Can Dogs Get Diabetes?

Diabetes is a serious condition that can have drastic impacts on your dog's health if it's not properly diagnosed and managed. In this guide we're going to talk through what it means for a dog to have diabetes, including the early signs to look out for and what treatment methods are available. 

The short answer is yes. Dogs can get diabetes. Much like with humans, there are two possible types of diabetes in dogs. 

Type 1 is the most common and occurs within 1% of dogs in their lifetime. When a dog has Type 1 diabetes, it means their pancreas produces little to no insulin, which is an essential hormone needed to help the body absorb glucose after eating. As they become unable to control their sugar levels, dogs with canine diabetes become more prone to other health problems, including, but not limited to, urinary infections or high blood pressure. 

Type 2 canine diabetes is much rarer than Type 1, but it can still occur. In these cases, the dog’s pancreas is able to produce some insulin but not enough for optimum bodily functions, or the body doesn’t respond to the hormone properly.

As with humans, there is no concrete explanation for why some dogs develop diabetes, and some dogs may be more genetically prone to the condition than others. There have, however, been links made between dogs diabetes and the following:

• Your dog’s age — In most cases, diabetes is diagnosed in senior dogs. 
• Your dog’s breed — Some breeds of dogs seem more prone to diabetes, including German Shepherds, Golden Retrievers, Cocker Spaniels, and more.
• Your dog’s weight — As with humans, dogs who are overweight are more likely to develop diabetes.
• Your dog’s sex — unspayed female dogs are twice as likely to develop diabetes than others. 

Yes. One of the leading causes of diabetes in dogs is thought to be their weight, much like in humans. The more excess weight a dog has, the less able its body is to respond to insulin.

Since overweight dogs are more prone to developing the disease, watching what they eat is essential, especially when it comes to human foods. Dog foods are specifically tailored to provide your dog with the necessary calories and nutrients they need to live and thrive, and by adding unnecessary calories to their diet through table scraps, you may be increasing their chances of becoming overweight.

Plus, what seems like a small morsel to us as humans is actually quite a lot when compared to your dog’s metabolism. Feeding your dog the odd bite of extra food here and there might seem harmless, but dogs shouldn’t eat more than 10% of their daily intake of calories in the form of “treats” or, in this case, human foods.

There are a few early signs of diabetes in dogs which you should keep an eye out for, especially if your dog is overweight or a breed more likely to develop the disease. These signs of diabetes in dogs include: 

• Weightloss without changes to diet or exercise
• More frequent urination
• Excessive thirst 
• Increased hunger

If you notice any of the above symptoms of canine diabetes in your dog, it’s essential you book a consultation with your vet. If they think it’s possible your dog has diabetes, they will do a test to check the glucose levels in your dog’s blood, which may determine if your dog has diabetes or if they are suffering from another condition.

While diabetes can drastically impact your dog’s health, it can still be treated and managed. These treatments will vary on a case-by-case basis but typically include:

• Insulin injections twice a day, 12 hours apart and after food
• Changes to your dog’s diet, typically to low-fat dog food with high-quality protein, fibre, and complex carbohydrates that help slow glucose absorption. Your vet may recommend a specific diabetic dog food to help maintain their health. 
• Regular exercise, both to maintain your dog’s weight and to help prevent spikes in their blood sugar.

Always ensure you don’t make any changes to your dog’s lifestyle or diet without first consulting with your vet. 

Sadly, treating a dog with a lifelong condition doesn’t come cheap, with owners spending on average £1,094 a year. Not only will you need to splash out for regular vet visits to ensure the treatment plan is working, but you’ll also need to pay for your dog’s insulin, the syringes, and potentially for specific veterinary foods as well. That’s not taking into account if your dog suffers from any other ailments caused by their diabetes. 

While you may be able to claim some of these costs on your dog’s insurance, your premium may also increase once your dog has been diagnosed, and you’ll still need to pay the excess.

Diabetic dogs still need a balanced diet with plenty of fresh water to help with their increased thirst. However, as with humans, a diabetic dog’s diet is crucial to managing their condition as their body isn’t able to absorb sugars into the blood to convert into energy like before. To compensate for this, you must monitor what your dog eats to ensure their blood sugar levels remain controlled. 

Please remember that there is no single diabetic dog food that will work for every dog. Each case of dog diabetes is unique and requires different levels of treatment and diet alterations to manage the condition. Always follow your vet’s advice when looking for a new dog food. 

One of the key things to look for in a diabetic dog food is protein, such as turkey, lean beef or fish, which is essential for your dog to maintain muscle mass. You should also watch for the fibre content of your dog’s food, as it’s been shown to have more benefits than carbohydrates in a diabetic dog’s meal. High-fibre dog food is great for helping your dog maintain a healthy weight while regulating their blood sugar levels and is highly available. Or, you can speak with your vet for recommendations on food for diabetic dogs, like this Royal Canin Diabetic dog food.

As well as these two key ingredients, you should also be conscious of the amount of calories in your dog’s food. As obesity is a known cause of diabetes in dogs, ensuring they stay at an optimal body weight for their age, breed, and gender is essential to managing their condition. This may mean being more conscious of your dog’s portions or utilising a diabetic and weight control dog food, such as the Calibra Veterinary Diabetes & Obesity Dog Food.

The most important part of understanding how to manage your dog’s diabetes is understanding the difference between simple and complex carbohydrates. The best way to do this is by understanding the glycemic index, which measures the amount of time it takes for the body to absorb sugars from a particular food into the bloodstream. 

Simple carbohydrates are those that have a high glycemic index (between 69-100) as the sugars are quickly absorbed and can cause your dog’s blood sugar to spike. Simple carbohydrates in dogs' food are often: 

• Refined grains (white rice, refined flour)
• Potatoes
• Some fruits and vegetables (mango, bananas, parsnips)

You should also refrain from giving your dog table scraps. While a bite here or there might seem harmless, it’s important to remember that any food given to your dog will affect their sugar levels, and while the scraps may seem small to us, a dog's body works differently than our own, including how food is broken down into energy. 

We hope this guide has given you a better understanding of canine diabetes so you can recognise the warning signs and feel more at ease managing your dog's condition. You can also find everything you need to manage your dog’s diabetes right here at Pet Drugs Online, including insulin syringes and glucose monitors.

This post is an opinion and should only be used as a guide. You should discuss any change to your pet’s care or lifestyle thoroughly with your vet before starting any program or treatment.