Diabetic dog - feeling delicate atm :(

krlyr

I've not personally had experience with a diabetic dog, but I've used this website's article on arthritis in the past and it's fab advice, so I imagine their article on diabetes will be just as helpful
http://dogaware.com/articles/wdjdiabetesdiets.html

I raw-feed and have heard of quite a few people who switched because of their dogs' diabetes - eliminating the unnecessary carbs/sugars from commercial food is supposed to help keep the blood sugar labels more stable. Lots of raw feeds will use a dehydrator to dry out some of the raw meats for treats too, so you could always feed part of the diet as 'treats' - doggy won't know the difference!

herbily

I'd second the suggestion of Fish4 dogs, they do treats that are basically just dried fish skin, like this: http://www.fish4dogs.com/Products/sea-jerky-squares.aspx


I think various pet stores do them, but used to get mine from a supermarket until they stopped selling them and I had to go to a local petshop instead.

elsien

Can you make some treats? Not sure what you're meant to avoid, but would liver cake or sardine biscuits be doable?

heartbreak_star

I have a dehydrator so I'm going to have a go at making some dried liver cubes

Thank you everyone, I'm feeling a lot more positive and fuzzy is getting used to her injections

HBS x

paddypaws101

My experience is with diabetic cats, but based on that I would totally avoid dried food even if labelled 'diabetic'. You want protein and fat to stabilise blood sugars and not much else, so the advice from Krlyr makes sense to me.
BUT! You should be very careful about changing the carb content of the food because lower carbs will mean less insulin is needed, and a diet change could cause a serious hypoglycaemic attack which can be fatal.
With cats we use a human glucometer to test the blood at home via a tiny pin !!!!! on the outer edge of the ear. This way we can monitor the BG at any given time and even adjust insulin dose if needed.
http://www.cat-dog-diabetes.com/dogs-blood-testing.asp
http://www.caninediabetes.org/pdorg/newprick.html

bellaboo86

My dog, who isn't diabetic, loves carrot and other veg. another favourite is melon. I'm sure a few chunks won't have a bad effect on the blood sugar.

teddysmum

herbily wrote: »

I'd second the suggestion of Fish4 dogs, they do treats that are basically just dried fish skin, like this: http://www.fish4dogs.com/Products/sea-jerky-squares.aspx


I think various pet stores do them, but used to get mine from a supermarket until they stopped selling them and I had to go to a local petshop instead.

They are much cheaper bought direct, though in large boxes , but they have a very long shelf life (well over a year) .

heartbreak_star

Quick update - fuzzy lady appears to be feeling much better now! She's stabilised at 12 units morning and evening, and dried liver cubes are they boyo when it comes to bribes...*ahem*...treats

Thank you for all your help

HBS x

[Deleted User]

I agree with an earlier post. If you are unsure, look on the back of any dog treat and see if it says what carbs are in the treat.

'Diabetic' treats have slightly reduced carbs in them (but rarely no carbs) and are a complete waste of time. If they have aspartame type sweeteners in, they will cause stomach ache if more than one or two are given. I'm a diabetic, and been around for 40 years.., I tried quite a few diabetic foods and learned the hard way that the word 'diabetic food' doesn't mean its ok to eat freely lol.

But basically you are usually safest with any meat you would eat that hasn't had a sauce on it (sauce may contain carbs). A protein shouldn't raise your dogs blood sugar. If it does raise, a walk is a good cure lol.

I do give my dogs occasionally jerky, and the Kong toy is a brilliant idea. I gave my german shepherd one of those squeaky monkey toys and he 'killed' it many times a day. Unfortunately the ones on amazon tended to fall apart but I managed to get one from a different manufacturer from Asda. Definitely most loved toy lol.