How To Know If Your Dog Has Diabetes

Did you know that pets could get diabetes? An unhealthy diet and a lack of activity could cause your dog to develop diabetes. This condition can be treated and your dog will not develop complications as long as diabetes is diagnosed early. Here are the most common signs of diabetes in dogs.

A dog who cannot produce enough insulin or cannot use the insulin produced will end up with high blood sugar levels. This can lead to a sweet-smelling breath. If you notice that your dog's breath has a fruity smell, you should have their blood sugar levels checked.

Other symptoms include weight loss and a change in appetite. If you notice that your dog eats less than usual or skips some meals, your dog might have high blood sugar levels. Weight loss can also occur even though your dog is eating plenty of food.

Thirst and increasing urination are other common signs of diabetes. Keep in mind that several factors influence thirst, especially changes in temperature. However, if your dog seems to drink more than usual for no apparent reason or if you notice an increase in your dog's urination, it is best to take it to the vet.

On the other hand, dehydration can occur for some diabetic dogs. Dehydration can be hard to notice in dogs. If your dog has sunken eyes, does not eat, looks depressed and lethargic and has a dry mouth, it is probably suffering from dehydration. Make sure your dog has always access to fresh water to prevent dehydration.

Vomiting is another sign of diabetes in dogs. Keep in mind that vomiting is a way for dogs to empty their stomach of materials they cannot digest. Vomiting should not cause you to worry unless your dog vomits frequently and for no apparent reasons. Dehydration can also cause vomiting, which is why you should always check your dog for signs of dehydration after they vomit.

Chronic skin infections are fairly common in diabetic dogs. Skin infections can cause white patches, loss of hair, loss of skin as well as the apparition of red and irritated patches. Skin conditions can be caused by a number of factors but you should have your dog tested for diabetes if skin infections are a chronic problem.

Lethargy is another characteristic of diabetic dogs. Lethargy and weakness are indicators that your dog is sick or in pain. Almost every health condition a dog can develop will cause lethargy. If you notice that your dog is inactive through most of the day, take it to the vet.

These symptoms can be indicators of other health conditions or can be brought on by temporary discomfort or illness. You should not worry if you notice one of these symptoms in your dog. However, you should have your dog tested for diabetes if any of these symptoms becomes a chronic problem or if you notice more than one symptom. Treating diabetes will be a lot easier if your dog is diagnosed with this condition early.

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Diabetic Dog Treats

Diabetes is the most common hormonal problem for dogs. There are an increasing number of dogs in the U.S. with diabetes, perhaps because of the growing number of overweight and obese dogs. If you have a dog with diabetes you need to be very strict about what you feed your dog. However, your dog can still have some dog treats, as long as you take his diabetic condition into consideration.

Diabetic dogs need food that is high in fiber and protein. Their food should have limited fats and carbs. When you give your dog treats you will need to remember to take it out of their daily amount of food so you can keep up with how much you're feeding your dog. Remember that everything you feed your dog affects his sugar/insulin level.

In general, keep recipes simple. The fewer ingredients, the less likely you will be introducing something that will upset your dog's sugar/insulin balance.

Diabetic Dog Treats

Preparation Time: 5 minutes

Cooking Time: 15 minutes

Ready In: 20 minutes

Recipe Yields 2 pounds

Ingredients

1/2 cup whole wheat flour

2 eggs

1 1/2 pounds beef liver

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

2. Use a food processor to finely chop the liver. Pour liver into a bowl and stir in the flour and eggs using a big spoon. Spread evenly in the prepared pan.

3. Bake for 15 minutes in the preheated oven, or until the center is firm. Cool and cut into squares. Store in a sealed container in the refrigerator.

You can also use some very basic foods as diabetic dog treats:

Carrots and other vegetables make great treats and they are safe to use as treats for your diabetic dog. Broccoli also works and so does cucumber.

Hill's Prescription Diet

Try using some of your dog's regular diabetic dog food as a treat. Many dogs enjoy a bite of kibble as a treat.

Check your grocery store for some dehydrated meats. Sliced up, these can make great treats that your dog will love. Do check the labels to make sure they are free of any ingredients that could be harmful to your diabetic dog.

All Natural Diabetic Dog Treats

You can also find treats for dogs with diabetes in some pet stores and online. There is a demand for these products.

There are a number of support groups online for owners of diabetic dogs. Many of them have sections on diabetic foods and treats for dogs. Check these groups to find ideas for homemade treats for your diabetic dog. They can also offer you some great emotional support.

In general, avoid treats that have sources of sugar in the recipes. Baby food is often a good ingredient to include since it can be a concentrated source of protein.

Remember: high fiber, high protein. Limit the fats and carbs. If you keep these rules in mind when choosing dog treats for your diabetic dog you should be able to find or make some good treats for your best friend.

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