My husband and I have been through a lot with Mylah since she was diagnosed with diabetes at 10 months old. Six years of caring for her and managing canine diabetes has had a lot of ups and downs. We’ve learned so much along the way. Here’s our top 18 tips and tricks for living with, caring for, and managing a diabetic dog.
1. Bell or Extra Tags on Collar: Keep tabs on your dog through the night or your house with a bell or multiple metal tags on his/her collar. After Mylah had her first seizure after being diagnosed, we wanted to make sure we could hear where she was or if she went into a seizure. She has three loud metal tags on her collar at all times that wake us up in the night or let us know where she is throughout the house. She also now gets called Miss Jingle Jangle 😉
2. Medical Dog Tag: Have a dog tag with specific information on your dog’s condition stating he/she is a diabetic and needs medical attention. This could be critical if your dog gets lost.
3. Eye Supplements: Consult with your vet first but it might be a good idea to give your diabetic dog additional supplements for eye health. Diabetes will take a toll on your dog’s eyes, and a supplement like Ocuglo can help maintain eyesight greatly.
4. Keep Life Familiar: Meaning, don’t move furniture around or introduce any major new potential stressors into your home. Keeping the furniture in place, maintaining familiar smells and sounds is important in the event your dog does go blind or loses part of his/her eyesight.
5. Home Glucose Monitoring: Test your dog’s blood sugar at home, perform a glucose curve and be prepared for emergencies with a glucose kit, here is the one I use. *
6. No/Low Carb Diet: Food for diabetic dogs is extremely important. Keep carbs very minimal and protein, veggies and omega 3’s high. We feed Mylah a homemade diet I will share on the blog soon.
7. Underlying Issues: Watch for other signs of autoimmune issues – fur loss, paw redness, muscle sensitivity, etc. Mylah has had all three of these at some point. She has an array of additional autoimmune issues that have either stemmed from her diabetes or because she is just a hot mess (a very cute one though!).
8. Insulin Times: Always give your dog insulin at the same time every day and night. Mylah is currently on Vetsulin, this is the third insulin she tried before it stuck and we were able to regulate her using Vetsulin. Always give insulin with a meal. It’s best to arrange insulin time at the same time as breakfast or dinner.
9. Teeth: Brush teeth regularly, dogs with diabetes can get bad teeth just like humans with diabetes.
10. Emergency Sugar: Keep Karo syrup easily accessible in your home in case of a blood sugar drop. If your dog is exhibiting signs of low blood sugar take Karo syrup and rub it all over their gums and get to the vet immediately.
11. Urinary Health: Diabetic dogs can easily develop urinary tract infections (UTI), especially if they are unregulated because they are always peeing out sugar and therefore bacteria and infection grow. Diabetics do tend to have to use the bathroom more than regular dogs but look for signs of a UTI based on color and smell of urine and if there is an increase in frequency.
12. Ketone Strips: Keep an eye on ketones with urine ketone strips. You can pick them up at your local pharmacy or amazon. If you suspect your dog has ketones (breath smells like fruit, not eating, lethargic, vomiting) you can test at home and immediately go to the vet with the result on the strip. *
13. Weather Changes: Weather changes can impact diabetic dogs just like humans. For instance, Mylah’s limbs get very cold in the winter. If she’s shivering in the cold for too long it can cause her muscles to ache and hurt badly. We always keep an eye on the temperature of her limbs and paws during the winter. She does much better in warmer weather but also gets hot easily so we make sure she doesn’t overheat either. You can keep a diary of notes on weather changes to help your dog feel better when the weather changes.
14. Diabetic Dog Treats: Make homemade, very low carb treats – store bought treats are not good for diabetics. Some easy ones are to freeze cooked ground meat into cubes or freeze all meat baby food for treats.
15. Diaper Hack: If your dog requires a diaper around the house we have an awesome hack for this! We purchase Huggies ‘Little Swimmer’s’ in
16. Support & Backups: Have a friend or family member who knows how to feed your diabetic dog, give insulin, and work a glucose monitor. Give them a copy of your house key. My brother and the dog’s godmother, Melissa, both have keys to the house and know the routine with Mylah in the event we are in a jam or there is an emergency.
