Diabetic Dog Food - What Should My Dog Eat Now?
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It's hard to watch your dog when he or she is sick, but one ailment that's definitely treatable in dogs is diabetes. Just as with people, the primary way of managing diabetes is through proper diet and eating habits. So what diabetic dog food should you give your dog?
5 Simple Things You Should Do Now for your Dog's Health
A short free mini-course I found on reading commerical dog food labels, weaning your dog from commercial dog food and making dog food for your pet. Click here to start making changes to the way you feed and care for your dog beginning today.
Diabetic Dog Food
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Nutritious Diabetic Dog Cookies All Natural Dog Treats
Price: $11.95
List Price: $14.95 |
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AlphaTRAK CONTROL SOLUTION - TWO 4.0 mL Bottles
Price: $18.07
List Price: $35.99 |
The major change you will have to make is avoid giving your dog food with sugar and carbs. You might be amazed about the amounts of carbohydrates and sugar contained in commercial dog food. Carbohydrates are considered a form of sugar because the body converts it into glucose. When blood sugar plummets too low, it results in hypoglycemia, which is a series condition. Dry food is the biggest culprit, but soft-moist dog food can be high in carbs too. Here are some points to keep in mind when developing your dog's diet.
1. NATURAL FOOD IS BEST.
The number one solution for your diabetic dog is to feed him or her a diet of homemade foods so you can track of exactly how much carbohydrates and sugar they are getting. A homemade diet of natural foods isn't as expensive or as much work as you might think. I mean, you are probably already preparing meals for yourself/your family at least some of the time. Check out the many Websites with advice and easy recipes for natural dog food.
2. IF NOT NATURAL, USE HIGH QUALITY MANUFACTURED FOOD.
If you cannot avoid commercially manufactured dog food altogether, it is better to give your pooch good quality canned food that is low in carbohydrates and low in sodium. Canned dog food made especially for diabetic dogs is a safer way to go, but make sure it is high in protein. Even better if the food is organic. Since diabetes affects liver functions--and thus the immune system--the liver is less able to handle additives often found in commercial dog food. Check the ingredients on the label.
3. AVOID MOST DRY DOG FOODS.
Most dry dog foods are largely made up of simple carbohydrates (sugars and/or starches). You are looking to drastically decrease your diabetic dog intake of carbs, especially simple carbs. There are some dry diabetic dog foods that are generally safe, but still check the ingredients to make sure it is high in protein and vegetables. Even so, dry dog food, diabetic or not, should never be the sole form of food--there is just not enough nutrition in it.
Homemade Dog Food
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The Pocket Idiot's Guide to Homemade Dog Food
Price: $4.60
List Price: $9.95 |
- Exercise and Diabetic Dogs
Diet isn't the only change you should make if your dog is diagnosed with diabetes. Exercise and movement is also important to maintaining your diabetic dog's health. Get tips here.
4. WATCH THE FAT, TOO.
The pancreas has a lot of work to do in a body with diabetes. In addition to regulating blood sugar and insulin, it also produces enzymes that break down fats. With diabetes, it is important not to overstress it more with fatty meats. Choose low-fat meats like poultry. Some fat is needed for good health, but it is best to minimize the amount as much as possible.
5. INCLUDE A FEW 'GOOD' GRAINS.
Certain grains like millet, oats, and brown rice are beneficial for diabetic dogs. These provide fiber and also help to control the levels of insulin, but you have to use them sparingly.
6. DON'T FORGET THE VEGGIES.
Fresh vegetables and raw fruits add nutrients and vitamins to your dog's diet. Don't panic about the natural sugars in fruit and vegetables, it does not have the detrimental effects on insulin levels that processed sugar does. Add in your dog's diet in moderation.
7. AND OF COURSE, DO NOT GIVE YOUR DOG FOODS WITH SUGAR.
Make sure sugar or its other forms (sucrose, fructose, syrup, etc.) is not on the list of ingredients. No baked goods in the diet either, including most dog biscuits.
