Monday, May 24, 2010

Canine Diabetes: A Diabetic Patient And His Diabetic Dog ...

Canine Diabetes: A Diabetic Patient And His Diabetic Dog ...: "Three insulin shots for self and an equal number for the dog- what more is required to make the day annoying? I am not discussing about a real life.


Healthy Eating Magazine - http://www.healthyeatingmagazine.com/
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Saturday, May 22, 2010

Commercial or Homemade Diabetic Dog Foods


If your dog has been diagnosed with diabetes, you'll have to make changes to her--and your--lifestyle to ensure her good health. You will have to give her insulin shots daily. If you haven't before, you really need to be sure to get her exercising regularly. And most importantly you need to change her diet. The glucose levels in her blood have been way too (or too low). Now, you need to make sure she the proper balance of nutrients in her food to make sure the glucose (or sugar) in her blood stays level. Diabetic dog foods are designed to do just that.

You could buy diabetic dog foods that created by dog food manufacturers. Some dog owners, upon finding out about their dog's condition, may prefer to make meals especially for their dogs. Both are actually fine routes to go, but both have their pros and cons.

Some very good formulas for diabetic dogs are commercially available. But whether they're suitable for specific dogs is something that should be discussed with a veterinarian. Not all are the same. One thing that is important is the percentage of simple carbohydrates (or simple sugars) in the food. Things like corn meal, white rice, and refined or white wheat are simple sugars. Diabetic dog foods should contain little of this--they break down quickly in the blood. Good commercial brands will contain little. However, some brands 'call' themselves diabetic but contain too many carbohydrates as filler and can be actually harmful for a dog with diabetes.

Regarding home-prepared diets for diabetic dogs, you need to find special recipes. If you have the right balance of proteins, carbohydrates and fats, a homemade diet can really help improve your dog's condition. But if you are going to feed your furry friend home-prepared meals, let your veterinarian know. A vet understands all of the physiologic and pharmacological interactions going on in an animal's body. Devise your dog's diet with veterinary guidance.

Feeding a dog with diabetes a serious undertaking that you will need to consider for the rest of your dog's life. But it does not have to be a hardship. Get more information on finding the right diabetic dog foods on http://diabeticdogfoods.com that will work for your dog's health and your budget and time commitment.