Many people in the world have diabetes and is not only found in humans but dogs as well. In this blog, we talk about foods for diabetic dogs and obesity as diabetes is closely associated with obesity.
In fact, diabetes is seen as a common disease in dogs. In the recent decade, there has been a drastic increase in the number of cases for dog diabetes Diabetes in dogs is a serious condition but can be managed. In some cases, diabetes may be reversed.
The
answer to managing this condition is to provide healthy foods for diabetic dogs. A diet composed of whole and nutritious
food will help your dog in maintaining a stable blood sugar level and a healthy
body weight.
Dogs
with diabetes can get cataracts and eventually blindness.
Dogs
who consume many foods with sugar content, foods containing large amounts of
carbohydrates, and who don’t get enough exercise are more susceptible to
diabetes.
Thus, it is crucial for you to provide the bestDiabetic Dog Food.
If
your dog is diagnosed with diabetes, you shouldn’t delay in providing it with a
diet made chiefly for diabetes for dogs.
Top 6 Diabetic Dog Food
1. Royal Canin Glycobalance Dry Dog Food – ($64.99) Especially useful when taken after a meal, this dry dog food is low in the glycemic index as well as in fats and calories.
2. Hill’s Prescription Diet Dry Dog Food ($81.69) The balanced formula of Hill’s prescription diet prevents excessive weight gain in dogs and ensures the maintenance of a healthy immune system. 3. Farmina N&D Ancestral Grain Dry Dog Food ($59.32) This dry dog food from Farmina contains long-lasting minerals and vitamins and helps in maintaining a balanced level of blood glucose.
4. Burns Weight Control Dry Dog Food ($11.54) One of the most highly digestible dry dog food, the Burn’s weight control formula has low carbs that assist in balancing blood glucose levels
5. Zignature Turkey Formula Dry Dog Food ($11.99) Very well-suited to dogs with food allergies, the Zignature formula contains omega fatty acids to keep skin and coat healthy.
6. Orijen Six Fish Dry Dog Food ($106.99) This Orijen diet contains rich proteins gotten from fish, chicken, and turkey that help in maintaining the exciting taste.
Understanding
Diabetes in Dogs
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What
is dog diabetes and what are its types? How does diabetes occur in dogs? Let’s
get into some details.
Diabetes
is an endocrine disorder relating to the insulin hormone that is produced and
released from within the pancreas.
Cells
in a dog’s body need the energy to function effectively. This energy comes from
glucose present in the dog’s diet, which the cells use.
Insulin
is secreted from the pancreas in order to regulate the amount of glucose utilized
by the cells. Insulin helps maintain the glucose level in blood.
During
diabetes, insulin is either not sufficiently produced or not well-used by the
body to digest glucose. Thus, glucose remains in the blood causing high blood
sugar or glucose level.
As
a result of the dog’s diabetes, he may need insulin for the rest of his life.
In
Type I diabetes, there is insufficient production of insulin due to the damaged
pancreas, whereas in Type II diabetes, the insulin is produced sufficiently,
but is not utilized well by the body.
Persistent
high blood sugar will involve the dog’s pancreas working excessively to create
enough insulin. Eventually, insulin may be produced in excess or the pancreas
may dysfunction, leading to the onset of diabetes.
Symptoms
>Symptoms
and Diagnoses of Diabetes in Dogs
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Diabetes
may have symptoms like the following:
Cataracts
Lethargy
Loss of appetite
Weakness in muscles
Loss of weight
Bad coat condition
Dehydration
Frequent urination
Depression
Weakness in rear legs
Dry skin
Increased thirst
Urine
and blood tests are necessary for diagnosing diabetes in dogs. The vet will
analyze the blood to look for an above-normal glucose level.
The
normal blood glucose levels in dogs are between 60 and 125 mg/dl.
The
vet will analyze urine samples to look for ketones and bacteria.
