Diet for Dog with Diabetes

I have a 6 year old diabetic dog that has been on insulin for eight months now and still having a little difficulty regulating.  I’m thinking about trying your GlucoEnsure and a new food. 

He is on XXXXX which I personally think is poor food because of the ingredients.  The only thing it has going for it is high in fiber.  After lots of research, I would like to try Wellness Core or Innova EVO. Would it be better to use the soft food or the hard food or a mixture? The soft food has less protein.�
Laurie

Hello Laurie,

I do agree that the XXXX is not an ideal diet. Wellness Core or EVO are excellent diets to offer a diabetic dog. You may also offer canned pumpkin, sprinkle Benefiber on the kibble or even add raw vegetables to the diet to increase fiber. Canned food is actually higher in protein per dry matter basis, so if your dog prefers some canned, it is suitable. It does have more water so the cost is higher than the dry form. Best of luck.

Sincerely,
Colleen Smith DVM, CVA

Note: For more information about Diabetes, visit our webpage “Natural Treatments for Diabetes in Dogs and Cats.”

Followup Question:

Dear Dr. Smith:

You had suggested Benefiber as a supplement for my diabetic maltese.  I just started the Wellness Core and was wondering if I need to sprinkle the Benefiber each meal and approximately how much? On the days I supplement vegetables or pumpkin I’m I not to use the Benefiber?   I know the XXXX  food that he was on has a 10% fiber guaranteed anaylsis and the Wellness Core doesn’t have near that much, but all the other ingredients are so superior I had to switch.  I know the fiber is very important and I want to make sure he is getting enough.  He just had another two week blood work test and his sugar is still fairly high 285.    I did purchase your GlucoEnsure recently and started him on that as well.  

Also, what kind of raw vegetables and fruit are good for the fiber?

Hello Laurie,

Fiber is important but don’t over analyze the food. I find the protein and carbohydrate ratio is much more crucial. Too many poor and grain carbohydrates will cause a greater swing in glucose levels. You may leave out the Benefiber if you are supplementing with vegetables. You may also offer any raw veggies such as carrots, green peppers, cucumber, broccoli and cooked canned green beans. For fruits you may offer apples, melons, pears and bananas. Please avoid grapes, raisins and onions, as they are toxic to pets.

Best of luck.

Regards,

Colleen Smith DVM, CVA

Response:

You have been so very helpful Dr. Smith!!!!  Can you move to the DFW Texas area?  LOL!  I have been sprinkling a little Benefiber in the morning on his wet can Wellness Core and in the evening putting a dollop of pumpkin on his dry Core food.  He’s just loving the new routine.  My other babies love the pumpkin too.  It’s a nice healthy treat for them.  Thanks again for all the information and wish me luck on his next test at the vet.

Take care.

Followup Question:

You have been so helpful with questions concerning the care of my diabetic dog and I so respect your opinion.  I have a new question for you.  My vet left me a voice mail last week wanting to take my dog off of Vetsulin and transition him to a human insulin because of the FDA alert.  After reading some information online, I would have to agree.  What is your opinion for the brand of human insulin that can be used as an alternative? I have had trouble regulating him for a little over a year since he has been diabetic and maybe Vetsulin is the reason.

Response:

So far the best alternative for Vetsulin on the market is NPH. Most dogs do very well on it, though it has a shorter duration than Vetsulin.

Your dog may very well have had problems regulating due to the Vetsulin, so it’s best to work very closely with your Vet during the crossover process. Best of luck.

Sincerely,

Colleen Smith DVM, CVA

Followup:

I just wanted you to know that I just had a Frotosomine test done and it was 276 which is great since the acceptable range as you know is 260-378.  That’s the first really good reading he has had in over a year since the onset of diabetes.  I want to thank you for steering me to Wellness Core.  I supplement the Core with Benefiber, real pumpkin and cooked green beans also as you suggested since Core has great ingredients, but not much fiber content.  He also gets occasional boiled chicken and carrots.  I am so glad I made the decision to take him off the Purina DCO and start the Core diet.  He is also on Cataplex and Diaplex from my vet and the GlucoEnsure from Holistic Pet.  I didn’t, however, see a difference in his sugar until I started the Core and the GlucoEnsure.  His eyes even are much clearer and the cataracts haven’t advanced and I think that is because of the Bilberry in the GlucoEnsure and getting his sugar more regulated.  Next step will be to switch from Vetsulin over to your suggested insulin below.  I kinda hate to do that now since I just got the good check-up.  Anyway, all of your advice has really paid off and I want you to know that! I really appreciate you Dr. Smith!!!