What Treats are Suitable for Diabetic Dogs?

It is known that as dogs age they will likely develop some health problems. If you notice that your dog has an increased thirst and seems to want to go outside to urinate almost constantly or begins to have accidents in the house, the most likely explanation is diabetes mellitus, the pancreatic disorder that causes high blood sugar levels.

Your vet will diagnose diabetes based on a medical history, physical examination, and blood glucose tests done in the lab. Once it’s established that your dog has diabetes, taking good care of her is the goal.

Unfortunately, there is no cure for diabetes mellitus, but dietary changes and possible insulin therapy can keep the situation under control in almost every case.

Managing diabetes means keeping your dog at a sensible weight and feeding her healthy food at regular intervals. Your vet may recommend special kinds of foods that are suitable for diabetic dogs.

Don’t miss out on giving yummy treats to your dog; however, diabetic dog treats need to meet some specific guidelines. That doesn’t mean that they can’t be delicious, nutritious and appealing. Not all treats are safe, so it’s important to read labels carefully and study the ingredients. 

What makes a suitable treat for a dog with diabetes?

For use on a daily basis, we recommend that dog treats should contain:

1. Meat and/or dehydrated bones or meat products
2. High fiber content
3. Low-fat content
4. Complex grains
5. No obvious source of sugar

Treats should also be dehydrated as these kinds of treats are eaten and digested more slowly, so they don’t increase blood sugar rapidly like the most moist treats do.

Natural Treats for Diabetic Dogs

Natural treats for a diabetic dog include vegetables, some berries, meat products, and special herbs/seeds.

The best vegetables for diabetic dogs are low-sugar and high-fiber veggies such as:

• Pumpkin
• Peas
• Green Beans
• Cauliflower
• Zucchini
• Parsley
• Carrots

Blueberries are acceptable as treats in small portions.

Meat treats need to be low in fat and minimally processed. Chicken or Turkey should be skinned first before preparation as the skin contains too much fat for a diabetic dog.

Check out Dogdeli’s Dehydrated Chicken Burgers treats that include: USDA chicken breast (never-frozen), sweet potato, zucchini, red lentils, parsley, blueberry, flax and chia seeds. 

Check out Dogdeli’s Dehydrated Chicken Jerky treats that are made from 100% natural USDA Chicken Breast, never-frozen.

Taking good care of your dog is your responsibility. Dogs with well-controlled diabetes can expect to live long and energetic lives.