Diabetic Dog Food - Homemade and Commercial Diets

As healthcare for our pets becomes more efficient, our pets are living longer. As a result of this happy state of affairs, our pets are also more subject to the physical conditions and diseases that come with advanced age such as diabetes and arthritis. Fortunately, these conditions and diseases are also more treatable than they were in the past. Part of this treatment includes diet.

Your dog's diet is, in fact, one of the most vital parts of his treatment. When treating a diabetic dog it is imperative not to allow him to gain too much weight. Similarly, he should not lose too much weight. Any change in your dog's weight will affect his body mass, which will in turn affect his insulin use. Any planned changes in weight, such as slimming down an obese dog, should be done under the supervision of a veterinarian.

In general, both natural and added simple sugars should be avoided in the diabetic dog's food. Many soft foods, such as the semi-moist "burgers" and treat, contain a higher than recommended amount of sugar. Their relatively high moisture content, combined with this higher sugar content, may cause a spike in the dog's blood sugar after eating.

Routine is also an important part of the diabetic dog's diet. The difficulty that comes with owning a diabetic dog for many people is the difficulty in maintaining their dogs' blood sugar level over a long period. A well-established routine that features a regular schedule of meals, treats, and exercise is of great benefit in terms of maintaining a diabetic dog's good health. Such a routine, in combination with a good diet that maintains the dog's weight at an ideal level, may reduce or even negate the need to treat the dog with insulin.

Homemade Diets
Although many people enjoy cooking for their pets, especially if their pets are ill, homemade diets are not recommended for diabetic dogs. These diets are too variable to be suitable, even if high-quality ingredients are used. The only time that a homemade diets is recommended for a diabetic dog is when the dog refuses to eat a commercial diet: before a food does a diabetic dog any good, it has to get past its teeth!

Commercial Diets
Commercial diabetic canine diets are varied, to give the owner and veterinarian more options when prescribing food for an affected dog. These dogs have lower protein than that which the dog might get in a homemade diet, ranging from about 5 percent dry weight to about 8 percent dry weight.

The advantage that these diets have over homemade diets is the consistency of their ingredients; however, not all dogs will eat them. It might take trying several different formulations before finding one that the dog will enjoy. Mixing prescription canned food with some prescription canned might be helpful in meeting the needs of the dog while satisfying his need for flavor.

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