Best Dog Food for Diabetic Dogs (7 Best Products)

Best dog food for diabetic dogs. Do you know a pup with diabetes? Having the proper diet for a diabetic dog can make all the difference. This blog will help you find the best dog food for your pup so that they can lead a happy and healthy life.

Read Also: Best Dog Food for Huskies

What is dog diabetes, and how does it work?

Diabetes in dogs, also known as canine diabetes, is a common hormone disorder that affects how the body utilizes blood glucose, commonly referred to as “sugar.” When properly managed, dogs with diabetes can enjoy life and remain healthy for many years. Canine diabetes can be caused by several issues, including insufficient production of insulin from the pancreas (known as Type 1 Diabetes) and a malfunction of insulin receptors or an inadequate response to produced insulin (known as Type 2 Diabetes).

Insulin is responsible for metabolizing carbohydrates from food into energy. Without proper insulin levels, your pup cannot effectively process their food resulting in high blood sugar levels or hypoglycemia due to lack of energy and poor absorption. In those with Type 1 Diabetes, the process can be reversed with proper treatment involving regulated insulin injections. In contrast, in those with Type 2 Diabetes, a combined approach using medications such as oral hypoglycemic agents and changes in diet should provide relief.

A diet tailored to specific needs will help provide your pup with sufficient nutrition while managing consistent levels of glucose intake. The best dog food for diabetic dogs should maintain healthy triglyceride levels while providing balanced proteins and healthy fats that encourage fat storage rather than sugar storage. Adding minerals such as chromium may help support balanced cell metabolism.

The connection between dogs, diet, and diabetes

For diabetic dogs, regular exercise and a proper diet are essential for maintaining a healthy lifestyle. While there is no one-size-fits-all solution for all pets and their respective diabetes management requirements, it is important to understand the connection between diet and diabetes when choosing the best food for your furry companion. A balanced nutritional approach typically involves the following:

• Specialized dog foods are designed with lower carbohydrate levels.
• Increased amounts of protein.
• High soluble dietary fiber.

When formulating a diet plan for diabetic dogs, veterinary nutritionists will often suggest diets that contain high-quality protein sources and easily digestible carbohydrates. These highly digestible carbohydrate sources include white rice, rolled oats, sweet potatoes, and barley. In contrast, higher fat diets containing vegetable oils like coconut oil can help to reduce inflammation in diabetic dogs.

When looking for specific commercial dog food brands that have been tailored specifically to meet the nutritional needs of diabetic (or pre-diabetic) dogs, look out for labels that say “Low GI” or “Low Glycemic.” These indicate products specifically designed to help manage blood sugar levels in diabetic pets. Vegetables typically found in this type of pet food can include celery, spinach, carrots, and broccoli– all of which contain vitamins B1 C & E and fiber, which is beneficial in diabetes management.

Finally, always consult your veterinarian before making any changes to your pet’s diet. Your vet will be able to provide more tailored dietary advice about how best to feed your pet concerning its health state.

The best dog food for diabetic dogs

Diabetes is a common health issue seen in both humans and pets. While changes to diet manage diabetes in humans, exercise, and possibly insulin, pet diabetes requires the same diligence. And this includes not only training but also diet. Several types of food have been developed as the best dog food for diabetic dogs. These foods are generally higher in fiber and lower in carbohydrates to help keep blood sugar levels stable.

Typically, these diets will include whole grains such as oats, barley, or brown rice, animal protein such as chicken, fish, or egg, and green leafy vegetables like spinach or kale. These formulas also aim to avoid ‘purine-rich’ proteins such as liver or kidney, which can increase uric acid levels, which may aggravate certain medical conditions commonly seen in diabetic dogs.

Also, avoid dog food containing wine by-products, such as poultry products and corn syrup, as they can significantly raise a dog’s blood glucose levels too quickly. Most premium quality dry food and canned foods have been specifically formulated for diabetic pets, with ingredients intended to help stabilize glucose levels throughout the day.

Suppose a veterinarian is concerned regarding your pet’s glucose level. In that case, further steps should be taken and adjustments made to his daily diet, including wetting the food down with warm water, adding healthier fats such as olive oil, or shredding vegetables into his meal for added fiber content. Your veterinarian can provide helpful advice on this subject if necessary so that you can better manage your canine companion’s diabetes responsibly through nutritional care!