17. Sick & Not Eating: There have been times when Mylah was sick and not eating, but obviously, a diabetic needs to eat. Sometimes it was ketones, other times it was her severe IBD. The solution? Homemade bone broth and all-meat baby food. Those are our two go-to’s when she is sick and doesn’t want to eat her regular food. Both have worked so well to get her through those rough patches.
18. Vet Care: I cannot speak highly enough about the vet team I have for Mylah. It wasn’t always like this for us though. We went through two different vets before landing on her current team. She sees an integrative holistic vet AND has an internal medicine specialist. Because of all of
For Mylah’s full story, click here.
Xox,
Alicia
Hi My dog was diagnose with diabetes drinking and urinating a lot ,So I changed her diet in the past 5 days ,Now she’s not drinking a lot or urinating a lot now did not start her on her on the insulin yet ,,Should I hold off on the insulin to see if she continues to be normal ?
This is something you need to address with your veterinarian. If you’d like help with a diabetic friendly diet for you dog my services can be found here – https://holisticpetwellness.co/rawdogfoodmeals/
My dog recently diagnosed with diabetes and pancreatitis. Made a amazing comeback. My concern is that he has an extremely large appetite..inhaler food., never did this before. He acts like he is starving could this indicate he needs an adjustment in insulin?
I can’t really comment on this because I don’t know your dog – I would ask your vet. If you’d like to sign up for diabetic friendly diet consults that info is here, https://holisticpetwellness.co/rawdogfoodmeals/
My 9 yo miniature schnauzer was just diagnosed with diabetes. She also suffers from pancreatitis, we came home with the prescription food, but I’d like to know if you’d suggest a homemade food for her being that she has both conditions and if we consult you could help with portions etc? They fed her at the vet and we administered the insulin but she came home immediately looking for more food. Thanks 🙂
I recommend a homemade or raw diet for healthy dogs so absolutely I would for a diabetic. The only way we’ve been able to regulate Mylah’s diabetes and keep her healthy and thriving is because of her food.
I sent an email. My 8 yr old beagle mix was diagnosed in June. He is on a glycobalance kibble. His treats are green beans and broccoli. He takes vetsulin but his numbers still won’t come down. They want to test for cushings now. Advice??
Please set up a coaching or recipe consult!
Wow, super informative article! I have never thought about dogs having diabetes. My nephew has diabetes and I am curious if some of these can help him too. I will look that up!
I am trying to find more information on what is causing the reddness &/or discoloration of my diabetic dogs paws, and if you have any suggestions for prevention or care of. He sees his vet quite frequently for glucose level checks, & has been on an allergy medicine & steroids, however, the reddness just seems to fluxuate a lot. Looking forward to hearing from you! I enjoyed reading your article, it has great information! Thanks again
Sounds like an allergy to me.
My 9 year old maltese/shih tzu mix started showing signs of a diabetes over a month ago. At no time did my vet suggest changing out food, just do these vetsulin shots and it will come down. That didn’t work, his numbers were so high I was just so stressed. A 1 time of showing me how to do the shots and i was out the door. after 6 weeks I had to learn it mostly on my own, His glucose curve i do at home is now regular. How often should i check his blood sugar during the week? What time is the best time? I called my vet 2 weeks ago and still he has not called me back. Time for a new vet for sure.
Hello! If you’d like to set up a recipe formulation or coaching for your dog do so here: https://holisticpetwellness.co/rawdogfoodmeals/
My nine year old Shitzu has just been diagnosed with diabetes, our vet is nearby monitors Wookie’s blood glucose. We have him on caninsulin, just a small dose twice daily, until we know how it affects his condition so far in the short time he’s been on the insulin, his glucose number is lower, he has lost about a pound but he has always eaten homemade food-Straight protein, chicken, beef, turkey, tuna, sometimes with rice and he likes Ceasar small dog wet food, he gets 1/2 with the am shot, the rest w his second shot of insulin. Since I rescued him at 16 months he’s never liked kibble, or any dog food really, just protein, sometimes cooked celery/carrot (well hidden) sweet potato. So far he’s only regressed to diarrhea once after spending the day at the vets likely without food because he never accepts food from anyone but me, or sometimes my husband (plate) well monitored. He still pees in the night but I found that your suggestion about the Huggies is a better way to keep my wood floors dry. He’s got lots of pep but right now it’s hot and humid which he hates so we chase him around the house or toss toys for him to chase.
