Diabetic
Dog Food
All
of us, humans and dogs
alike, are all biological creatures of this planet. Keeping
this
in mind, dogs can also get some of the same ailments that humans get,
such as: diabetes. One of the best ways to keep a dog's diabetes under
control is by feeding him a diabetic dog food, hopefully, made from
all-natural ingredients and low in sugar and carbohydrates. In
addition, to monitoring the amount of sugar in a diabetic dog food, the
frequency in which they are being fed must be as
well.
Most
experts recommend
that your diabetic dog be fed 2 or 3 smaller meals spanned across the
day instead of letting your dog 'gorg' himself. Animal
physiology
suggests that as with humans, blood sugar levels can be better
stabilized with smaller meals. Allowing your diabetic dog to
eat
a single large meal, it will mostly result in an insulin spike, then it
will crash down...like a sugar rush does for humans. When
diabetic dogs' blood sugar gets too low, the levels will bottom out,
which will result in hypoglycemia.
So how do I find the kind
of diabetic dog
food that would be good for my dog?
Here is a brief
checklist of things to look for to help in controlling the diabetic
condition of your dog.
- Try
to Avoid Foods With Sugar
The average dog owner really knows very little about the amount of
carbohydrates and sugar that is contained in your everyday commercial
dog food. So, once again, knowledge and staying aware will
help
you make the best decisions for your loved one.
Carbohydrates are considered a form of sugar because they are
metabolized into glucose by the body. Dry dog foods and
soft/moist dog foods, alike, are both known to be rather high in
carbohydrates. So, if you must feed your dog commercial dog
food,
try to give them the best quality canned food you can. Always
check the ingredients and amounts that are printed on the
label. Avoid feeding your dog baked foods that
contain
sugar and flour. Another option is:
Make
Your Own Homemade
Dog food
If you make your own dog food, you know exactly what your dog is
eating, and how much carbohydrates and sugar. Starting a dog
on a
homemade diabetic dog food diet can be easier than you think.
Their is plenty of advice and recipes on the web that are healthy, full
of nutrition, and taste great.
Find
Diabetic Dog Foods
With Less Fat
Low-fat meats will put less stress on the pancreas of a diabetic
dog. The pancreas produces enzymes that break down fats, also
regulate blood sugar and insulin levels. The pancreas is an
important organ for a diabetic dog, so it is imperative not to put too
much strain on it. Although your dog may love the taste,
ground beef should not be fed to your dog. Turkey
or
chicken would be better and any residual fat should be trimmed
away. Of course, while some fat is essential for overall good
health, many pet nutrition experts say, it's best to minimize the
amount as much as possible.
Healthy
Grains Are
Beneficial
Certain
grains are
beneficial for your diabetic dog, but you have to be careful about how
much you feed your dog, since dogs don't digest grains as easy as
humans. Oats, brown rice, millet, and other natural grains
provider a good source of fiber and also aid in the insulin
levels. Wheat, corn, even cornmeal have been shown to provide
a
good source of fiber but, beware some dogs may have an allergic
reaction to certain types of grains. All in all, its probably
still best to use grains in small amounts, because your diabetic dog's
body will turn the carbohydrates into glucose.
Fresh
vegetables and raw
fruits are naturally high in nutrients and vitamins. They
also
have natural sugars which don't have the bad effects on insulin levels
that processed sugar does.
Whenever
you are considering making changes to your diabetic dog's diet, always
consult your vet or pet health care professional.
