Diabetes isn’t just something that affects humans. It can also affect animals. Diabetes is basically a condition that makes the body unable to regulate the blood glucose levels. This can either be due to a lack of insulin, or an inability to process the insulin. Once food is eaten, it starts to break down into glucose that is absorbed into the body through the bloodstream. Insulin is then required to take the sugar to the cells to be turned into energy. Without this, the body can begin to shut down, causing a lot of problems in pets. If your pet has been diagnosed with diabetes, you may need to consider a lifestyle change and switch to a diabetic dog food.

Top Picks: Best Diabetic Dog Food

Brand	Overall Rating
Hill’s Prescription Diet w/d Low Fat diabetic
Wellness Complete Health Natural Dry dog food Healthy Weight Formula
Royal Canin Glycobalance dry dog food
Wellness Core Natural Grain Free Dry Dog Food Reduced Fat Weight Management Formula
Purina’s Veterinary Diets Canine DCO Dual Fiber Control

There are two types of diabetes in pets, just as there are in us humans. They include Type 1 diabetes, where the body doesn’t make enough insulin, and Type 2 diabetes, where the body doesn’t respond to the insulin properly. Type 1 diabetes is more common in dogs. Type 2, however, is most common in humans and felines.

Tips for Feeding Your Diabetic Dog

When you are looking for a diabetic dog food, it is a good idea to look for a food that is meat based and high in protein, with moderate fat and carbohydrate percentages. When looking at the food label, it is best to choose low glycemic carbohydrates, such as sorghum or barley. A good ration is around 30-40% protein, and less than 30% carbohydrates and fats.

What About Fiber?

The amount of fiber in your dog’s diet should also be regulated. Some people assume that high fiber diets are good when it comes to regulating blood sugar fluctuations after meals, but the truth is that for a diabetic dog this isn’t always the case. In fact, it can have adverse effects on them. It may cause them to lose too much weight. It may also cause intestinal problems, decreased appetite, constipation or diarrhea. For this reason, if you want to give them more fiber without compromising their nutrients that they take in, give them a fiber supplement along with a healthy diabetic dog food.

Controlling Blood Sugar Levels

It is really important that you keep the blood sugar levels regulated. To help keep them where they need to be, it is recommended that you feed them meals at certain scheduled times each day. If your dog is on insulin injections, it is a good idea to coincide the times of meals with injections. For instance, if you need to give them an injection at noon, feed them around an hour before. Try to also give them meals that are equivalent in calories and ingredients for the best results.

Here are a few other helpful tips when it comes to caring for your diabetic dog:

• Monitor their blood glucose levels closely so that you can consult your vet at the first sign of a problem.
• Talk to your vet to see if insulin is right for your pup.
• Visit your vet regularly to keep a check on their overall health and wellness.
• Make sure that your pup is getting enough exercise.
• Avoid giving your pet treats throughout the day, unless they are specifically designed for diabetics.
• Feed your dog a balanced diet that is specifically formulated for diabetes.

As you can see, it is really important that you take extra measures when it comes to taking care of your dog with diabetes. If you are just now getting a diagnosis and aren’t sure about some of the best quality diabetic dog foods on the market, you have come to the right place. Here are a few of our favorite picks.

Our Picks for the Top 10 Diabetic Dog Food

#1 – Hill’s Prescription Diet w/d Low Fat Diabetic

Hill’s Prescription Diet w/d Low Fat diabetic formula is balanced and complete for dogs in all life stages. It helps to promote healthy body weight, and also helps to promote lean muscle mass. This formula has extra carnitine and added proteins that help to boost metabolism, while also stabilizing blood glucose levels. There is also added fiber to help your dog feel fuller quicker, and help those feelings last longer, so that they won’t feel the need to overeat. It is also guaranteed 100% for nutrition and taste values. Give it a try today.

#2 – Wellness Complete Health Natural Dry Dog Food Healthy Weight Formula

Sometimes, just keeping your dog’s weight in check will help them to better manage their blood glucose levels. For this reason, a weight management formula may be a great idea. Wellness Complete Health Natural Dry dog food Healthy Weight Formula is a natural food that has a great taste without the added calories. It is ideal for dogs that aren’t really active, or are overweight. It has added glucosamine and chondroitin for healthy joints and hips. It also has wholesome grains and fiber that helps to promote digestive tract health. You won’t find any meat byproducts, corn, soy, or wheat on the ingredients list, and it is also free of artificial preservatives, colors and flavors.

