Diabetes in dogs is associated with obesity through either over feeding or a high fat diet. Since today many dogs are overweight, you really have to look at the ingredients and avoid a diet high in fat and sugar in their food.
Causes of Diabetes in Dogs:
Many people are astonished to know that pet foods and treats contain sugar. Do you know a dog that prefers sugar in its diet, as I have not met one lately. I recently went to the local pet store just to read labels, and read the following list of ingredients on one particular brand I was astonished as what passes for nutrition and the list is:
We find that corn, sugar and sorbitol are all a form of sugar. Corn contains sugar in fact it is high on the gylcemic index for food that contain higher amounts of sugar. Corn is also not easily digested by dogs. Sorbitol is a sugar alcohol, which causes irritable bowel syndrome and is instrumental in developing IBS as well as diarrhea. Do you wonder why canine diabetes is on the rise?
Another cause of diabetes in dogs is cortisone treatments, a shock or a stressful event. The result is the development of diabetes mellitus or quite simply Sugar Diabetes. Also the obesity in dogs causes a higher rate of insulin to counter the higher blood glucose levels. If the need for insulin is higher than the dog's body can provide the consequence is a diabetic condition.
Diabetes can occur in puppies, which is typically called juvenile onset diabetes, usually a genetic condition or in adult dogs at later stages of life after consuming a whole lot of sugar in their foods.
Symptoms of Diabetes:
The general symptoms of canine diabetes are: drinking more water than usual, eating more, change in appetite, lethargy, frequent urination, weight loss, and general weakness.
How To Avoid Diabetes:
The question is what to feed your dog with all the changes in pet foods in the last twenty years; dog food quality has drastically been reduced. The most obvious answer is not feed your dog foods that contain sugar by checking the ingredients of your pet food. Also avoid cookies, treats and biscuits that contain sugar.
What is best for a diabetic dog or to prevent the onset of diabetes is a raw, natural diet with fresh vegetables.
Feedings:
If your dog already has diabetes, feedings should be two or three meals a day instead of one large meal. This method helps to balance out blood sugar throughout the day, rather than having the levels of sugar changing radically.
Avoid Moist Dog Foods:
These are the moist foods in cellophane plastic wrappers and semi-moist treats which contain a high quantity of sugar but all canned and packaged foods contribute to this disease. A high soluble fiber diet is recommended to slow the assimilation of glucose and a healthy lifestyle.
Supplements:
There are herbs and supplements that can help balances blood sugars in dogs. For instance brewer’s yeast contains a high amount of chromium a mineral that naturally balances blood sugar levels. Usually one teaspoon of brewers yeast for small to medium sized dogs, and one tablespoon for larger dogs with each meal.
Vitamin E reduces the need for insulin and Vitamin C also helps the immune system.
Blood sugar in pets when not balanced can lead to many other diseases such as of the heart, kidney, liver diseases and cataracts as well as intestinal disorders.
Exercise:
A good daily workout for your dog keeps the blood sugars down and prevents diabetes. I never knew a dog that did not like running circles around me in the park. My dog chasing a frisbee or a ball and this is all good in keeping a lean and trim dog. Keeping your dog exercised and in good shape will also be easier on your pocketbook, and avoid high veterinary bills.
This type of exercise whether a brisk walk or a good game of Frisbee also rekindles your bonding with your dog after a long day as well as keeping a few pounds off of your own waistline.
The right mix is important, for optimum health and although Veterinarians carry a line of “diabetic dog foods" I would expect that they are not organic or without additives.
Most specialty expensive brands of dog foods contain additives that counter act the advertised vitamins they have added therefore they balance out to produce no improvement at all. The ideal foods are those that are certified Organic which means “with no byproducts or additives or chemicals" and especially no sugar or corn .
If you dog is overweight, you will have to calculate a calorie count for daily intake, to determine the right amount. Your dog’s ideal weight can be achieved and weight loss can occur by using this method to keep the weight down.
Insulin for Dogs:
Dogs that have Type 1 Diabetes require insulin, which can be treated with human Insulin. There are canine formulas of diabetic insulin that are administered at least twice a day by injection, as the oral medications are not as effective. A schedule can be worked out with your veterinarian.
In summary it is prudent to avoid diabetes for you and your dog by using these simple tips you can avoid this debilitating disease.
Disclaimer: All information on this site is provided for informational purposes only! By no means is any
information presented herein intended to substitute for the advice provided to you by any health care or other professional
or organization.
