The search for diabetic dog food is on the rise as humans are not the only ones that have become prone to diabetes these days. Diabetes is now considered to be a common problem for dogs as well.

Canine Diabetes:
Diabetes Mellitus affects thousands of dogs every year. This disease causes the endocrine system to fail to produce enough insulin for the body. Insulin serves three very important functions in the body. It creates pathways for glucose to reach the blood, prevents the liver from overproducing glucose, and aids in storing energy for future use. The disruption of these functions can make a dog very ill.

Symptoms of Diabetes in Dogs:
There are several stages of diabetes, and failure to recognize the condition will cause more severe symptoms as the disease progresses.

Early Onset:

• Extreme thirst
• Frequent urination
• Excessive hunger
• Weight loss

Diabetes as It Progresses:

• Depression
• Loss of appetite
• Vomiting
• Lethargy
• Reduced immunity
• Bladder and liver malfunction

Diagnosis and Treatment:
Canine diabetes is diagnosed by a veterinarian. He will assess the symptoms, do a physical examination and run tests to determine the amount of glucose in the dog’s urine and blood.Once diagnosed, the vet will prescribe the proper insulin dosage and recommend an appropriate diabetic dog food and exercise plan for the individual dog.

If your dog has been diagnosed with diabetes, discuss what to feed her with your vet. There are many good dog foods on the market and many vets believe that a good commercial dog food is an adequate diet for the diabetic dog.