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Posts Tagged ‘dog diet’

A disease that can affect dogs and be potentially fatal if not properly managed is diabetes mellitus. As it does in humans, diabetes in dogs causes uncontrolled blood glucose levels. Diabetes in dogs is managed through diet, exercise, and medication if necessary.

Diet and exercise are essential components of the management of diabetes in dogs. If the diabetes is managed effectively, the dog can continue to live an active lifestyle for a relatively long time.

There may be initial signs that a dog has developed diabetes. Those with diabetes often experience an increase in thirst and drinking as well as urination.

If the dog owner suspects that the dog may have diabetes, the governor needs to take the dog to the veterinarian for proper diagnosis. Because diabetes and other illnesses may show no noticeable signs, routine veterinary checkups are very important. The veterinarian may use a blood or urine test while the dog is fasting to diagnose diabetes mellitus.

A key feature of diabetic dog diets is routine. The veterinarian may prescribe a specific routine for feeding the dog and administering insulin if necessary. Often the dogs daily intake of food is divided into two or three portions given at different times.

Fiber and complex carbohydrates are considered the most important ingredients of a diabetic dog diet. If the dog needs to lose weight, the veterinarian may recommend a low-fat dog food that will enable the dog to lose weight slowly.

Diabetic dog diets need to be consistent. Feeding a dog treats, table scraps, or making homemade dog food are considered potentially dangerous for dogs with diabetes since these can cause too much variation in the contents of the dog’s diet.

The dog’s weight should be kept relatively consistent. Maintaining an ideal weight can help make the management of diabetes easier. If weight loss is necessary, it should be done gradually over a period of time.

Regular checkups by a veterinarian are necessary for dogs with diabetes. The dog owner may have a number of questions regarding the management of diabetes in dogs. The dog owner should feel comfortable asking the veterinarian any questions they may have.

In addition to regular veterinarian visits, the dog owner can test the dog’s urine for sugar with testing strips. The veterinarian may instruct the dog owner on testing without urine and making any necessary adjustments in the dog insulin.

Daily exercise is considered very helpful in diabetes management. Again, consistency is important. The dog owner should set a daily routine of exercising for a specific amount of time such as walking or playing catch for half an hour a day.