Diabetes in Dogs | Diabetes Healthy Solutions

How to Treat Hypoglycemia in Dogs

How Do You Take Care Of A Diabetic Dog?

Our furry friends are family, and whenever one of our family members falls ill we want to ensure they get the best care and love possible. Research shows that dogs that are in their middle age or are overweight are at a higher risk of developing diabetes. The risk can also be higher among particular breeds as well as female dogs. Although there’s no cure for diabetes, the good news is that the condition can be effectively managed in pets and humans alike. Providing the right care for your diabetic dog can help them live a comfortable and long life.

How does diabetes in dogs occur?

Diabetes in dogs occurs when their bodies fail to produce insulin, a hormone that allows cells to use glucose for energy. Thanks to synthetic insulin, we can now manage the symptoms and common complications of diabetes.

Tips for taking care of your diabetic dog

1. Consult your veterinarian regularly

Diabetes is a complicated condition that can be hard to manage especially without the expertise and knowledge of a certified veterinarian. Therefore, maintaining a good relationship with your veterinarian is the first step toward ensuring that your pet’s condition is well managed.

This makes it easier for pet parents to establish and maintain open communication with their pet’s doctor. That way, if you have any concerns or questions you’ll not hesitate to ask them and seek their expert guidance throughout your dog’s treatment. This should be someone who has the best welfare of your pet at heart.

2. Adhere to the treatment plan

If not well managed, diabetes in dogs can easily progress and lead to other severe complications, such as cataracts, vision loss or even death. Therefore, if your furry friend has been diagnosed with diabetes, it is imperative to ensure that you have the right treatment to avoid diabetes-related complications.

The most common treatment diabetic dogs undergo is insulin injections. This can be administered once or twice per day, depending on treatment goals and the severity of the condition. Your vet could also prescribe supplements for your diabetic dog. It is also vital that you track and monitor your pet’s sugar levels on a daily basis. Be sure to notify your vet if you notice any irregularities in blood sugar levels as this could necessitate adjustments in your dog’s treatment plan to accommodate changes in their health needs.

3. Serve a healthy diet to your dog

The Nature of Animal Healing: The Definitive Holistic Medicine Guide to Caring for Your Dog and Cat

The dietary and health needs of diabetic dogs are different from those of healthy pets. Your diabetic dog needs healthier meals with lower sugar and fat content.

Therefore, it’s best to avoid sweet treats at this point. Generally, there is a wide variety of healthy dog food that you can get for your diabetic pet. Commercial diabetic dog food can also be a good option, as long as you pay keen attention to the ingredients. Always read the label and look for food that is high in fiber content and low in unhealthy fats and carbs.

Here are key pointers to keep in mind when feeding a diabetic dog:

Always serve the same amount of diabetic dog food at 12-hour intervals (twice a day).
Avoid overfeeding your furry friend.
Incorporate vegetables into your dog’s diet.
Avoid giving them table scraps.
Eliminate sweet treats and unhealthy snacks in between meals. Go for healthy diabetic dog treats.
Feed your diabetic dog separately from other healthy dogs to avoid overfeeding.

Start introducing vegetables gradually, just as you would with a child. Even if your diabetic dog will initially reject them, don’t give up, eventually, they’ll get used to them.

Some of the best veggies for diabetic dogs include cauliflower, string beans, cucumber slices, and broccoli.

4. Walk your diabetic dog

Diabetic pets need regular exercise, too. You can start with basic exercises such as walking your dog daily. Do this in the evening or early in the morning. Avoid walking your diabetic dog under the heat of the sun. Walking your dog for at least 30 minutes a day is good enough and it benefits you as well!

However, if walking your dog every day isn’t doable in the area you live in, there are various indoor exercises that your dog can do. Most importantly, ensure that your dog gets at least 30 minutes of physical activity every day.

5. Avoid stressful situations

Just like humans, it is essential to ensure that your furry friends avoid stressful situations. Stress goes into your pet’s mind and behavior. Stressed dogs may refuse to exercise and some could even refuse their medication or meals, which will have detrimental effects on their overall health. For diabetic dogs, stress is like adding salt to injury.

