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What Is Diabetes in Dogs?

Diabetes mellitus occurs when a dog's pancreas does not produce enough insulin, or when the body cannot use the insulin effectively. Insulin is essential for transporting glucose (sugar) from the blood into the cells for energy. When this doesn't work, blood sugar levels rise. The most common form in dogs is insulin-dependent diabetes (type 1), which requires daily insulin injections.

**Common symptoms include:**

• Increased thirst and urination
• Increased appetite but still weight loss
• Decreased energy and lethargy
• Poor fur quality
• Development of cataracts

Diagnosis is made by a veterinarian through clinical symptoms, blood tests (elevated blood sugar) and urine tests (sugar in the urine). Once the diagnosis is made, a dog food for diabetes control is a central part of the treatment.

How Diabetic Food Supports Your Dog

Special diets for diabetes control are not regular Light diets, but have a unique composition designed to:

• **Stabilize Blood Sugar:** Through a high fiber content and carbohydrates with a low glycemic index, which provide a slow and even release of glucose into the blood. This reduces the need for large insulin spikes and makes insulin dosing easier.
• **Promote Weight Control:** Fiber helps to increase satiety, which is important as being overweight is a risk factor and can worsen diabetes. See our range of weight control foods for dogs .
• **Maintain Muscle Mass:** With high-quality protein that supports overall health without negatively impacting blood sugar.
• **Protect Cells:** Often enriched with antioxidants (Vitamin E, C) to counteract oxidative stress that can occur in diabetes.

These feeds are developed as veterinary feeds and should always be used in consultation with your veterinarian.

Important Complementary Measures for Diabetes

Effective diabetes management requires more than just the right diet. It’s a team effort between you and your veterinarian:

1. **Insulin Injections:** Learn proper technique for daily injections from your veterinarian.
2. **Regular Blood Sugar Measurement:** Monitor blood sugar levels at home or via regular glucose curves at the veterinarian to ensure optimal dosing.
3. **Stable Routines:** Feed and exercise your dog at the same times each day to maximize the effect of insulin and stabilize blood sugar. Moderate, regular exercise is important.
4. **Avoid Extra Treats:** Maintain a strict diet. Treats and leftovers that are not diabetes-friendly can interfere with blood sugar control.
5. **Attention to Hypoglycemia:** Be aware of signs of low blood sugar (shaking, weakness) and how to act in an emergency (honey on the gums, vet).
6. **Regular Vet Visits:** Important for monitoring and adjusting the treatment plan and managing any complications or other health issues. Diabetic dogs may be at increased risk for problems with the urinary tract , kidneys , liver , skin , stress/nervousness , dental health, heart disease , and joint and movement health .

With the right food for diabetes control dogs from Zoostar.se and close cooperation with your veterinarian, your diabetic dog can live a full life.

Frequently Asked Questions about Dog Diabetes Control Food

Here we answer some of the most frequent questions we receive regarding food for diabetes control in dogs.

What is diabetes in dogs and how is it diagnosed?

Diabetes mellitus, often called "diabetes", is a chronic disease that occurs when a dog's body cannot produce enough insulin or cannot use the insulin it does produce effectively. Insulin is a hormone produced in the pancreas and is essential for regulating blood sugar levels by transporting glucose (sugar) from the blood to the body's cells for energy. When insulin production is insufficient or the cells become resistant to insulin, blood sugar levels rise. Types of Diabetes in Dogs: The most common type of diabetes in dogs is insulin-dependent diabetes (type 1 diabetes), in which the pancreas cannot produce enough insulin due to destruction of the insulin-producing cells. This is similar to type 1 diabetes in humans and requires lifelong insulin injections. Type 2 diabetes, in which the body produces insulin but the cells are resistant to its effects, is less common in dogs, but can occur, especially in overweight dogs. Causes of diabetes in dogs: Although the exact cause is often unknown, there are several contributing factors: - Genetics: Certain breeds (e.g. poodle, schnauzer, samoyed, terriers) are at increased risk. - Overweight: Obesity can contribute to insulin resistance, especially in type 2 diabetes. - Pancreatitis: Inflammation of the pancreas can damage the insulin-producing cells. - Hormonal diseases: For example, Cushing's syndrome (overproduction of cortisol) can lead to insulin resistance. - Certain medications: Long-term use of cortisone can trigger diabetes. Symptoms of diabetes in dogs: The most common symptoms include: - Increased thirst (polydipsia): One of the first and most noticeable signs. The dog drinks large amounts of water. - Increased urination (polyuria): As a result of the increased thirst, the dog may start to urinate more frequently or have accidents indoors. - Increased appetite (polyphagia): Even though the dog is eating more, it may lose weight because the body's cells cannot utilize the energy from glucose. - Weight loss: Often despite an increased appetite. - Reduced energy/lethargy: The dog may appear tired, lethargic and less active than usual. - Poor coat quality: Dry, dull coat. - Cataracts: Often a late sign, where the lens in the eye becomes cloudy, leading to vision loss or blindness. This is very common in diabetic dogs. Diagnosis of diabetes in dogs: The diagnosis is made by a veterinarian based on a combination of: - Clinical symptoms: Observations of the symptoms mentioned above by the dog's owner. - Blood tests: Elevated blood sugar levels (hyperglycemia) on several occasions. A single elevation may be due to stress. - Urine tests: Glucose (sugar) in the urine (glucosuria) is a strong sign of diabetes, as the kidneys try to get rid of excess sugar. Once diagnosed, diabetes in dogs requires lifelong management that includes daily insulin injections, regular veterinary visits, and a strict diet of dog diabetes control food. At Zoostar.se you will find specially adapted veterinary foods that are designed to support dogs with diabetes.

