Diabetic Dog Food

Share

The following items represent some of The Dog Food Advisor’s most frequently asked questions about diabetic dog food.

Where can I get suggestions for specific dog foods for my diabetic dog?

Diabetes is a serious condition and can be life threatening. The food you select can play a crucial role in your dog’s treatment. Consult your dog’s veterinarian first for specific product recommendations.

What kinds of foods make the best candidates for my diabetic dog?

Public information regarding canine diabetes and diet appears to be somewhat limited.

To help keep blood sugar stable, one should look for foods that contain moderate dietary fiber and a low-glycemic index.

How much fiber should a diabetic dog consume?

Although higher dietary fiber was initially believed to be beneficial, recent studies have suggested there may be no real advantage to high fiber diets compared to the moderate type associated with most commercial foods.1

What is the glycemic index?

The glycemic index is a scientific measure of how easily a particular food can be converted to blood glucose (sugar).

Dog foods with a low-glycemic index exhibit less of a tendency to raise a dog’s blood glucose (sugar) level than others.

Where can I get more information about low glycemic dog foods?

The Glycemic Research Institute in Washington, DC maintains a website that posts a list of dog foods certified to be low-glycemic.

What type of dog foods have a lower glycemic index?

In general, dog foods with the lowest carbohydrate content exhibit a lower glycemic index.

Since most kibbles are carbohydrate based, low-carb canned foods should be given serious consideration when selecting candidates for diabetic pets.

Footnotes

  1. Rand JS et al, Centre for Companion Animal Health, School of Veterinary Science, The University of Queensland, “Diet in the prevention of diabetes and obesity in companion animals”, Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2003;12 Suppl:S6 ↩
  • http://whatkindofdogshouldi.com/ WhatKindOfDogShouldiget

    I think you can view lablador if you have a large house, but if you live in a flat, then you can have a Chihuahua.

  • Woofers1375

    Has his thyroid levels been checked?  Our dog was diagnosed with diabetes in December 2012.  Her blood sugar levels would not come down, despite raising her insulin doseages.  We found out last week that she was hypothyroid, and once we got her on meds for that, her sugar levels are coming down.  Flakey skin and thin hair are signs of low thyroid.

  • Kristin Evans

    Hi Judy~

    SORRY THIS IS SO LENGTHY!!! 
    I got carried away trying to help by sharing my experience (in detail in
    turns out, but hopefully not in vain).  Canine
    diabetes is a treatable disease and
    once under control, your companion can lead a happy, healthy life!

    I’m new to the diabetes thing (my 9 y/o male Jack Russell Terrier was diagnosed
    about 6 weeks ago) but have done a lot of reading/studying/researching on the
    subject in the last month.

     

    If your boy is still drinking/urinating a lot, his blood
    sugar & diabetes is most likely still NOT
    UNDER CONTROL and his insulin probably needs to be increased.

    His excessive water consumption and weight loss indicate hyperglycemia (high
    blood sugar).  His body is trying to excrete excess blood sugar [BS] thru
    the kidneys (a losing proposition).  If he hasn’t put weight back on or
    has perhaps lost even more, his body is burning lean muscle tissue for energy
    since it can’t convert food he eats to glucose (usable energy) due to the
    diabetes (he’s essentially starving to death despite eating – probably
    ravenously if he’s like my guy was before being diagnosed).

    Our Experience:
    Vet advised/warned us that the 1st month of insulin treatment may be
    labor-intensive & daunting since it would require daily monitoring and
    adjustments every 3 days to increase insulin until BS reached healthy levels. 
    Thereafter, it gets easier since the day-to-day testing isn’t required once the
    right insulin amount is determined.

    We test our dog’s 1st morning urine w/ Glucose Urinalysis Strips: goal per vet
    is 250mg/dL (different dogs/ages/starting blood sugar reading may be
    different-I’d consult w/vet for specifics for your situation). We started him
    at 5 units of insulin, 2xday and are up to 12 units, 2xday (4 weeks into
    treatment so far).  We’ll continue to increase by 1 unit increments every
    3 days until morning glucose strip indicates we’ve attained goal BS levels.

