The Best Foods For Diabetic Dogs
You might be surprised to know that your dog is suffering from diabetes. Many people assume that diabetes is only a human health concern, but dogs are also prone to the disease. Prompt care and a balanced diet can help manage your pets diabetes. Understanding What Your Pet is Suffering From Diabetes results from either insufficient insulin production or an inability of cells to respond to it. The former, Type I diabetes, is more common among dogs than Type II, the latter. A dogs cells, like humans, need energy to thrive. But where does this energy come from? The cells use glucose, taken through diet, as the primary source of energy. The pancreas releases a glucose regulating hormone, Insulin. This hormone is the most essential one to balance the amount of glucose in blood. In case of Type I diabetes, insulin is not produced to digest glucose. Thus, glucose stays in blood and causes hyperglycemia. This is how your dog might get diabetic. And now he or she may require insulin for the rest of their life. Though Type I diabetes is not caused by diet, but it can be managed with diet. Remember, the pancreas is not making enough insulin. So now you have to be careful to feed your dog food that induces insulin creation. As their owner, it is your responsibility to develop an understanding of a healthy dog diet for diabetes . To help you, below we have provided a list of such food. Before you select a healthy diet for your cuddling pet, you need to look for a diet that is low on all: carbs, fats and fibers. There are a number of competitive brands that offer reliable and healthy food that can help manage your dogs diabetes. Orijen has always been a famous and trusted brand for pet foods. This particular food type is best for your diabetic dog because of its richness in protein. Continue reading >>
Does Your Dog Need Diabetic Dog Food?
How do we keep this site running? This post may contain affiliate links — the cost is the same to you, but we get a referral fee. Compensation does not affect rankings. Thanks! Diabetes is a well-known illness in humans, but it is also found in dogs. One out of every two hundred dogs will be diagnosed with canine diabetes at some point. But don’t treat your dog like you would a human because they have a different version of the illness that shares some similarities with human diabetes, but works differently. Dogs that have diabetes have problems producing the right amount of insulin for their body. A dog’s body burns sugar for energy. When it does not have the right amount of sugar, it might start burning fat so that it can maintain the energy level. This can cause the release of too many ketones (by-products of metabolized fats). These ketones can lead to serious incidents of hypoglycemia and even death. Causes of Diabetes in Dogs There are numerous things that can cause diabetes in dogs. Factors such as age, gender, breed and diet may increase the risk of diabetes. However, even if a dog does not fall into any of the categories that are well-known for putting a dog at risk for diabetes, please keep in mind that there may be unknown factors at play. So, dogs that don’t fall into the category that would generally be considered to be to be at risk for diabetes should not be assumed to be impossible to end up with the disease. Breed Though mixed breed dogs commonly have canine diabetes more frequently than pure bred dogs, there are some specific pure bred breeds that are known for having diabetes. These breeds include, but are not limited to golden retrievers, German shepherds, miniature schnauzers, Keeshonds and poodles. Age Though it is unclear when dogs specifi Continue reading >>
Dog Food For Dogs With Diabetes: What You Need To Know
Canine diabetes is a serious lifelong condition in dogs, thus it must be well managed by pet parents who wish to keep their dogs happy and healthy for as long as possible. Although nobody can guarantee that our dogs won’t develop diabetes, there’s a certain dog food for dogs with diabetes that can help with the condition. There is no one ideal diet plan for diabetic dogs and each individual canine’s needs and health have to be taken into consideration. When it comes to dogs with diabetes, some things to consider are: the weight of your dog the severity of the condition choice of dog food for diabetic dogs EXTENSIVE BREAKDOWN: What is the Best Holistic Dog Food Brand? Dog Food for Dogs with Diabetes: What You Need to Know The main thing is to keep your diabetic dog’s blood sugar levels even throughout the day; consistency is key in managing diabetes in dogs. There’s no point getting expensive prescription dog food for dogs with diabetes if they turn their noses up at it. However, if you feed your pet commercial dog food you may have to consider introducing a higher quality brand to help manage your canine’s diabetes condition more efficiently. With high quality dog food brands, it’s easier to distinguish and find better quality ingredients, and these brands are usually made in the USA and can be more trusted. We’ve previously written about overweight dogs, and have an eBook on that as well (which you can download by subscribing below), but there is no single dog food or diet plan for a diabetic dog that will suit all pets. The first few months after your dog has been diagnosed with diabetes will involve lots of trial and error to get the right diet and feeding schedule. The most important thing is that your dog eats something, so shop around and find the Continue reading >>
