7 Rules for Feeding a Diabetic Dog

Diabetic dogs do require a special type of diet for them to cope with their condition. Aside from medications and daily exercises to control their diabetes, diet will play an important role for the effective management of diabetes in dogs. Diabetic dog foods must become a normal part of your diabetic pet’s diet. Here are seven important rules to remember when it comes to feeding a diabetic dog:

1. Dogs with diabetes should be fed exactly the same diabetic dog food every day at the same time. If you have other healthy dogs it would be best to feed them all at the same scheduled feedings with your diabetic dog. This way your diabetic pet will not accidentally eat the normal dog’s food that might cause unwanted glucose spikes. Scheduled feedings are normally effective when the insulin levels are high or after insulin shot is administered. Most vets will advise pet owners to maintain a routine scheduled feeding to avoid sudden blood sugar elevations.
2. Diabetic dogs should be given plenty of water. One general symptom of diabetes in dogs is frequent urination. That’s why it is best to provide your pet plenty of water throughout the day to keep them hydrated.
3. Feed your diabetic pet dog foods that are high in fiber. Whether you choose commercial or homemade diabetic dog foods it is very important that your diabetic dog gets plenty of fiber in his diet. The high fiber content of their diet will help slow down digestion of foods and will promote a more stable glucose level. Some good examples of high fiber dog foods should include vegetables like carrots and whole grains like brown rice.
4. Aside from a high fiber diet, it is also best to feed your diabetic dog a high protein meal. Quality Proteins are rich in amino acids that are needed by diabetic dogs to help them cope with their condition. A high protein diabetic dog food is essential to absorb the nutrients needed by your dog’s body.
5. Daily exercises are important for managing your dog’s diabetes. Depending on your diabetic dog’s age, condition and physical wellness a healthy exercise regime should be followed to better manage diabetes in dogs. It is best to always consult your vet before making an exercise program for your diabetic dog. Your vet can actually check and determine how much daily exercise your diabetic pet needs.
6. The general rule for feeding a diabetic dog is to give them a well balanced diet rich in fiber and protein and low in sugar. Often times these type of diabetic dog food is hard to find and with the many dog food manufacturers claiming to be “high quality” diabetic dog foods. It is best to start making your very own homemade diabetic dog foods. This is one of the best ways to be sure that your pet is eating the right balance of nutrients and the right quality of dog food. There are now a lot of online sites that offer free homemade diabetic dog food recipes that are both healthy for your diabetic dog and cheaper than most commercial diabetic dog foods.
7. Before trying out any of this simple rules to feeding a diabetic dog it is always a good practice to consult with your vet first. Remember that not all diabetic dogs have the same condition. Only your vet can determine what is best for your diabetic dog. By following these simple rules you can easily help your beloved pet cope with their condition.

How High Fiber Dog Foods Helps Diabetic Dogs

Most pet owners with diabetic dogs are struggling to learn how to manage their dog’s condition. Dogs with diabetes generally need more fiber in their diet than normal dogs. High fiber dog foods makes everything get digested a little slower in the dog's body. This slow digestion helps a nice steady stream of sugar and other nutrients in the blood stream and avoiding big glucose spikes.

Another beneficial effect of a high fiber diet is that fiber rich foods helps scrapes out the remaining food in the intestines so there are no extra food being digested unnecessarily. High fiber dog foods act as a magnet to clean your dog’s intestines of unwanted foods that may cause a sudden elevation of blood sugar. Sudden elevation of blood sugar can sometimes be fatal for your pets.

High fiber dog foods contain less simple carbohydrates. The great thing about these types of dog foods is that you can be sure that the least amount of sugar or starches are present in what you feed your diabetic dog. Diet plays a very important role to correctly managing your dog’s diabetes. It is always best to consult your vet before making any changes to your dog’s diet.

Here are some important things to look for when selecting a high fiber diet for your dog:

• Great examples of good fiber are whole grains, brown rice, oats, barley, alfalfa, rye, quinoa, dried beans, peas, nuts, dark green leafy vegetables, sweet potatoes and carrots.
• Most dog food manufacturers list high fiber ingredients differently. Try to look for bran (wheat, corn, oat, etc.), millet, oatmeal, dry kelp, beet pulp, flax seed, fruit and vegetable skins on the label of high fiber dog foods.
• Remember, the closer these ingredients are to the top of the list, the more present they are in the food. High fiber ingredients towards the end of the list may indicate only a little fiber is present for commercial dog foods.
• Most canned dog foods contain less fiber compared to dry dog foods.

It is very important to remember that diets for diabetic dogs should be increasing fiber-rich foods intake gradually while keeping fat and simple carbohydrates low. Watch the ingredients in those brands that call themselves high fiber dog foods and make sure the fiber ingredients are listed near the top of the label so you can be sure that you are giving your pet a real high fiber dog food.