Using the FreeStyle Libre 3 for Dogs & Cats

The FreeStyle Libre 3 is a continuous glucose monitor that may be recommended by our veterinary team to help track glucose trends in diabetic dogs and cats at home.

Important: The FreeStyle Libre system is made for people and is used “off-label” in pets. It can be very helpful, but readings should always be interpreted along with your pet’s symptoms, appetite, insulin schedule, and your veterinarian’s recommendations.

What Is a Continuous Glucose Monitor?

A continuous glucose monitor, or CGM, is a small sensor that sits on the skin and measures glucose in the fluid beneath the skin. Instead of doing repeated blood glucose checks throughout the day, the sensor sends glucose readings to a compatible phone app.

In pets, this can help us better understand glucose patterns at home, where pets are usually less stressed than they are in the clinic. It may help identify trends such as high glucose, low glucose, overnight drops, or changes after meals and insulin.

Helpful For

• Newly diagnosed diabetic pets
• Insulin dose monitoring
• Pets that are difficult to blood sample
• Checking for possible low glucose episodes
• Reducing stress from repeated clinic curves

What It Shows

• Current glucose estimate
• Glucose trend direction
• High and low glucose patterns
• Daily glucose graphs
• Data your veterinary team can review

What It Does Not Replace

• Veterinary exams
• Insulin guidance from your veterinarian
• Emergency care if your pet is sick
• Blood glucose confirmation when readings do not match symptoms

Before Your Appointment

Please review these steps before your pet’s sensor placement appointment. Having the app ready ahead of time helps the appointment go more smoothly.

1. Confirm your phone is compatible.
   The FreeStyle Libre 3 app only works with certain phones and operating systems.
2. Charge your phone.
   Your phone should be charged and able to connect to Wi-Fi or cellular data during setup.
3. Know your app store password.
   You may need your Apple ID or Google Play password to download the app.
4. Bring your phone to the appointment.
   The sensor must be started with the phone or reader that will be used for monitoring.
5. Do not apply lotions, sprays, or oils to the placement area.
   These can interfere with sensor adhesion.

Which App Should I Download?

Please download the FreeStyle Libre 3 app before your pet’s appointment unless our veterinary team gives you different instructions.

For iPhone

1. Open the App Store.
2. Search for FreeStyle Libre 3.
3. Confirm the app is published by Abbott.
4. Tap Get or the download icon.
5. Open the app after it finishes downloading.

For Android

1. Open the Google Play Store.
2. Search for FreeStyle Libre 3.
3. Confirm the app is published by Abbott.
4. Tap Install.
5. Open the app after it finishes downloading.

How to Set Up the App

1. Open the app.
   Make sure your phone has Wi-Fi or cellular service.
2. Tap “Get Started” or “Next.”
   The app may show several introductory screens.
3. Select your country.
   Choose the United States unless instructed otherwise.
4. Create or sign in to your account.
   Use an email address you can easily access.
5. Allow required permissions.
   Allow Bluetooth, notifications, camera, and nearby device access if prompted.
6. Set glucose alarms.
   Your veterinary team may recommend alarm settings for your pet.
7. Wait to start the sensor until instructed.
   If the sensor is being placed at our clinic, our team may help you start it before you leave.

Visual Setup Guide

Follow these screenshots to help ensure your FreeStyle Libre 3 system is set up correctly and sharing data with Healthy Paws.

Step 1

Download the FreeStyle Libre 3 app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.

Step 2

Create your Libre account using an email address you check regularly.

Step 3

Allow Bluetooth, notifications, and other requested permissions so the sensor can communicate with your phone.

Step 4

Tap "Start New Sensor" and scan the sensor after it has been placed on your pet.

Step 5

Connect your account to LibreView and accept any sharing invitation sent by Healthy Paws.

Step 6

Monitor glucose trends and ensure data is uploading successfully for veterinarian review.

Tip: If Healthy Paws can see your glucose data through LibreView, there is usually no need to send screenshots unless specifically requested.

Screens shown may vary slightly depending on your phone model, operating system, and app version.

Connect Your Account So Healthy Paws Can Review the Data

Important: Connecting your account allows glucose readings to automatically upload to LibreView so our veterinary team can review trends and make recommendations without requiring screenshots or manual logs.