    Our poor guy was drinking soooo much water he’d make himself sick/throw-up
    (again, body’s attempt to rid itself of excess blood sugar…dogs can actually
    end up dehydrated despite drinking & drinking…our boy had to be
    hospitalized 3 days for intravenous fluids).  Upon discharge, vet told us
    to regulate/restrict his H2O to 1 cup/hour until we got his diabetes under
    control w/ insulin.  An easy barometer to know if treatment is working:  THIRST…when consumption begins to decrease or
    returns to “normal”, you’re moving in the right direction.

    The GOOD NEWS:

    When blood sugar levels had begun dropping after about 2.5
    weeks of insulin (gradually increased from initial 5 units, 2xday up to 11 units,
    2xday, based on glucose readings and close vet supervision), his water
    consumption decreased to near NORMAL!!  He’s also finally starting to
    regain weight, not eating as though he’s starving, dry/scaly skin is almost
    gone, his temperament isn’t as irritable/unpredictable with rest of pack mates
    (we have 5 other dogs & diabetic boy had gotten quite aggressive & we
    didn’t know why), and his old puppy-energy and personality are finally back! 
    All these improvements despite not yet reaching “Goal” blood sugar levels 4
    weeks into the process (we’re really close though…I’m thinking 13 units twice/day
    is gonna be the lucky number!).

     

    Also, SPECIAL DIET should consist of high-quality/premium
    kibble that is heaviest in protein, high in fiber, and derives its
    carbohydrates from a low-glycemic source (NOT potatoes).  We just switched to Dogswell Nutrisca,
    Grain-Free, Potato-Free…“5-Star” rated dog food, ideal for diabetics, per this
    website…too early to see any changes in BS readings but other pet parents
    report positive effect on diabetes.

     

    The very best of luck to you and your sick puppy.  I truly believe you can find additional relief
    for him through increased insulin therapy with the help of a patient,
    encouraging vet who will closely monitor your dog’s progress with you.  Perhaps also changing his diet as indicated above
    may also be necessary.

    Hope some of this info is helpful to you Judy!!

  • Judydeaton

    my diabetic dog has been on low dose insulin and special diet since December. he has lost a great deal of weight and is very very thin. His skin is flakey and his hair is thin. I add vitamine e drops to his food. Still drinks and urinates a great deal. Is there anything else I can do to make him comfortable.

  • Ngdixie

    http://www.gripetfoods.com/CertifiedDogFoods.htm
    This is the list of appropriate dog food who has diabetes.  I personally will suggest Orijen Senior.  But up to you.  

    Ultimately, the best food to give your dog is a raw diet.

  • Sbbuttons

    Ihave an american beagle and he is 8years old and has diabetes , and our vet put him on a food that he can’t eat, because it has meal product and whaet and other stuff,can someone recomend a food that we can try.

  • Sbbuttons

    What brand of food shuold I feed my dog that has diabetes/

  • Toxed2loss

    Hi kt,
    Dogs on high grain carb diets are more prone to diabetes, so a food that has high animal protein and fat is going to keep the blood sugar balanced better. Many times if the food contains MSG, hidden or otherwise it will make your dog seem always hungry. It stimulates appetite. I only have 2 kibbles that I’d recommend. Great life grain and potato free and Brother’s. As the eyeball is predominantly glutathione, supplement with that. It may help recover your dogs vision, and may help with the diabetes. MAY, I’ve read quite abut about glutathione in humans, so it’s worth a shot! Food sources of glutathione or precursors are grass fed liver, or free range raw eggs. Just my 2¢.

    Hop over to the wysong thread for the current dscussion on MSG.

  • kt

    I have a pug who is a diabetic, and blind .What is a good over the counter dry dog food I need a break somewhere. I pay for insultin wet W/D dog food from the vet and have to take him to the vet every 2 weeks for blood tests.He is constantly hungry he seems never satisfied even after he eats.

  • http://www.petfooddirect.co.nz/ Liam @ Buy Dogfood online

    Diabetes is a complex issue in dogs and I am disappointed at the quality of some so-called diabetic foods. They seem to contain a lot of plant-based ingredients which have questionable nutritional value. I know you are not a vet but do you have any more specific guidelines on selecting a reasonable food for a diabetic dog?