Managing >Managing and
Treating Diabetes in Dogs
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Dogs
who are overweight or obese are more susceptible to diabetes. Also, diabetes
usually affects middle-aged to senior dogs.
Certain
dog breeds are more vulnerable to diabetes such as Beagles, Fox Terriers,
Bichon Frises, Pugs, etc. Female dogs are more susceptible than male dogs.
Persistently
high blood sugar levels will make the internal organs dysfunction and may lead
to serious problems of the eye, heart, and kidney.
Type
I diabetes can be dealt with insulin injections as well as dietary
modifications, whereas, Type II diabetes can be treated with dietary changes,
weight management, and medications without the need for insulin injections.
During
insulin administration, the dog may have to be given injections two times in a
day.
The
vet will require testing the blood every two hours to assess changes in sugar
levels as a result of injections.
Keep
the feeding schedule as consistent as possible. Consider giving your dog injections
immediately after a meal.
Diabetes
treatment can be time-consuming and frustrating, but the condition can be
managed well by regular exercise and a healthy diet.
Managing >Managing Diabetes Through Diet
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Try
to adhere to the following rules in order to let your dog lead a healthier and
a longer life:
Feed your dog the same quantity of food daily, and at the
same hour of the day. Follow a disciplined schedule to help in regulating
levels of insulin in your dog’s body.
Monitor the intake of fibers and carbohydrates and ensure
providing them in balance.
Don’t avoid giving fatty foods unless in conditions such as
high triglycerides, pancreatitis, etc.
Always have a lot of protein in his diet.
Don’t ever give surprise meals to your dog. Doing so will
disorganize and hinder the proper digestion and the balance of insulin.
Knowing the
Die>Knowing the
Diets for Diabetic Dogs
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Your
vet may suggest a particular diet for your dog to lose weight and to control
his blood sugar.
The
following 5 things must be kept in mind with regard to dog food for diabetes:
High protein content: Unfatty protein is an essential
ingredient in a healthy diet, mainly for losing weight. Prefer foods for diabetic dogs like fish,
chicken, and turkey.
Low-to-moderate fat: Fats give energy to the dog and are
helpful in maintaining healthy skin and coats. Give less fatty food, especially
to overweight dogs.
Low glycemic index: For diabetic dogs, restrict the
carbohydrate intake as much as possible in order to prevent blood sugar from
going up.
Highly digestible: Look for fibrous foods for diabetic dogs as they help
your dog digest food and absorb nutrients. A highly fibrous food may help
regulate the dog’s sugar level.
All-ingredients: Avoid artificial additives for
diabetic dogs and always provide him with natural and whole food.
Healthy
Snack and>Healthy
Snack and Treat Foods for Diabetic Dogs
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Dogs
too, just like humans, should be restrictively given chocolates, sweets, and
bread due to their high sugar content.
When
giving diabetic dogs treats, prefer giving them pieces of fresh and green
vegetables. Apples are fine as an occasional treat and shouldn’t be given often
due to their high sugar content.
For
a more fulfilling treat, give your dog dehydrated meat. It may be worth buying
a home dehydrator for getting ready-to-eat diabetic-friendly, healthy dog
snacks.
Best Diabetic Dog F>Best Diabetic Dog Food
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Ensure
that the food you give your dog also contains fresh fruits and vegetables aside
from the type of ingredients given above. This fulfills the vitamin and mineral
requirements for your dog.
Here
is our list of best dog food for
diabetic dogs:
Royal Canin Glycobalance Dry Dog Food
This Diabetic Dog Food is specifically designed for diabetic dogs. It is made to assist in balancing the dog’s sugar level after meals.
The
main ingredients in the meal are barley and chicken, and it contains a low
glycemic index. There is a balanced presence of soluble and insoluble fibers
and thus a good option in managing weight.
There
is the presence of vitamins and minerals in this Royal Canin diet as well.
Low
in fats and calories, it contains high fibers and proteins. As it contains
wheat and gluten, it may not be a preferred option for owners with dogs who
have gluten allergies.
