. Audrey and Alison Shen of Bondi Vet fame, this incredible 5-day school holiday program encourages responsible pet ownership, celebrates the veterinary profession, and nurtures a deep love and appreciation for all animals—especially our feline companions.

The Sydney Camp will be held at Waverley College in Waverley on two sets of dates: January 5 – 9 and January 12 – 16, 2026. A Virtual Online Camp will run concurrently with the Sydney headquarters program from January 4 - 16, 2026, allowing kids across Australia and overseas to join the classroom live, ask questions, and participate in real time.

“Whether it’s examining wildlife, learning pet CPR, or discovering new careers with animals, the program blends education, adventure, and inspiration in one unforgettable week!” said Dr Audrey.

Campers will explore a wide range of animal-related careers and specialties, from ultrasound, acupuncture, and reptile care to grooming, dog training, animal rehabilitation, marine biology, and more.

They’ll also dive into topics like pet nutrition, genetic disorders, exotic animals, rescue operations, and wildlife conservation, enjoy behind-the-scenes tours of leading veterinary hospitals, and take part in many exciting excursions.

One of the camp’s highlights is a visit to Hills Wildlife Sanctuary in the Berowra Valley National Park at Dural - Sydney’s hub for biodiversity conservation, education, and threatened species recovery.

“Kids will enjoy a rare glimpse behind the scenes of a working wildlife sanctuary and gain a deeper understanding of the rescue, rehabilitation, and care of native Australian wildlife,” said Ben Dessen, Director and Sanctuary Manager.

Back at camp headquarters, Dr Alison, The Acupuncture Vet, will demonstrate veterinary acupuncture and laser therapy in action, showing how these treatments promote healing and wellbeing in animals.

Certified canine scent detection handler Tiffany Chapple and her Labrador, Hera – who have experience sniffing out dead bats, koala scat, and fox dens – will once again wow campers with a live demonstration of Hera’s search skills and break down the steps of training.

“The kids are often surprised that this is a job and wonder if their own pet dogs could do it!” said Tiffany.

Oliver Whetton, a former camper now working as a free flight bird keeper and studying toward a career in zookeeping, will introduce campers to the fascinating world of wildlife and share what it means to work with them. He’ll also run a hands-on session featuring his own birds.

“Kids of all ages love the immersive, hands-on activities,” said Dr Audrey. “Campers get to bake pet treats, practise bandaging, draw blood from realistic vet models, take part in dog training workshops, and even perform CPR on specially designed vet models. Junior Vets take things to the next level, tackling real-life cases, analysing imaging and blood work, and observing surgeries. It gives them a real feel for what it’s like to be a vet!”

Dr Alison added that the camp isn’t just for aspiring vets – it’s for all young animal lovers.

“With the challenges of a veterinary shortage and high dropout rates in vet school, early exposure like this can make all the difference in helping kids understand the realities of the profession,” she said. “Whether or not they pursue a veterinary career, the opportunity to explore other animal professions, connect with animals, learn from professionals, and make lifelong friends has an incredibly positive impact on their confidence and resilience.”

Scholarship & Registration Details

Future Vet Kids Camp is proud to announce scholarships for three deserving participants to attend the face-to-face Sydney camp (valued at $725 each) and three for the Virtual Online Camp (valued at $295 each).

The deadline to apply is Friday, 12 December 2025. For more information, selection criteria, and how to apply, please visit the camp website here.

The Jan 2026 camp is anticipated to fill up just as fast as the last summer, so don't miss out! Register now!

January 2026 Registration Open Now!

The Face-to-Face Camp at Waverley College runs from 9am – 3:30pm daily and costs $725.
The Virtual Online Camp runs January 4 – 16, 2026, and costs $295.

For more information and to register online, please visit https://futurevetkidscamp.com or phone 0435 267 252.

Program Schedule

More Camps and locations to come! Future Vet Kids Camp will also run face-to-face and online (Virtual Camp) during the school holidays in Melbourne and Brisbane, dates to be announced. Register your interest here.

🎁 Give the Gift of Animal Adventures This Christmas!

Make Gifting Easy: Purchase your Christmas Gift Vouchers today and give an unforgettable experience to the animal lover in your life!

About Future Vet Kids Camp

Future Vet Kids Camp offers a safe, comfortable environment that explores and nurtures the human animal bond all under the supervision of highly qualified, enthusiastic instructors and specialised animal handlers. The goals are to promote responsible pet ownership, the profession of veterinary medicine, and to encourage the children to love and appreciate animals of all kinds. The camp has more than 20 partners that offer years of specialised animal experience and professionalism that contributes greatly to the programming. 

The January Camp operates out of Waverley College in Waverley and runs every January for two weeks during the school holidays. Programming is split into three separate age groups running simultaneously each week: Wombats (ages 9-11), Kookaburras (ages 12-14) and the Junior Vet program (ages 14-17). 

