If your dog is suffering from diabetes, they will need to eat a special diet. This diet is quite different from that of most dogs and can become quite expensive with all the protein and low carb additions you’ll need to make sure your canine doesn’t suffer any type of dietary deficiency. But there are plenty of ways to save money on this diet and make sure the healthiest meal possible is coming out of your budgeting. Check it out below!
Top Tips for Managing a Healthy Diet for Your Diabetic Dog
This article presents you with some easy step-by-step advice as well as quick recipes to help you manage your dog’s food intake as effectively as possible.
1. Know The Right Amount
First, you’ll need to make sure your dog is getting the right amount of food for their size and weight. You can look at their ribs and spine to make sure there is no extra fat covering any of the bone structures. If they’re overweight, try to cut back on their portions slowly to avoid them feeling sick or hungry. Unused calories will be stored as fat, so if they’re slimming down, try adding an extra bit of exercise into their routine. If your dog is eating regularly, try to keep their portions about the same. If this is not the case, you’ll need to be vigilant and make sure they’re eating regularly.
2. Give Nutrients
Dog food must contain a balanced diet for dogs with diabetes which means that every meal contains enough protein to help maintain muscle mass and can include a variety of healthy fats. To give your pooch the nutrition they need, it’s a good idea to create a mixture of different foods which will allow them to get a variety of nutrients from one meal. This way, you can stop your pet from feeling hungry between meals and prevent cravings from occurring.
Healthy fats are also important in creating a balanced diet, so it’s best to add sources of fat to your dog’s meals. To keep costs down, you’ll need to keep these meals simple by making your own versions of kibble which can help you save money in the long run. This will ensure your dog is still getting the nutrition they need with only a little extra work on your part. If you’re looking for some great recipes that fulfill all these requirements, read on!
3. Maintain Proper Hydration
Maintaining proper hydration is also key in managing diabetes. Dogs can easily become dehydrated which can cause their pancreas to produce too much insulin, sending their blood glucose levels sky-high. By making sure your dog is drinking plenty of water, you can prevent this from happening and ensure that they’re not only safe throughout the day but also healthy enough to maintain good blood glucose levels.
Though dogs require far less water than humans do each day, it’s still important that they’re able to drink enough throughout the day. The average amount of water a dog should consume per day ranges between 30 milliliters (1 fluid ounce) and 2 liters (0.5 fluid ounces). This amount should be enough to hydrate your dog and keep them well-hydrated. If you notice that your dog is not drinking enough water or isn’t drinking it quickly, try adding a few drops of mineral oil to the bowl every day. This will help stimulate their thirst which will encourage them to drink more water.
4. Avoid Sugary Food
Foods that contain sugar should be avoided for dogs suffering from diabetes as they can cause too much insulin production which can make their blood glucose levels spike. Elevated sugar levels will cause their pancreas to produce more insulin which can lead to hyperglycemia (too much glucose) and hypoglycemia (too little glucose). By preventing your dog from eating foods that spike their blood glucose levels, you can make sure they’re well-regulated and healthy throughout their lives.
5. Avoid Food Containing High Fat
Feeding dogs food which is high in fat can also be bad for their health. This is because the body needs to metabolize it in order to be able to use it for energy. Because of this, dogs will need to produce more insulin in order to process these fats which will eventually lead the pancreas into over-acting and producing too much insulin. By reducing how much fat they eat, though, you can help control the amount of insulin they’re producing. This way, your pooch still gets plenty of energy from their diet even though they’re consuming fewer calories overall.
Try to avoid offering fatty foods that are high in saturated fats to your dog. These foods will provide little or no nutrition for your pooch but, instead, only cause their pancreas to overreact and produce too much insulin which can lead to blood glucose levels becoming too high or low. By reducing the amount of fat in your dog’s diet, you’ll lessen the effects of this over-production in their body which will help them regulate their food intake and prevent diabetes in the long run.
DIY Recipes: Nutritious Meal for Diabetic Dogs
When you’re looking to achieve a balanced diet for dogs with diabetes, it’s a good idea to create a healthy kibble recipe that you can store in the freezer. All you’ll need is a bit of ground beef and some oats along with some other grains. It’s best to use whole grains as they contain more fiber and less starch than refined ones which can cause your dog problems with blood glucose levels. Add all these ingredients together in a bowl and bake it in the oven for about 15 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit (180 degrees Celsius). This will give your dog the right amount of nutrition they need without costing too much money.
You can also make the kibble by mixing the ingredients together in a bowl before cooking them. This mixture can include things like brown rice, whole wheat flour, corn pasta, and white rice. Make sure to cook the kibble for 20 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit (180 degrees Celsius) to get it evenly cooked throughout. When you’re finished with those options, try making your own version that uses almond milk as a base. You’ll need some almond milk and some oatmeal for this recipe as well as a few other ingredients which you can mix together before leaving them to gel in the fridge overnight.
Alternatively, you can take advantage of your dog’s love of treats by creating some healthy dog cakes. To make these, you’ll need some low-fat cream cheese along with some egg whites and some wheat flour to make the batter. It’s best to use rice flour for this recipe as it’s also high in fiber and contains no gluten which can cause food allergies. Once you’ve mixed everything together, bake the cake for approximately 20 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit (180 degrees Celsius). This will give your dog a taste of their favorite treats but will still be full of all the nutrients needed to keep them healthy.
Finally, you can also create healthier treats for your dog to enjoy. If you have access to rawhide dog chews made from beef leather, they’re a great choice for your pooch. These chews are high in protein but low in sugar which means your dog will only need to eat them occasionally and won’t develop any problems with diabetes at all.
Other Important Articles About Diabetes in Dogs That You Must Read:
Your dog may not be able to tell you if they’re diabetic or not and you may never know until it’s too late. This is why it’s important to start looking for clues by maintaining a close eye on how your pup is dealing with their food intake and looking for signs of diabetes such as excessive thirst, frequent urination, blood sugar fluctuations, weight loss, and lethargy. Check out our article ‘Signs your dog is diabetic’ for more information on this topic.
Treatment for diabetes in dogs is similar to how it is in humans. When they are diagnosed, they will be prescribed insulin to help their body regulate their blood glucose levels so that they’re not too high or low. If there are no complications, your dog should be able to lead an active life. ‘How to treat Diabetes in dogs’ is an informative article on this topic. Go read!
One of the best ways you can manage diabetes in your dog is by maintaining an active lifestyle. By running around, playing fetch, swimming, and exploring different parts of your local park with your dog, you’ll be able to prevent them from becoming sedentary. If you have no idea what it’s like living with a diabetic dog, here’s our article ‘Living with a diabetic dog’ that you must check out!
Conclusion
Dogs with diabetes need special diets to help regulate their metabolism. Moreover, some diabetic dog foods are formulated for specific needs. If you have any confusion or questions, it’s always a good idea to discuss dietary plans with your veterinarian.
Thank you for reading the article.
To explore more, check out other canine diabetes-related articles that you might be interested in.
How do you manage your dog’s diet? What food do you avoid giving to your pup? We would love to hear from you. Please share with our community by leaving a comment below!