What Is Diabetes? How To Choose The Best Diabetic Dog Food
Has your dog been recently diagnosed with diabetes? This can be upsetting news for any dog owner. We all want our fur-babies to be healthy and happy. I decided to do some research so I can bring you the best information possible.
Your dog may or may not need to have frequent insulin shots to regulate his blood sugar. There are many instances where your dog’s diabetes can be controlled or improved by a using diabetic dog food. Dogs that are overweight are more prone to diabetes.
Here is a summary of what canine diabetes is and how to feed your diabetic dog.
More...
What Is Canine Diabetes?
Diabetes all comes down to the hormone insulin. This complex disease is characterized by the lack of insulin in the body or an inadequate response to insulin.
When your dog eats, sugar is broken down in the body and carried into the bloodstream when the pancreas secretes insulin. If your dog’s body cannot produce or respond properly to insulin, this causes hyperglycemia or high blood sugar.
Symptoms
If your dog is showing any of these symptoms, it is important to contact your veterinarian for a check-up. Untreated diabetes can pose a serious threat to your dog’s health.
- Appetite Change (eating a lot more or a lot less)
- Excessive thirst (never seeming to get enough water)
- Weight Loss
- Increased Urination
- Sweet or Fruity Smelling Breath
- Lethargy (unusually tired all the time)
- Dehydration
- Urinary Tract Infections
- Vomiting
- Formations of Cataract in the Eyes ( foggy white color in the eyes)
- Repeated Skin Infections
Diagnoses
Diagnosing diabetes in dogs is pretty simple. Your veterinarian will take a look at your dog’s symptoms, take a blood sample, and perform a urinalysis (test the urine).
Treatment
Dogs that are very sick when diagnosed with diabetes may stay in the hospital for a few days to regulate their blood sugar.
If your dog is stable and feeling well when diagnosed, he may be fine with a simple oral medication and change in diet.
More often than not, dogs with diabetes will require regular insulin shots to regulate their blood sugar. Some vets will recommend spaying your female dog as their sex hormones can adversely affect their blood sugar levels.
Change in Diet
This is a crucial component of treating diabetes in dogs. Starting an exercise regimen like a daily walk may also help to treat their disease. Here is what you should look for when choosing a diabetic dog food.
1. Meat-Based and High-Protein
These are characteristics of any healthy dog food but can be especially helpful to diabetics. Real meat and protein do not contain much sugar, gives your dog strength, and helps to satisfy appetite.
2. High-Fiber
Fiber has been shown to lower blood sugar fluctuations after eating. High-fiber diets may also help your dog lose weight if being overweight is a contributing factor to their disease. High-fiber diets are more satisfying and make dogs less likely to over-eat, increasing their blood sugar.
On the flip-side, if your dog is at a healthy weight, high-fiber diets may cause your dog to become a “thin diabetic” which is not helpful to their health. Dog foods with a lot of fiber tend to not taste as good as regular food.
Dog foods with a lot of fiber can also cause mild stomach upset like diarrhea and constipation. One alternative to a high-fiber dog food is to add a fiber supplement to his meals.
This is a great fiber supplement for dogs:
Glandex Powder, Anal Gland Fiber, Pumpkin & Probiotic Digestive Supplement for Dogs & Cats
3. Low Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates reduce into glucose (sugar) when processed by the body. Your dog’s food should have a 30% or less carbohydrate make up.
This is a great dog treats for dogs with canine diabetes:
ALL Natural Diabetic Treats, Vet Approved
Consistent Meals
Your dog diabetes can be best controlled by sticking to a strict mealtime regimen. All meals and treats should be given at the same time of day so that you can regulate their blood sugar and medication.
Medication is generally given within one hour after mealtimes to give your dog time to digest the food and combat the insulin spike that occurs after eating.
While canine diabetes is a very serious disease, it can be easily managed by following these steps.
- Make an immediate appointment with your vet if you suspect your dog may have diabetes.
- Choose the right high-protein and meat based diet that is high in fiber and low in carbohydrates.
- Feed your dog at the same time every day so you can effectively regulate their insulin and blood sugar levels.
If you have any questions, please leave us a comment and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
