A diabetic diet is recommended to your pet, as it may improve the dog’s condition and reduce the amount of insulin required. In some cases, a diabetic dog can be cured through diet, especially if the dog is overweight and the diet will help eliminating the excess fat tissues. The diabetic diet will be low in carbohydrates and will have to be fed at regular hours, to maintain the blood sugar at a constant level. The number of snacks should be reduced and the dog should get special diabetic treats.
The Purpose of Diabetic Diet for Dogs
The diet of diabetic dogs should be different from the diet of a healthy dog and will focus on:
- Reducing the amount of sugars and carbohydrates that enter the dog’s system
- Will help the dog lose weight, as excess weight may also contribute to abnormal glucose levels in the blood
The diet for dogs with diabetes will be combined with insulin shots, which will regularize the dog’s glucose metabolism. In less severe cases of diabetes, the vet may recommend only a diabetic diet, which may be enough to make the dog’s blood glucose levels normal. In some dogs, the diet may lead to a temporary remission, especially if the dog has been overweight and he has lost fat due to the diet.
Diabetic Diet for Dogs
The diabetic diet for dogs will have to contain fewer carbohydrates and more importantly, contain only complex carbs. Sugar will cause a sudden boost of blood glucose, which is unhealthy for a diabetic dog. Complex carbs such as starch and fibers will cause a controlled release of glucose in the blood, expanding over several hours, so the dog’s blood sugar will be steady.
Other recommendations for a diabetic diet for canines include:
- The diet should not have a lot of fats
- Should have a high fiber content
You will be able to find special diet food for diabetic dogs in pet stores, but make sure you consult your vet to establish if the diet is suitable for your pet’s condition. The vet may also recommend a prescription diet.
Feeding Schedule for Diabetic Dogs
In addition to getting the prescription diet for your dog, you should also learn how to administer the food, so that the sugar levels in the dog’s blood are steady at all times. Try to respect the following guidelines:
- Feed the dog several meals during the day. If your dog was fed only once per day before getting the diagnosis of diabetes, you should feed him the same amount of food, but in 3 or 4 meals during the day. This will make sure the dog’s glucose levels are kept under control
- Feed the dog at the same hours every day, so that his blood sugar levels won’t drop significantly. This may happen if the dog doesn’t get food for over 24 hours and may be critical.
Make sure you administer the prescribed amounts of insulin and consult the vet periodically to reevaluate the dog’s condition.