Pet Diet and Nutrition

Once you have your diabetic pet regulated on insulin it's smooth sailing, right? Well, not necessarily. Even a well-regulated diabetic doggie may mischievously get into the trash and subsequently vomit.

Key Takeaways

• The best diet for a diabetic dog depends on its overall health, including weight, kidney function, history of pancreatitis, and food allergies.
• Complex carbohydrates and fiber help support healthy blood sugar levels in diabetic dogs, unlike the low-carb diets often recommended for diabetic cats.
• Consistent meal timing is essential. Feed your dog at the same time as […]
  

Key Takeaways

• Consistency matters, but occasional insulin delays are usually manageable. Work with your veterinarian to adjust dosing if an injection is significantly early or late.
• Treat recommendations differ for dogs and cats. Diabetic cats benefit from low-carb treats, while diabetic dogs do well with low-fat treats containing complex carbohydrates.
• Offer treats around mealtime so insulin […]
  

Key Takeaways

• Low-carb canned diets may improve blood sugar control and can even lead to diabetic remission in some cats, but insulin doses often need adjustment.
• Aim for canned foods with less than 10% carbohydrates, and work with your veterinarian before making any dietary or insulin changes.
• Consider your cat’s overall health, especially kidney disease, since […]
  

Key Takeaways

• There is no single “perfect” food for diabetic pets, but diets should be tailored by species, favoring complex carbohydrates for dogs and lower-carb options for cats.
• Most diabetic dogs and cats benefit from low-fat diets, especially if pancreatitis is a concern, with fat content typically kept under 10%.
• Consistency matters as much as food […]
  

One of the most common questions I get is about feeding diabetic pets. Part of this is common sense, but let's chat about the big picture. And the big picture isn't quite the same for dogs as it is for cats.

This morning when I got up and wandered toward the coffee pot my cats made a beeline toward the kitchen, meowing like they hadn't eaten in days. This, of course, is not true, no matter what they might tell you. I have a skinny male cat who refuses to eat more than a few bites at a time. And I have a voluptuous female cat that has been on a diet for the last 11 years.