Best Diabetic Dog Food
Diabetes in Dogs
This can be a serious condition in dogs. When this happen, glucose in the dog’s body is unable to be used effectively.
The 2 common types of diabetes in dogs are:
- Type I diabetes
- Type II diabetes
For these two types of diabetes although there is no cure, dogs with either type can be successfully managed through nutrition, exercise, and if necessary, regular insulin medication. With the right dog food and advice from your veterinarian, your diabetic dog can still enjoy a happy, active life.
What causes Diabetes?
Factors that increase the chances of dogs developing diabetes include:
- Bodyweight – obese or overweight dogs have a higher chance of getting diabetes
- Breed – some breeds such as miniature poodles, miniature schnauzers are more prone to diabetes
- Gender – Female dogs are more susceptible to diabetes
- Age – Older dogs are more prone to getting this.
Symptoms of Diabetes
Some of the more common signs of diabetes include:
- Increased urination
- Unexpected weight loss
- Appetite changes
- Unexplained fatigue
- Cataracts
- Chronic skin infections
- Urinary tract infections
As there is no cure for diabetes, it is important to manage this lifelong condition through specific dog food that provides nutrients that a diabetic dog requires.
Dog Food for Diabetic Dogs
If you have a dog with diabetes, it’s important to choose the right food to help manage their condition. Here is a guide to finding the best diabetic dog food.
Look for low-glycemic ingredients: When choosing a food for your diabetic dog, look for one that contains low-glycemic ingredients. These ingredients will help to regulate blood sugar levels and prevent spikes in blood sugar.
Choose a high-quality food: It’s important to choose a high-quality food for your diabetic dog. Look for a food that is made with high-quality ingredients and does not contain fillers or artificial ingredients.
Monitor your dog’s blood sugar levels: Be sure to monitor your dog’s blood sugar levels closely. This will help you to determine if the food you are feeding them is working well to regulate their blood sugar. If you see any changes in their blood sugar levels, be sure to speak with your veterinarian.
For dogs with diabetes, vets do recommend a higher protein, higher fiber, and lower carbohydrate diet.
- Higher Protein – this helps promote weight loss while helping to maintain lean body mass.
- Higher Fiber – is essential to reduce the rate at which glucose is released into the bloodstream. Fiber also allows dogs to feel full for longer with their food. Other benefits are: Fiber helps keep the dog’s bowel well-regulated, that way this will reduce having bloating or constipation issues. It also enhances their immune system and stabilizes blood sugar levels. In addition, fiber is an excellent nutrient and helps with weight management. There is now convincing evidence on the role of fiber not just in gut health but also in lowering your dog’s risk of developing diseases such as diabetes.
- Lower carbohydrates – is important as this will help to prevent blood sugar spikes which is important when looking after a diabetic dog.
Also, similar to humans, when dogs have diabetes and are also obese, it is even more important to stay trim. The above diet considerations will assist your dog to manage his diabetic condition better.
FAQs on Diabetic Dog Food
Q: What is diabetic dog food?
A: Diabetic dog food is specially formulated to help manage diabetes in dogs. The main difference between diabetic dog food and regular dog food is the carbohydrate content; diabetic dog food has a lower level of carbohydrates which helps to regulate blood sugar levels. Additionally, diabetic dog food often contains more protein and fat to help maintain a healthy weight.
Q: Do all dogs with diabetes need to be on diabetic dog food?
A: No, not all dogs with diabetes need to be on diabetic dog food. However, it is often recommended by veterinarians as it can help to better control blood sugar levels. If your dog has been diagnosed with diabetes, please talk to your veterinarian about the best diet for your dog.
Q: How do I know if my dog needs to be on diabetic dog food?
A: If your dog has been diagnosed with diabetes, your veterinarian will likely recommend transitioning to a diabetic dog food. Additionally, your vet may also recommend diabetic dog food for dogs that are overweight or obese, as it can help them lose weight in a healthy way.
Q: What are the benefits of feeding my dog diabetic dog food?