However,
if your main purpose is maintaining the glucose level, then no product can beat
this one.
Hill’s Prescription Diet Dry Dog Food
Hill’s Pet has a prescription formula to provide balanced and complete nutrition to tackle weight gain in dogs.
It
also assists in the maintenance of your dog’s normal blood glucose levels and
helps in healthy digestion.
This
diet helps in maintaining a healthy immune system and encourages good urinary
tract health through balanced minerals.
It ensures a healthy weight, sustains lean muscle, and regulates body fat. It also contains high amounts of fiber that help in regulating irregular glucose levels.
The
fiber also ensures that your dog gets a satisfactory meal by providing him a feeling
of fullness.
Farmina N&D Ancestral Grain Dry Dog Food
The
Farmina Diet has just the right amount of fats and proteins. It contains carbs
in limits, and long-lasting vitamins and minerals.
The
diet doesn’t contain famous items such as legumes or peas. It’s high in
proteins, has low fiber, and contains deboned chicken.
The
formula is low-glycemic helping dogs to maintain their blood sugar levels.
Its
natural omega fatty acids encourage a healthy coat and skin. Farmina diet also
contains antioxidants. No wheat and soy exist in the diet.
Burns Weight Control Dry Dog Food
This
diet consists of low glycemic index well-suited to adult and senior dogs with
diabetes. It is an entirely hypoallergenic food for maintaining good health.
Especially
good for dogs who have intolerance to certain types of food, it is also front
in the race for highly digestible foods.
Produced
with whole grain oats with plenty of soluble fiber. This food contains low
carbs that release glucose slowly, which naturally maintains the blood sugar
level.
This
food doesn’t contain artificial flavoring and coloring. It is highly digestible
and needs less feeding amounts, which in turn incurs less daily feeding costs
than other brands.
The
Burns diet contains healthy ingredients such as chicken, vitamins and minerals,
brown rice, oats, and peas.
Zignature Turkey Formula Dry Dog Food
Zignature diet is best for diabetic dogs with a sensitive stomach or food allergies. The formula has protein from fresh turkey and also contains grain-free carbs such as peas and chickpeas.
The
recipe is rich in omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids for keeping coat and skin in
healthy condition.
Zignature’s
formula contains limited ingredients ideal for maintaining your dog’s blood
sugar level.
The
downside of the formula is that it contains higher fat than required by some
dogs.
Orijen Six Fish Dry Dog Food
Your
dog may lose surprising amounts of weight in diabetes. This special diet from
Orijen Six Fish helps your dog gain weight rapidly and also helps in improving
his muscles.
This
recipe contains rich proteins acquired from the fish meat present in the diet.
The
majority of meat in the Orijen Six Fish diet is refrigerated and contains no
preservatives.
One-third
portion of the meat is rich in proteins with fish, chicken, and turkey as
ingredients.
The
liver of turkey and the freeze-dried chicken make the Orijen dry food recipe
tasty for even the most reluctant dogs.
It
is 100% free of grains. It is a whole and a balanced meal for your dog. It has
all the necessary minerals and vitamins and consists high amount of protein from
chicken and turkey.
This
Wellness meal also contains real fruits and vegetables. It doesn’t have
ingredients such as corn, wheat, and soy, or any other preservatives.
The
inclusion of antioxidants and probiotics is a plus for diabetic dogs. The
product contains sweet potatoes, spinach, etc. as fibers that help to keep
balance in glucose level.
This
meal is highly beneficial for dogs with Type II diabetes.
Merrick Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
Composed
of sweet potato and red meat of buffalo, this meal is very appropriate among foods for diabetic dogs.
This
Merrick diet is not sensitive to grains and has large amounts of Omega 3 and
Omega 6 fatty acids, much needed for skin health and overall dog health.
Your
dog will love the boneless buffalo protein that will remove gastrointestinal
problems and balance glucose levels.
