Diabetes in Dogs: What to Know About Food and Treats

As dogs age, some develop health problems. If your dog is suddenly drinking far more than usual, asking to go outside constantly, or having accidents in the house, one possible explanation is diabetes mellitus — a pancreatic disorder that causes high blood sugar. Only your veterinarian can tell you whether that is actually what is going on.

A vet diagnoses diabetes from medical history, a physical examination and blood glucose testing. There is no cure for diabetes mellitus, but dietary management and, in many cases, insulin therapy keep it well controlled in the great majority of dogs.

What your vet will likely say about food

Managing canine diabetes generally means keeping your dog at a healthy weight and feeding measured meals at consistent times each day. The routine matters as much as the food itself, because insulin doses are matched to a predictable schedule. If your vet prescribes a therapeutic diet, that diet — not a treat — is the thing actually managing the condition.

Where treats fit in

Treats are not medicine. No treat sold over the counter is formulated to manage diabetes, and none should be used as though it were. What a vet will usually ask you to watch is how many calories your dog gets from treats, and whether treats are disrupting the meal routine. As a general rule, treats of any kind are kept under about 10% of daily calories.

Points that commonly come up in that conversation:

• Minimally processed meat, with no added sugars or syrups
• Lower fat content — chicken and turkey are usually skinned first, since the skin is high in fat
• Higher-fiber vegetables rather than starchy or sweet ones
• Short, readable ingredient lists

Lower-sugar vegetables that often appear on vet-approved lists include pumpkin, green beans, peas, cauliflower, zucchini, carrots and parsley. Blueberries are usually acceptable in very small amounts. Higher-sugar fruits are generally left out.

Read the label, every time

Sugar hides under a lot of names on pet food labels — corn syrup, molasses, dextrose, sucrose, fructose, cane juice. Plenty of treats marketed as healthy still contain them. Whatever you feed, read the ingredient panel rather than the front of the bag.

Talk to your vet first

If your dog has been diagnosed with diabetes, or any other condition, speak to your veterinarian before changing anything about their diet, treats included. A change that looks small can affect how well an insulin dose fits.

This article is general information, not veterinary advice. DOGDELI treats are food, intended for intermittent or supplemental feeding. They are not formulated for any medical condition and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any veterinary disease. Always consult your licensed veterinarian before introducing a new treat to a dog with a diagnosed health condition.