A: Diabetic dog food can help to regulate blood sugar levels, which is important for managing diabetes. Additionally, diabetic dog food often contains more protein and fat, which can help dogs maintain a healthy weight. Feeding your dog diabetic dog food as recommended by your veterinarian can help to improve your dog’s overall health.
Q: Are there any downside to feeding my dog diabetic dog food?
A: No, there are no downsides to feeding your dog diabetic dog food. However, it is important to feed your dog the recommended amount of food as specified by your veterinarian. Overfeeding can lead to weight gain, which can be detrimental to your dog’s health.
Top 10 Best Diabetic Dog Food
We have evaluated dozens of top-rated dog food brands on the market that are good for managing diabetes. They include Royal Cavin, Hill’s Prescription Diet, Purina, Wellness, Nutro, Diamond Naturals, Annamaet, Merrick, Dr. Harvey’s. Here are our reviews and recommendations for your consideration.
Highlights:
- ROYAL CANIN Diabetic is now Royal Canin Glycobalance
- Formulated to support healthy blood glucose levels.
- Balanced fiber blend to moderate your pet’s glycemic response and reduce the symptoms of fiber responsive conditions
- Controlled amounts of fat; Complex carbohydrates that help moderate your dog’s blood sugar
- Fortified with vitamins and minerals to help your dog thrive
- Specially formulated to help provide good nutrition to diabetic dogs.
- Sizes Available: 7.7 lb and 17.6 lb bag.
Highlights:
- HILL’S Prescription Diet i/d Low Fat Digestive Care Chicken Flavor Dry Dog Food is a veterinary diet specially formulated by Hill’s nutritionists and veterinarians to support your dog’s weight management
- This kibble helps manage glucose and weight, and improves digestion
- Therapeutic L-carnitine levels helps metabolize fat and maintain lean muscle
- Optimal blend of soluble and insoluble fiber, along with low fat and calories helps maintain healthy weight
- Natural ingredients reduce magnesium and sodium promotes a healthy urinary tract health.
- Sizes Available: 8.5 lb, 17.6 lb, 27.5 lb bag.
Highlights:
- Crude Fiber: 8.5% max
- Crude Fat: 12% max
- Crude Protein: 33% min
- Wellness CORE Natural Grain Free Reduced Fat Dry Dog Food, 24 lbs pack.
- GRAIN FREE: Complete and balanced everyday nutrition to support your dog’s healthy weight.
- REDUCED FAT FORMULA: Naturally grain free, protein rich, lower fat recipe using real turkey, chicken & salmon oil to support your dog’s healthy weight management.
- ALL NATURAL: Contains only premium, all natural ingredients with no wheat, corn, soy, meat by-products, or artificial colors, flavors and preservatives
- MADE IN USA: Backed by the Wellness Guarantee and proudly made only in the USA.
Highlights:
- Crude Fiber: 3.5% max
- Crude Fat: 9% max
- Crude Protein: 30% min
- PREMIUM NUTRITION: Products are holistic and GMO free to maintain standards of quality control. All of products are corn, wheat, and soy free, Annamaet uses an artisanal production, allowing for small batches and a slow cook
- Annamaet GRAIN-FREE FORMULAS: Use proteinated (chelated) minerals to help support the immune system and optimal mineral absorption. Also contains L-Carnitine which is associated with better fat utilization and helps to maintain lean body mass
- Formulation of high protein, low fat weight control diet.
Highlights:
- Crude Fiber: 14% max
- Crude Fat: 14% max
- Crude Protein: 28% min
- HEALTHY WEIGHT CONTROL: Has 20% less Fat for healthy weight management. Is made with L-carnitine to help your adult dog achieve and maintain an ideal weight, and enriched fiber to help your dog feel fuller longer
- HIGH-QUALITY CHICKEN: Formulated with wholesome ingredients including fruits and vegetables to help manage your adult dog’s weight control, naturally
- ONLY WHOLESOME INGREDIENTS: BLUE True Solutions is a science based dog food with NO chicken (or poultry) by-product meals and NO corn, wheat, soy, artificial flavors or preservatives.
