Diabetes in Dogs: Nutrition, Consistency, and Quality of Life

Diabetes Mellitus is one of the most frequently diagnosed endocrine diseases in dogs², and receiving that diagnosis for your beloved companion can feel incredibly overwhelming. Diabetes in dogs is a lifelong condition involving impaired insulin function and glucose, or blood sugar, regulation.³ Management typically combines daily insulin, consistent feeding, careful monitoring, and nutrition tailored to the individual dog.

However, it is important to remember that you are not alone, and diabetes is a manageable condition. While your dog will require lifelong care, proper nutrition and consistent management are among the most powerful tools at your disposal.

By understanding how a high-quality, gently-cooked diet can fit into a consistent feeding routine and support glucose control, you can help your dog live longer, happier, healthier lives™. If you're also exploring how food preparation affects nutrition, learn more about Gently-Cooked dog food and how it differs from other food formats.

What Is Diabetes in Dogs?

Canine diabetes occurs when there is a change in the cellular metabolism and transport of glucose (blood sugar). These changes are caused by a lack of, or a reduction of, insulin release from the pancreas³, which limits the body's ability to move glucose into tissues where it can be used or stored for energy.

In addition to less insulin being released, tissues in the body that normally respond to insulin might also be lacking in this ability. Usually, insulin binds to a receptor on the surface of the tissue. By binding to it, insulin tells the tissue to bring in more glucose to use or store for energy.

However, under diabetic conditions, these receptors might be malfunctioning and less receptors are available. If insulin does not bind to the receptor, then the body tissues will not take in the glucose which they need to function properly.

Dogs predominantly develop IDDM or Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus, meaning they require insulin long term with a minimal chance of remission³.

This is similar to type 1 diabetes in humans.

What Causes Diabetes in Dogs? Risk Factors to Know

The exact causes of diabetes in dogs are not entirely known, but several health, genetic, and age-related factors have been associated with increased risk.² Importantly, research has shown that diets containing carbohydrates aren’t the culprit³.

The risk factors for developing canine diabetes are²:

• Hyperadrenocorticism (Cushings)
• Recurring or severe episodes of pancreatitis
• Stress
• Genetics
• Aging
• Obesity*

Obesity can cause insulin resistance, which reduces the body’s tolerance to glucose, and is thought to be a potential risk factor, though it may not be a consistent risk factor for dogs.

Because pancreatitis and fat tolerance can also influence dietary decisions for some diabetic dogs, you can learn more about pancreatitis in dogs and low-fat nutrition.

Symptoms of Diabetes in Dogs

The common symptoms of diabetes in dogs include increased drinking or thirst, more frequent urination, a large increase in appetite, and weight loss.² These changes can occur because glucose is not being used normally by the body despite being present at elevated levels in the bloodstream.

Your veterinarian will likely recommend blood and urine testing. From these tests, they will look for elevated blood sugar levels (hyperglycemia) with/without glucose in the urine (glucosuria).

Diabetes in Dogs Treatment: Insulin, Nutrition, and Consistency

Although canine diabetes will be a lifelong diagnosis, there are ways to manage the disease to support a happy, healthy life for your dog. Diabetes in dogs treatment generally relies on insulin alongside consistent monitoring, feeding, and nutrition.³

Daily insulin injections for dogs with diabetes is crucial for controlling their insulin and glucose functions. The amount of insulin given will vary between dogs and phase of diagnosis.

In addition to insulin injections, nutrition for dogs with diabetes can also be important for management.

Diet for Dogs With Diabetes: Why Consistency Matters

Along with insulin injections, a diet for dogs with diabetes plays a large role in improving glucose control and supporting the reduction of insulin needed to maintain it.³ The specific diet may differ between dogs, but keeping calories, meal timing, food type, and treats consistent is one of the most important parts of nutritional management.