To discover more, visit www.futurevetkidscamp.com

Mischief Night for Mittens: A Feline Fanatic’s Guide  

Halloween is a blast for many of us, with carved pumpkins, spooky decorations, and a never-ending stream of sweets! But for our Aussie cats, it can be one of the most stressful, and potentially dangerous, nights of the year, transforming your quiet home into a labyrinth of hazards.

Pet Insurance Australia is reminding cat owners that it's not the ghosts or ghouls we need to worry about—it's the hidden dangers lurking around our homes that appeal to a cat’s natural curiosity and hunting instincts.

"It's a fun night for humans, but a night of severe overstimulation for pets," says spokesperson Nadia Crighton. We’ve broken down the biggest risks and what you can do to keep your feline overlord safe and un-stressed this Halloween.

Top Halloween Hazards for Your Cat

1. The 'Toxic Treat' Takeover

Cats are not typically scavengers like dogs, but the sheer volume of new sweets and party food around on Halloween still poses a risk if left accessible.

• Chocolate & Sweets: Although less likely to gorge, ingestion of theobromine (in chocolate) and Xylitol (found in sugar-free gum/lollies) is still toxic. Ensure all sweets are secured high up, especially since cats can be excellent climbers.

• Party Food: Secure any party trays. Cats are often attracted to meat scraps, but bones and fatty human foods can pose choking or digestive risks.

Crighton warns: "Ensure all trick-or-treat loot and party food is secured. For a cat, 'secured' means high cabinets, not just on the kitchen counter!"

2. Linear Foreign Body Nightmares (The Decor Disasters)

That tempting string of fake cobwebs or fluttering plastic ribbon could quickly lead to an emergency vet visit. For cats, string-like materials are the biggest hazard.

• Ingestion: Tinsel, ribbon, yarn, string, and fake cobwebs can be swallowed and cause a "linear foreign body," which can saw through the intestines and requires immediate, expensive surgery. Even a playful swat can lead to ingestion.

• Dangerous Ornaments: Small costume parts, dangling earrings, and glow sticks (which contain a foul-tasting, non-toxic liquid that can still cause heavy drooling and vomiting) must be kept out of reach.

• Fire Hazard: A wagging dog tail is dangerous, but a swiping cat paw or a cat jumping onto a mantlepiece is a major risk to lit candles and jack-o'-lanterns. Use battery-operated alternatives instead.

Crighton advises: "If you are having a party, put away any loose ribbons, thread, or string decorations, as even a brief unsupervised moment could turn into a life-threatening intestinal blockage."

3. The Great Bolt-and-Hide

The constant stream of strangers, costumes, and the repetitive doorbell ringing can be a major stressor for cats, increasing the risk of panic and escape.

• High Traffic Doors: A cat that is startled by a costumed stranger or loud noise may bolt out the door faster than you can react.

• Panic & Stress: Loud noises, strange masks, and unfamiliar smells can cause even the most relaxed cat to flee. When panicked, cats often squeeze into tiny, dangerous hiding spots (inside cupboards, behind appliances, or up chimneys).

Action Plan: Keep your cat in a secure, quiet room away from the front door (an interior bedroom or laundry room) during peak trick-or-treating hours. This is the single most effective way to keep them safe and prevent them from escaping.

4. Costume Caution (For Cats and Owners)

If you plan to dress your cat up, think comfort and safety first—and be prepared for the consequences.

• Cat's Costume: Most cats despise costumes! If you insist on a photo, use lightweight bandanas or hats for a very brief time. Never use an outfit that restricts their breathing, movement, or, crucially, their ability to see or hear well, as this can induce panic. Never leave a cat unsupervised while they’re wearing one.

• Owner's Costume: Introduce your outfit, especially masks or large props, to your cat before the night starts. Allow them to see and sniff the "scary monster" so they realize it's just you.

Tips to Keep Your Feline Calm

The best way to enjoy Halloween is to ensure your cat is relaxed. Follow these steps to create a stress-free environment:

• Play Early: Engage your cat in a rigorous play session earlier in the day to help burn off energy and reduce general anxiety levels before the evening chaos begins.

• Create a Sanctuary: Set up a secure "safe zone" in a quiet, interior room. Include a comfy bed, fresh water, their litter tray, and a dark hiding spot (like a covered carrier or cardboard box) where they can feel invisible.

• Use Aids: If your cat is easily startled, consider using pheromone diffusers or other calming products. Soft music or a white noise machine near their safe room can help mask the noise of the doorbell and party.

Remember, a scared cat is often a stressed, destructive, or bolting cat. With the right preparation, you can enjoy Halloween while keeping your beloved feline safe.