A lot of dog owners panic upon hearing the news that their dog has diabetes. Do not panic, and take a deep breath. With good care, your pet can lead a healthy and active life.
However, staying on track is the key. Also, taking all the necessary precautions is indeed essential. Apart from insulin (in some cases), there are other ways to keep the sugar level balanced.
The goal is to keep the blood sugar level as normal as possible. Keep on reading to know more about diabetic dogs and what human food you can give to your diabetic dog.
What Human Food Can I feed my Diabetic Dog?
The majority of people think that; dogs can eat all kinds of human food. No, not at all; we have compiled a list of human food that you can give to your diabetic dog.
Moreover, diabetes-related complications such as vision-clouding and urinary tract infections are natural; do not give anything to your diabetic dog, which can cause problems.
Garlic:
Garlic is beneficial for diabetic dogs. But, here is a catch; you can not feed it as a stand-along vegetable. You can mix garlic paste in your dog’s meal.
Also, do not use high-quantity of garlic as it can cause anemia in dogs. If you are giving home-cooked meals to your dog, mash a garlic clove and mix it in the food.
Carrots:
Dogs love carrots. As per the studies, sugar from carrots is natural as it does not affect the sugar level. You can give carrots to your dog in raw form or mix them in any food.
Moreover, you can also give a pulp of carrots to your dog. Not to mention, if your dog is having digestive issues, do not give raw carrots.
Squash:
Pumpkin, butternut, and acorn squashes are high in fiber content. But, giving raw winter squash is not advisable. Cook the squash properly before serving it to your pup.
Alpha sprout:
Alpha sprouts are safe and supportive for diabetic dogs. You can mix it with rice, oats, and low-fat meals.
Broccoli and cauliflower:
Broccoli and cauliflowers come with high-nutritional benefits. Moreover, both the vegetables are not high in sugar; and contains high fiber.
Cooked Broccoli & Cauliflower are recommended. A pulp of both vegetables is a good meal for diabetic dogs.
Also Read: How much food should I feed my dog?
What grains are good for my diabetic dog?
To stay healthy and active all day, a dog with diabetes needs vitamins, minerals, and high-fiber food. Processed foods may not be a healthy option for dogs, but whole grains are rich in fiber, minerals, and vitamins.
Moreover, whole grains are supportive when it comes to balancing the sugar level in blood—listing down some of the healthy options.
- Brown rice
- Whole grain corn
- Whole oats
- Whole wheat flour
- Cracked wheat
- Whole rye
- Quinoa
- Sorghum
- Millet
- Buckwheat
- Amarnath
Whole grains are suitable for other dogs as well; as it helps with digestion. However, if you are feeding a packaged meal that already contains whole grains, keep on feeding the same food, no need to serve other grains.
Importantly, Quinoa, Buckwheat, and Amarnath are the three best grains that you can feed your diabetic dog. These grains are rich in fiber, minerals, and vitamins.
What proteins are good for my diabetic dog?
Lamb and beef have L-carnitine amino acids that can enhance fat metabolism and assist in reducing body mass. However, other suitable sources of protein that humans also take include chicken, fish, and turkey.
Not to mention, to avoid body fat, you must keep a check on fatty food. Low-fat foods such as lean red meat and chicken breasts are healthy options for diabetic dogs.
Is human food enriched with nutrients required for diabetic dogs?
Well, yes. Human food that is allowed for dogs contains nutrients that help regulate blood sugar levels. However, you must keep a check on what you are feeding your dog.
Anything excess is not healthy. Moreover, if the blood sugar level of your dog is high, consult the vet before trying anything new.
Is human food safe for diabetic dogs?
Yes, human food is safe for diabetic dogs. But, not all human food is for dogs. For a diabetic dog, you need to be extra careful.
Ensure that you are not feeding anything that can mess up with the sugar level of your dog. Make a balanced meal for your dog, and avoid things that are high in sugar.
Make a schedule and serve food accordingly. Free-feeding is not a good option for diabetic dogs.
Moreover, give the food as per the insulin dose. Taking care of a diabetic dog may seem like a challenging job. But, once you know all the tips and tricks, it becomes routine. Regular walk and exercise will help in maintaining a lean body.
Also, the intensity of the walk and exercise must be of the same level every day. The key to maintaining the health of a diabetic dog—do not overdo or under-do