If your dog is suffering from diabetes, here’s a diabetic dog diet that you can follow, to help him/her cope with this condition. Follow these easy steps, and precautionary measures, to keep your dog risk free from this condition escalating…
Diabetes mellitus, which in short is known as just diabetes, is when insulin levels fluctuate, leading to two kinds of situations, namely, hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia. The insulin helps in controlling glucose levels in the blood, maintaining the right amount that the body needs. Similar to humans, dogs go through this as well, and need a special diet, just like you would need yourself if you had diabetes. If your dog’s condition goes untreated, and he/she carries canine diabetes for a long period of time, it could lead to urinary tract infection, or even cataract. If it is found earlier, it’ll help you to take care of your dog the right way, by giving the medication he/she needs to help them cope with this dog illness.
Diabetic Dog Diet Plan
To help your dog deal with this condition, you need to incorporate certain ways of preparing their meals, as well as providing exactly what they need. There are many dog owners that don’t know if their pets have diabetes, so understanding the diabetes symptoms in a dog is imperative, when taking care of one. Here we help you to get them started on a diabetic diet, in a manner that is efficient.
Foods to Avoid for a Diabetic Dog
These foods need to be strictly prohibited from a diabetic dog food list, since it can prove to be harmful, and even fatal, if he/she were to eat this.
- Raisins
- Onions
- Wheat gluten
- Cornmeal
- Canned food
- Avoid fatty organ meat/skin
- White rice
- Chocolate
- Wheat flour
- Garlic
- Baked doggy treats
- Grapes
- Eliminate human food that contains sugar
- Don’t just feed him meat, give portions of greens and grains as well
- Artificial sweeteners
Strict Diet Regime
Diabetic dogs need to have foods that are rich in vitamins, minerals, proteins and contain limited amounts of carbohydrates and fats. You need to make sure meals contain all these crucial elements, and avoid giving him/her food that is meant for you/others of the household. You need to increase their protein and fiber intake, and cut down on fats and carbohydrates. This is important to keep in mind since diabetic dogs need a completely different method of eating and cannot indulge in any kind of food.
Dog breeds that are highly at risk in getting diabetes are.
- Pugs
- Keeshond
- Beagles
- Miniature/Toy poodles
- Standard/Miniature Schnauzer
- Samoyed
- Australian Terrier
All Natural Meals
Your dog needs a diet, that contains only natural ingredients. This means that you have to completely eliminate/substitute processed foods with foods that are well cooked. It is advisable to put your dog on a diet that doesn’t consist of raw meat, to avoid any kind of problems that may arise. Natural foods include a good portion of fresh fruits and vegetables, from produce that isn’t canned or processed in any way when making homemade diabetic dog food. This ensures that the foods come with all their vitamins and minerals intact, along with good sugar content that won’t prove harmful to your dog. Add in a lot of vitamin E to their diet, to help them cope with the diabetes.
Grains can be given as well, to provide lots of fiber that will help your diabetic dog, but don’t include in a large amounts, but minimal. Alternate it with other dishes, but don’t overdo it for the dog. Choosing the diabetic dog food, requires that you make sure it contains all natural ingredients. Natural dog foods that are commercially available in the market, that specially cater to diabetic dogs are.
- Hill’s Science Diet
- Newman’s Own Advanced Dog Food
- Purina Veterinary Diets DCO (Diabetes) Dog Food
- Solid Gold Natur-Bone (Diabetic Dogs)
Companies like Natur-Bone, also provide diabetic dog treats to give your dog in between meals, or as a healthy snack.
Taking care of a dog that needs a diabetic diet can prove to be a little hard initially, but you’ll get used to it. Just remember to keep a tab on his/her insulin injections and medication, and accordingly monitor glucose levels to find out how much you need to administer. When getting into canine diabetic treatment, you can use a blood glucose meter, for more accurate results, when giving him/her his daily dose of medicines.