Diabetic Dog Food
July 4, 2009
Filed under Dog Health Tips
A high intake of sugars and carbohydrates and an abnormally high level of glucose may result in a dog suffering from diabetes (diabetes mellitus). Obese and older animals are more likely to develop diabetes. Diabetic dog food, low in these contents, control the amount of sugar in their diet. All breeds of dog are susceptible to canine diabetes, however, it is more common in the Cairn Terrier, Keeshond, Miniature Pinscher and Puli due to a genetic predisposition to diabetes. Puppies can develop Diabetes. Dogs suffering from diabetes should be fed meals which are not only lower in sugar content, but also smaller meals twice a day instead of a single large meal. While a single large meal may result in a high insulin spike, blood sugar levels can be stabilized by smaller meals. Nonetheless, maintaining a consistent feeding schedule everyday, which includes the timing and amount of food, is ideal in the management of pets suffering from diabetes. Hypoglycaemia may result when blood sugar plummets too low.
Symptoms that your dog may be suffering from diabetes include a loss of appetite, depression, vomiting and blindness. Severe sufferers can develop extremely serious side effects including liver disease, kidney disease and heart disease. It is recommended that if you see symptoms of diabetes in your dog, you see a vet as soon as possible. Blindness can develop quite quickly if the diabetes is left untreated.
Carbohydrates are high in commercial dog foods (both soft-moist and dry) and are considered a form of sugar because they are metabolized into glucose by the body. Quality canned food is ideal as a substitute, however, feeding your dog homemade dog food and raw and organic foods are highly recommended as you are able to keep track of the sugar and carbohydrate intake. This is not an expensive or labour intensive option, and there are many websites and texts which can assist you with advice and recipes. Natural supplements for diabetes can balance blood sugar and improve insulin production. A diet high in fibre and complex carbohydrates is appropriate for dogs with diabetes. Herbal remedies are available and can work very effectively. If your dog has a milder form of diabetes, the addition of a diabetes supplement can ensure that your dog never needs to progress to insulin injections.
With the increasing incidence of dogs suffering from diabetes, it is ideal to know which diabetic dog food to feed your pet. Choosing low-fat meats produce enzymes that break down fats. It is not recommended to feed ground beef. Processed foods are highly not recommended due to their very low nutritional value and high levels of sodium. Furthermore, they contain simple carbohydrates which are largely what lead to diabetes. A natural diet consisting of raw meats and some rotting vegetable and fruit matter, or even eggs are suitable. Sardines can add fatty acids which provide protection against diabetes. A unperceived benefit is giving a dog a beautiful shine to the coat and adding supplementary nutrition benefits. Dry dog food should be avoided as they lack moisture for good kidney processes. It should never be the sole source of protein or carbohydrates for any diet.
If purchasing canned foods or canned diabetic dog food, it should be high in protein and low in carbohydrate and sodium content. Furthermore, it should contain organic contents and be free from any dangerous toxins or preservatives. Semi-moist pet foods should be avoided due to high sugar content. In addition, they have been associated with high blood glucose levels.
A diet consisting of low sugars and carbohydrates, coupled with an active and energetic lifestyle is the ideal solution for canine diabetes. Ensuring regular exercise and a natural and balanced diet can lead the road to recovery.
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A good diabetic dog food that is easier to follow and buy is the Merrick brand canned food with the special “Low Glycemic” label on the front of each flavor can made specifically for diabetic dogs and cats. There is no need to go on a prescription diet, which are way over priced and ingredients are useless. The only reason they are prescription is because they can have outrageous percentages on proteins, fat, fiber, ext even though all you need is a well balanced ingredient list. These are usually meat based foods rather than grain based foods.
Meat based foods have more meat than grains. Dogs are like humans, we need more meat in our diet than grains. Too much grains in their diet cause all sorts of problems like: skin allergies, yeast infections in the ears, hot spots, kidney stones, and even diabetes. Usually grain based foods are not appetizing to your pet so they add in a high dose of sodium so make the food taste better. High sodium can and usually causes problems such as kidney stones.
A way you can find out what kind of food you feed look on the back of the bag and read the ingredient list. Feed all the way to the “fat” additive (canola oil, animal fat, chicken fat, ext). Everything up to the fat is really all the food is made up of. Then by looking at the first three ingredients can tell you if it is a grain or meat based food. You want to see more meat than grain and you want to see a meat as the first ingredient.
e.g.
Seeing Chicken as your first meat means it is fresh never frozen chicken meat. Chicken meal is frozen chicken meat, chicken byproduct means chicken meat, tendons, ligaments and fat, then meat and bone meal is the left over animal parts after everything else has been used.
No Corn, Wheat, or Soy. These are a useless grains and sores of proteins. Many common named brands use this for their protein % but they are not digestible proteins. It is a cheap protein to make food with but these companies have high dollar prices. Manley they use the numbers but it cannot be digested by your pet so they cannot use it so it passes right threw them. Now too much of these grains causes the problems. Either your pet is going to be born with an allergy or like humans create an allergy later on in life. You can easily solve this problem by eliminating those ingredients without having prescription foods, shots, and a higher budget on dog food. It will save you money down the road!
There are also other ingredients that can cause allergies like meats, peas, and even eliminating all grains in the diet. If you feed a chicken meat based foods maybe try a lamb, venison, or fish meat based food. If you try a grain free food there might be peas in the ingredients which are a new ingredient that some dogs can have an allergy reaction too.
Staying on a meat based food before problems have occurred will save you, your dog, and your bank account. If not you can face allergies, yeast infections in the ears, hot spots, biting at the paws, kidney stones, or diabetes. If you now face any of these it may mean you have to go to a simple meat / simple carb diet, grain free diet, or raw diets; not prescription foods (they are way over priced and can still cause problems which the vet will cover, but not fix the problem and then it will come back which means another trip to the vet).
Cats are easy. They are TRUE carnivores. They don’t need a single grain in their diet. They should be put on a grain free food from day one. If feeding a canned food make sure it is not full of sodium which causes urinary tract infections, ext. If you don’t want to pay for that high grade of food even maintaining a meat based food will do!
If you have any other questions feel free to ask!
Thanks!
K
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I have a 8 lb. male poodle with type 2 diabetes and I have had good luck with the Fromm Brand canned food. He seems to like it and I feed him twice a day and give him his shots. All has been fine for the last 6 months on this diet. Just thought I would throw that in.
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My 9 year old terrier has diabetes AND kidney disease. She has lost 2/3 kidney function. What diet would be the best to follow? She is on insulin 2 times per day.
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I lost my 8 year old rottweiler to diabetes and liver failure on March the 2nd 2011. I lost my very best friend the day he passed away and my heart still aches. I found out that the food that we were feeding him is problly gave him diabetes. I really had no clue. I am now waiting on the arrival of our new puppy a english mastiff. So I am doing this right from the beging and only do what’s best for the pup. Iam doing alot of research on dog food. I would appreciate all the help I could get.
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