What to Look for When Buying Diabetic Dog Food
The secret to managing diabetes in your pooch is to change his diet. It’s crucial that you scrutinize all the ingredients present in his dog food. This way, you’ll ensure that the food you’re feeding him is not going to aggravate his condition. Here are a few things to keep in mind when buying diabetic dog food.
High Fiber Ingredients
Fiber is found in an array of ingredients including pumpkin, sweet potato, and most leafy greens. This is an important ingredient for diabetic dogs because it takes up plenty of room in their guts. When your pooch consumes fiber-containing foods, he is going to feel full for longer without having to take any additional calories.
However, the greatest role that fiber plays is that it slows down the rate at which sugar is released into the bloodstream. Thanks to this slowed rate, your dog will have adequate time processing it. The biggest problem of canine diabetes is that the pancreas becomes incapable of creating the insulin responsible for processing glucose. Fiber-rich foods make it easy to manage your dog’s glucose levels.
Low Fat
Overall, fat is a healthy ingredient to incorporate into dog food. But it can be detrimental for a pooch diagnosed with diabetes. Keep in mind that fat will have more calories per ounce than any other ingredient. The high caloric density can lead to weight gain.
There’s also the fact that fat has a high glucose level. So, if you feed your dog too much fat, he may suffer from hyperglycemia among other complications.
Low Glycemic Index
The glycemic index is simply how fast food gets converted to glucose. This is represented using numbers so that a small number is an indication that food is taking longer to convert and vice versa. Every ingredient has a specific glycemic index rating. However, most manufacturers only indicate the total glycemic index of the dog food. If your pooch is diabetic, he should be fed foods with low glycemic index. Moreover, diabetic dogs should not be fed too much sugar. Instead, they should be given ingredients that are easy to process throughout the day.
Decreased Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates are one of the most common ingredients in dog foods. Different manufacturers incorporate these carbohydrates in different forms. As such, the different carbohydrates are processed differently in your dog’s metabolic system. For instance, complex carbs take longer to be processed. These types of carbohydrates provide your dog with essential vitamins and minerals. They are present in sweet potatoes, brown rice, and peas.
In contrast, simple carbs, which are processed very quickly, are detrimental to your pup’s health. Examples of simple carbs are cheap fillers such as soy and corn. They have very high levels of sugar, which can trigger a dangerous spike in your dog’s blood sugar levels. Many dog owners think that simple carbs are only present in dog foods. In making this assumption, they forget that simple carbohydrates could also be present in dog treats and supplements. That said, you should also choose your dog’s treats and supplements wisely. Steer clear of treats and table scraps filled with sugars and sweeteners.
When purchasing diabetic dog food, be sure to check the quality of carbohydrates included. Also, check the total amount of carbs. If its first ingredient is a carbohydrate, this might not be the best option for a diabetic dog.
The nutrient-rich complex carbs ought to rank at the bottom of the ingredient list. Essentially, the lower it’s ranked, the smaller the number of carbs present in the formula.
Focus on Wholesome Ingredients
Another thing you should watch out for when buying diabetic dog food is the inclusion of artificial ingredients. A dog food containing chemical additives and artificial flavors is likely to cause your dog more harm than good. The best way to avoid this is to opt for dog foods made with wholesome ingredients. Often, these foods do not contain any harmful substances.
And when it comes to protein, choose dog foods with a noticeable source as the first ingredient. This includes meat-based proteins like beef, fish, turkey, and chicken. Meat meals are also an acceptable ingredient.
If your pooch is diagnosed with diabetes, one aspect you’ll need to pay more attention to is consistency. Essentially, you should feed your pup the same amount of food at the same time every day. By not varying the type of food you give your dog, you help to steady his blood sugar level; hence, keep it at normal range. If you intend to make changes to his diet, first consult your vet, who can advise you on the best way to go about it.
Hill’s Prescription Diet w/d Gastrointestinal Dry Dog Food
Last update on 2019-01-04 / Affiliate links / s from Amazon Product Advertising API
Another fantastic option for diabetic dogs is this recipe by Hill’s Pet Nutrition. This dog food provides an all-inclusive and balanced diet to help your pup attain a healthy weight. Even though it’s pricier than other dog foods on the market, the Hill’s Prescription has a lot going for it. For one, it contains high-quality ingredients, which address your diabetic dog’s nutritional needs.
Furthermore, the dog food is enriched with carnitine and protein, both of which are crucial for maintaining the ideal weight. These ingredients also aid in the regulation of blood sugar levels.
What are the top 10 worst dog foods?
| Alpha Paw Picks | Brand | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Worst overall | Dog Chow Complete Adult with Real Chicken Dog Food | 1.1 |
| Runner-up | Kibbles ‘n Bits Original Savory Beef & Chicken Flavors Dry Dog Food | 1.2 |
| Worst for senior dogs | Purina Senior 7+ Healthy Morsels Soft & Crunchy Bites Dog Food | 1.4 |
Pet Nutritionist Ranks Dog Foods | Tier List
The Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets OM Blend Overweight Management Formula Dry Dog Food is a dog food made for diabetic dogs. And today, our aim is to give you a most extensive review of the product to help you make a decision on whether or not this is a product you want to get your dog.
We know that diabetes is one challenge that many dog parents face with their dogs especially with the kind of diet we give our dogs these days. Purina offers a solution by the way of its Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets OM Blend Overweight Management Formula Dry Dog Food.
As usual, this diabetic diet is a prescription diet. So, you’d require a vet authorization to be able to make a purchase of this product.
According to Purina, this food is low in fat and calories. However, it comes packed with high protein which help to keep your dog’s lean body mass. This helps your dog manage his weight issues while remaining sufficiently nourished.
If you need some other tips on how to manage diabetes in your dog, you might want to click here to read our article on diabetic dog food. It contains everything you need to know about diabetes management in dogs.