Cat · Felis catus · typical adult weight 2.50–7.00 kg
Insulin (NPH/Vetsulin) is dosed at 0.25–0.5 IU/kg SC q12h in cats, per Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th ed (held), Insulin Lente / Porcine Zinc Insulin (Vetsulin) monograph, printed p.664 (corpus PDF p.691), CATS - "0.25 - 0.5 units/kg SC every 12 hours, starting dose should not exceed 3 units/cat (NOT units/kg)." [CORRECTED - the Insulin NPH monograph printed p.670-673 carries NO cats row and states "Not recommended for use in cats because of its short duration of action in that species."]. Insulin (NPH/Vetsulin) is used in cats for Diabetes mellitus. Routes documented in cats: SC. A typical adult cat weighs 2.50–7.00 kg. ExoticRx lists 1 cited dose rule for Insulin (NPH/Vetsulin) in cats, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
US trade names: Vetsulin, ProZinc, Humulin N
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Duration | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SC | 0.25–0.5 IU/kg | q12h | Long-term (reassess for remission) | Diabetes mellitus | Strong | Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th ed (held), Insulin Lente / Porcine Zinc Insulin (Vetsulin) monograph, printed p.664 (corpus PDF p.691), CATS - "0.25 - 0.5 units/kg SC every 12 hours, starting dose should not exceed 3 units/cat (NOT units/kg)." [CORRECTED - the Insulin NPH monograph printed p.670-673 carries NO cats row and states "Not recommended for use in cats because of its short duration of action in that species."] |
Every held source for this drug and species, as printed. Where they differ, both are shown — the choice is yours, not ours.
| Dose (iu/kg) | Route | Source | As printed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.25 | SC | BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, 10th ed — Part A (Canine and Feline)p.226 | initially 0.25 IU/kg of lente insulin s.c. q12h or 0.2-0.4 IU/kg of PZI insulin s.c. q12h. Adjust d |
| 0.2–0.4 | SC | BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, 10th ed — Part A (Canine and Feline)p.226 | itially 0.25 IU/kg of lente insulin s.c. q12h or 0.2-0.4 IU/kg of PZI insulin s.c. q12h. Adjust dose and frequency of administration by monitoring clini |
Figures are transcribed from the cited page or table of each held edition and are shown for reference only. They are not dose recommendations, they do not feed the calculator, and none has been reviewed by a veterinarian.
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Facilitates cellular glucose uptake by binding insulin receptors, activating glucose transporters. Regulates carbohydrate, protein, and fat metabolism.
Hypoglycemia is the most dangerous adverse effect. Dose individually based on blood glucose curves. Vetsulin (porcine lente) for dogs, ProZinc (PZI) often preferred in cats. U-40 vs U-100 syringes — use correct syringe.
Species-specific contraindications and adverse-reaction reports for cats may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Insulin (NPH/Vetsulin) dose range in cats, with cited source references: SC 0.25–0.5 IU/kg q12h. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Insulin (NPH/Vetsulin) in cats: SC.
Cited course lengths for Insulin (NPH/Vetsulin) in cats include: Long-term (reassess for remission). Duration depends on the indication — match it to the specific dose rule in the table above.
Insulin (NPH/Vetsulin) is indicated in cats for: Diabetes mellitus.
These are general warnings for Insulin (NPH/Vetsulin) across species; consult the cat dosing table above for species-specific guidance. Hypoglycemia is the most dangerous adverse effect. Dose individually based on blood glucose curves. Vetsulin (porcine lente) for dogs, ProZinc (PZI) often preferred in cats. U-40 vs U-100 syringes — use correct syringe.
Why a species-specific page? Insulin (NPH/Vetsulin) pharmacokinetics differ across species: dose ranges, intervals, and route preferences are not interchangeable. Cross-extrapolation from canine doses is unsafe in cats — the rules above are the citations specific to this species, not generic recommendations.
Sourced from published veterinary references; awaiting credentialed clinical reviewer. See our editorial process. Reference only — not veterinary advice.