Dog Diabetes: What Every Pup Parent Needs to Know

In our cozy corner of the world, it's easy to think we're immune to some of life's harder challenges. But the ups and downs of life hit us all. This past year was especially hard for my neighbor, Paul. He found out his beloved Beagle, Summer, had developed dog diabetes.

She had been noticeably lethargic and was spending a lot of time at the water bowl. Recognizing these possible signs of diabetes in dogs, Paul took her to Doctor Emily, one of our town vets.

After a thorough examination and testing, he got the news. Summer had diabetes mellitus, and the diabetic dog would need his full attention.

What Is Canine Diabetes?

Diabetes in dogs is much like diabetes in humans. It happens when a:

A) Dog's pancreas isn't producing enough insulin to process glucose that the dog consumes through food or makes internally (called Type 1 or Juvenile-Onset Diabetes in humans)

B) Dog's cells have become resistant to insulin, the hormone that tells them when to take in glucose and turn it into energy. (Type 2, and much more common than Type 1)

This leads to elevated blood glucose levels. If not managed properly this condition can cause various health issues. Too much glucose circulates for extended periods, damaging cells and, eventually, whole organs.

Common Signs of Diabetes in Dogs

Common signs of diabetes in dogs include:

• Increased thirst
• Frequent urination
• Lethargy as cells aren't effectively converting glucose into cellular energy
• Cloudy eyes as advanced diabetes can lead to cataracts.

Diabetes is an odd one. Diabetic dogs are often extra hungry, eating more, and rapidly losing weight at the same time because their energy-processing system is out of whack.

Early detection and consistent management are crucial to ensure a good quality of life for dogs like Summer.

The Role of Diet in Managing Dog Diabetes

Diet is crucial for managing diabetes of any kind. This, of course, includes a veterinarian-approved kibble. Several reputable dog food brands make kibble designed to meet diabetic dogs' dietary needs.

Most dogs eat more than just kibble, though. They may eat food scraps and dog treats.

This isn't a bad thing. But you should be aware that most dog treats are unsuitable for diabetic dogs.

No Sugar-Added Dog Treats

High-value dog treats can fill in nutritional gaps in an all-kibble diet.

But when choosing natural dog treats for diabetic dogs, ensure they don't contain added sugar. As I mentioned, sugar is hard for the dog to process. If your dog is taking insulin, they'll need more of it over time if you're giving your dog sweet dog treats.

Sadly, many ultra-processed dog treats contain added sugar and other questionable flavor enhancers and artificial colors because dogs like the taste of sugar, too.

Increasing Fiber Intake

Dogs can eat pumpkin, butternut squash, raw green beans, sweet potatoes and fruit like apples and blueberries,

But if you give them these, they should ideally eat them with the fibrous peeling or another fiber source. Fiber can slow down how fast glucose enters the blood, helping a dog regulate diabetes naturally.

Contrary to popular belief, most "whole grains" in the US are not high in fiber. So, if possible, grains should be avoided.

Avoiding High Saturated Fat Food

It's also important to avoid excessive saturated fat, which can irritate the pancreas, leading to pancreatitis (further diminishing the pancreas' ability to regulate blood sugar. For example, I buy grass-fed beef dog bones and treats.

Grass-fed beef is higher in healthy fats, lower in saturated fat, and leaner overall.

More Protein

Protein is critical to diabetes management. It can reduce muscle wasting, help them build new muscle, and keep your dog feeling stronger.

Collagen protein, in particular, is a structural protein that helps bones, joints, skin, and organs repair themselves. So, it's also crucial.

Consistent Eating Schedule

A consistent eating schedule allows the dog's body to rev up digestive enzymes and insulin production to get ready to eat. It also gives the dog's system a period to process glucose before eating again.

Eating every 10-12 hours is ideal for most. But I'll defer to your vet. They know your dog better than I do.

Monitoring Treat Consumption

Dog treats should be no more than 10% of a dog's diet. These include all foods that you give your dog that aren't their kibble.

The Role of Exercise and Weight Management

Regular exercise is critical at all stages of a dog's life. Encouraging physical activity even when they seem lethargic can help your dog feel better in the long run.

Activity after a meal, like a walk or game of fetch, may seem counterintuitive in our mostly sedentary culture. But moving after a meal actually helps the body better manage glucose.

Regular exercise can also help your dog manage excess fat weight. Higher body fat can lead to insulin resistance (if it's not a diabetic dog yet). Helping them lose weight (if overweight) may help you better manage their condition with diet, exercise, and/or prescriptions.

How the Best Treats for Diabetic Dogs Support Diabetes Management

Positive reinforcement training is one of the best ways to help your dog get motivated to move more.

In this dog training technique, you use high-value treats and praise to teach dog skills like fetch, find it, rollover, let's go, ball, and other active dog commands.

But of course, you'll want to choose high-value treats with no added sugar, low in saturated fat, high in health-promoting nutrition, especially protein.

To learn more about how to use positive reinforcement training to get a diabetic dog moving and restore their energy, join the Free 7-Day Dog Training Challenge.

Dog bone chew sessions 2-3 times a week can supplement physical activity and nutrition. They work the jaw muscles, which are critical for dog posture and dog health. Chewing on dog bones also alleviates boredom and mentally engages them, enhancing how they feel and their quality of life.

Hands down, the best treats for diabetic dogs are the single-ingredient grass-fed beef dog treats and dog bones from K9 Connoisseur.

Integrating Healthy Treats into Your Dog's Routine

Incorporating healthy treats into your diabetic dog's routine can be both rewarding and beneficial. Here are some great ways to use treats to support a dog with diabetes.

• Positive Reinforcement - Use treats to reward good behavior or during training sessions, reinforcing positive actions without compromising their diet.
• Post-Insulin Reward - Offering a small treat after administering insulin. This can reduce fear of needles and create a positive association with the injection process. But make sure that treat doesn't spike glucose. Only single-ingredient meaty treats on the menu for diabetic dogs.
• Portion Control - Be mindful of treat sizes and quantities to prevent overfeeding. Even healthy treats should be given in moderation, accounting for them in your dog's daily caloric intake.

Managing Dog Diabetes

Managing a diabetic dog requires dedication and informed choices, especially concerning diet and treats. By selecting natural, high-protein options like those from K9 Connoisseur, you can provide your dog with enjoyable snacks that support their health

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