Diabetic Dog Food
You have probably seen the television commercial talking about the dangers of diabetes for humans, but did you know that dogs can get diabetes too? For many dogs, diabetes is a lifelong condition that requires daily treatment with insulin injections or other medications. Although diabetes is a serious and often chronic disease, it can be managed and, with proper treatment, your dog can live a long and happy life. Keep reading to learn more about how diabetes affects dogs, what kind of dietary changes might be beneficial, and recommended brands of diabetic dog food. Understanding Diabetes Mellitus in Dogs Diabetes mellitus is a very common condition in humans, especially considering the obesity epidemic that is running rampant through the Western world. Canine diabetes, as it is often called, may not be quite so common but it is still a major concern. Diabetes is a condition that occurs when a dog’s body is unable to produce or adequately utilize the hormone insulin. Here’s what happens with diabetes: When your dog eats food, his digestive system begins to digest it, breaking it down into various components such as glucose for energy. As the food is broken down, the glucose enters your dog’s bloodstream which will transport it throughout the body for storage or to be used for energy. When glucose enters your dog’s bloodstream, it triggers the pancreas to start producing insulin – the purpose of insulin is to help regulate the dog’s blood sugar level, keeping it from skyrocketing too high or dropping too low. If the dog’s body doesn’t produce enough insulin, or if his cells become resistant to its effects, it can lead to dangerously high blood sugar levels. While high blood sugar levels may not sound like a big deal, they can actually be very dangerous – Continue reading >>
Diabetes In Dogs - What To Feed When You're On A Budget - Dogvills
Diabetes in Dogs What to Feed When Youre on a Budget Diabetes in dogs can be a tricky thing. While proper care is essential, its also a costly endeavor. While I generally advocate to follow every stitch of advice your vet gives you, I realize that diabetes in dogs is highly expensive. To that end and because Ive seen dogs be put to sleep for this condition Ive decided to offer some advice to owners who cant necessarily afford all the treatment that goes along with diabetes, specifically diabetic food. Related: Effects of Sugar in Dogs A Long Term Disaster Like I said, Ive seen dogs put to sleep over this condition. In one case, the owner was a total monster, however in all the other cases, the owners were sobbing and broken because they had to decide between putting food on the table for their kids and treating their pet. Its a hard position to be in. Thats why I decided to address one of the biggest expenses associated with diabetes in dogs food. Food is one of the most important aspects of treating a diabetic dog. Proper diet is the foundation of every other aspect of treating diabetes in dogs. Without it, nothing else works properly. Thats why its key to do as much as possible to give a dog suffering from diabetes a diet that promotes diabetic wellness. Feeding a Diabetic Dog When Rx Food Isnt an Option While the best diet for a diabetic dog is prescription food, that isnt always options. Sometimes the cost is too great. Sometimes, the dog just wont eat it. When that happens, you have to start looking at foods that might not be for diabetic dogs but still have a better glycemic profile that runs of the mill foods. To begin with, we need to address carbs. Carbs arent the enemy. The wrong carbs and the wrong amount of carbs are the enemy. Diabetes in dogs can explode Continue reading >>
Top 10 Best Diabetic Dog Food Brands For 2018. (non Prescriptive)
Top 10 Best Diabetic Dog Food Brands for 2018. (Non prescriptive) Diabetes is a chronic disease that can affect dogs just as it affects humans. Diabetic Dog food is a dog food designed specifically for dogs with this special health conditions. in addition to diabetic dogs, diabetic dog food is highly advised for dogs with other conditions like pancreatitis, Despite the availability of a wide range of diabetic dog foods in the market, a good diabetic dog food must meet certain criteria. Find out the top 10 best diabetic dog food brands according to these criteria. diabetes can be a problem for not only humans, dogs suffer from diabetes too. Diabetes can impact the pets quality of life and relationship with its family. diabetes can reduce play time, impact mobility and affect the lifelong general health of your dog. Some dogs are more prone to gaining weight than others. Although diabetes cant be cured, it can be managed very successfully through changes in your dogs diet. These changes start with a suitable diet that is based on good quality diabetic dog food. In addition to a change in the dogs diet, some dogs might need medical help according to their diabetes type and state of development. These brands are considered to be the best non-prescription diabetic dog foodaccording to customer ratings,nutritional ingredients, stock availability, and of course the price range i.e. no more than 100$. In classifying this low glycemic dog food list, we consulted several studies to get insights about the criteria that must be found in the diabetic dog diet, particularly the foods found in the supermarkets that most people buy just because its expensive and claimed to be the best. The followingbrands are, according to amazon.com, the best-ranked brands in terms of costumers evalu Continue reading >>
