As soon as a dog consumes food, their blood sugar spikes before insulin drives it back down again. Diabetic dogs require food with high-soluble fiber content and low glycemic index (GI).
Diet must be tasty enough for pets to eat on an established schedule; once this goal has been accomplished, two meals per day, twelve hours apart should be implemented as part of a dietary regimen.
Contents
1. Lean Meat
Diet is key when managing blood sugar in diabetic pets; for optimal results, choose low-sugar/starch food that’s high in fiber content.
Your diabetic dog requires food with a low glycemic index to avoid postprandial hyperglycemia (high glucose levels after eating).
Protein is an integral component of any animal diet, including that of dogs. Lean meats such as fish and lamb provide excellent sources of protein.
2. Vegetables
Diabetic dogs require a diet rich in soluble and insoluble fibers to help regulate glucose fluctuations. Slow digestion reduces glucose spikes after meals and keeps them at manageable levels during the 12 hour interval between insulin injections.
Avoid table scraps, junk foods and baked goods containing sugar or high-glycemic carbohydrates in moderation; opt instead for homemade dehydrated meats and canned pumpkin in moderate amounts.
Substituting non-starchy vegetables like spinach, carrots and green beans for starches such as bread, pasta and rice may provide more sustained energy release and health benefits.
3. Fruits
Many commercial diets for diabetic dogs contain carbohydrates that are easily digested and absorbed, leading to higher postprandial blood sugar levels. A diet tailored specifically for a diabetic dog should contain a balance of proteins and fats to help control its blood sugar.
Fruits have a low glycemic index and make great treats for diabetic dogs. But only give one piece of fruit daily, monitoring blood sugar levels after indulging.
4. Eggs
An ideal diet for diabetic dogs ideally involves high fiber diet, low in sugar and fat content and moderate protein. A veterinarian or pet nutrition service are best placed to offer assistance with selecting such a meal plan.
Keep in mind that certain foods can quickly raise your dog’s blood sugar levels and make controlling diabetes harder, such as those containing molasses, fructose, dextrose maltose or corn syrup. Furthermore, ensure your pup always has access to fresh water.
5. Dairy
Diabetes in dogs requires them to adhere to an insulin-dependent diet of high quality proteins, fibre and low fat carbohydrates. Carbs digest quickly and cause glucose spikes quickly so should only be eaten between meals.
Many diabetic dogs who switch to a natural raw meat diet see their blood sugar return to normal. The diet must be appealing enough that their pet will enjoy eating it regularly on schedule that aligns with insulin injections.
6. Fish
Diabetes is an increasingly prevalent problem for both humans and pets alike, as insulin resistance or deficiency leads to excessive glucose build-up in the bloodstream.
High-fat foods should be avoided, as they contain many calories and digestion processes can become slow, leading to postprandial hyperglycemia and an increased risk of pancreatitis for diabetic dogs.
Highly digestible diets often take the form of soft moist foods. Unfortunately, these sugar-laden treats may cause large spikes in glucose immediately following ingestion and subsequent sharp drops shortly thereafter.
7. Bones
Diabetic dogs need diets rich in fiber, low in sugar and fat content and moderately to highly concentrated in protein. Some diabetic dogs benefit from special diabetic food while others may find an over-the-counter food that meets these parameters.
High fibre food helps stabilize blood sugar levels by slowing the release of glucose into the body. High fibre food also makes dogs feel full and may help them to shed excess pounds, thus decreasing insulin requirements.
8. Treats
Diabetic dogs benefit most from food that has been designed specifically for them – typically high in fiber and low in sugar, fat, and calories.
Glycemic index ratings of food items are crucial in order to avoid and minimize blood glucose spikes after meals. A diet high in soluble and insoluble fiber may also help, since its digestion slows down and can prevent sudden changes in blood sugar.
Green beans make an excellent treat for diabetic dogs as a daily snack, as do scrambled egg whites without milk or cheese added.