Diabetic dogs need an environment with as much love and care as possible. Avoid placing your dogs in stressful situations whenever possible. Although blood testing and insulin injections can be stressful, they are an essential part of your pet’s diabetes care plan. However, you can still try to keep them as calm and relaxed as possible during these procedures.

6. Diabetes management is a family affair

Caring for a diabetic dog requires everyone in your household to be on the same page. Your dog will respond better to treatment when they follow the treatment plan and routine that is recommended by your vet.

This is particularly important when it comes to meal portions and prohibitions. Therefore, everyone including your guests should be aware of this. You don’t want guests in your home feeding your diabetic dog scraps and other unhealthy treats. While this isn’t always a bad thing when done occasionally, it can cause sudden spikes which could prove to be hard to control.

Signs of canine diabetes

The earliest signs and symptoms of diabetes in dogs are usually noticed by the pet parent. Therefore, it is important for pet parents to know the most common signs of canine diabetes in order to better spot them and manage the condition when in its early stages. Increased urination and excessive thirst are the most noticeable signs of diabetes in dogs.

Other common symptoms of canine diabetes include:

Sudden weight loss
Frequent urination
Increased appetite

Preventing canine diabetes

Preventing diabetes in dogs is not as complicated. Just like humans, it often has to do with lifestyle. Serve your dogs healthy meals and be sure to give them good exercise regularly.

The bottom-line

Although diabetes doesn’t have a cure yet, the life expectancy of diabetic dogs that are properly regulated with diet and insulin is similar to healthy dogs. Adhering to the treatment regimen and maintaining good communication with your vet go a long way toward keeping your dog healthy and happy.

Read about the best canine diabetic diet HERE!

What are Diabetic Dog Treats?

We love our furry friends so much that they become part of our families. So we can be easily thrown into a loop when they are diagnosed with chronic conditions such as diabetes. Although canine diabetes requires regular monitoring, this does not necessarily mean that they should miss out on living a long, healthy life.

Just like in humans, dogs with diabetes have insulin deficiency. Insulin is mainly responsible for regulating blood sugar. Therefore, even the best dog chews or dog treats with high levels of sugar are a no-no for dogs from diabetes. Diabetic dog treats are low in sugar and high in complex carbs which get absorbed into the dog’s bloodstream and help regulate blood sugar levels.

Symptoms and treatment of canine diabetes

Symptoms of canine diabetes are typically the same as signs and symptoms of diabetes in humans. Some of the symptoms most pet parents notice are urinating more and drinking excessively. Other common symptoms include:

Recurrent infections
Increased appetite in some
Lethargic behavior
Cataracts

For effective treatment of canine diabetes, it is important that your pooch be put under the care of a veterinarian.

Their vet will provide a specific diet and treatment plan for your pet. In some cases, treatment for canine diabetes is as simple as changes in diet to limit sugar changes, while others may require insulin to be administered via injection or orally.

Treats for diabetic dogs

Vegetables and fruits are some of the best treats for diabetic dogs. However, it is essential to keep in mind that some fruits have high starch contents, and it’s best to offer fruit treats in moderation. Some of the best fruits you can offer your diabetic pooch are:

Raspberries
Pears
Blueberries
Strawberries
Apples

Vegetables are also a great choice mainly because they are low in calories and high in fiber.

Some of the best vegetable choices for your diabetic dog include:

Carrots
Cucumbers
Green beans
Cabbage
Lettuce
Zucchini
Spinach

It is best to stay away from some commercial diabetic dog treats as many include fillers such as corn syrup, soy and/or corn, and molasses or fructose, which are all high in sugar.

Homemade diabetic dog treats are often the best option and a great way to monitor exactly what your dog eats. If you’re planning to make diabetic dog treats at home you should opt for ingredients such as whole grain and oats. Moreover, you can consider adding chicken broth (low-sodium) to your dog’s food for some variety.

It is important to pay keen attention to the ingredients in your pooch’s food, especially if they have been diagnosed with diabetes. Although managing diabetes in dogs can be a challenge, monitoring his diet carefully while working closely with their vet regularly can go a long way in helping your pet live a long, healthy life, even with his condition.