Diet Tips For A Diabetic Dog
Once a dog is diagnosed with diabetes they usually remain diabetic. While there are feeding and dietary strategies that can help keep their glucose levels low and well-controlled, they will usually require insulin injections lifelong. An excellent diet choice for a diabetic dog is a meat-based high protein food that is moderately fat and carbohydrate restricted. Carbohydrates, if included, should be low glycemic (for example, barley or sorghum). Ideally, at least 30 to 40% of the calories in your diabetic dog's food would come from protein and less than 30% of calories would come from fat and carbohydrates each. Further dietary fat restriction may be necessary if your diabetic dog has pancreatitis or blood fat elevations. Options to consider include Nature's Variety Instinct, Wysong, and Halo. Several studies indicate that high or moderately high–fiber diets may help some diabetics by minimizing their post–eating blood sugar fluctuations. While this is true for SOME dogs, a clear clinical benefit has not been shown for the majority of diabetic dogs. Sometimes high fiber diets will cause inappropriate weight loss (in a thin diabetic) and should be avoided. High fiber diets may also be associated with undesirable intestinal side effects such as decreased appetite (due to poor palatability), flatulence and diarrhea or constipation. If your dog is very overweight or obese and in need of weight loss, you might consider a diet with higher fiber to aid in weight loss. Instead of changing to a high fiber diet formulation (which often contains inferior ingredients), you can also consider adding supplemental fiber to your dog's regular diabetic food in order to increase the overall fiber content while still maintaining a high quality food. To best control your diabetic dog's Continue reading >>
Best Food Options For Diabetic Dogs
Best Food Options for Diabetic Dogs When pet parents first find out their beloved dog has diabetes, it can provoke a sense of dread. Will her lifespan be shortened? How will it impact her quality of life? The good news is that with routine veterinary care and sound nutrition management, dogs with diabetes can thrive. Symptoms of diabetes may include excessive urination, extreme thirst, unexplained weight loss, and lack of grooming. If not managed, diabetes can lead to an array of health problems, such as anorexia, depression, recurrent infections, and even death. Most diabetic dogs have the Type 1 variety, meaning their pancreas can’t produce insulin, the hormone that regulates glucose. This renders the body incapable of converting glucose to energy, resulting in excess sugar in the blood. Daily insulin injections are critical to balancing blood sugar, explains Dr. Nancy Scanlan, a veterinarian in Mount Shasta, California, and executive director of the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Foundation (AHVMF). “Holistic medicine can help stabilize them and improve their metabolism, but they need insulin because they can’t produce it anymore.” A healthy and consistent diet is also essential for diabetes management. “Most vets will agree the food your pet eats and the portions and timing of such meals will drastically affect the capabilities of insulin to work efficiently and effectively,” says Dr. Michael Lund, veterinary staff manager at ASPCA in New York City. To meet your pet’s special dietary needs, consider these vet-recommended nutritional guidelines for diabetic dogs. Remember that like humans, dogs are individuals, which makes it imperative to discuss any dietary changes with your vet. Continue reading >>
5 Best Dog Foods For Diabetic Dogs
Unfortunately, dogs can suffer from a number of the same health problems that people do. One of the most common and serious examples is canine diabetes — a disease characterized by improper pancreas function. Without a healthy pancreas, your dog will have trouble regulating his blood sugar levels. Left untreated, diabetes can cause very serious complications and even death. So, you’ll always want to work with your vet to keep your dog as healthy as possible and feed him a food that provides the kind of nutrition a diabetic dog needs. Quick Picks: Best Diabetic Dog Food Our Rating Price Orijen Regional Red $$$$$ Merrick Grain-Free Dog Food $$$ Solid Gold High Protein Recipe $$$ Nutrisca Chicken and Chickpea Recipe $$$$ Wellness CORE Grain Free $$$$ Continue reading for more in-depth reviews What Is Doggie Diabetes? For the most part, diabetes affects dogs and humans in similar ways. When food is eaten, it is broken down by the body into its constituent parts — primarily fats, proteins and sugars (glucose). A little while later, the pancreas releases a hormone called insulin; insulin helps the body process the glucose. However, sometimes the pancreas stops producing insulin or the body’s cells fail to respond to it in the proper way. The former problem is referred to as Type I diabetes, while the latter is known as Type II diabetes. Both types are very serious and ultimately manifest in a relatively similar way: The body cannot process glucose properly. Type I diabetes — the most common form to occur in dogs – is thought to occur when an autoimmune disease attacks the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. No one knows exactly why this occurs, although there does appear to be a strong genetic link. Type II diabetes, on the other hand, is often associated wit Continue reading >>
Best Dog Food For Diabetic Dog: Reviews & Top Picks!
