Diabetes mellitus in the dog: a chronic disease

Diabetes mellitus is the endocrine disease that most frequently affects dogs: it is a chronic disease, which once manifested must be monitored constantly and involves precise management of the animal's diet. Most dogs are affected by type 1 diabetes, the insulin-dependent type. Some recent studies show that underlying canine diabetes is a genetic predisposition, the onset of which is facilitated by environmental factors or diseases such as pancreatitis, ileitis, obesity or the use of diabetogenic drugs. Symptoms of a dog with diabetes include weight loss, continuous urge to pee, and continuous need to drink.

Specific nutrition for the diabetic dog: kibble and exercise

While for cats diabetes can take transient forms, in dogs the loss of function of pancreatic cells is irreversible making insulin therapy necessary for life. In addition to insulin administration, the diabetic dog's therapy requires proper dietary adjustment, continuous exercise, and precise control of infections or inflammation that may arise. The diet of a diabetic dog is crucial to the animal's well-being: food and kibble must give the dog an adequate caloric intake that prevents blood sugar spikes. Choosing quality food and kibble is critical, but it is equally important to combine consistent exercise with the veterinary diet. Exercise, in fact, lowers blood sugar, promotes weight loss, and promotes glucose transport into the cells.