Unfortunately, dogs can have many of the same medical issues as people. One of the most prevalent and harmful examples is canine diabetes, a condition marked by unfavorable pancreatic function.
Your dog will struggle to control his blood sugar levels if his pancreas isn’t functioning properly. Diabetes has the potential to result in fatal complications if untreated.
In order to keep your dog as healthy as possible and supply him with the nutrients a diabetic dog requires, you should constantly cooperate with your veterinarian.
How Does Dog Diabetes Occur and What Causes It?
When food is consumed, the body disassembles it into its component parts, which are principally lipids, proteins, and carbohydrates (glucose). A short while later, the pancreas secretes the hormone insulin, which aids in the body’s digestion of the glucose.
But occasionally the pancreas stops making insulin or the body’s cells don’t react to it properly. Type I diabetes refers to the first issue, whereas Type II diabetes refers to the second. Both are extremely serious and eventually present in a manner that is comparable: Glucose cannot be adequately processed by the body.
The most prevalent kind of diabetes in dogs, type I diabetes, is considered to be caused by an autoimmune condition that targets the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. Despite the fact that there seems to be a strong genetic connection, no one is certain why this happens.
On the other hand, type II diabetes is frequently linked to obesity and other conditions. In essence, the body produces so much insulin that cells lose their sensitivity to it.
In either scenario, the body’s inability to utilize glucose properly can result in a wide range of medical issues. Diabetes must therefore be regarded as a highly dangerous disorder.
Both types of diabetes have treatments available, but there is no cure for the disease; it is a lifelong condition.
The Best Dog Foods for Diabetics
Each of them possesses the universal qualities that define appropriate diets for diabetic dogs, but before making a decision, always discuss any potential dietary modifications with your veterinarian and rely on his or her advice.
A few of the meals listed below might not be accessible without a prescription, so keep that in mind as well.
1. Ketona Recipe for Chicken Ketona Chicken Recipe:
Dog Food Dog Food is a dog food that has been carefully engineered to have extremely few carbohydrates.
This recipe is actually a highly exciting choice for diabetic dogs because it only has 5% digestible carbohydrate content, 0.5% sugars, and a staggering 46% protein. The only drawback is the price, which is pretty high.
Features:
- The first item stated is chicken that is GMO-free and reared in America.
- has 46% protein (Guaranteed Analysis)
- without corn, soy, wheat, or potatoes in the formulation
- Produced in the USA
2. Yumwoof Perfect Kibble Information:
Your dog doesn’t have to put up with bland food just because he has diabetes! Yumwoof’s Perfect Kibble is a slow-cooked food that is produced with premium ingredients and is low in carbohydrates (16% of the food’s dry matter), so your diabetic dog can still enjoy dinnertime.
Features:
- One of the few foods created with human-grade components that is shelf-stable
- includes “superfoods” high in antioxidants like pumpkin and blueberries.
- prepared slowly in a USDA kitchen using only products that came from the US
- More MCT (a type of healthy fat) is present in this dog chow than any other.
- Use coupon code K9OFMINE at checkout to receive 5% off!
3. Hill’s Prescription Diet With Diapers
About: A prescription dog food called Hill’s Prescription Diet W/D is made especially for dogs who struggle with digestion, weight control, or blood sugar concerns.
This meal requires a prescription from your veterinarian, but that doesn’t mean you have to obtain it from them directly; you may order it with a prescription from your veterinarian through Amazon or Chewy instead (and often at a better price than your veterinarian offers).
Features:
- L-carnitine levels that are high aid in your dog’s metabolism being accelerated.
- Has a reasonable amount of fiber to keep your dog filled between meals.
- Produced in the USA
4. No-Grain Orijen
About: Orijen Grain-Free is a well-known dog food with a very high protein level and a very low carbohydrate content, making it deserving of serious consideration for diabetic dogs.
Features:
- 40% protein and 20% carbs
- 15% of the substance is produced; 85% of it is made up of meat.
- contains no concentrated plant, tapioca, or grain proteins.
- includes bone, cartilage, and raw flesh
- Produced in the USA
Acana Appalachian Ranch No. 5
Acana Appalachian Ranch is a very high-quality, protein-rich dog food with a 32% carbohydrate level that is relatively low for a mainstream food (GA).
Features:
- The first six components are deboned beef, deboned pork, deboned lamb, lamb meal, beef meal, and pork meal.
- Along with vegetables, fruits, and botanicals, 70% of the ingredients are fresh, raw, or dried animal products.
Produced in the USA
6. Instinct Original Wet Dog Food Information:
Instinct Original Grain-Free Canned Food is a very low-carb alternative that could be a decent option for some diabetic dogs.
Features:
- Made from venison and genuine beef
- No grains are present
- Carbohydrate content is estimated to be 6%. (dry matter basis)
- Produced in the USA
How Is Diabetes Managed in Dogs?
Regular blood tests and insulin injections are typically necessary for diabetic dogs to maintain their health. By doing this, you can be sure that your dog’s blood has enough insulin to process the glucose appropriately.
Be at ease; these operations are simpler than they appear, and your veterinarian will assist in teaching you how to perform them correctly.
Oral drugs, which are obviously simpler to administer, can be sufficient for certain dogs.
Your veterinarian will likely advise you to keep your dog active as exercise has significant advantages for diabetic pets.
Depending on the dog, you’ll need to give your pet a different amount of exercise. Others will need more rigorous exercise to stay healthy, while some may merely need to take regular neighborhood walks.
Are Homemade Diets Ideal for Dogs with Diabetes?
Despite the fact that more and more pet owners are experimenting with homemade diets for their animals, we often advise against it.
Few dog owners will be able to produce a food that is as nutrient-dense as a high-quality commercial food because properly balancing the nutritional content of a dog food is considerably more difficult than many dog owners think.
The kinds of nutritional imbalances that are typical of most home-cooked diets over time frequently lead to deficiencies and difficult-to-cure long-term health issues.
Given their special dietary requirements, however, homemade meals are particularly riskier for diabetic dogs.
For instance, an imbalanced intake of carbohydrates and fiber may cause your dog’s blood sugar levels to fluctuate dramatically, posing a serious threat to your dog’s health.
As a result, we urge owners of diabetic dogs to stick to a reputable commercial formula that satisfies the requirements we covered above.