Keep in mind, also, that the amount of food that your dog eats must be carefully monitored. It is better for diabetic dogs that they eat 2 or 3 smaller meals a day than one large meal to keep blood sugar levels even.
Before making any changes to your dog's diet, it is important to consult a vet about the diabetic dog food diet your pet needs, and give those foods that your dog tolerates well.
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My dog tends to be a fussy eater but adores chicken.
Great information here. Thanks:)
Julieanne, It is surprising how many people don't know that dogs need and like veggies. I love that your Mom did that!
Thanks Lyn. You know, fussy eater's are a challenge, especially when you have to change their diet. As with all of us I guess, time and patience (and more time and patience).
I give my border collie and my dachshund carrots for snacks instead of a rawhide for quite sometime.. They love it.. Also another veggie favorite of theirs is aspargus.. When I break the stalk I give them the other half..
Border collie has been diabetic for a just over a month... surprisely considering she had such a great diet.. You just never know ...
True. Some dogs and people are just have more of a propensity for developing the condition depending on the diet. And so many commercial dog foods are not completely forthcoming about all the ingredients they use. I have to try the asparagus--I hadn't thought of that.
If your dog has diarrhea mixing rice with their food and even some unflavored Metamucil helps to firm up stool. Pedigree is really not a very good food to begin with. Neither is IAMs Beneful Purina or any of the other foods you have usually heard of. The first several ingredients are usually corn (we know what happens when our body gets corn, we poop it out and don’t use it, same with dogs) meat by products (the take the meat off of whatever it is and you get the bones, feathers, coat, feet, beaks, etc) and white or brewers rice (no nutritional value, just a filler) because of this our dogs need to eat more to get the nutrients they need and poop a lot more too. Also...science diet and eukanuba are not very good foods either. They used to be but they were bought out by other companies who, to save money, changed the ingredients to fillers and by products. These foods cost about the same as the all naturals foods and you are getting pedigree quality food. You can check all the ingredients yourself. Stay away from the first 3 ingredients being corn, by products of any kind, and white or brewer’s rice. Go for foods with chicken, chicken meal, or any meats that don’t have by product after them, and BROWN rice. These are good foods. Try going to a specialty pet store and ask about a better food. Precise, Royal Canin, and Verus are all really good foods. When you look at the ingredients they will be along the lines of Chicken, brown rice (the only rice with nutritional value for dogs), and usually another protein source such as chicken meal (chicken meal is just dehydrated chicken, very good) your dogs will eat much less of the food so even though it cost a bit more you go through less food and it ends up saving you money. They also poop less, live longer, and are overall healthier. I have four shih tzus and I feed them Royal Canin dry food. 10lbs of that food last us over a month. 4 adults dogs eating only 10lbs of food between the 4 of them is pretty good! These foods are also all natural and organic so they are never involved in any recalls; you know your food is always safe. Go to your local pet store and ask about these brands (Precise, Royal Canin, Verus, Wellness, California Natural, Innova, Canidae, Merrik) many stores, such as Pets Plus, will even give you your money back for the dog food if your dog doesn’t like it and has programs such as buy 10 bags get your 11th free. It's worth a try and trust me your dogs will love it.
Wow Emma, that was thorough! Great info!
I found this website ectremely eye opening and interesting. I have 2 dogs, both adopted, one has Diabetes and the other has Epalepsy. Both, at present are eating Purina DCO dry, and Purina OM. Both of these foods were veterinary perscribed. This article makes me want to start making my boys food myself so that I know what is really in it.
I'm glad you found this useful. I haven't gone to a complete homemade diet myself yet, but at least half the food my Bronx eats I make for him. It really doesn't take long if you cook anyway, even a little bit. Check with your vet, but do think about making the transition!
I had three wolfhounds from being pupies, and I was advised to feed them tripe as the main protein, becuase they could digest the vast amount they needed to support thier rapid growth, and also boiled onions!