Dogs can suffer from diabetes just like humans. Your dog may develop hyperglycemia, or excess glucose in the body, if his body can’t process insulin correctly. If your dog is diabetic, the best food for diabetic dog companions can help regulate his diet and improve his health. Also like humans, diabetic dogs can benefit from a change in their diets, which can significantly improve their health and body functions. Keeping your dog at a healthy weight is of the utmost importance, and this begins with his food. It is important to use portion control, avoid sugary foods, and lower the number of treats you feed your diabetic dog each day. Additionally, it is important to be aware of the ingredients in his food. Wholesome, real ingredients should take preference over fillers and ingredients that are difficult to digest. VCA Animal Hospital created a helpful video that answers several important questions about dog diabetes: Reviews of Best Dog Food for Diabetic Dogs Continue reading >>
Best Dog Food For Diabetic Dogs
Receiving a diagnosis that your dog is diabetic can feel overwhelming for many dog lovers. While diabetes is not curable, it is treatable. With proper diagnosis and treatment, diabetic dogs can have lifespans similar to those of non-diabetic dogs. The time of greatest risk is during the first six months of treatment, when insulin therapy is introduced and the dog’s glucose levels are being regulated. Diabetic dogs do have a higher risk of death from concurrent diseases such as kidney disease, liver and/or pancreatic disorders, or infections. However, once a diabetic dog’s condition becomes stabilized, there is no reason why the dog cannot live a long, healthy and happy life while eating a diabetic dog food. (For a full discussion of diabetes in dogs, complications, and related health disorders, we recommend reading “Managing Diabetes in Dogs,” by CJ Puotinen and Mary Straus [updated February 19, 2016]. We also recommend this glossary with terms associated with diabetes mellitus.) Background for diabetes mellitus in dogs Diabetes is common in dogs and it’s increasing. It’s currently estimated to affect 1 in 160 dogs. (Another source estimates 1 in 200 dogs.) The medical term for diabetes is diabetes mellitus . It is caused by either a decreased production of insulin or decreased functioning of the insulin. Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas that helps glucose move from the blood stream into the cells of the body where it can be used for energy. There are several different types of diabetes. In Type 1, the pancreas is unable to produce insulin (or produce enough insulin). Type 2 is often linked to diet and obesity. Type 2 is the form that is most common in humans. This is also the form most often seen in cats. The third kind of diabetes is gestation Continue reading >>
Diabetic Dogs | The Best Diabetic Dog Foods
Diabetic dogs, what foods can they eat? The title says a lot. It speaks of maintaining a dog’s health and controlling weight and sugar levels…with food. And as the owner of diabetic dogs, it is best that dog owners understand the diabetic process. Without a proper diet, the non-diabetic dog is prone to various diseases…such as dog diabetes. If your dog has been diagnosed with diabetes, sometimes it is a good idea to get a second diagnosis from another vet. It does not mean you do not like or trust your family vet. Second opinions just mean you are being careful and you love your dog. Dogs who have diabetes will require a good diabetic diet with the best diabetic dog food. However, the diagnosis of dog diabetes is not something to go plumb out of your wits. A dog with diabetes can still live a long life as long as you pay close attention to the diet with correct nutrition. Diabetic dogs need the correct amount of diabetic dog food to maintain its weight and correct sugar levels. There are a lot of similarities between human diabetes and canine diabetes. With the right diet and adequate weight control, it would be easy for either to live a normal life. Remember—just because your dog has diabetes does not mean his or her life is over. Diabetes is basically a chronic disease of high blood sugar. A disease that is common in both humans and dogs, it is estimated that about 1 in 200 dogs have diabetes. Although diabetes cannot be cured, owning a diabetic dog requires enough changes to promote your dog’s health. Among the biggest adjustments that you have to do is to change your dog’s diet. A diabetic dog needs to maintain sugar levels and you will always need to find the magic number for that. What happens when you discover you have a diabetic dog? One of the first Continue reading >>
Best Diabetic Dog Food?
