8 Tips for Dealing With a Diabetic Pet
November is National Pet Diabetes month so Karla’s Pet Care, your Elk Grove pet sitter, has 8 tips to help you deal with a diabetic pet.
Feed Your Pet Healthy and Low-Fat Meals and Treats
There are many types of healthy food available for diabetic dogs and cats. Commercial brands, whether they are canned or dry, are generally low in fat, but read the labels and look for low carb and high fiber.
Give ‘em Their Veggies
Have you considered giving your pet vegetables? “Fresh vegetables make excellent diabetic pet treats. Some choices pets love include: broccoli, cauliflower, string beans, and cucumber slices. Veggies can be given to your pet either fresh, cooked or frozen.
Avoid Overfeeding
Just like in humans, pet diabetes is best managed by portion control. Your pet may beg for more but check with your vet on how much you should be feeding him to keep his diabetes in check.
Time the Meals Appropriately
It is important to prevent your pet from having low glucose dips. By feeding him at the same time each day (and giving healthy treats between meals), you’re stabilizing his blood sugar levels, which keeps his insulin dosage consistent (if he’s on insulin).
Make Sure Your Dog Gets Plenty of Exercise
Exercise, like food, helps maintain stable blood sugar levels and can affect insulin dosing. The most important fact to remember is keeping daily exercise levels consistent.
Put Your Overweight Pet on a Diet
The good news is that in some cases, weight loss eliminates the need for daily insulin injections and helps restore your pet’s good health. One method is to reduce the kibble by 50 percent and replace it with fresh vegetables. Of course, you should talk to your vet before starting your dog on a diet.
Watch Out for Table Scraps and Other Junk
Once your vet advises you on what you should and shouldn’t give your pet, communicate that to everyone, including your pet sitter. Be sure the whole family is on the same page when it comes to treats and table scraps.
Find Diabetic-Specific Food
There are currently several commercial dog brands that are specific to diabetes, which is very helpful if your diabetic pet is a picky eater. Smaller companies sell diabetic treats online, and Pinterest has recipes for the adventurous pet owner. Make sure to read labels and discuss meal plans with your vet.
If you keep these 8 tips in mind, you will be able to manage your pet’s diabetes like a pro! Karla’s Pet Care is able to follow whatever regime you have for your diabetic pet including feeding diabetic food, exercising a dog and giving insulin shots. Be sure to contact us the next time you have a need for an Elk Grove pet sitter.