I would love to have your recipe for the dog food. My boy was diagnosed 5 years ago. Recently episode of hypoglycemia and pancreatitis. We have troubles also getting him to eat. Won’t eat kibble at all. I found a recipe for diabetic dogs but it has brown rice in it. Also chicken, veggies, egg. I have a glucose monitor but had trouble getting blood. Tried the lip and ear. Had to poke him multiple times. Finally gave up. Too traumatizing for him and me. Any thoughts would be appreciated.
If you’d like to set up a recipe formulation for your dog do so here: https://holisticpetwellness.co/rawdogfoodmeals/
Hi. My baby Tyler was just diagnosed with diabetes a week ago. He gets 4u of insulin twice a day. Thankfully I haven’t had any problems. But he was a treat focused dog. I’m not sure what treats he can have or when. I do sometimes hv a problem with getting him to eat. But a little oil on his food or something sprinkled in helps. So far. Any suggestions of treats? And I know he’s hungry way before it’s time to eat. But I’m trying to do everything right. He also has Cushing dz that he was diagnosed with in April. Hence the diabetes followed. This is difficult for me cause I love this rascal so much!
Hello! If you’d like to set up a recipe formulation or coaching for your dog do so here: https://holisticpetwellness.co/rawdogfoodmeals/
Just diagnosed and refuses to eat tbe food the Vet prescribed.
Now what?
Hello! If you’d like to set up a recipe formulation or coaching for your dog do so here: https://holisticpetwellness.co/rawdogfoodmeals/
my dog was just diagnosed, 5 weeks ago
he had awful looking paws, due to allergies
My dog just got diagnosed after she was slowly getting more sick & I took her to the ER vet. After 4.5 days she’s home, but I’m having SO much trouble getting her to eat her meal so that I can give the insulin. She’s got some tummy issues that they are treating (sensitive tummy) but I worry about her not eating & will call them today. This article was super informative & thank you so much for all of these tips (like the special tag on her collar!)
before the diagnosed she was on science diet light 2 weeks ago I stat doing this home made recipe for diabetic dogs the first week she seems to like it and I notice the sugar levels when down a little bit but 2 day ago she stop eating and have diarrhea with very red blood so I don’t know if is the change of food or what, on top of that the new insulin Novolin N we are trying it’s not working 🙁 very desperate at this point I don’t Know what to do to help my Girl.
Hello Abigail,
I wanted to pass info along about our experience with a dog that wouldn’t eat and homemade food…..
My 14 1/2 yr old Lhasa-poo Lilly-Belle was diagnosed in December 2017 with diabetes with a glucose reading of 600. The vet seemed to get her glucose regulated after a wk. We then purchased the vet suggested Hills Science dog food for diabetic dogs. At first she seemed to get better, then she wouldn’t eat, and would have accidents because she couldn’t hold any fluids. My poor baby who normally weighed 9.2 lbs quickly went down to 8.2 lbs and that’s when I decided to make her food myself. One month ago I started her on a homemade stew diet of skinless chicken breasts (can use skinless thighs too) chickpeas, carrots, green beans and spinach. I put all ingredients in a crockpot for 6 hrs and also add 1/2 pot of water. Then I finely chop the ingredients and mix together by hand. Once that is done I put individual servings in small sandwich freezer bags and add a large spoon of the broth the stew made. This yields 2 servings a day for 14 days. Every night before bed I take out 2 bags from the freezer. I add a spoon of pumpkin purée or cottage cheese on top of stew too at meal time. The only processed food she receives is a little Hills Science kibble mixed with stew at dinner time for vitamins as the vet made me feel bad because he said she wasn’t getting vitamins that she should be getting from kibble. If you think about it she is getting protein, calcium, vitamin A and fiber from what we are feeding her. Anyway, since on the stew all accidents stopped, she loves eating again (goes nuts when the stew is cooking) now weighs 8 lbs 11ounces and is once again bright eyed and running around. I felt bad for you in reading your post and wanted to share our experience with the homemade food. We didn’t have trouble with the type of insulin like you are having so I’m sorry I don’t have anything to pass on about that. One last thing, our vet was not happy at all with her being on homemade food. I felt that I needed to try anything that I could to get her to eat. I couldn’t just watch her fail. With that said, you know your dog better than anyone else so go with your instincts. I wish you the best on this path with your fur baby.❤?