1. Create your Libre account.
   During app setup, create a FreeStyle Libre account using an email address you check regularly.
2. Enable cloud syncing.
   Stay signed into the app and allow the app to use cellular data or Wi-Fi so glucose information uploads automatically.
3. Contact Healthy Paws.
   Send us the email address used for your Libre account so we can provide the appropriate clinic connection instructions.
4. Accept sharing invitations.
   If our clinic sends you a LibreView invitation, follow the link and approve data sharing.
5. Keep your phone nearby.
   The sensor must communicate with your phone for readings to upload to the cloud.
6. Verify synchronization.
   Open the app periodically and ensure recent glucose readings are appearing normally.

If you replace your phone, log out of the app, disable internet access, or uninstall the application, data synchronization may stop until the account is reconnected.

Starting the Sensor

Very important: A sensor can only be started with one device. If you start the sensor with your phone, you generally cannot switch that same active sensor to a separate reader afterward.

1. The sensor is placed on your pet.
   Our veterinary team will usually shave and clean a small area before applying the sensor.
2. Open the app.
   Keep your phone close to your pet.
3. Tap “Start New Sensor.”
   Follow the prompts on the screen.
4. Scan or pair the sensor.
   Hold the top/back of your phone close to the sensor when prompted.
5. Wait for warmup.
   The sensor requires a warmup period before readings begin.
6. Keep your pet nearby.
   Readings and alerts depend on the phone being close enough to the sensor.

Living With the Sensor at Home

Protecting the Sensor

• Try to prevent your pet from scratching, rubbing, licking, or chewing at the sensor.
• Use a shirt, medical pet shirt, or light bandage only if recommended by our team.
• Do not wrap tightly over the sensor.
• Keep the area clean and dry.
• Avoid rough play or grooming directly over the sensor.

Using the Data

• Look for trends rather than reacting to every single number.
• Record insulin times, meal times, appetite changes, vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, or unusual behavior.
• Contact us before changing your pet’s insulin dose unless you have been given a specific written plan.
• If the reading does not match how your pet looks or acts, contact our team.

When to Contact Us Right Away

Contact a veterinarian urgently if your pet is weak, wobbly, disoriented, trembling, seizuring, vomiting repeatedly, refusing food, extremely lethargic, or acting abnormal.

Low glucose can be serious. If your pet is showing concerning symptoms, do not wait for the app to correct itself. Call our clinic or an emergency veterinary hospital.

Troubleshooting Guide

Problem	What to Try
The app will not download.	Check your internet connection, phone storage, app store login, and phone compatibility.
The app says the phone is not compatible.	You may need a different compatible phone or reader.
The sensor will not start.	Make sure you are using the correct app for the Libre 3 sensor. Confirm Bluetooth and required permissions are enabled.
No readings are showing after starting.	The sensor requires a warmup period. Keep the phone close to your pet and check again after warmup.
The app says signal loss.	Move your phone closer to your pet. Make sure Bluetooth is on and avoid force-closing the app.
Alarms are not working.	Check notifications, Bluetooth, Do Not Disturb settings, volume, and app alarm settings.
The reading seems wrong.	Check your pet’s behavior. If the reading does not match symptoms, contact our team.
The sensor fell off.	Save the sensor if possible and contact our clinic. Do not attempt to reapply the same sensor.
Your pet is licking or scratching at the sensor.	Use an e-collar or protective clothing if recommended. Contact us if the skin looks irritated.
The sensor shows repeated low readings.	Treat this as important, especially if your pet is acting abnormal. Contact our team or an emergency clinic.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my pet’s insulin dose based on the app?

No. Do not change insulin unless your veterinarian has given you specific instructions.

Does the sensor hurt my pet?

Most pets tolerate placement well. Some pets may notice it at first, but many ignore it once it is in place.

Can my pet get wet?

Avoid bathing, swimming, or soaking the sensor area unless your veterinarian says otherwise.

What if my pet removes the sensor?

Contact us. Do not attempt to reapply the same sensor.

Why does the number look different from a blood glucose meter?

CGMs measure glucose in interstitial fluid, not directly from the bloodstream, so readings can lag behind blood glucose.

Preparing Data for Your Pet’s Recheck

Before your recheck or data review, please write down or send us:

• Your pet’s insulin name and dose
• Insulin times
• Meal times and amount eaten
• Any missed meals or partial meals
• Vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, shaking, seizures, or unusual behavior
• Any app screenshots or glucose reports requested by our team

Best practice: Try to keep meals and insulin timing consistent while your pet is wearing the sensor, unless your veterinarian instructs otherwise.

Questions?

If you are having trouble with the app, sensor, alarms, or glucose readings, please contact our team. We are happy to help you determine whether the issue is technical, sensor-related, or medically important.

Contact Healthy Paws

This page is for client education only and does not replace veterinary medical advice. Always follow the plan provided by your veterinarian.