When a pet is first diagnosed with canine diabetes, the owner is usually feeling overwhelmed. There is some controversy about the best diet for a diabetic dog. Feeding times are important, too. Plus it can be confusing to determine the best time for giving insulin shots.
Managing diabetes in dogs can be a challenge, as every pet is different. But by following these tips, life will be easier for both the diabetic pet, and its owner.
What is the Best Diabetic Dog Food?
It can be surprising to learn that the prescription food the vet sells may not be the best diet for a diabetic pet. Pet owners must educate themselves on this topic in order to make wise choices for their companions.
Most dry food foods on the market are overwhelmingly grain-based. Dogs are onmnivores, and can digest the proteins in grains, but they're able to utilize meat-based proteins much more efficiently.
The main problem with grain-based dog food is the high carbohydrate level. During the process of digestion, carbs are broken down into glucose, a type of sugar which the body uses for fuel. Carbs are digested quickly, and large amounts of glucose enter the bloodstream all at once, which causes a spike in blood sugar levels.
Proteins and fats are also broken down into glucose, but the digestive process takes longer with them, which means the glucose enters the pet's blood at a much slower rate.
Another problem with too many carbs is weight gain. An overweight pet is at a much higher risk for diabetes in canines, along with many other health problems. The combination of high-carb foods and a lack of exercise is a recipe for disaster.
What's the best diabetic dog food? A high-quality canned food that's high in fiber and low in fat is best. However, don't let the fat levels fall to below ten percent, or your pet may develop itchy skin conditions and a rough coat. A certain amount of fat is essential for good health.
What's the Best Feeding Schedule for Dogs with Diabetes?
It's important to feed a diabetic pet two or three times a day. This prevents the blood sugar from rising too high after a meal, and then falling to dangerously low levels twelve hours later.
Most pet owners will feed two meals a day, one in the morning, and one in the evening, about twelve hours apart. It's important that the dog eat all the food she's given in order to prevent hypoglycemia, a dangerous drop in blood glucose levels.
When to Give Insulin Shots
Some people are squeamish about checking their pet's blood sugar levels. But it's very difficult to know how much insulin to give a pet if the owner tries to skip this step. The only way to keep glucose levels regulated in dogs with diabetes is by checking them several times during the day. It's essential to check after a meal in order to give the proper insulin dose.
There are different opinions as to whether a pet owner should administer insulin before the pets eats, or after. It's probably better to give it after a meal. If the shot is given before the pet is fed, and then she doesn't eat, or vomits her meal, the insulin will cause her glucose levels to plummet, causing hypoglycemia. This is an extremely dangerous condition, which can kill a pet very quickly.
It's best to wait until after the meal to check the pet's glucose levels, and then administer the correct amount of insulin in order to prevent the possibility of the glucose levels becoming too low.
Managing dogs with diabetes can be a challenge at first, but by paying careful attention to diet, feeding times, and insulin dosages, a pet owner can ensure that a diabetic canine can live a long and happy life.
Reference
Canine Diabetes - Diets Are Important
Darlene Norris - Darlene Norris is a cat-lover who has been owned by many kitties over the years. She was employed as an assistant manager at an animal ...
