How to Cook for a Diabetic Dog?

October 30, 2021

Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes in Dogs

You will find differences in the way diabetes impacts dogs. It breaks down into its core components when your dog eats food, including fats, glucose, and proteins. After the process completes, the dog's body releases a substance called insulin, which helps the body process glucose effectively.

In some cases, when the pancreas stops producing insulin, the type classifies as type 1 diabetes. Conversely, type 2 diabetes takes place when cells in a dog's body respond improperly to insulin. The other type of diabetes is relatively severe when the body remains unable to process glucose appropriately. Diabetes in dogs does not have an ultimate cure; however, it is treatable and manageable with diet.

Diabetes is a chronic disease and occurs due to an imbalance with insulin and glucose. One of the most common diabetic conditions that also lead to serious consequences is canine diabetes. The disease causes impairment in the functioning of the pancreas.

Common Symptoms of Diabetes in Dog

If you are a dog owner, you should be aware of common diabetes symptoms that your dog may experience. The most common type of diabetes in dogs is type 1 when the dog's body does not produce enough insulin. However, type 2 is common among older and overweight dogs.

Following are the common symptoms that diabetic dogs may experience, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association.

Increased appetite and thirst
Weight loss
Lack of energy
Vomiting
Excessive water intake and Extra urination
Cloudy eyes
Chronic or recurring infection

Diabetic dogs find it difficult to maintain stable blood sugar levels. So, it is essential to monitor your dog's food. If you feed your dog with homemade food, it can properly control your dog's diet.

What are the Best Ingredients for Diabetic Dog Diet?

A diabetes-friendly diet has a low glycemic index. It digests slowly and will not contribute to spikes in blood sugar. Food low in glycemia includes barley, sweet potatoes, chickpeas, oats, kidney beans, and carrots.

You can also feed your dog with shredded chicken or scrambled eggs. But you cannot replace it with a meal. However, with a different diet, you can serve your dog with scrambled eggs.

Dogs can also eat peanut butter only if you serve them in moderation that doesn't have Xylitol. Besides, you can give your dog apples that contain sugar but in low quantities. The sugar present in it can cause problems for dogs with diabetes. Additionally, consuming too many apples can lead to diarrhea, even in healthy dogs.

What food is Harmful to Diabetic Dogs?

Most importantly, it is favorable to avoid food with simple sugar because it can raise the blood sugar level in your dog. It is always best to keep your diabetic dog away from bananas altogether. Moreover, you can feed your dog with avocado and cherries.

Make sure to keep your dog away from apple seeds, alcoholic beverages, cherry pits, apricots pits. In addition, keep your dog away from candy (especially chocolate that is toxic to dogs and all types of candy containing toxic sweetener Xylitol), garlic, and coffee.

Avoid feeding your dog with sugar or sweeteners like corn syrup and high glycemic food that boosts your dog's blood sugar, like white rice and bread.

If your dog is diabetic, you can sometimes give white rice but in small quantities, not consistently. Because of the way white and brown rice process, it is difficult for a dog to digest.

The Best Food for Diabetic Dog

The best for diabetic dogs can either be homemade or commercial. Although many commercial products are available yet, you can go for authentic homemade recipes that are budget-friendly.

Beef & Barley Dog Food

Let's treat your dog's taste buds with this delicious recipe that creates flavor with dripping and chicken stock. Barley incorporates carbs that keep your dog energized.

Here is the step-by-step guide to preparing Beef and Barley food recipes.

First and foremost, you need to take a large enough pot to hold all the necessary ingredients.
Secondly, chop or slice carrots, parrots, meat, and celery as the size suits your dog.
Then, add these ingredients to the large pot.
Now, you can add soy sauce or drippings and stock cubes to the same pot. However, you can prepare this recipe without stock cubes, drippings, and soy sauce as well.
After that, add water to the recipe in the pot. The amount of water depends on the moisture present in vegetables and meat. It may surround 12-14 cups of water.
Now, you need to put the pot on the stovetop on a high flame.
Cook the mixture for about an hour.
As the mixture comes to a boil, add barley.
You need to cook for about 30-35 minutes after adding barley.
After it gets cooked, let it cool for some time before serving.
You can also store this recipe in the refrigerator.

Customizable Diabetic Dog Food

Here is another best choice for diabetic dog food. It would help if you were worried about making recipes that take hours. Sometimes, you can go for an option that requires less time and effort when you are in a hurry. So let's explore the dog's food that you can choose for your dog.

You can pick a lean meat source along with whole grain such as barley or brown rice, or maybe raw vegetables of your choice. Mix them well and serve to your dog.

However, you can go for commercial dog foods that companies especially formulate for diabetic dogs. Please make sure to stay away from moist and soft food that has more carbs in it. It's better you pick dry and canned food and must check for labels if it contains sugar content.

Dog Treats

The dog treats are yummy in flavor and most desirable for diabetic dogs. They must have the following ingredients in general.

Different recipes for preparing dog treats could include flour, eggs, broth, water, etc. moreover. You can add protein, fiber, vitamins, peanut butter (it does not have artificial sweeteners like Xylitol). Besides, you may go for pureed pumpkins, carrots, apples, cheese, and sweet potato to make it healthy and delicious enough.

Homemade dog treats are beneficial and budget-friendly. You can prepare dog treats by knowing what your dog prefers to eat. Make sure to check if your dog has an allergy to any particular ingredient.

Baked Chicken Treats

Baked chicken treats are another excellent pick with easy preparation and no fuss. The ingredients include chicken, eggs, tapioca flour, white flour, and coconut oil.

Bacon Pyramid Pan Treats

Does your dog love to eat bacon? If yes so the dog treat will suit your dog. You can try this simple bacon pyramid treats with only four essential ingredients, including a package of bacon, eggs, gluten-free flour, and water to thin the recipe.

Apple-Cheddar Dog Biscuits

Here is another dog treat that will work well with distinctive ingredients. The ingredients comprise barley flour, shredded cheddar cheese, oatmeal, unsweetened applesauce, olive oil, and grated Parmesan cheese.

Peanut Butter Treats

Peanut butter treats may be the favorite of your dog with tasty ingredients. If your dog is fond of nutty flavor, you can get this meal for your dog. You can prepare it by incorporating eggs, peanut butter powder, canola oil, tapioca flour, and water.

Conclusion

There you have it, these ideas for homemade recipes and dog treats will help you cook for a diabetic dog. The diabetic dog food is rich in flavor that your four-legged friend will love to eat. Bear in mind to consult a veterinarian to feed your dog with diabetic food to prevent specific allergies and dietary restrictions. However, diabetic food can maintain blood sugar levels in your dog's body in a balanced way.

Sources

Homemade Diabetic Dog Food

The 10 Best Dog Foods For Diabetic Dogs

Home Cooking Recipes for Diabetic Pets