I just read read your post. Thank you so much. I have a little bichon who was recently diagnosed with diabetes and I cannot get her to eat her diabetic dog food.. Your tips will be such a help.. I’m starting the crock pot tonight!!
Dawn, would you be able to tell me approximate portion sizes
for your Little 9 lb fur baby? Also, do you measure out each if the ingredients that you put in the crockpot? For instance, how much chicken, spinach,?
Hi this is a very nice article much needed info, My Girl Mia 4 1/2 years old (beagle) was recently diagnosed with Diabetes with ketoacidosis it been so stressfull since we can get her sugar under control we first get treatment for the ketoacidosis with that out of the way we start with the insulin (vetsulin) 9 units 8 days later no results we when up to 12 unit and 8 days later still no results so we when up again to 12 units and nothing happened , so the vet decided to use a different insulin now we are on Novolin N we start all over again with 9 units and a week passed and now up to 12 units at this point I don’t know what is happening to my girl and how to help her even though she is not in pain or suffering and the vet said to me she is in overall good condition and she is young I feel so helpless on top of that the vet bills are consuming me and she still not getting her blood sugar under control any recommendation or tips you can give me to try We will appreciate Thank you.
I am so sorry you are going through that! I know it is very tough. What are you feeding her? Diet plays a huge role in diabetes.
My 12.5 year old Border Collie just got diagnosed with diabetes 2 days ago. Today we have updated his diet to hopefully one that is more diabetic friendly. The vet wants us to focus on the insulin regimen for the next two weeks and go from there. You never want to hear that your dog is sick, but the diagnosis was such a relief. He was suffering from weight loss, frequent urination, and the morning of the appointment we noticed slight dizziness. I went into that appointment expecting the vet way going to tell us that this was the end of the road for him. To say that I was utterly relieved with the diagnosis was an understatement; we can get this under control. The vet said that Max is healthy in every other way. Good teeth (for his age), good heart, stomach, eyes, etc. I am doing my best to research as much as I can about canine diabetes. I have read a lot about eventually doing at home glucose monitoring, but it seems like that might be a little bit into the future. I was wondering, does your dog show symptoms that they are suffering from either high or low sugar levels? And, what can you do to help them through that? If you have any information that can help someone new to this, I would greatly appreciate it! Thanks!
Hi! Yes, she does show symptoms that she is too high or too low. As you go through the monitoring you will get to know the signs more. It is helpful though to check at home using the AlphaTrak bg monitor for dogs.
Thank you so much for these amazing tips!
Hi!
Thinking I could use some help! My dog turned 8 in June and was diagnosed with diabetes in April, and we had a good run for about 2 months with insulin, BG checks, the food, etc. Now we have been dealing with constant high readings, even after a couple changes to the dosage of insulin. Let me know if I can get in touch with you and maybe learn from a wise dog lover! Thanks!
Definitely feel free to get in touch! alicia@theholisticpetwellness.co
I will say diet has been the biggest factor in getting Mylah regulated. Happy to help any way I can!
I’m just starting out. My Dobbie was just diagnosed this past Thursday. I’m REALLY scared! I don’t know anything. I’m searching for thins to feed him. We have 3 other dogs also, all healthy. Dobbs been on just chicken and lean ground beef for 2 days. The other dogs don’t like Dobbs getting special treatment. We go today to learn how to monitor and give the shots and when to give it. I’m alone in all this with Dobbs and it’s tearing me up. I don’t know if I can do this.
It is very stressful and hard when your dog is first diagnosed. Regulation can be difficult but try not to stress! Email me if you need some support, alicia@theholisticpetwellness.co. 🙂
I love the article and love the fact that you mentioned the teeth care.. You must up your teeth care game if you want your pooch to keep them healthy and firm.
Dogs can get dental problems if they have diabetes..
I dog sit and found this article to be very informative. Thanks!
Awesome, so glad it can help! Thanks for reading!