As
a health bonus, it contains chondroitin and glucosamine. These help the dog to
carry its body weight easily without causing unnecessary strain.
The product has a lower fat content than many other products and contains high protein content. There are no additional preservatives in the diet.
Acana Heritage Dry Dog Food
One of the best dog foods for diabetic dogs is Acana Heritage meat. It consists of lamb, pork, and beef which make 60% of the meat ingredients.
Plants, fruits, and vegetables make up the remaining 40% of the ingredients. Compared to Glycobalance, it doesn’t have such low-calorie content, although the calorie content is higher than typical dog foods.
Fatty
acids are present in good amounts. Glucosamine present in the diet strengthens
the joints in dogs and helps dogs to easily carry the burden of their obese
bodies.
This
diet also contains healthy and nutritious content such as whole green peas and
red lentils.
Instinct Raw Boost Dry Dog Food
This diet from Instinct helps your dog maintain a healthy body weight. This recipe consists of raw bites combined with kibble that is rich in protein.
Instinct
Raw Boost diet is nutritious as it comes with a lot of proteins and fibers,
also having a low glycemic index and moderate fat content.
It consists of turkey, fresh chicken, and fish as lean protein sources. The recipe contains a richness of omega fatty acids for maintaining a healthy coat and skin.
Fresh vegetables and fruits provide essential nutrients. Augmented with digestion-assisting probiotics, it also has essential minerals and vitamins to provide balanced and complete nutrition.
This
product is a bit more expensive than many other foods for diabetic dogs.
Canned Foods
for Diabetic Dogs>Canned Foods
for Diabetic Dogs
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Canned
food for diabetic dogs is a good
option as it is low in carbohydrates and high in proteins.
Canned
foods are wet foods, and not all wet foods are appropriate for your dog. A good
practice is to look for canned food that has a moderate fat level, high-quality
animal protein, and low carbohydrate level.
Proteins
are a source of sustainable energy and don’t lead to drastic changes in sugar
level like carbohydrates. Fats are important but contain a lot of calories.
Keeping
your immune system efficiently running through vitamins, fiber, and
antioxidants help your dog in effectively fighting illnesses so that his body
can better deal with digestion and absorption.
There
are a lot of products that are marketed to improve your dog’s health and to fight
various conditions.
When
buying canned food, carefully
evaluate ingredients that affect your dog’s overall health, carbohydrates, and
sources of proteins.
Discuss
with your veterinarian about transitioning your dog safely to a new type of
food, especially more important in the case of diabetic dogs.
Frequently
Asked Questions on Diets for Diabe>Frequently
Asked Questions on Diets for Diabetic Dogs
lycemic index in food?
It
is the amount of sugar content in a particular food. The glycemic index in
foods such as fruits and vegetables is low because of the presence of less
sugar.
On
the contrary, products of wheat such as rice have more sugar and thus a high
glycemic index. Bread too is a food with high glycemic index and it should also
be avoided for your dog.
What amount of food can be given to a dog daily?
As
a guiding rule, diabetes-specific food should be one-third of their daily
meals. You can see guidelines on the food packs of manufacturers on how much
diabetic food you should give to your dog.
How frequently should I feed my diabetic dog?
Ideally,
the dogs can be fed twice in a day. If an insulin injection is to be given,
then it is advised to give food around 30 to 45 minutes prior to giving insulin
injections.
How much fat, carbohydrates, and fiber should be there in my diabetic dog’s food?
Though
fat is necessary, it should be given in controlled amounts to avoid your dog being
overweight or underweight.
Especially
in the case of diabetes, the dog needs much more protein than fat because he
needs to do more physical activity.
Carbohydrates
are the culprits for the rise in sugar levels. Buy foods for diabetic dogs that are low in carbohydrates so that
proper blood sugar levels are maintained.