Our list of Best Dog Foods for Diabetic Dogs

1. Best non-prescription diabetic dog food (Ketona Chicken Recipe Adult Dry Dog Food, Natural, Low Carb)

2. Best canned food for diabetic dogs (Taste of the Wild High Protein Real Meat Grain-Free Recipes Wet Canned Dog Food)

3. Hill’s diabetic dog food (Hill’s Prescription Diet w/d Multi-Benefit)

4. Best diabetic food for a senior dog (Blue Buffalo Wilderness High Protein, Natural Senior Dry Dog Food)

5. Best diabetic food for puppies (Wellness CORE Grain Free Wet Dog Food, Smooth Pate, Natural, Adult)

6. Our pick of best dog food for diabetic dogs (Blue Buffalo Freedom Grain Free Natural Adult Small Breed Dry Dog Food, Chicken)

Best Dog Foods for Diabetic Dogs

Dog food low in carbohydrates and high in protein is most likely to help control diabetes. Ideally, it should be supplemented with fiber and probiotics but sufficiently limited in net carbohydrate content. Other fruits, vegetables, and bone or organ meats have plenty of nutrients, vitamins, and minerals to balance the dogs’ diet.

Best non-prescription diabetic dog food

Ketona Chicken Recipe Adult Dry Dog Food, Natural, Low Carb

Dog food with minimal carbohydrates, starch, and sugar in the United States is made. Rich in proteins. The first component is organically grown chicken supplemented with vitamins and minerals.

Ketona dog food can combine the affordable carbohydrate content of a raw-food diet with the convenience and price of kibble. It comprises 85 fewer carbohydrates than its main competitors, 5 less starch, 0.05 sugar, and more than 46 protein.

Ketona dog-treat dog food is made in the United States from natural ingredients, including non-GMO chicken raised on American ranches. Its meals contain pea protein, pea hulls, oat hulls, and chicken fat.

The liver is chock-full of vitamins and nutrients. It is one of the most common dishes for diabetic dogs, as it’s free from corn, soybean, wheat, potato, sorghum, rice, barley, or rye. The dimension of this food item is 4.2 pounds and 24.2 pounds.

---

Best canned food for diabetic dogs

Taste of the Wild High Protein Real Meat Grain-Free Recipes Wet Canned Dog Food

We have discovered tasty diabetic-friendly dog food for dogs in their senior years. Taste of the Wild Southwest Canyon Canned Dog Food is a complete wet dog food easily digestible for senior dogs. This dog food is a superb option and is available in numerous flavors, including lamb, venison, salmon, bison, duck, and wild boar.

No matter which wet food you choose, the reviews show how much dogs appreciate this flavor. The prebiotic fiber in this food tends to work out well for dogs dealing with gastrointestinal problems later in life. It has a nice balance of protein and carbohydrates that helps your dog build strong muscles and maintain optimum weight.

This dog food contains fatty acids that are useful for Fido’s coat, skin, and joints. Unlike many other dog foods, Taste of the Wild includes antioxidants from sources that are natural.

---

Hill’s diabetic dog food

Hill’s Prescription Diet w/d Multi-Benefit 

Hill’s Prescription Diet W/D is a vet-recommended foodstuff for dogs with diabetes and weight issues. This food helps dogs maintain healthy blood sugar levels and provides immunity support. The high levels of Carnitine in Hill’s Prescription Diet W D boost your dog’s metabolic rate and enhance its health.

Also, this food contains a moderate amount of fiber to keep your doggy continuously full between meals. The nutrients in this diet are also what veterinarians recommend for maintaining lean muscles and a healthy weight. You’ll need a prescription for this food order from your veterinarian.

---

Best diabetic food for a senior dog

Blue Buffalo Wilderness High Protein, Natural Senior Dry Dog Food

Middle-aged and senior dogs with an unhealthy weight are more likely to get diabetes, specifically if they are overweight. Suppose you are looking for an old recipe for dog food that encourages your dog to live healthily at an optimal body weight without causing chronic diabetes. In that case, we suggest Blue Buffalo Wilderness Senior Chicken Recipe Dry Food.

The first ingredient of this recipe is deboned chicken, which contains lean protein. It’s also grain-free and contains low-glycemic carbohydrates such as peas and tapioca starch. This recipe is a rich source of omega fatty acids for your dog, which promotes the quality of your dog’s skin and coat and supports healthy digestion with plenty of fiber.

As a rule, fresh fruit and vegetables provide a concentrated supply of calcium and antioxidants with chelated minerals to help ensure complete and balanced nutrition. This food provides 30 protein intake for your dog to ensure lean muscle mass with only 12 fat and seven fiber.

