The incidence of canine diabetes has increased in the last few years and just like humans, dogs can develop diabetes at any point in their life. Healthy dogs with a healthy pancreas produce insulin, a hormone that helps in the metabolism of glucose. When a dog has diabetes, is because their pancreas is not producing adequate amounts of insulin.
Treating diabetes requires veterinarian care but there are many things you can do to help keep your dog’s insulin under control.
If your dog has been diagnosed with diabetes the first thing you need to do is to watch his weight and his diet.
Avoid is dog foods that are high in carbohydrates. Foods such as sugar, unrefined flour, potatoes are all highly glycemic, meaning that they turn into glucose very fast and more insulin is needed in order to metabolize it. Keeping carbohydrate intake low will help your diabetic dog.
Choose natural ingredients. Excessive amounts of salt, fillers or preservatives are more difficult to digest and metabolize. Adding raw meat, eggs or cottage cheese is a good way to add fresh protein to your dog’s diet. Dr Richard H. Pitcairn, DVM, PhD author of Dr. Pitcairn’s Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs & Cats, advises that dogs that he has treated “have done well on the basic fresh and raw natural food diet, given as two or three meals during the day…”
Feed your pet smaller meals. Because of this condition, it is much better to feed your dog several small meals throughout the day, to help slow down the rate at which sugars enter the bloodstream.
Put your dog on a regular exercise program. Regular exercise is not only extremely helpful in decreasing insulin needs, but it also helps your dog maintain a normal weight.
Two 30 minute walks every day is not only a great routine for your dog, but for the human parent will benefit as well.
Supplements will also help your dog. Although it may not cure advance cases of diabetes, Dr Richard H. Pitcairn recommends one teaspoon to one tablespoon (depending on size) of brewer’s yeast with each meal as well as 25 IU to 200 IU of vitamin E since according to him, it reduces the need for insulin.
There are specialty stores that carry natural products specifically formulated for dogs suffering from a diabetic condition. Click here for more information
