What is the best diabetic dry dog food in 2024?
Diabetic dogs require a special diet to mitigate the effects of diabetes. This disease is caused by obesity, predisposition, or poor diet and is quite painful for dogs. Fortunately, you can help your pet with special kibbles.
It is essential to gently reduce the weight of a diabetic dog to better control fluctuations in its blood sugar levels. Diabetic dry dog food, therefore, has a high fibre content, which slows down the digestion of carbohydrates in the intestinal tract. The protein in the kibble is derived from poultry, lean meat, or fish, with little fat.
It is vital to seek veterinary advice before changing your dog's diet. The doctor will be able to tell you your dog's ideal weight.
Is your ageing dog starting to develop diabetes? You'll have to change their lifestyle to make them as comfortable as possible. To do that, opt for special diabetic food for dogs made from premium ingredients and low in fat. We've put together this short comparison to help you choose the best meals for your dog.
Summary
How can I tell if my dog has diabetes?
It is vital to watch your dog closely to look out for any signs of pre-diabetes. During this phase, your pet's body glucose level rises rapidly. Only a blood test can detect diabetes at this stage of the disease. When the glucose reaches the urine, the symptoms of diabetes become apparent.
Diabetic dogs have a big appetite. At the same time, they suffer from a general lack of fitness and tire quickly. If your dog can't stand long walks or play sessions, it may be suffering from diabetes.
Dogs with diabetes also urinate very frequently. That is because they need to eliminate unregulated glucose. In addition, the urine of diabetic dogs has a strong and easily recognisable smell. To counteract dehydration, sick dogs drink a lot of water.
Finally, weight loss is another common symptom of diabetes.
How can you prevent diabetes in dogs?
The best way to effectively prevent diabetes in dogs is to ensure a healthy lifestyle. Choose a well-balanced diet prepared with quality ingredients and not too much sugar. Make sure it is suitable for your dog's needs: puppy or senior, neutered or not, small or large breed, the list goes on.
It is also essential to serve meals at set times while respecting the quantities recommended by the vet. Additionally, keep an eye on your dog's weight, and don't miss annual health check-ups with a professional.
Limiting treats is another way to prevent your dog from developing diabetes. In any case, choose quality treats that won't make your dog fat. And never give your pet leftovers from your meals, as that kind of food is unsuitable for their metabolism.
Finally, to keep your dog healthy, make sure they exercise every day.
What are the consequences of diabetes in dogs?
Canine diabetes can lead to severe complications for your dog. That's why it's crucial to pay close attention to the symptoms of the disease. Your dog's condition will worsen very quickly unless treated by a veterinarian.
Diabetes can lead to vision problems in dogs, such as cataracts or blindness. It also causes recurrent infections throughout the dog's body. Diabetes also causes kidney problems with recurrent cystitis. Diabetic dogs suffer from frequent vomiting and breathing problems and are prone to coma. In the worst case, diabetes can be lethal.
What should I feed my diabetic dog?
If your dog suffers from diabetes, it is essential to change their diet according to their condition. The cells of a diabetic animal can no longer absorb sugar properly. They, therefore, use the dog's fat reserves to obtain sufficient energy. That is why diabetic dogs lose weight quickly.
Choose a diet rich in protein and fibre. Protein allows the dog to fill up on energy while reducing the risk of obesity. Soluble fibre has a satiety effect that limits weight gain. At the same time, it helps control blood sugar levels.
Diabetic dogs should also be fed a diet rich in fat. Fatty acids such as omega-3 help drain the liver and promote the proper functioning of the body.
As for carbohydrates, they should not exceed 25% of the dog's diet. They are essential for your dog's balance.
What are the benefits of diabetic dry dog food?
Dry food for diabetic dogs does not contain any simple sugars. Fructose, sucrose, and glucose are detrimental to your dog's health, especially when it is ill.
In addition, diabetic dry dog food is enriched with protein, fibre and carefully selected fats. It is made with quality ingredients that support the immune system.
Furthermore, this type of kibble limits the weight gain of diabetic animals. Because they are always hungry, they tend to eat more than the required amount and quickly gain weight, which leads to further health problems.