They all grew up healthy ad strong, so that seemed to be good advice.
i have a diabetic dog and she is in real good shape she is 9 years old and needs a home is there someone out there that can pelp me e-mail me at christine13570@aol.com
Emma, Thanks so much for your info. Just found out my 99# GSD has diabetes and am exploring the various foods. The vet recommended the Purina DCO. THe second ingredient is corn. I asked her about this and she dismissed it (she would sell me the stuff). The food is important!
MY POODLE HAS DIABETES. HE WAS 15LBS., NOW HE.S 10LBS. IN ONLY 3 WEEKS. IS THERE ANY ONE THAT KNOWS OF A GOOD FOOD TO PUT HIM ON.
Just came by this site. Today I found out my dog of 13yrs, now has Diabetes. Just couldn't believe my ears when my Vet. said he has diabetes. He gave me a choice either insulin shots everyday or try this Purina DOC dog food. Does anyone know of any other foods?
Does anyone know where I can find `Homemade Diabetic Recipes`so I can make the food myself for my 11 year old Diabetic poodle.He's on Prescription WD canned, but it seems like it's lacking something that my Dog "Red" needs.
MY DOG DIABETIC HES EATING PERSCRIPTION HILLS WD DOG FOOD A LITTLE CANNED MIX WITH DRY,,HE LOVES IT,,BUT POPES ABOUT 6 TIMES A DAY ,,THE VET SAID THAT WAS OK. THERES ONLY THAT OR THE PURINA, MY OTHER DOG HAD STONES HAS TO EAT PERSCRIPTION CD...IM GOING BROKE, BUT ITS VERY IMPORTANT TO FEED THEM RIGHT, IM BESIDE MY SELF I SPEND ABOUT $120 A MONT ON FOOD, PLUS INSULIAN & NEEDLES, AT LEAST HE LOVES THE FOOD I MIX A LITTLE WATER WITH IT..
Wow, there needs to be more info out on diabetic dog food. I will be more hubs on it.
My vet put my min pin who is diabetic on Hills WD. I mix the canned and the dry. He loves it and has been on it for about 3 months. I also give him raw carrots as a treat since he can't have rawhide. His sugar goes up if i just feed him the dry, therefore I recommend you give him more of the canned than the dry. He stays hungry all the time and wants to eat 4 times a day. My vet said to only feed him when he gets his insulin shots in the am and pm.
Carrots are a great idea. I give my dog those too. And the dry typically has so much starch in it that is doesn't seem surprising that his sugar goes up. But from the vets I talk to it sounds like you have your dog on a solid management plan!
My yorkie, Petey, had pancreatitus, they think and now he has diabetus and is on 2 shots a day. They gave me wd food, but he will not eat it, and as it important with the insulin, to eat we are using the eukanuba weight management. But, the more I read, maybe the dry food is bad. I don't know what to do. I have had him to two differnt vets, so far. Peteys blood sugar is higher now, than it was before he went to the hospital. I just want him to be taken care of the best that I can do, and that means me learning everything I can about this.
Hi! My Papillion mix 21 year old dog just got diagnosed with diabetes. My vet gave him Hills, he ate if just fine for a couple of weeks now he wont eat. So I cooked some chicken and carrots and hes back to eating. Any other ideas.?
I have had my min pin on Hills WD for about 5 months. He started getting a rash and his hair is falling out in spots. Everyone said I should take him off the WD regardless of what my vet said because of the grain in it. I did a lot of research and decided to try Halo Spots Stew. I use the chicken formula. He loves it and it really agrees with him. He now sleeps through the night and does not pee nearly as much. I had to gradually take him off the WD so he has been on the Halo alone for about a week. I am hoping this will clear up his skin problem. Has anyone else had this problem with their dogs skin? The Halo dog food is organic and looks like human stew. It has green beans, peas, carrots, barley oats and chicken.
My beautiful dalmatian is a new diabetic. The Vet wants me to buy their foods but my dog will not eat it so I started to make her food by feeding her chicken, brown rice, and when I make beef stew for the family, she gets some also. I also give her vegs. and small dish of slice apples as a treat. She is doing good for now.
Excellent information, I agree, homemade dog food is the best!