---

Best diabetic food for puppies

Wellness CORE Grain Free Wet Dog Food, Smooth Pate, Natural, Adult

Do you have a diabetic puppy? If so, Wellness CORE Natural Grain Free Wet Canned Dog Food is an excellent choice for them. Many dog owners have reported seeing positive changes in their playful pups shortly after switching to this formula for puppies. You can use this formula as dog food, but you can also mix it with dry food.

We know just how particular some dogs can be, and Wellness CORE makes adapting to the switch easy. The mineral levels are adjusted to ensure your dog’s system functions to the best of its capabilities. Wellness CORE Natural Grain Free Wet Canned Dog Food was selected because it makes feeding a diabetic dog easy.

It doesn’t matter that your dog has this glaring issue and that feeding time has to be complicated. Fish and flax seeds contain beneficial omega-3 fatty acids, not to mention each is highly nutritious. These healthy acids benefit your dog’s vision, skin, digestive system, hair, and joints! There are no unnecessary animal by-products used as fillers in this food either.

---

Our pick of best dog food for diabetic dogs

Blue Buffalo Freedom Grain Free Natural Adult Small Breed Dry Dog Food, Chicken

Blue Buffalo offers a meal that’s just for a tiny diabetic dog. It is natural, wholesome, and doesn’t have grains and gluten. There’s also a cold-formed life source kibble uniquely designed for small jaws and helps scrub contaminants off the teeth. The kibble also contains nutrients that strengthen your pet’s immune system.

This dog food comes from fresh ingredients, including natural chicken breast, followed by meat meal, peas, potatoes, and pea starch. It provides excellent protein, fatty acids, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals.

The formula is designed to support health in the skin, coat, joints, and muscles. It also aims to increase the energy level. Even though not all diabetic dogs do well on potatoes, they metamorphose them thanks to vitamin B, vitamin C, potassium, iron, and magnesium.

---

What dog food is best for dogs with diabetes

High-quality, low glycemic dry or canned dog food–ideally with a low to moderate amount of grains, proteins, and impactful carbohydrates—is ideal for people with diabetes. It helps provide balanced nutrition while avoiding the processed ingredients that can spike blood sugar. Additionally, because the fiber content of dry foods is often much higher than canned foods, this may help slow glucose absorption and aid in controlling diabetes.

When selecting a food for your diabetic dog, it’s essential also to consider the following factors:

1. Calorie Content: Diabetic pets may need fewer calories than healthy animals, as weight control is key to managing diabetes;
2. Protein sources: High-quality protein sources such as fish are preferable over lower-quality proteins, like rendered by-products;
3. Carbohydrate sources: Choose complex carbs (such as whole grains) over simple carbs (like corn syrup solids); and
4. Ingredient quality: Make sure you’re using food from an established brand with fresh ingredients. Avoid foods with artificial colors and preservatives.

Though the cost can be a factor when deciding on a food for your pet, it’s important to choose the cheapest option only if it meets all of the above criteria since lower quality foods can contribute to elevated glycemic levels.

Dog diabetes symptoms: Potential Red Flag

Dog diabetes is a complex disease, and it’s essential to recognize the signs. Common symptoms associated with diabetes include:

• Weight loss despite a normal or increased appetite
• Frequent urination
• Excessive thirst
• Midsection fat accumulation
• Cataracts in older dogs
• Lethargy or often sleeping more than usual
• A thickening of the skin at the base of the tail or around the neck, along with patches of hair loss in those areas
• Dehydration

If you notice any of these symptoms, it’s crucial to contact your veterinarian as soon as possible. Early diagnosis can go a long way in managing diabetes and preventing negative side effects.

Tips for feeding a diabetic dog

For any pet parent, learning that their dog has been diagnosed with diabetes can be overwhelming. As with all medical conditions, symptomatic management of diabetes will require a commitment from both the pet and the owner. One area that needs particular attention is diet. It’s important to work closely with your vet to determine the proper diet for your diabetic dog.

To best meet the needs of diabetic animals, it is important to feed them food explicitly designed for them. These foods are often low in carbohydrates and have moderate amounts of fat, supplemented with fiber and antioxidants to help stabilize blood glucose levels. Feeding a balanced diet will reduce the amount of insulin needed while helping to maintain steady blood glucose readings throughout the day. When preparing meals for your diabetic canine, you will want to focus on whole-grain; lean proteins (chicken, fish, and some egg); vegetables like carrots and green beans; and healthy fats from olive oil or coconut oil.