Nutritional factors that can affect glucose levels are³:

• Overall health and body condition
• Presence of other medical conditions
• Type of diet being offered
• Nutrient composition of the diet
• Nutritional adequacy of their diet
• Caloric requirements
• Feeding schedule

The goals of feeding a dog with diabetes is to³:

• Minimize post meal hyperglycemia (high blood sugar levels)
• Prevent hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) during insulin use
• Resolve or minimize their clinical signs
• Prevent or delay long term complications
• Improve overall health

A change in diet won’t eliminate the need for insulin, but can help with reducing the amount needed at each poke. One of the biggest takeaways for feeding a dog with diabetes is to keep things consistent:

• Calories
• Meal times
• Diet type and form
• Treats (type and amount)

Create a routine and stick with it! Sometimes a diet change isn’t necessary, but if there are subsequent medical issues like pancreatitis, a low fat diet might be recommended by your veterinarian.

Please note, any changes in diet and treats can and will affect their glucose levels and insulin needs and, therefore, will need to be discussed with your veterinarian!

Diabetes, Obesity, and Healthy Weight in Dogs

Maintaining a healthy body weight is an important part of diabetic dog nutrition, but the relationship between obesity and diabetes isn't as straightforward in dogs as it is in cats.²

Studies have shown for years the correlation between diabetes risk and obesity in cats due to its negative effects on glucose control and insulin sensitivity. However, in dogs, the research is less clear.

Still, an overweight or obese dog with diabetes would be put onto a weight loss regimen to improve their overall health and blood glucose control.

Once the dog is stabilized, a program can start. Please discuss with your veterinarian before starting any weight loss program!

Feeding a Dog With Diabetes: Key Nutrition Goals

There isn't one nutrient that defines the ideal diet for dogs with diabetes. Water, calories, protein, fat, carbohydrates, fibre, overall nutritional adequacy, and feeding schedule all work together, and individual needs may change when another medical condition is present.¹ ² ³

Water and Hydration for Diabetic Dogs

Goal: Free access to fresh water

Beyond the initial increase in water intake and urination, or water losses, pre-diagnosis, maintaining hydration with full access to fresh, clean water remains extra important once a dog is diagnosed. This means more bathroom breaks will likely be needed!

Calories and Healthy Body Weight

Goal: Maintaining a healthy body weight

Due to the lack of glucose usage, diabetic dogs may eat more than usual. This can be seen at the same time as weight loss and also could potentially contribute to obesity.

Overall, their caloric intake should be monitored closely² as with any chronic condition, it’s important to maintain a healthy body weight. And if they are overweight/obese, discuss with your veterinarian about appropriate weight loss methods.

Protein Requirements for Dogs With Diabetes

Goal: 15-35% on a dry matter basis¹

A dog with diabetes doesn’t have specific protein requirements beyond maintenance; they need high quality protein in amounts to meet their daily requirements²,³. Diets formulated for adult maintenance should suffice.

However, unregulated diabetes (or those early in the diagnosis) can result in muscle loss, so those pups will need a more intense evaluation³.

There shouldn’t be a restriction in their dietary protein unless authorized by a veterinarian.

Fat Intake, Diabetes, and Pancreatitis

Goal: 15-35% on a dry matter basis¹

Because it is common for dogs with diabetes to have concurrent medical issues, especially related to fat tolerance like pancreatitis, the amount of fat in the diet will be personalized.

A fat reduction is only necessary for the pups that need it! Those levels would fall in line with current low fat diet recommendations of less than or equal to 15% on a dry matter basis².

If your dog is overweight, then feeding a diet that is reduced in fat might be suggested as part of a weight loss regimen.

Carbohydrates and Blood Sugar in Diabetic Dogs

Goals: No more than 40% of calories and no more than 50% on a dry matter basis¹

It might seem counterproductive to include carbohydrates in your dog’s diet, but they have the greatest influence on post meal blood sugar levels, so their amount, type, and source are important to discuss.² ³

In humans, we are familiar with the “glycemic index” or the rate at which carbohydrates enter the bloodstream. Complex carbohydrates like barley have a lower glycemic index because they are slower to break down and absorb compared to simple or refined carbohydrates like white pasta which are broken down faster³. The glycemic index can usually be applied to our dogs as well.