Two weeks ago, my 13 year old miniature dashund was found to be diabetic. Vet recommend rice and chicken or beef. I put one bag of white rice and eight thighs of chicken in a large pan with one can broth and water. Pour water in a couple of more times and let it cook for 45mins at 450 degrees. Cost for food $3.50 for five days. My Casey is picky about her food, but she loved it and so did I. It helped with her glucose level. Carrots for treats!
My dog has diabetes and receives two shots of insulin per day. I have tried just about everything commercial for him and everything raised his blood sugar to an unhealthy level. I am now feeding him ground beef (browned and drained of all fats) along with raw zucchini and a small amount of his organic dry dog food. He is doing really well on this diet and his blood sugar is under control.
All the mentions of carrot as a treat for diabetic dogs here really concerns me. We USED to use carrots as treats for our dog BEFORE he was diabetic. But after he became diabetic, we stopped because our vet and my husband's own nutritionist confirmed carrots have sugar in them naturally. With diabetes, you want to avoid as much sugar (processed or natural) as possible. Fruits, for the most part, are similar too. We agree with our vet and my husband's endriconologist/nutrionist...carrots and fruit are not an ideal "treat" for a diabetic dog or human.
I did my own research on Carrots and it was a thought that the small amount of sugar in Raw or Cooked Carrots were not good for Diabetic pups or people, but I found it was okay, in fact, Casey has cushions disease and given carrots twice a week, I saw a big difference before she was diagnose with cushion. Casey gets Vit E and Selenium, daily, and half a carrot, twice a week. The Carrots keep her from gaining weight, but feel full. She also eats Science Diet dog food and loves it!! Just like people, pets dont like the same thing everyday so she gets, all natural dog treats or carrots as treats. She acts like a jack rabbit and at 13 years old, she acting like a puppy. Her coat is changing from white to Red, she's looking younger than older. Insulin shots are given every 12 hours, and glucose is monitored. She eats an hour before shots, so far, she is stable and the carrots are not effecting her. Casey looks and feel great! Casey has lost weight and does not beg for food. Today, my vet gave me VetoryL Capsules for cushion's disease.
I was researching different dog food and came across a site for Blue Buffalo. It seems to be pretty good. Does anyone know anything about it? Tried it?
Thanks!
My 10-year-old doxie-cocker girl was diagnosed with diabetes about 2 weeks ago. She is on insulin injections twice daily and her blood glucose is not regulated yet. The vet prescribed Hills WD, but at over $2.00/can and with other mouths to feed I've been preparing her meals myself. I think I have a clear understanding of the nutrients she needs and which foods to avoid, but I'm wondering how crucial it is to count calories. I've read that ingredients and amounts should remain consistent at each meal, but I want to be able to give her a variety of healthy foods. How difficult is it to accomplish this without being tied to a calculator and food scale??
My 10 year old bassett was diagnosed two and a half weeks ago with diabetes. I am on a fixed and low income and I too, would like to find a basic cheap mix of food that would be good for her. How about plain cheerios and hamburger (fat drained of course) or tuna and brown rice, both with some kind of vegetable?
If I could get an idea of a "main mix" and add more for nutritional purposes, that would help out greatly.
Thank you
It seems that older dogs (& maybe all dogs) need a diet that is about 75% meat and 25% dietary fiber & vegetables. Thus, a 1-cup amount of food would include 3/4 cup of cooked/drained ground turkey(or ckn, fish, beef) and 1/4 cut of brown rice & vegetables (peas/carrots/greenbeans) mixed together, along with a good vitamin supplement. Add small amt of oats or wheat germ (more dietary fiber) or ground eggshells (for calcium) occasionally. Use canned pumpkin (not the pie filling) for diarreha or constipation. My JRT dog is 9 yrs old and diabetic and after spending a fortune on Science Diet WD and she hasn't lost one ounce (although was stable with insulin shots 2x day), I decided to try the natural, home cooked diet. She is due another glucose test in 2 wks, so that should tell me if it's going well.
