Dogs commonly suffer from diabetes, which is caused by abnormal metabolism of the body’s insulin hormone. Symptoms generally include weight loss, frequent urination, increased thirst, and above-average blood glucose levels. Changes in appetite may also occur. Because diabetes can also cause cataracts, treatment is necessary to prevent blindness, as well as malnutrition and other life-threatening symptoms.
One way to control blood-glucose levels is to put your dog on a special diet, which will enable you track their carbohydrate and sugar intake. A higher protein, lower carbohydrate diet will help stabilize blood glucose, since the protein in food is converted to glucose more slowly than the starch.
The best way to keep your dog’s diabetes under control is to feed him, which is low in sugar and carbohydrates. Most dog owners are unaware of the amounts of carbohydrates and sugar contained in commercial dog food (this is true of all types of dog food, wet and dry). Carbohydrates are considered a form of sugar because they are metabolized into glucose.
In addition to regulating blood-sugar and insulin levels, the pancreas produces enzymes that break down fats. Choosing a low-fat food for a diabetic dog is important, as this helps to avoid putting too much stress on his pancreas. Nutritionists say that while some fat is required for good health, it is best to keep fat intake to a minimum. Also be sure your dog’s food contains no added sugar, salt, wheat, coloring, or artificial preservatives. Use only natural meat stock and oats for flavor, and use grains sparingly—the body turns carbohydrates into glucose. It is also a good idea to add fresh vegetables and raw fruits, which contain natural sugars and are high in nutrients and vitamins.
It is important to control not only the amount of sugar in a diabetic dog’s food, but also the amount of food and the frequency with which they are fed. Rather than feeding your dog a single large meal, you should feed him smaller meals throughout the course of the day. Smaller meals can stabilize blood-sugar levels, whereas a single large meal causes a high insulin spike, followed by a drop over the next twelve hours. Plummeting blood-sugar can result in hypoglycemia, which is a serious condition.
A well-established routine combining scheduled meal times, treats, and exercise is very important to maintaining the good health of your diabetic dog. Keep your pet’s weight at an optimal level; simple dietary changes often make insulin therapy unnecessary for people—or pets—with diabetes, so feed them well.
