The care of a diabetic dog can be daunting, particularly when it comes to feeding time. Diabetic dogs require a little more care and planning when it comes to meals, but with a little practice it will become second nature to you. When planning your diabetic dog’s meals you need to think about a few things; nutritional content, Insulin injection schedule and portion size.
Diabetic Dog Diets
Your Veterinarian will tell you how much and how often to feed your dog. He may even prescribe food based on your dogs particular dietary requirements, however you can manage your pooches special needs almost as easily with nearly any commercial dog food. Wet or soft varieties are generally discouraged because they lack adequate fiber necessary to a diabetic dog. High fiber content is important as it slows bowel motion as well as the absorption of complex carbohydrates. This allows the dogs body to take in as much of the vitamins, minerals, and proteins as possible. Equally important are Complex Carbohydrates. A diet high in complex Carbs increases digestion time, also aiding in nutrient absorption. When these two are combined they work together to prevent sharp spikes in the blood glucose level after eating. This is vitally important to maintaining an even level in the acceptable range.
Insulin for diabetic dogs
Portion size and insulin injections for diabetic dogs go almost hand in hand. You should always feed your dog prior to injections. Waiting until he has finished eating lets you see how much he ate and whether or not he needs his full dose of insulin. How often your dog receives his shot generally dictates
how you should schedule his meals. For example; if your dog requires one injection during the day then he should be fed approximately one third (1/3) of his daily amount before the shot and the remainder roughly 6 hours later. Should he require two injections per day then you should feed him about half (1/2) of his daily amount before the first shot and the other half prior to his second injection (about 12 hours later). Although it seems tricky at first, the feeding schedule will become second nature after
a short while.
Diabetic Dog Health
Another way to help control your canine companion’s blood glucose level is somewhat simpler. Regular exercise, be it a jog in the park or a rousing game of fetch will lower his blood glucose level the same as insulin does. While it is not a substitute for his daily injections, moderate activity will help keep his weight under control, not to mention the obvious benefits to his overall health.
Diabetic Dog Vets
Disclaimer: Always be sure to check with your veterinarian before changing your dogs diet, activity level, medications or Insulin dose amounts.
Leave a Reply