diabetic 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

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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.

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.