Diabetic Dog Food

Diabetic dog food is often prescribed for pets that suffer from diabetes.

What is Diabetes?

Diabetes, or diabetes mellitus is a disease that is caused by a lack of insulin. Insulin is a hormone that is produced by the pancreas and is used to make sure that the cells of the body can use sugar or blood glucose.

Some dogs lack insulin and therefore are not able to use that energy in their bloodstream.

Diabetes Clinical Signs

The most common clinical signs of diabetes are increased urination and drinking. Also, because they are unable to make use of the food that they eat properly weight loss occurs.

What to Feed Diabetic Dogs

Often in many cases of diabetes it can be managed nutritionally if they are minor. More severe cases will actually require subcutaneous injections of insulin.

1. The food has to contain the proper nutrients that are important for diabetic pets.

2. Avoid homemade diets, because pets with diabetes need a consistent nutrition day after day.

3. Avoid canned dog foods, because these can contain sugar which can lead to high blood glucose levels which can result in trouble regulating insulin treatment in dogs.

Low-calorie low-fat foods designed to promote weight loss should be avoided as well in underweight diabetics. However some weight loss might be a good idea for overweight diabetic dogs.

Feeding Tips

It is important to feeding multiple small meals throughout the day can help control blood glucose levels. However most dogs do well on two meals per day. The most important thing is to be consistent in the feeding schedule.

8 Diabetic Dog Foods

Most prescription diets contain a special fiber that is useful for managing diabetic dogs. Here are some of the more popular prescription diets for diabetes.

1. Iams Weight Loss

2. Iams Weight Control D

3. Royal Canin Diabetic HF 18