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
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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.
