SGLT2 Inhibitors for Diabetic Cats: What Owners Need to Know

Quick answer

SGLT2 inhibitors — in the UK that means Senvelgo (velagliflozin) — are daily oral medicines that lower blood glucose by making the kidneys pass glucose out in the urine. They are prescription-only and are not a straight swap for insulin.

They are contraindicated in cats previously or currently treated with insulin, and in a cat that is in diabetic ketoacidosis.

The critical safety point: a cat on one of these can develop ketoacidosis while their glucose reading still looks reassuring. A normal-looking number does not rule it out, so ketones and how the cat actually seems matter more than the glucose figure.

SGLT2 inhibitors are a newer oral option that some vets may discuss for cats with diabetes. They can sound appealing because they are tablets rather than injections, but they are not a simple swap for insulin and they are not right for every cat.

The safest way to think about them is as a vet-led treatment choice that needs careful selection, clear instructions and consistent observation at home. This guide explains the questions worth asking and the warning signs that should never wait.

Senvelgo, and why you will also see "Bexacat"

In the UK the oral option is Senvelgo — velagliflozin, from Boehringer Ingelheim.

You will also come across bexagliflozin, sold as Bexacat. That one is a US product, approved by the FDA in December 2022, and we can find no UK or European authorisation for it. If you have been reading American forums or articles, that is where the name comes from. Licensing changes, so your vet is the person to ask what can actually be prescribed for your cat here.

What SGLT2 inhibitors do

SGLT2 inhibitors reduce the kidneys' reabsorption of glucose. More glucose leaves the body in urine, which can lower blood glucose without relying on the same mechanism as insulin. That can make them useful for some cats, but it also means your cat may urinate more and needs reliable access to fresh water.

Your vet will decide whether the medicine is appropriate, which dose to use and what monitoring is needed. Do not share human medicine, use a leftover prescription or adjust the dose yourself.

Which cats may be suitable?

Suitability is individual. Your vet may consider:

• whether the diabetes is stable and the cat is eating normally
• hydration, kidney function and general health
• previous or current insulin treatment
• ketone results and any history of ketoacidosis
• other medicines, illnesses and the cat's ability to take treatment consistently

A cat that is unwell, dehydrated, not eating, vomiting or already showing signs of ketones may need urgent assessment rather than a routine medication discussion.

The important safety issue: ketones and DKA

A cat can have a dangerous ketone build-up even when a glucose reading does not look dramatically high. Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is an emergency. SGLT2 inhibitors can make this risk particularly important to discuss because glucose is being passed into the urine.

Safety warning: If your cat is taking an SGLT2 inhibitor and stops eating, vomits, becomes unusually quiet or weak, seems dehydrated, breathes differently or you detect ketones, contact your vet or an emergency clinic immediately. Do not wait for the next planned dose or appointment.

Your vet should give you a written sick-day plan: when to pause a medicine, how to check for ketones if appropriate, which number to call and where to go out of hours. Never invent a sick-day plan from an online article.

What to track at home

A short daily record can help your vet spot a change early. Note:

• appetite and whether meals are finished
• water intake and litter-tray changes
• energy, behaviour and breathing
• body weight at the interval your vet recommends
• glucose and ketone readings if your vet has asked you to check them
• medicine name, dose, timing and any missed doses
• vomiting, diarrhoea or other changes

Mello is designed to keep these observations together so you can share a clearer update with your vet. It does not diagnose DKA or replace clinical advice.

Questions to ask your vet

Before starting an SGLT2 inhibitor, ask:

1. Why is this option suitable for my cat specifically?
2. What checks are needed before the first dose?
3. Which signs mean I should call you the same day?
4. Should I monitor glucose, ketones, weight or anything else at home?
5. What is the exact sick-day plan if my cat will not eat?
6. Should insulin be continued, changed or stopped — and who should authorise that change?
7. Who do I contact outside normal hours?

Write the answers down. Treatment is easier to manage when everyone in the household follows the same plan.

When to seek urgent help

Call your vet promptly if your cat is off food, repeatedly vomiting, unusually sleepy, weak, dehydrated, breathing abnormally or showing ketones. If your cat seems severely unwell, collapse is possible or you cannot reach your usual practice, contact an emergency veterinary service.

SGLT2 inhibitors may be helpful for the right cat, but the right cat and the right plan must be determined with your veterinary team. Keep a calm, consistent record, bring it to reviews and ask early when something changes.

Sources and further reading

• International Society of Feline Medicine (ISFM), feline diabetes resources and clinical guidance.
• American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA), diabetes management guidance for dogs and cats.
• Signs of diabetes in cats
• What is pet diabetes?
• Home glucose monitoring
• Choosing a pet diabetes management app

This guide is for general education, not diagnosis or treatment. Always follow your own vet's instructions.

Related reading: If you are comparing ways to organise diabetes care, read our guide to choosing a pet diabetes management app. For urgent symptoms, start with our diabetic emergencies guide.

Last updated: 8 August 2026
Reviewed by: Mello Editorial Team

Mello helps diabetic pet owners track routines, spot patterns and share clearer updates with their veterinary team.