*Note* – I’ve updated this article – June 2015

Your life or your dogs life isn’t over with. My Dog, Bender leads a happy, health life. As of right now Bender is 10.5yrs old. He has had diabetes since he was 1.5yrs old. He goes for runs. Plays with his sister Luna, Eats and gets treats. But he also gets shots twice a day and his blood sugar checked regularly.

I’ve learned a lot over these last 9 yrs. The key is getting your dog on a schedule with proper food and exercise. Find a high protein, low fat, no filler (corn, white rice), with zero to no added preservatives food. Such as Wellness Core Grain Free Reduced Fat. There are a lot of other foods out there that are similar, find one that works. Stay Away from Hill’s Science Diet W/D. Although your Vet will recommend it, it is terrible for diabetics. First ingredient: Corn = sugar. You will never get your dog regulated on it. Reading my original article. The reason I had so many problems getting Bender regulated was due to Hill’s Science Diet W/D. Cut out table scraps and find some diabetic friendly treats.

Managing diabetes can be expensive. But taking short cuts will be worse in the long run. Here are a few tips.

  • Get your dog on a good diabetic dog food. Better food will help regulate your dog and keep insulin needs down. The less insulin the better. If your dog needs more insulin it means there is more sugar in the body and the body is working harder. So good food that doesn’t produce a lot of sugar is a good thing.
  • Get a glucose meter and supplies. Being able to test at home will help cut costs and help keep your dog regulated. My vet would charge me $80 to do a glucose curve. Just once a month for a year is $960. Plus it will never accurate as your dog will be stressed out at the Vet. Not eat right. Being able to test at home helps you keep on top of your dog’s diabetes but it requires supplies, such as needles, lancets, test strips, insulin, and more.
    AlphaTrack Blood Glucose Monitoring System Meter
    AlphaTRAK Blood Glucose TEST STRIPS – 50 Count
    – LANCETS – Not all lancets are the same buy a decent quality one, it will probably run you $10-15 for a box of 100. I’ve used the cheaper ones – $5 for a box of 100 and they are not good.
    I buy needles from http://www.americandiabeteswholesale.com/ I get U100 needles for humans.
  • Find insulin that will work for your dog. There are several brands of insulin such as Vetsulin, Novolin N, Humilin N. Each are different and your dog will react to each differently. I have found that Novolin N works well for Bender. I get it at Walmart under their ReliOn brand for $25/bottle.
  • Exercise. I run Bender 2-5 miles a day 5-7 days a week. He is high energy and requires a good run to burn it off. But exercise also helps regulate his diabetes. If I don’t run him his blood sugar will be higher that day. Consult your Vet to figure out what would be the best for your dog. Some dogs might need a lap around the block twice a day, while others dogs might need a good run twice a day. Either way, good, structured exercise will help.
  • Get on a schedule. You will have to give your dog a shot after every meal. It is best to get on a schedule that works for you and your dog. Bender eats twice a day, 8am and 6pm. He gets a set amount of food for each meal. He doesn’t get to eat from his bowl all day. If he doesn’t eat it all, which is very rare, I pick it up. He gets a shot right after he eats at 8am, and after he eats at 6pm. For you it might be different. You might find 7am and 7pm works with your schedule and your dogs schedule.

Following these tips will help you regulate your dog’s diabetes so they can enjoy a happy, full life. Just remember to always ask your Vet about changes. If they aren’t helping you out as much as you feel they should, fine another Vet.

Let me know about your dog.

  1. What breed is it?
  2. What food it is on?
  3. How much insulin you give it?
  4. What your schedule is like for your dog?