If your pooch is overweight, your doctor may recommend losing some weight to help cells better absorb and use insulin.

Food is fuel for the body

Your dogs’ vet will examine your dog and determine the number of calories they need per day, depending on their activity level and weight. Once you know how many calories your pooch needs, it is vital to closely monitor what they consume and how much.

Most veterinarians recommend a low-fat, high-fiber diet. A high-fiber diet helps keep your dog feeling full and slows the absorption of sugar into the bloodstream. On the other hand, a diet low in fat has fewer calories. Therefore, in addition to helping your pooch eat less, this diet can also help them lose weight.

It is also essential to make sure your dog drinks lots of water to replace the water used up by fiber and prevent problems such as constipation. Although most pooches do fine with diabetic dog treats and food that is available at the store, your veterinary may recommend a homemade diet or prescription dog food.

However, it is important to keep in mind that even the best diabetic dog treats and food will be of no help if your pooch does not eat it. Moreover, you shouldn’t administer insulin to a pooch on an empty stomach as it can easily make them sick or even lead to serious complications. Talk with your vet to understand why your dog isn’t eating.

Balance food and insulin

Timing is very important because the body is constantly processing insulin and food between injections and meals. In most cases, it’s recommended that you maintain a regular meal schedule of 2 to 3 meals per day, whereas insulin should be administered every 12 hours. However, you should consult your pooch’s pet about how to best establish the right schedule.

Regular exercise

Exercise helps lower your dog’s blood sugar levels and lose weight. Be sure to maintain a regular exercise schedule in terms of intensity and duration to prevent blood sugar levels from dropping too low.

Although caring for a diabetic dog can seem daunting at first, the changes will gradually become ingrained in your daily life and you may even create a stronger bond with your pooch.

The Best Canine Diabetes Diet

Dr. Martin Goldstein, America’s renowned and most successful holistic veterinarian for 20 years has helped and healed his animal patients using the same natural therapies most humans use.

This has yielded astounding results that nowadays he is giving critically new pets a chance at health and life. In his very accessible and compelling book “The Nature of Animal Healing”, Dr. Martin Goldstein explains what the term “holistic medicine” means and exactly how it works.

By addressing the main cause of health problems rather than their symptoms, you can help your animals maintain and/or regain their own health, just as nature intended. Moreover, Dr. Goldstein shares numerous amazing true stories of terminally ill pets who have fully recovered.

What will you learn in “The Nature of Animal Healing”?

A comprehensive guide on pet diseases and the most ideal course of action
Why animals get sick even after being provided with the best of care
The link between disease and diet. You’ll also learn how the proper diet can help prevent and reverse disease
How alternative options such as chiropractic, homeopathy and acupuncture work painlessly and safely to restore optimum health
Reasons why animal vaccines are more harmful than beneficial
Specific guidelines for the use of natural remedies, herbs, and supplements.
The good and bad news about cancer in pets, including amazing new potential cures and treatments.
Coping (both psychologically and physically) with the inevitable death of animals, including your pets.

The book also includes an all-inclusive resource for holistic animal care. This is basically the ultimate guide to holistic books, product manufacturers, websites, stores, associations, newsletters, and veterinarians.

Animals have the same bodily needs as humans. Therefore, giving them the same boring food every day is not practical. Dry kibble and canned food are gross, boring, and they don’t have much impact when it comes to nutrition. Moreover, studies show that there is a link between poor health and poor food.

Visits to the vet rarely do any good and our pets are often left feeling worse than before. The vaccines don’t seem to work because days or months after getting vaccinated our pets develop ill effects.

So many pets using conventional medicine are still getting sick and the prevalence of cancer is getting higher and higher among animals. Moreover, many animals are actually suffering and dying before their time. Although pets don’t talk, the results of misguided conventional medicine and bad diet are clear.

