Diabetes in Pets

Insulin syringes have an attached needle, and the size of a needle is usually measured by gauge and length. The gauge number describes how thick a needle is, and the higher the number, the thinner the needle.

• For example, a 32g needle is thinner than a 28g needle.

Thinner needles are usually more comfortable for injection, and thicker needles are more durable. The length of the needle is measured in inches and is usually based on personal preference and skin thickness.

• Needles typically come in 28g, 29g, 31g, and 1/2 in or 5/16 in, depending on the manufacturer.

Learn more about Choosing Pet Insulin Syringes

Insulin for animals usually comes in two different concentrations: 40 units/mL and 100 units/mL. Depending on the brand of insulin, the concentration may be written on the bottle as 100 units/mL, U-100, 100 IU, or 40 units/mL, U-40, 40 IU. When selecting syringes to use with your pet’s insulin, you want to make sure they match the concentration; otherwise, your pet will receive the wrong dose. This is because the syringes have different dosage markings.

• For example: if you have Lantus 100 units/mL, you will need U-100 syringes.
• For example: if you have Vetsulin 40 units/mL you will need U-40 syringes.

If you are unsure of the concentration of your pet’s insulin, talk to your veterinarian.

Pen needles are specifically designed to attach and detach from the top of an insulin pen for each injection.

• Insulin pens are devices that hold multiple doses of insulin inside a chamber and can be reused.

Learn more about How to Choose Insulin Pen Needles for Pets 

It is recommended that all needles and insulin syringes be placed into a sharps container immediately after they have been used. This will reduce the risk of needle sticks, cuts, and punctures from loose sharps. Sharps disposal containers should be kept out of reach of children and pets.

• Some manufacturers provide sharps containers packaged with your supply of insulin syringes.
• Home Sharps Containers are available and provide a safe method to deposit and store used needles, syringes, and pen needles.

Follow your community guidelines for getting rid of the container. Sharps disposal guidelines and programs vary depending on where you live. Check with your local trash removal services or health department to see which disposal methods are available in your area. Learn more about sharps disposal.

The total capacity of an insulin syringe is measured by cc or mL.  The size of the syringe will depend on how much insulin is needed for the dose. Syringes are also labeled with dosage markings, either in full or half-unit increments. Syringes typically come in 3/10 cc, 1/2 cc , and 1cc sizes.

Talk with your veterinarian about which needle and syringe type will work best for you and your pet.