My 13 year old Bichon-Poo has had liver disease for several years, and now has had diabetes for a year. We feed him Canned W/D mixed with some other holistic canned food. Every few months, we'll notice he gets thirstier or hungrier and end up "upping" his dose of Vetsulin. He also gets milk thistle 2x daily, a natural vitamin E, and a SAMe pill once a day. We also give him an Omega 3/6/9 a few times a week to help with the skin issues. He loves his baby carrot when he's rewarded for his shot. We need to find a better dry food. We've tried regular brands and prescription brands so far and none have helped with the diabetes. Still looking and experimenting. We might just have to go all homemade holistic.
My dog was diagnosed with Diabetes couple of months ago. I have him on ground beef (7% fat), green beans, fat free cottage cheese, bone meal and carrots. I have not been able to get him under control and just found out I should be giving him a snack in the middle of the day instead of another meal, hence the reason for the high glucose level when I take his blood at 6:00PM. Also, for the life of me I can't seem to get him to gain weight and he has lost muscle mass. Any thoughts/help? Also, right now he is about 60 lbs and I would like to put him on some Vitamin E. Have not a clue as to how much and is it ok to give him the same Vit. E that I take. Has anyone ever heard of GlucoBalance. Saw it on another site. Sorry for so many questions but I am new to this and just want to help him any way I can.
Our Molley (11 year old Westie) became diabetic last September and has been on a home cooked diet since then. She gets 2 injections a day and eats - Chicken or mince (110gm), rice (100gm) and mixed veg (180gm) plus a vitamin tablet and Extra Virgin Olive oil split between three meals a day. She is quite stable on this regime and so is her weight. I find mince with a bit of fat in it helps keep the weight on her. She has now developed sore feet and I have had to buy her shoes so that she can get her walking done and maintain the walk/eat/insulin ratio. Exercise is very important so don´t skip on it. I also check her glucose curve with an ordinary Aviva blood glucose monitor (I lance the inside of her lip it is the easiest way and she doesn´t mind at all). If you cannot do this your vet will want to see your dog for 3 to 4 times in one day and take blood to see if your dog remains inside the acceptable sugar levels throughout the day and if necessary, alter the insulin you administer. Once your are stable they will not need to do this so often.
My question has been what is the correct percentage of protein she should get ? I do not seem to be able to get an answer to this. I am aware that as they get older they should not eat so much protein and our other dog died of renal failure (he had fanconie syndrome)I am a bit protein phobic. Any info ?
Linda F - if you are testing your dog's blood daily, then you are testing it too often. One of the first things I learned when my dog became diabetic 7 years ago was that the most up to date thinking on blood testing for insulin levels for dogs should be done by your vet no more than once a week or so until your dog stabilizes, and then you keep the dog on that amount of insulin until something changes. The worst thing you can do is check your dog's blood sugar daily and try to adjust insulin amounts based on that - you'll be over-or-under reacting each time. The best thing to do, before you worry too much about the supplements. I can't comment on the diet you are feeding your dog as I use the Hill's prescription diet food. My dog has had diabetes for 7 years now - she will turn 13 in a week and is the healthiest 13 year old austrailan shepard you'll ever see. She went on two 6 to 8 mile hikes with me in just the last week. The only other diabetes related issue she has had is cataracts. For all of you with diabetic dogs - keep the faith, you can control this. Just get control over your dog's blood sugar levels. And remember this - the more overweight your dog is the less likely you are to keep your pet healthy!
My min-pin is 12 and has diabetes. I prepare her diet for her using 1 oz of boiled skinless chicken breast 1/3 cup cooked brown rice and 1/2 cup of chopped raw veggies (Zuccinni, rawgreen beans, gr.peppers, tomatoes, carrots) and a dash of cinnamon twice a day. She licks the bowl clean every time and here blood sugar went from 560 to almost normal within a week (along with 2ml of insulin twice daily) She acts as normal as she ever did and her energy level is back up. Every now and then she get some apple pieces or a strawberry (very low in natural suger which will not affect thier glucose level). Alot cheaper than perscription dog food.