Dr. Goldstein’s clinic is different from ordinary veterinary hospitals and just like doctors on emergency response, their handle more than their share of critical or desperate cases. Despite seeing some healthy animals, most of the pets Dr. Goldstein treats are basket cases with some form of diabetes, premature degeneration, liver or kidney failure, cancer, hyperthyroidism, or arthritis.

The prevalence of diabetes and other degenerative diseases in pets

When Dr. Goldstein started out in practice two decades ago, the pets he saw with these conditions were old and their diseases seemed to be slow-growing and age-related hence acceptable.

However, nowadays, most of the cases brought to him are young and the rate at which these conditions grow is troubling particularly considering the age of the pets.

It’s also essential for pet owners to come to terms with and accept their pet’s ultimate demise. For instance, some age-related conditions such as recurrent tumors may be hopeless and sometimes it’s best to concede defeat and put such animals to sleep to prevent pointless pain and suffering.

However, Dr. Goldstein has been able to save many of the animals he treats by restoring them to optimal health or at least giving them extended periods of happy lives which they were not expected to have. However, the challenge increases as the diseases we see become more bizarre, more unpredictable, and more aggressive.

Nowadays Dr. Goldstein treats up to 35 new cancer cases per week as opposed to just a few 20 years ago. According to a 1998 survey by Morris Animal Foundation, of 720 canine deaths which are disease-related, 479 were caused by cancer. Diabetes-related deaths were the next highest at 12 percent.

Dr. Goldstein views cancer and diabetes as the ultimate manifestation of bad health and not simply a mysterious disease. These diseases manifest when the immune system surrenders after being under siege for too long.

Therefore, it’s clear that the number of pets that are getting degenerative diseases such as diabetes and cancer has increased substantially. This is attributable to the fact that pets are being bombarded with more and more toxic substances that mutate their genes and eventually weaken successive generations.

This is the main reason why in Dr. Goldstein’s book, “The Nature of Animal Healing” he promotes a diet program together with the following percentages:

50% complicated carbohydrates
25% vegetables
25% protein

Most degenerative diseases are caused by those packaged and processed foods that most people give their pets. These foods often contain toxic substances in the form of chemical preservatives and additives or in processed meat that has been found to be unfit for human consumption.

Foods to avoid in a Canine Diabetes Diet

Strict avoidance of all foods with sugar and white flour (frequently listed as wheat flour), and chemical preservatives are very crucial in a canine diabetes diet.

Examples are any pre-moistened foods that can be found in packets or treats with bacon or pepperoni man-made flavors. (These foods may possibly be to blame for the onset of diabetes in dogs.)

Our pets also get toxins from ground chemicals and tap water or from conventional drugs. This is sped up by our pets’ relatively shorter life spans.

Most manifestations of ill health are aggravated by toxic substances that destroy the immune system and keep our pets from healing themselves. However, instead of reducing toxins, conventional medicine usually adds more.

Dr. Goldstein’s aim is to demonstrate different ways in which pets are ill-served by their owners, the environment, and even conventional veterinary medicine. His book shows that with the right care, animals can still lead healthy, happy lives.

It’s also important to keep in mind that since pets are the true healers of their own bodies, the best we can do is to provide an ideal environment for them to grow strong both emotionally and physically. This way, they can best handle the hard task they must handle to regain, as well as maintain their health. The best way to cure our pets is to help them cure themselves.

Homeopathy as part of a Diabetes Diet for Dogs

By incorporating particular remedies, the body will probably be much less stressed. Factors like a homeopathic injectable pancreas in dilution, pancreatic enzymes, or Chinese herbs given by a trained veterinarian won’t only assist the pancreas but avert harm towards the liver and kidneys.

Homemade Diets for Dogs

Even though several dog owners get pleasure from cooking and taking care of their diabetic dog, most homemade diets aren’t suggested for diabetic dogs, unless you genuinely know what you’re carrying out in a canine diabetes diet plan.

Homemade diets such as the canine Cushings disease diet are too variable to be appropriate, even when high-quality ingredients are used. One of many few occasions that a homemade diet plan is suggested for a diabetic dog is when the dog refuses to eat a commercial diet regime.

What are the symptoms of Diabetes in dogs?