Potatoes are the odd one out as though they are considered complex carbohydrates, but they are absorbed fast like a simple carbohydrate!

Overall, a dog with diabetes should avoid high amounts of simple and refined carbohydrates like white rice and white pasta, or potatoes. However, the amount, type, and source of carbohydrates matters².

Fibre and Glucose Control in Diabetic Dogs

Goal: 7-18% on a dry matter basis¹

As part of the carbohydrate profile, fiber can’t be overlooked because soluble fiber can delay stomach emptying and slow the absorption of carbohydrates. For people with diabetes, a mix of complex carbohydrates and soluble fiber has shown to aid in improved glucose control.

Studies in dogs have shown something similar²! Of course, each dog is an individual, so how they respond to fiber in the diet depends on the type and amount used.

If changing dietary fiber amounts or types, please monitor their response.

Remember: Consistency is crucial!

Tom&Sawyer Meals to Discuss for Dogs With Diabetes

Choosing food for a diabetic dog should be done with your veterinarian because insulin, calorie intake, other health conditions, and dietary composition all need to work together. Tom&Sawyer offers several gently-cooked meals with different fibre, fat, carbohydrate, and protein profiles that may be considered based on what your veterinary team recommends.

All of our meals contain soluble fiber from fruit and vegetables.

Our top fiber containing meal is Kangaroo* - This novel protein, low fat meal contains 14.54% of dietary fiber on a dry matter basis.

Another option to consider is Berry Beefy Breakfast Bowl, a higher fat option (40% calories) for those not needing fat reduction, that is made from beef, beef liver, oats (complex carbohydrate source), and berries!

We also have a quinoa and beef based meal with Beef&Broccoli*! This one hits all the markers while being moderate in fat (30% of calories).

If it is recommended to try a low carbohydrate diet, then give our Classic Pork Stew a try! It’s a tasty blend of pork, kale, parsnips, turnips, pumpkin and spinach.

Hypoglycemia in Diabetic Dogs: When to Call Your Veterinarian

A major concern for diabetic dogs receiving insulin is hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar. Signs can include a staggered gait (looking tipsy), weakness, and lethargy, so dramatic changes in blood glucose, appetite, or behaviour should be taken seriously.

Call your veterinarian:

• If you are worried that your dog has low blood sugar levels
• If your dog has missed more than one meal
• If your dog has received more insulin than prescribed
• If your dog is lethargic
• If your dog is behaving abnormally
• If your dog is suddenly drinking more water than usual
• If you have any questions at all regarding your dog’s diabetes care

How Nutrition Can Support Your Dog With Diabetes

Managing diabetes in dogs is a journey that requires patience, consistency, and a dedicated team approach. While the diagnosis may feel daunting, remember that you are your dog’s greatest advocate.

By combining veterinary guidance, consistent insulin management, and a nutrition plan tailored to their unique needs, you can significantly improve your companion's quality of life. Stay observant, keep your feeding and care routines consistent, and cherish every moment with your loyal friend. Your proactive care makes all the difference.

At Tom&Sawyer®, our human grade, gently-cooked meals offer different nutrient profiles that you and your veterinarian can consider as part of a consistent nutrition plan. If you're ready to explore which recipes and portions may fit your dog, complete our custom Meal Plan questionnaire, or have your veterinary team email us at nutrition@tomandsawyer.com, so we can help you explore an approach that works alongside your dog's diabetes care.

*Available in Canada only.

Resources

1. Hand M.S. et al. (eds) (2010). Small Animal Clinical Nutrition 5th ed. Mark Morris Institute
2. Case, L. P., Daristotle, L., Raasch, M., & Hayek, M. (2011). Canine and feline nutrition (third edition) (3rd ed.). Mosby.
3. Fascetti, A. J., & Delaney, S. J. (Eds.). (2012). Applied Veterinary Clinical Nutrition. Wiley-Blackwell.