Fiber
is an essential component of nutritious food as it cleans the digestive system
and helps it in staying active. It also reduces the release of glucose in the
body and thus decreases the chances of your dog getting diabetes.
Many
wheat products comprise of fiber to reduce the activity of glucose in canines.
Should artificial additives and preservatives be avoided?
Many
dog foods these days contain preservatives, primarily to accelerate the manufacturing
process and maintain their freshness for long.
However,
additives and preservatives are harmful to your dog just as they are for
humans. So, it is best to entirely avoid foods with artificial ingredients.
Why doesn’t my dog want to have food or water?
Firstly,
the case may be that your dog doesn’t like the taste of the food. Secondly,
this can occur as a result of gastroparesis or ketoacidosis.
During
ketoacidosis, when the dog’s body is unable to utilize glucose because of the
absence of insulin, fats are mobilized for use as energy. Ketones form when
fats breakdown, and, as a result, loss of appetite occurs.
When
the food moves very slowly in the dog’s stomach, gastroparesis occurs. It is a
nervous system fault. This can result in a loss of appetite as well.
Why does my dog get very hungry?
Uncontrolled
thirst and frequent urination are common symptoms of dog diabetes, but some
dogs also experience uncontrolled hunger.
When
insulin is not utilized well, glucose becomes less absorbable by the cells. Consequently,
the dog’s body starts to exploit fat. When your dog loses weight and his body
is unable to absorb nutrients, he becomes very hungry.
How is diabetes in dogs treated naturally?
Besides
administering insulin injections, there are a few natural ways with which you
can treat diabetes. Together with giving your dog a balanced diet, you must
also provide him consistent exercise.
Ensure
that the diet is rich in protein and fiber consisting of low-to-moderate fat
content and restricted amounts of carbohydrates.
The
food should have low glycemic content to prevent increasing your dog’s sugar
level. The diet should also be well-digestible and nutritionally balanced.
Can a diabetic dog eat regular dog food?
Diabetic
dog food will contain all the necessary amounts of required nutrients. On the
other hand, regular food will consist of potentially dangerous nutrients in
inappropriate amounts for a diabetes-friendly diet.
You
can and you may give your dog the regular food in little quantity once in a
while. However, it won’t benefit your dog’s diabetic condition.
Moreover,
providing your dog with regular food frequently will completely disturb the
balance in the diabetic diet that you are aiming to provide to your dog.
How old do most diabetic dogs live?
Providing
your diabetic dog insulin is necessary, or else, he will die. You mustn’t
assume that your diabetic dog will die soon once he is diagnosed.
There
are many factors that contribute to his life expectancy. Without properly
treating your dog, he may develop diabetes-related conditions such as blindness
that could most likely kill him.
If
your dog is treated properly, given the right diet in the right way, and is
kept physically fit, he can even live his entire lifespan in the same way as
other non-diabetic dogs.
Homemade Food For Diabetic Dogs
Homemade Food For Diabetic Dogs"async" src="https://www.sheknows.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/double_meat_kpmwih.jpeg" alt=""/>
Diabetic
dog food can also be prepared at home. Many believe that home recipe foods for diabetic dogs are hard to
prepare. This is true to some extent only.
The
challenge occurs because preparers have to make food that is consistent in
sugar and calories, while still maintaining a balanced diet.
There are recipes for homemade food available for diabetic dogs that can be prepared easily by following certain guidelines.
Below
are two recipes for homemade food for diabetic dogs:
Fresh Vegetables and Turkey:
Ingredients: pumpkins, turkey,
carrots, spinach, and cinnamon
Procedure: Blend all the ingredients
thoroughly at 125°F and put
them in a dehydrating pan for 6 to 11 hours.
Procedure: Mix two pieces of chicken
breasts with asparagus, parsley, and broccoli. Gently boil the ingredients until
they become soft. Finally, add cooked brown rice.
Let us know how you have managed your
dog’s diabetes.
We will keep you posted with the latest
updates on the dog world.
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