I have a 5 year old pug who just recently came down with diabetes 2 months ago. He is currently on Hills Science Diet W/D but I would like to switch him to a much cheaper food. Any recommendations on a cheaper brand of food for him that I can get at a local store such as tractor supply? I dont think your going to find anything at a Tractor Supply. A smaller local pet store is going to be a better bet. You have to have something very low carb basically. Is the dog taking insulin? Innova Evo has a kibble that is very very low carb. They even mention it being safe for diabetic pets on their website. Innova Evo Pet Foods . Their canned foods would be ideal too. You can get a case of 12 big cans for only 23 dollars. The cans would be better to help him lose weight easier... How much Evo canned food would you have to feed a dog? What about guar gum and carrageenan? Known cancer causing agents...? Well I think they have a feeding chart on their website. Undegraded carrageenan is the one that's supposed to be safe. Degraded carrageenan is the one that can potentially cause cancer. Evo uses the Undegraded carrageenan.... So according to studies it's safe. As far as guar gum causing cancer... I don't believe that it does. Or it hasn't been proven... I've never heard that it does. If it did they wouldn't have it in there. Same thing with the carrageenan... Do I wish none of it was in there?? Well yea but there are VERY VERY few cans out there without those two ingredients... One of them being Weruva and its super expensive... They have to have something to bind everything together.... It's kind of whatever your own opinion is. Evo cans are leaps and bounds better quality than those prescription diets. All you have to do is compare the ingredient lists and you will see what I mean Continue reading >>
Best Diabetic Dog Food For Canine Diabetes
If your pooch has canine diabetes, its important to familiarize yourself with the best foods to give her. Diabetes in dogs is similar to the condition in humans; it affects your dogs pancreas where it cannot produce enough insulin to process your pups glucose levels, leading to an excess of glucose in the body. The right diet can help better control your diabetic dogs blood sugar levels and keep her in good health. But before you pick a diabetic dog food, first you need to find out what ingredients it contains. What Should Diabetic Dog Food Consist Of? Pet parents should always feed their diabetic dog as directed, based on their veterinarians recommendation. Pet parents should look for foods high in fiber, protein and moderate to high fat levels, says Dr. Jeff Werber, chief veterinarian of the Century Veterinary Group in Los Angeles, California. The ideal diabetic dog food should have between 20 percent to 25 percent carb matter on a dry matter basisanything higher than 30 percent is considered high-carb for a diabetic pooch. Dr. Werber adds that the single-most important thing for diabetic dogs is to stay away from carbohydrates as much as possible. The more carbs we give the body, the more sugar is being produced, which in turn spikes blood sugar levels, Dr. Werber says. A fiber-rich diet, like Royal Canins Glycobalance formula and its canned food counterpart , is important for regulating your pups blood sugar levels. Both soluble and insoluble fibers are essential for helping to minimize glucose fluctuations in diabetic dogs. Soluble fibers become a gel-like consistency and attract water, slowing digestion. Insoluble fibers dont dissolve in water, causing foods to go through the digestive tract close to its original form. These both contribute to healthy digestion a Continue reading >>
Homemade Dog Food For Diabetic Dogs
Ruby became sick in August of 2008. He was urinating a lot, had increased water consumption, and looked thinner than normal. He ended up in a veterinary hospital where he was diagnosed with diabetes, diabetic ketoacidosis, and pancreatitis. Ketoacidosis can be a life-threatening complication for those suffering from diabetes. It occurs due to a lack of insulin which the body responds to by burning fat for fuel and producing ketones. High levels of ketones can poison the body. Simply put, Ruby was quite ill. In an attempt to comfort Ruby, I would crawl into his hospital kennel, hold him, and sing to him. ‘You Are My Sunshine’ was on regular rotation. Perhaps I did less singing and more pleading and praying. Either way, after a week in the hospital I was able to take my sunshine home. It was a challenge to convince Ruby that getting two insulin shots a day was actually a good thing. I had success after following some great advice: use his food as a reward for receiving the shot. I started by putting his full food bowl on the counter while prepping his shot. Like any food-motivated dog, movement of his food bowl commands his attention. But then the approaching needle would make him run away. After he ran away, I would put his food bowl in the cupboard. That movement of his bowl would bring him back again. Round and round we went until he realized the simple equation of food bowl on counter + shot in dog = food bowl on floor + full dog belly. See, Ruby, insulin shots are a great thing! Now he rushes each injection along so he can eat. The hospital sent us home with a few samples of diabetic dog food. I sought advice from Ruby’s vet on both packaged and homemade diabetic dog food. Dr. Old Vet was quite ambivalent and offered little to no opinion or advice. His disinter Continue reading >>