It is also important to feed smaller meals more frequently throughout the day for two reasons: First, feeding frequent small meals helps establish steady, healthy glucose levels throughout the day. Second, dogs tend to overeat if given too much food at one time due to an inability to control hunger levels and thus can gain weight quickly; this weight gain can also lead to further complications in diabetic dogs. So it is recommended that owners limit treats when possible as these high-fat and calorie snacks are contributing factors in obesity which can worsen symptoms associated with diabetes.

What foods should a diabetic dog avoid?

When it comes to selecting the best food for a diabetic dog, there are certain types of food that should be avoided. Foods higher in carbohydrates, such as starchy vegetables like potatoes, sweet potatoes, peas, corn, and rice, should be minimized or eliminated from your diabetic dog’s diet—other foods to avoid high-fat treats or processed pet foods.

Diabetic dogs also need to limit their sugar intake and simple carbohydrates since they quickly spike blood sugar levels. This can cause further health issues if not monitored closely by an experienced vet. Avoid high-sugar foods like candies, cakes, ice cream, and cookies. Sugar-containing fruits are also not recommended due to their naturally high sugar content and poor nutritional value for your dog’s diet.

In addition, some foods that contain artificial sweeteners can also be a risk factor for metabolic stress and should not be given as a treat to diabetic dogs. Furthermore, a diet high in salt is linked with an increased risk of dehydration and electrolyte imbalances, so it is best to avoid salted snacks or treats for your diabetic pet altogether.

The best diet for a diabetic dog includes low-carbohydrate sources such as proteins from lean meats like chicken or fish and plenty of complex carbohydrates from whole grains like oats or brown rice. Quality wet food that lists meat before carbs in the ingredients is also ideal for keeping diabetes under control as well as maintaining your dog’s optimal health overall.

Is wet or dry food better for diabetic dogs?

There is no single answer when it comes to the best food for your diabetic dog, as the optimal diet will depend on your pet’s individual needs—generally speaking. However, dogs with diabetes should be fed food that is high in fiber and low in sugar. In most cases, this means that dry food or kibble is the better option.

Dry foods typically contain more fiber than wet foods, which can help regulate your dog’s blood sugar levels and make it easier to manage their diabetes. The higher fiber content also helps slow digestion, so glucose is absorbed into the bloodstream more slowly. Additionally, dry foods tend to have fewer calories than wet foods because they contain less fat, which can help overweight or obese pups achieve a healthier weight.

Wet foods may be beneficial for dogs with dental problems or difficulty chewing hard kibble due to chronic health conditions such as arthritis or old age. However, these canned or pouch products often contain higher amounts of fat and carbohydrates, making it difficult for diabetic dogs to maintain consistent blood glucose levels. Additionally, wet food often contains higher amounts of sodium than its dry counterparts and should therefore be fed with caution.

Buyer’s Guide: Purchasing the Best Diabetic Dog Food

When it comes to choosing the best dog food for diabetic dogs, there are a few key considerations that you should make. First and foremost is to ensure that the diet meets all of your pet’s nutritional needs. These include essential carbohydrates and proteins, as well as the appropriate levels of vitamins and minerals to keep them healthy.

It is equally important to consider the fat content of dog food for diabetes. It is important to look for foods that are low in fats but still provide the necessary caloric intake and energy levels for your pet. High-fat diets can lead to excessive weight gain, which can increase blood sugar levels and could ultimately lead to type 2 diabetes in some dogs.

The sourcing of ingredients used in diabetic dog foods should also be considered when purchasing. Look for quality ingredients that originate from responsible sources free from any added preservatives, chemicals, animal proteins with growth hormones, or antibiotics, which can affect blood glucose balance.

In addition, you should always ensure that the food you choose fits within your budget while still providing quality nutrition. Many brands offer special formulas to help regulate blood glucose levels without overspending expenses.

Conclusion

When managing diabetes in dogs, choosing a portion of food that provides balanced nutrition is important. Diabetic dogs may have lower energy needs than those non-diabetic dogs, and the caloric intake should be appropriately adjusted. It is also important to monitor their blood sugar levels closely after any diet changes.

In general, you should select foods with moderate fat content, including healthy unsaturated fatty acids such as linoleic acid. Foods with lower levels of carbohydrates and higher-quality proteins are also preferable for diabetic dogs because they can help to maintain balanced blood sugar levels over time. Other beneficial dietary components for diabetic dogs may include probiotics, complex dietary fibers, and omega-3 fatty acids. Opting for grain-free diets or an exclusionary diet may be recommended by your veterinarian if your dog’s health warrants it.

To sum up, selecting a dog food that meets your pet’s energy needs while keeping their blood sugar levels stable is important. Your veterinarian can provide valuable assistance in helping you determine the best food for your dog’s needs.