- Sizes Available: 4 lb, 11 lb, 24 lb bag.
PURINA Beneful Healthy Weight Dry Dog Food
Highlights:
- Crude Fiber: 9.0% max
- Crude Fat: 8.0% max
- Crude Protein: 25% min
- Purina Beneful Healthy Weight With Real Chicken adult dry dog food, 6.3 lb Bag
- Real U.S. farm-raised chicken is the #1 ingredient in this 100% complete and balanced recipe
- Beneful dry dog food offers great taste without artificial flavors
- Has delicious accents of real apples, carrots and green beans offer variety and wholesome goodness for your dog, without any added sugar or potatoes.
- Calorie-smart nutrition to help maintain a healthy weight
- Sizes Available: 6.3 lb and 28 lb bag.
NUTRO Wholesome Healthy Weight Dry Dog Food
Highlights:
- Crude Fiber: 12% max
- Crude Fat: 11% max
- Crude Protein: 24% min
- NUTRO WHOLESOME ESSENTIALS Healthy Weight Adult Natural Dry Dog Food, All Breed Sizes, 30 lb. bag.
- Farm-Raised Chicken, Lentils & Sweet Potato, Vitamins, Minerals & Other Nutrients recipe
- Farm-raised chicken is the first ingredient.
- Helps support healthy weight loss and management plus healthy digestion with a tailored blend of protein and fiber
- Includes essential antioxidants such as vitamin E to help support a healthy immune system
- Made with non-GMO, real ingredients and has NO chicken by-product meal, corn, wheat, or soy protein and NO artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives.
DIAMONDS Naturals High Fiber Dry Dog Food
Highlights:
- Crude Fiber: 8% max
- Crude Fat: 6% min
- Crude Protein: 18% min
- Diamond Naturals Light Dry Dog Food.
- HIGH quality PROTEIN made with real PASTURE RAISED lamb, for OVERWEIGHT or LESS ACTIVE dog with optimal amino acid profile for LEAN, STRONG MUSCLES
- Premium ingredients with fruits and vegetables as SUPERFOODS, fatty acid blend for SKIN & COAT and added vitamins & minerals.
- HIGHLY DIGESTIBLE with PROPRIETARY PROBIOTICS that survive and thrive in the GI tract.
- NO corn, wheat, filler; NO ARTIFICIAL flavors, colors or preservatives added.
- MADE in the USA.
Highlights:
- Crude Fiber: 5% max
- Crude Fat: 10% min
- Crude Protein: 32% min
- Merrick Grain Free Dry Dog Food Healthy Weight Recipe, 22.0 lb Bag
- Real deboned beef is the first ingredient
- Optimal Protein and Fiber – This dog food has 55% protein and healthy fat ingredients, and 45% produce, fiber, vitamins, minerals and other natural ingredients
- With 80% of protein from animal sources, Merrick Grain Free Dry Dog Food Healthy Weight Recipe offers the ideal combination of protein, fiber and healthy fats to help a dog maintain optimal weight and increased energy.
- Glucosamine and chondroitin included to help maintain healthy hips and joints, while the omega fatty acids support healthy skin and shiny coat for your dog.
- Sizes Available: include 22 lb.
DR. HARVEY'S Paradigm Diabetic Dog Food, Low Carb Ketogenic Diet
Highlights:
- Paradigm’s 3 pound bag conveniently makes 28, one pound finished meals for your canine companion, quantity of meals depend on the weight of your dog
- Green food pre-mix makes an ideal base for a nutritionally complete low-carb diet; 100% grain-free, our holistic blend of six (6) nutritious dehydrated vegetables contain absolutely no dies, fillers, wheat, corn, soy, nor preservatives
- Easy to prepare a fresh, wholesome meal for your dog in a matter of minutes; just add hot water to the base mix, your choice of protein and oil, and you’re ready to serve your dog
- Ideal for weight management, diabetes support, and allergies support as well as host of other health conditions; Formulated with low glycemic vegetables which digest slowly to prevent glucose spike levels and low carbs for an optimal ketogenic diet
- Proudly made in the USA.