How does special food contribute to diabetes control in dogs?

A customized diet for diabetes control in dogs is a cornerstone of diabetes management. The goal of the diet is to help stabilize blood sugar levels, reduce fluctuations and optimize the effectiveness of insulin injections. These diets are not just regular Light diets, but have a specific composition that is scientifically designed to manage the disease of diabetes. Here are the main ways in which specialized diets contribute to diabetes control: 1. High fiber content: - Slower glucose absorption: Fiber, both soluble and insoluble, slows down the breakdown of carbohydrates and the absorption of glucose in the intestine. This leads to a slower and more even rise in blood sugar after a meal, reducing the need for large insulin spikes. - Increased satiety: Fiber helps the dog feel fuller for longer, which is important for managing appetite and maintaining healthy weight control, as being overweight is a risk factor for diabetes and can worsen the condition. 2. Low glycemic index (slow carbohydrates): - More stable blood sugar levels: The carbohydrate sources in diabetic foods are chosen to have a low glycemic index, which means they break down slowly and provide a gradual release of glucose. Examples of such sources include barley, sorghum or specially treated corn. 3. Controlled fat content: - Moderate fat content: Although fat is an important source of energy, the fat content should be moderate. A high fat intake can contribute to obesity and pancreatic problems, which can worsen diabetes. - Omega-3 fatty acids: Some diabetic foods contain added omega-3 fatty acids, which may have anti-inflammatory properties and contribute to overall health. 4. High-quality protein: - Maintain muscle mass: An adequate intake of high-quality protein is important for maintaining muscle mass and supporting general health. It does not affect blood sugar in the same way as carbohydrates. 5. Antioxidants and vitamins: - Cell protection: Diabetes can lead to increased oxidative stress in the body. Diabetic foods are often fortified with antioxidants (e.g. vitamins E, C) to protect cells from damage. - Balanced nutrition: Ensures that the dog receives all the necessary vitamins and minerals to support the immune system and overall health. How to feed a diabetic dog: - Regular meals: It is crucial to feed diabetic dogs at regular times each day. This helps to synchronize the glucose uptake of the food with the insulin injections. Most often, the daily ration is divided into two meals. - No free access: The dog should not have free access to food. - No extra treats: Avoid giving the dog treats or leftovers, as these can interfere with blood sugar control. If treats must be given, choose special diabetes-friendly options. - Always measure the food: Accuracy is important to avoid over- or underfeeding. A dog food for diabetes control should always be used in consultation with a veterinarian. It is part of a comprehensive treatment plan that also includes insulin injections and regular monitoring. At Zoostar.se you will find veterinary foods that are specifically formulated to help you manage your dog's diabetes effectively. We also have foods for other health problems such as liver disease in dogs, kidney disease in dogs and urinary tract problems in dogs, which can sometimes be related to or occur together with diabetes.

What other measures are important in diabetes management in dogs?

Managing diabetes in dogs is a lifelong commitment that requires care and commitment. In addition to a customized diet for diabetic control dogs, there are several other important measures that must be integrated into the daily routine to achieve good blood sugar control and prevent complications: 1. Insulin injections: - Daily injections: Most diabetic dogs require 1-2 insulin injections daily, at approximately the same time each day and in conjunction with meals. - Proper technique: Learn from your veterinarian how to give the injections correctly and safely. - Insulin storage: Store insulin according to instructions (often in the refrigerator) and check the expiration date. 2. Regular Blood Sugar Measurement: - Home Monitoring: Your veterinarian can instruct you on how to measure your dog's blood sugar levels at home with a glucose meter (like those for humans, but calibrated for dogs) or by measuring fructosamine (an average of blood sugar over 1-2 weeks). This is invaluable for adjusting insulin dosage. - Glucose curve: Your vet may perform a glucose curve regularly (measurements every two hours for a day) to see how the insulin is working. 3. Feeding and exercise schedule: - Regular routines: Diabetic dogs do best with regular routines. Feed and exercise your dog at the same times each day. This helps stabilize blood sugar. - Regular exercise: Moderate, regular exercise is important to help the cells use glucose. Avoid sudden, intense exercise sessions that can lead to rapid drops in blood sugar. - Weight control: Maintaining a healthy weight is crucial. Being overweight can significantly complicate diabetes control. 4. Avoid treats and leftovers: - Strict diet: Do not give treats or leftovers that are not approved by your vet. This can disrupt blood sugar levels and make diabetes control difficult. If treats are needed for exercise or medication, use specially designed diabetes-friendly alternatives. 5. Pay attention to symptoms of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar): - Signs: Tremors, weakness, disorientation, collapse, seizures. This is an emergency! - Action: If you suspect hypoglycemia, rub honey or glucose syrup on your dog's gums and contact your veterinarian immediately. 6. Regular veterinary visits: - Follow-up: Frequent veterinary visits are necessary, especially at the beginning of treatment and when adjusting the insulin dose. - Evaluation: The veterinarian will evaluate the dog's general condition, blood sugar levels, weight and any complications (e.g. cataracts, urinary tract infections). - Dental health: Diabetic dogs may be at increased risk of dental problems. Regular dental care is important. 7. Management of other health problems: Diabetes can affect other organs. - Urinary tract infections: Increased risk due to sugar in the urine. - Kidney disease: May develop as a complication. - Liver disease: May also be affected. - Skin problems: Diabetic dogs may have poorer skin health. - Stress and nervousness: Can affect blood sugar. - Joint and movement health: It is important to maintain good mobility for the sake of exercise. - Heart disease: Can be a related disease. Effective diabetes management is based on close cooperation between you and your veterinarian. With a food for diabetes control dogs from Zoostar.se and a careful daily routine, your diabetic dog can live a long and happy life.