#3 – Royal Canin Glycobalance Dry Dog Food

Royal Canin Glycobalance dry dog food is made up of complex carbohydrates that will help to keep your dog’s blood sugar where it needs to be. It also has a balanced fiber blend that helps them to stay full, without giving them the feeling that they are hungry when they really don’t need anything else nutritionally. If your dog has a fiber responsive condition, this food is designed to help with that as well. There are controlled amounts of fat in the formula. When you are looking for a veterinary diet, without the prescription diet price tag, take a look at Royal Canin and what they have to offer.

#4 – Wellness Core Natural Grain Free Dry Dog Food Reduced Fat Weight Management Formula

This particular formula by Wellness Core Naturals is 100% natural, rich in protein, and free of grains. It is formulated for dogs of all breeds and sizes, and all life stages. It has 25% less fat than the original Wellness Core formula, and is packed with glucosamine, chondroitin and calcium for healthy muscles, bones and joints. It also has fish and flax, which offers omega fatty acids to promote a healthy skin and coat. On the ingredients list, you won’t see any wheat, corn, soy or fillers, or any artificial additives for color, flavor or preserving. It also has a taste that your pup is sure to love.

#5 – Purina Veterinary Diets Canine DCO Dual Fiber Control

Everyone loves the Purina name! Purina’s Veterinary Diets Canine DCO Dual Fiber Control is made in the USA, just like all of the Purina formulas. It is for dogs that have stomach issues, but it also helps with the feeling of fullness and contains high levels of complex carbohydrates, making it ideal for dogs with diabetes. It has added fiber, with extra soluble fiber as well, with moderate to low dietary fat and calories. If you are looking for a food that will not only meet your dog’s nutritional needs, but not break your bank, consider Purina’s Dual Fiber Control formula, with a taste that your dog will really enjoy.

#6 – Purina OM Overweight Management Dog Food

Purina OM Overweight Management dog food is another great Purina formula that is sure to meet your dog’s dietary requirements and taste great. It is clinically balanced, guaranteed to offer your dog everything that they need nutritionally. It is also designed to preserve muscle mass and promote lean healthy muscles, while boosting metabolism at the same time. It is low in fat, and high in protein. If Purina is the name that you trust, this is just another one of their great formulas.

#7 – Orijen Adult Grain Free Dry Dog Food

Grain free formulas are great for dogs that have stomach sensitivities, but what about when they have diabetes on top of it? Orijen’s Adult Grain Free dry dog food is high in protein, but low in carbs. This is exactly the type of diet that a diabetic dog requires. It has fresh meats, fruits and veggies, with no grains that often upset their tummy. There are no plant oils, and only healthy botanicals found in the ingredients. It has fresh deboned chicken as the number one ingredient, with high amounts of meat based protein. It is also packed with essential vitamins and minerals that your dog needs in order to stay healthy.

#8 – ACANA Grain Free Dry Dog Food

ACANA is well known for their high quality ingredients that are included in their dog foods. The ACANA Grain Free dry dog food is complete and balanced for all life stages, and all breeds. It is rich in protein, with 60% of the ingredients coming from duck, fish, lamb and eggs. The other 40% of the ingredients come from fresh fruits and veggies. There are no grains in this formula, and all of the ingredients are delivered fresh from local sources daily. ACANA really takes pride in freshness and quality, and your dog is sure to enjoy the palatability of their formulas. It is a great choice for a diabetic dog.

#9 – Whole Earth Farms Grain Free Dry Dog Food

Another naturally nutritious formula that you may want to try out is Whole Earth Farms Grain Free Dry dog food. It doesn’t contain any grains, and all of the ingredients come from the USA. It is affordable, while still offering your dog the nutrients that they require. This formula is suitable for dogs of all breeds, in all life stages. With a high protein content, and lower in carbohydrates and fats, your dog is sure to find it to be highly digestible, while making it easier for them to manage their blood glucose levels.

#10 – Nutrisca Grain Free Potato Free Dry Dog Food

Finally, we have Nutrisca Grain Free Potato Free dry dog food. As we have seen in the other formulas, grains and potatoes aren’t the best carbohydrate sources for your dog, especially when they have diabetes. Whether your dog has diabetes, or they just have a meat or poultry allergy, this is an excellent formula. It also promotes a healthy urinary tract. When you want something natural, healthy and affordable, Nutrisca is a great brand name to consider.

Does your dog have diabetes? If so, what foods have you tried out? Share your experience with us below in our comments section!