Canine Diabetes -- Guidelines For Feeding Your Diabetic Dog

Wouldn't it be great if there was a magic diet you could feed your pet that would instantly solve all your canine diabetes problems? If you are one of the many pet owners who have dogs with diabetes, you probably have many questions about feeding your companion.  

What You Feed A Diabetic Dog Is Extremely Important

Unfortunately, an all-purpose one-size-fits-all diet for diabetic pets doesn't exist. You may be surprised to learn that the special diabetic dog food your vet sells isn't the answer either. You'll probably need to educate yourself on this topic in order make an informed decision as to what to feed your buddy.

More than likely, you'll be giving your pet insulin shots, so it's critical that she eats what you feed her, and that she eats all of it. Otherwise, it will be very difficult to figure out how much insulin she should get. If she won't eat a special diet, it doesn't really do her much good, and it can lead to serious problems, including hypoglycemia. 

You'll need to set up a routine of feeding two or three smaller meals every day. Feeding your diabetic pet once a day is not recommended. The levels of glucose in her blood will spike after she eats, and then drop to dangerously low levels twelve hours later. Feeding her twice a day prevents this problem.

You already understand why you shouldn't be feeding her sweet treats. But did you know that most dry and semi-moist dog foods contain too many carbohydrates? Carbs are broken down into glucose during the process of digestion. The problem is that all this glucose goes into your pet's system at once, causing a spike in blood sugar levels. Eating too many carbs also leads to canine obesity. An overweight dog has a much higher chance of developing diabetes.

Fats and proteins, on the other hand, are digested much more slowly. Although they're also broken down into glucose, it enters your pet's bloodstream over a much longer period of time, preventing blood glucose levels from rising too quickly.

The best thing to feed dogs with diabetes is a high-quality canned food that's low in fat and high in fiber. Watch that the fat content doesn't drop below ten percent. If the fat content is too low, it can cause itchy skin conditions that make life miserable for your buddy.

The Best Time To Give Insulin

You should be checking your pet's sugar levels at home. That's really the only way you'll know how much insulin to give her. Your vet can show you how to do this.  

It's best to wait until after your dog has eaten to give her an insulin shot. If you give her the shot before you feed her, and then she doesn't eat, her blood glucose levels can drop to dangerously low levels. Your pet can die of hypoglycemia very quickly, so you'll need to get her to the vet right away. If this should happen, rub a little Karo syrup on her gums to quickly boost her glucose levels.

Natural Remedies For Dogs Can Help To Regulate Dogs With Diabetes

Research has shown than many traditional herbs are useful for regulating glucose levels in diabetic pets. You'll want to look for a remedy that contains fenugreek, astragalus, goat's rue, bilberry, and the mineral chromium. This remedy is safe to use along with the insulin your vet prescribes. Be sure to talk to your vet before changing your pet's treatment plan.

Many pet owners have been able to reduce or even eliminate daily insulin injections by using natural remedies for dogs. Now that you have this information, you may want to consider trying one for your pet. Why don't you start your diabetic dog on one today?