YummyHealthyDogFood

Dogs, like people, get diabetic too. If your dog is diabetic, the best way to care for it and to control its diabetes is by feeding it diabetic dog food that’s low on sugar and carbohydrates. Aside from watching out for its sugar intake, you also have to watch for how much food it eats and how frequent its meals are. A regular dog is normally fed one large meal a day, whereas in the case of a diabetic dog, two to three smaller meals are preferred. The reason behind this is that with smaller meals the sugar level stays stable, compared to one big meal that raises the insulin level for that period of time then drops down after 12 hours. Low blood sugar causes hypoglycemia, a serious condition.

So what are the food choices you have for your diabetic dog? Here are some suggestions that can help you and your furry friend control its diabetes:

Avoiding dog food with sugar
A lot of owners have no clue about the amount of sugar or carbohydrates in commercial dog food. Why be concerned about carbohydrates too? They are seen as a form of sugar because when in the body, they metabolize into glucose, and both soft dog food and dry food are a no-no for the diabetic dog. But if you must feed your dog commercial food, canned food is the better pick. Diabetic or not, also always check the ingredients printed on the label.

Diabetic dog food made at home
Probably the best solution is food made at home and preferably raw. This way you know exactly how much sugar and carbohydrates are going into the food. It may seem tiring and expensive, and it can be, but it doesn’t have to be! Some internet research will help you out, you can find a lot of advice on taking care of and feeding your dog and get some recipes that are nutritious and delicious to your dog.

Keeping fat at a minimum
Aside from keeping the blood sugar and insulin level regulated in the body, the pancreas also produces enzymes that break down fat. By keeping the fat intake to a minimum, it helps take the stress of the pancreas, which is essential. Do not give ground beef at all, and if you give turkey and chicken, make sure to remove the extra fat. Some fat is suppose to be good for the diet, but according to nutritionists, its better to minimize it as much as possible.

Distinguishing between good and bad grains
You can give your dog some grains, but you always have to be careful about the amount you feed it. Animals are not able to digest grains as well as we can because their digestive tracks are shorter, so grains are not usually advised. But some grains can be good for diabetic dog. Fiber helps control the level of insulin, this you can get from millet, oats and brown rice. Another choice is cornmeal, as suggest by some nutritionists, but dogs do tend to have allergic reactions to corn and wheat, so be careful. And when you use grains, use them sparingly because as carbohydrates they do turn into glucose in the body.

It’s good to add fresh fruit and vegetables, which are high in nutrients and vitamins, and have natural sugar in your dogs diet. Natural sugar doesn’t have the effects that processed sugar has on the insulin levels. Brewer’s yeast is also recommended. It has a substance called ‘glucose tolerance factor’. This helps the body to use the blood sugar more efficaciously. Last is vitamin E, which helps reduce the body’s requirement for insulin.

These are all good tips for you diabetic dog, but it is best to always consult with your vet first when changing the dogs diet to make sure of the food that best fits your dog’s special needs. Your vet will also most likely tell you to never give baked food that contains sugar and flour to you dog as a rule of thumb.

Before making any changes to your dog’s diet, it is important to consult a vet about the diabetic dog food diet your pet needs, and give those foods that your dog tolerates well. But, as a thumb rule, avoid giving baked foods that contain sugar and flour.