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[F457]Food For Diabetic Dog

by Alison Grimston, Ali

Introduction: Diabetes mellitus or sugar diabetes is a chronic endocrine (hormone) illness characterised by high levels of glucose in the blood. It is seen in dogs and cats as well as humans, and in each species is commoner in the overweight and obese. There is no cure, but treatment, which may or may not include insulin injections, can maintain a healthy and active life.

Pathology: Diabetes occurs when the insulin-producing cells of the pancreas stop producing sufficient insulin to cope with the body's glucose load (Type 1 diabetes), or when the peripheral tissues in the body that react to insulin become resistant to its effect (Type 2 diabetes).

Symptoms: These include weight loss (more likely in type 1 diabetes), thirst, excessive drinking (polydipsia), increased urination (polyuria), increased appetite, increased blood glucose (hyperglycaemia), blindness, weakness and depression

Causes include obesity, chronic pancreatitis, and stress (cortisol, one of the stress hormones, makes fat cells less sensitive to insulin). In addition there is a an increased incidence in certain dog breeds.

Diagnosis depends on a urine test followed by a confirmatory blood test for glucose levels.

Effects of Diabetes: There is an increased incidence of cataracts, premature death, problems in pregnancy, infections (especially bladder) and pancreatitis.

Insulin, diet and exercise are the mainstay of current Western Treatment. Spaying of diabetic female dogs is usually recommended to prevent pregnancy complications.

Insulin: The discovery of insulin in 1921 was pivotal in changing diabetes mellitus from a disease that was fatal within weeks to a chronic and not necessarily life-threatening condition. Insulin is essential for dogs with diabetes, and any other treatments used must be complementary to insulin use.

Once your dog has been diagnosed, the diabetes will be stabilised at the vet practice with an insulin regime of two subcutaneous (under the skin) insulin injections per day. However, the amounts of insulin needed are likely to change once your dog is at home with a change of diet and exercise routine. Your vet practice will support you while you get the regime right. Blood tests will be needed frequently initially, and every 3-6 months once stabilised.

Diet needs to be specific and timed correctly. Treats need to be avoided, as they often contain sugar. Table scraps will generally be too variable to be used in a diabetic dog's diet, as they will lead to variable control. Glucose control is easier if you feed a fixed formula feed, low in fat and high in slowly digested complex carbohydrates.

If your dog is overweight, weight reduction to the normal for his or her size is vital over the first 3-4 months after diagnosis.

Exercise is vital, and for best diabetes control should be as consistent as possible. If a dog is undergoing extremely high levels of exercise, its insulin requirement may be reduced, and it is important to discuss this with your vet in advance.

Other considerations: A diabetic dog will need your time and will not be cheap over the years, but will reward you with years of companionship and love - as we all know from our pets.

Complementary Therapies: Stress reduction will help with glucose control and can be helped by spiritual healing, Reiki, crystal healing with crystals such as amethyst, massage, and the T-touch technique.

Herbal remedies may also help: Stinging nettles - for fatigue, poor appetite; Garlic - for digestive problems; Fenugreek - for fatigue and weight loss; and olive leaves - for blood pressure and glucose control.

Aromatics/ aromatherapy: A combination of kinesiology and self-selection can lead a dog to choose the aromatic oils that are most helpful to it at any given time.

Hydrotherapy will improve glucose control as part of an exercise regime.

Conclusion: With Diabetes mellitus it is absolutely imperative that you work closely with your vet in order to get optimum glucose control. The triad of insulin, diet and exercise is pivotal. Other ways to help support your dog's management.

Copyright (c) 2008 The Naturally Healthy Pet.com

Ifyou have ever wondered ?What do I feed a diabetic dog?? this article will coverthe topics you are looking for. What to feed a diabetic dog is a very importantpoint to learn on so that your dog will have a happy, enjoyable and productivelife.

Thefood to feed a diabetic dog relates to the original problem of what caused thediabetes in the first place. The problem with diabetes is one of not being ableto use the energy, called sugar or glucose that enters the bloodstream. This iscaused by lack or total loss of insulin production by your dog's pancreas.Overeating combined with a lethargic lifestyle causes an obese dog and thencontributes to the cause of diabetes in dogs.

What to feed a diabetic dog in this case is just as important as making surethey start becoming more active. Do not let the dog lay around after a meal. Itis also a good idea to give the dog two or three smaller meals instead of onlyone or two larger meals.

Thefood to feed a diabetic dog should be one of significantly low sugar content.The juicy or moist packages of dog food should be closely examined for highsugar content if you can. These are usually a prime source of too much sugarfor your dog. The dry dog foods are better than the packaged moist ones for adiabetic dog.

Thediet of a dog that you want to keep lean, healthy and active is one that youwould normally use to prevent diabetes. This means that high-protein,slow-digesting foods are good for your dog, as they will not ?shock? the dog'sbody with a high dose of sugar all at one time. The food to feed a diabetic dogwill be those that have a ?slow burn? metabolically speaking.

Afood not to feed to a diabetic dog is table scraps. If you do feed them fromyour own table, it is wise to avoid the spicy foods. A dog is not a person.Although feeding your dog ?people food? may make you feel like you areincluding it as one of the family, the truth is that the fatty foods we eat cancause health problems for the dog. Commercial businesses have spent a lot ofmoney creating a diet for your dog that is tailored to what it needs. Takeadvantage of their experience and your diabetic dog will have an easier life.

Whatto feed a diabetic dog should be seen in the light of the statistics. In the USA, as much asfifty percent of dogs are obese. This is a terrible statistic and can beimproved easily by a simple lifestyle change for the dog. Keep in mind that asyou would go ahead and eat less and exercise more if you had a weight problem,your dog is not going to be any different.

Some dog food companies make a special blend just for diabetic dogs. They havea high amount of dietary fiber, are low fat content and have none of what iscalled "simple sugars". Your diabetic dog's diet can be improved withthese types of dry dog foods.

Article Source : Pg. 33

About Author

Both Alison Grimston & Sam are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.

Alison Grimston has sinced written about articles on various topics from Pets, Pregnancy Problems and Pets. Dr Alison Grimston, a holistic doctor and animal healer, has a natural animal therapy website informing the public about animal therapies while connecting and informing animal therapists.. Alison Grimston's top article generates over 1900 views. to your Favourites.

Sam has sinced written about articles on various topics from Software, Management and Nokia Phones. Visit DiabetesInDogs.Net for more articles and information on and. Sam's top article generates over 49500 views. to your Favourites.