If you have a dog who has recently been diagnosed with diabetes, you may find yourself wondering “how can I help my dog?” Although your primary care veterinarian will walk you through the next steps, it is important to learn as much as you can about what you can be doing at home to help manage your dog’s condition.

In this article, we’ll provide some guidance that can help both you and your dog cope with an intimidating diagnosis. If your dog is experiencing emergency symptoms from diabetes, contact VEG ER for Pets day or night and speak with a doctor.

Can a dog get diabetes?

Yes, dogs can get diabetes. Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects how a body uses sugar (glucose) for energy.

So what is diabetes in dogs? In a healthy dog, the pancreas produces a hormone called insulin, which helps move glucose from the bloodstream into the body’s cells where it can be used for energy. When a dog has diabetes, their body either doesn’t produce enough insulin or can’t use insulin properly. As a result, glucose builds up in the bloodstream instead of fueling the body’s cells.

Diabetes is most often diagnosed in middle-aged and senior dogs, though it can occur at any age. While it’s a lifelong condition, many dogs can live happy, healthy lives with proper treatment and ongoing veterinary care.

Know the signs of diabetes in dogs so you can get fast care in case of emergency. VEG ER for Pets is open 24/7 to care for diabetes emergencies with your pet.

Signs & symptoms of diabetes in dogs

Because diabetes affects how the body uses energy, the signs of diabetes in dogs are often related to changes in thirst, appetite, and weight. Some symptoms can appear gradually, while others may develop more quickly.

Common symptoms of diabetes in dogs include:

• Increased thirst and appetite

• Frequent urination

• Unexplained weight loss

• Lethargy 

• Cloudy eyes or cataracts

• Recurrent infections

If you notice these symptoms, it’s important to contact your veterinarian as soon as possible. Early diagnosis can make a big difference in managing the disease and preventing complications.

Early diagnosis can make a big difference in managing the disease and preventing complications. If you notice these symptoms, it’s important to contact a VEG ER for Pets veterinarian as soon as possible. VEG is open 24 hours; call and speak directly with a doctor anytime.

How to help manage diabetes in dogs

With the help of the following tips and strategies, you can ensure your dog has the best possible quality of life, even with diabetes.

Managing diabetes in dogs

Put your dog a healthy diet to help manage diabetes

One of the first and most important parts of managing a diabetes diagnosis for your dog is making sure they are on a high quality diet. It is important to choose a diet your pet will eat reliably, and ideally your dog should be fed two equal meals about 12 hours apart. Your vet will likely recommend a specific food for your pet based on their individual needs, and it may be a food that you can only get via veterinary prescription.

It is imperative to keep diabetic dogs at a healthy weight, so it is important to not overfeed your dog. This means minimizing treats! If you want to give your dog treats, talk to your vet about healthier options or consider treats high in fiber, such as small pieces of vegetables.

Diabetic dog food

Your veterinarian may recommend switching to a diabetic dog food formulated to help support stable blood sugar levels. Many diabetic dog food options are available on the market, and they’re typically designed with balanced fiber, controlled carbohydrates, and consistent calorie content to help regulate glucose levels throughout the day.

Because every dog’s health needs are different, your primary care veterinarian can help you choose a diabetic dog food or nutrition plan that works best for your pup.

Diabetic dog food recipe

Some pet owners are even interested in preparing a diabetic dog food recipe at home. While homemade diets can work for some dogs, it’s important to remember that dogs with diabetes need carefully balanced nutrition to help keep blood sugar levels stable. If you’re considering a homemade diabetic dog food recipe, always talk with your veterinarian or a veterinary nutritionist first to make sure your dog’s meals meet their medical and nutritional needs.

Some ingredients that may be included in a veterinarian-approved diabetic dog food recipe include:

Fiber-rich foods

• Pumpkin

• Green beans

• Broccoli

• Spinach

  
  

Lean protein sources

• Chicken breast

• Turkey

• Lean ground beef

• Fish

  
  

Low-glycemic carbohydrates

• Quinoa

• Barley

• Brown rice

• Oats

  
  

A balanced diabetic dog food recipe may combine a lean protein with vegetables and a small portion of low-glycemic carbohydrates, served in consistent amounts at the same times each day.

Because nutritional balance is critical for dogs with diabetes, homemade diets should always be developed with veterinary guidance to ensure your dog is getting the right nutrients while managing their condition.

Exercise may benefit a diabetic dog

Exercise can go a long way toward helping a dog manage his diabetes. Just like humans, dogs who have diabetes get a lot of benefits from exercising regularly. Work with your primary care vet to come up with a healthy, proper exercise plan for your dog based on his size, breed, weight, age, and more.

It is important for you to keep up with your dog’s exercise needs. If you don’t feel like you can do this, you may consider working with a professional dog daycare or dog walker to exercise your dog during the day.

Insulin injections for dogs

Just like humans, dogs with diabetes are treated with insulin. Most diabetic dogs need insulin injections twice a day. These injections are done at home by you! Your primary care veterinary team can help teach you the best tips and tricks for administering injections at home, but most people are surprised that it is not difficult to learn.

During the early stages of your dog’s diagnosis, you may need to try several types and dosages of insulin with your vet’s help until you find the right one. As the disease progresses your vet will help you to make adjustments to keep your dog’s diabetes under continuous control.

Some human foods should be off-limits for dogs, especially if your dog is diabetic, as sugars and fats can affect their health. Call VEG if your dog is experiencing a vet emergency due to diabetes.

Treatment of secondary conditions for diabetic dogs

If your dog is diabetic, secondary conditions may be more difficult to manage than they would be for an otherwise healthy dog. Any secondary infections, diseases, illnesses or conditions that occur in your dog should be treated and managed promptly with the help of your regular vet. Treatment options may vary and could change depending on your dog’s overall health condition. If you have concern that your dog is developing a secondary illness, you should have your pet evaluated by your veterinarian promptly, as to not delay treatment.

Schedule regular vet visits for dogs with diabetes

VEG ER for Pets animal hospitals are here for you and your pet 24 hours a day for urgent care and emergency vet care. But one of the most important factors in keeping your dog’s diabetes under control is follow up with your primary care vet.

Understand that you’ll need to be ready for multiple vet visits each year when you have a diabetic dog. These visits will largely be for monitoring and upkeep only, but they may also involve diagnostics, treatments, and changes to your dog’s management plan. In severe instances, your pet may need to see an emergency vet at your nearest VEG animal hospital for more urgent care.

Monitoring for changes in a diabetic dog

Finally, it is important to keep a close eye on your dog following a diabetes diagnosis. You may notice changes to their behavior at home, and you should be ready to bring them to the vet if there are any significant changes or concerns for their health.

You may want to start keeping a journal to track your dog’s habits and health during this journey. Keep track of how much and what they eat (including treats!), exercise routines, water consumption, energy levels, and bathroom habits. If any unusual symptoms develop (vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, weakness, or other concerning behaviors), you should consult with an emergency vet right away.

VEG 24-hour animal hospital for dog's diabetic emergency vet care

A diagnosis of diabetes is not a death sentence for a dog by any means. However, it does mean you’ll need to focus more on your dog’s health requirements moving forward. It is a lifestyle, financial, and emotional commitment, but with the right care most dogs go on to have a great quality of life as long as they are continuously managed.

This article is not intended to replace any advice or recommendations from your dog's primary care vet. Always follow your vet’s guidance first when it comes to the health and wellness of your pet. If your dog is experiencing an emergency, call or visit any one of our hospital locations. We have locations all over the country that are open 24/7, which means that you never have to wait for your pet to receive proper care and treatment.