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Canine Vitamins For Dogs With Diabetes

also see Dog Vitamin E Benefits

also see Canine Diabetic

also see Canine Diabetes Diet 

also see Spotting Diabetes in Dogs

also see Dog Nutritional 

also see Canine Diabetes Insipidus 

also see Canine Diabetic Treatments Beyond Insulin

Most dogs get diabetes by eating too many carbohydrates and not getting enough exercise. Enhance your diabetic dog's health by limiting his weight gain and increasing his activity level. The more exercise he gets, the less insulin he needs. Along with controlling your dog's insulin and glucose levels, canine vitamins are also beneficial for managing his diabetes.

 

What Vitamins to Give Your Dog

Supplements are designed with nutrients that are normally lacking in sufficient quantities in most dog foods. Giving your dog a supplement is recommended at the first signs of diabetes, which can help slow the disease from progressing and delay his need for insulin shots.

 

Vitamin E

Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant helping to preserve the Vitamin A and fatty acids in

other supplements and foods. The dosage of canine vitamins you give your dog depends on his size. As a general rule, a typical E tablet is either 25UI or 200UI and given once a day.

 

Vitamin E helps diabetes related issues, such as:

* Reducing the need for insulin.
* Controlling blood sugar levels
* Improving insulin action
* Preventing oxidative stress caused by free radicals
* Strengthening immune functions

Vitamin C

Giving your dog Vitamin C in moderation will help some of the problems associated with diabetes.

 

Benefits of Vitamin C in diabetic dogs:

* Helps bolster low tissue levels
* Prevents cataracts
* Protects kidneys
* Normalizes sorbitol levels
* Controls blood sugar
* Increases insulin efficacy

Additional Canine Vitamins, Minerals and Supplements

* Chromium: improves the effectiveness of insulin, balances cholesterol levels, reduces risk of heart disease, and aids glucose tolerance.
* Magnesium: guards against high urinary loss, which leads to magnesium deficiency and a risk factor for retinal damage and heart disease.
* Vitamin B-6 (pyridoxine): prevents neuropathy; diabetic dogs can become deficient in Vitamin B-6.
* Galega Officinalis: works to improve the area of the pancreas that produces insulin.
* Bilberry: stimulates insulin production and reduces blood sugar levels in dogs with Type II diabetes; canine vitamins with bilberry improve vision and circulation.
* Glucose Supplements: improves insulin production and protects against the effects of diabetes on the dog's body.
* Zinc: prevents and lessens the effects of diabetes.

Vitamin-heavy Foods Good for Diabetic Dogs

Your diabetic dog can get beneficial vitamins from a natural diet including fresh-cooked and raw foods. An effective canine diet is high in fiber, includes premium-quality dog food and that is low on fat and carbs. Serve your diabetic dog 2 to 3 different meals a day rather than one large meal.

 

Raw fruits and vegetables contain high levels of canine vitamins. Such foods are ideal for providing the minerals and nutrients your dog needs, while keeping his blood sugar stabilized. If you feed your dog foods with natural sugars it will not disrupt his insulin levels, but refined processed sugars can do him harm.

 

* Good raw veggies and fruits include: parsley, alpha sprouts, carrots (raw or cooked), apples and bananas (in moderation).
* Cooked veggies for diabetic dogs are: Winter squash, dandelion greens and potatoes.
* Other canine-friendly foods rich in vitamins consist of: millet rice, oats, corn meal, green beans, corn, and wheat germ oil.

Beware of foods that are not good for your diabetic dog. Soft-moist processed dog foods that do not need refrigeration are high in carbohydrates and sugars and low in canine vitamins. The sugars are used to extend the shelf life of the food and they also contain artificial colorings.

also see Natural Dog Vitamins from Holistic Foods and Supplements

also see Nutrient Requirements of Dogs: Choosing the Healthiest Dog Food

also see Why Canine Vitamin C Supplements Aren't Necessary

also see Will a Canine Supplement Help with Aging?

also see Which Dog Vitamin Supplement is Best for Dogs

also see Do Dogs Benefit From Vitamin C?

also see Determining Dog Nutritional Supplement Rations

also see Herbs, Supplements and Nutriceuticals - Dogs