I have fed my 11 yr. old diabetic Redbone Coonhound Blue Buffalo Venison canned food. At first he loved it and now won't touch it. He's just turned out to be a finiky old man I told him. The ingredients in Blue Buffalo are great. I don't think you'll go wrong buying it. I'm now making my own food - can't go wrong there either. Hope this has been of some help.
Sorry I did not make myself clear - I do not do the glucose test every day. But when I go to the vet for her check up he does it 3 or 4 times in one day to get the curve. I do the same about every 2 months unless I get the feeling she is not quite right. She does not show any difference when she is "high" to when she is "low" so being able to check for myself is a real bonus.
I have just found a vet who is diabetic too, so should get some good feeding info from him. Will let you know his thoughts.
There is so much opposing information on the net it is very difficult to know what to do. One site says tomatoes and garlic are a major no no , others say no problem - does anyone really know?
Thank goodness for sites like this where we can learn what to do from others in the same situation
After reading all the comments of diabetes in doggies, here is my story. Our beautiful little Westie was diagnosed with diabetes a yr. ago. We started her on WD, and then she wouldn't eat it. Then we went to venison meat(my hubby hunts) and then she wouldn't eat it. We went to chicken, it was good for while, it gave her diarrhea. Then we tried vienna sausages, and we are still feeding veggies, such as bell pepper or carrots(just a few carrots) then we tried the turkey spam, it gave her a stomach ache. Now we are back to baking the chicken, she is very very picky to eating now. She can eat vanilla wafers, I suggest to you all even those with regular dogs, cook the food. It takes a little extra time, but the dry dog food has tooo tooo much corn syrup in it. Good luck, our doggie is 9yrs old, has cataracts but still acts like a 4 or 5 yr old dog and loves to play and cuddle.
Our little Bishon/lasoapso has had diebeties for about 3 months she is 2 yrs old .. The vet advised me to give her DCO dry food which at first she ate it but now I've been mixing beniful caned she still doesn't eat much. In reading all the comments on this page I've dicided to cook chicken with rice and veggies..I hope this works. It has been very helpful reading everyone's comments. Thanks
wonderful topic!
LINDA F- Hi. I have a diabetic cat that I managed to get off of insulin completely and his blood glucose was 32.1 at one point. No such thing as testing too often. Please e-mail me if anyone is interested in how I got kitty off the insulin. cintheasaulnier@hotmail.com His bg is now normal and I test daily because even though his liver and pancreas are now functionning perfectly and his diabetes is controlled through diet, he is still diabetic and needs to be tested daily with insulin at the ready if needed.
Feeding cats and dogs properly means going back to basics. They are meat-eaters. Domestic as well as in the wild. That means a diet high in protein(meat), low in carbs(sugar,vegetables,glutins like wheat and corn and rice). When diabetes occurs that means low carbs become crutial so as to not overstress liver and pancreas. The dog can be regulated by diet alone eventually as long as the liver or pancreas have not been permanently damaged.Vets profit by selling pet food, insulin ,syringes and glucose tests so they arent always supportive of alternative methods. Having a beloved pet diagnosed with diabetes does not have to be a life sentense of shots and blindness and body organ failure if properly managed. A human with diabetes would not shoot insulin blind twice a day without testing. Why do it to your dog? Feeding dry foods is like feeding sugar cubes. High in carbs and fillers and binders. It's just how dry food is made.They are always eating, pooping, not feeling full and it's an endless cycle. They also need more insulin to control the high sugar they're getting. They get addicted to the carbs like humans get addicted to sugar. They may not LIKE the proper wet formulation at first because they're carb addicted, but do you want to kill your dear,loyal furry friend with kindness or do what's best for him/her? A lot of the mis information on this site worries me because a lot of dogs are being over treated with insulin and just don't feel well.Like I said, please feel free to contact me for information. I'm happy to share the knowledge that helped my cat.
julieannevanzyl says:
2 years ago
I didn't all that information about what dogs should eat. When my mother had a dog, she always cooked extra veggies for the dog, every day. The dog loved them!