If your dog is suffering from excessive thirst, excessive hunger and excessive urination, he may have canine diabetes. The final diagnosis must be made by a veterinarian but if your dog has diabetes there are ways to treat him at home through a healthy diet and supplements.
Dog Food
Purchase a high-quality canned dog food instead of a cheaper dry food. Many times, dry dog foods contain high amounts of carbohydrates and sugars that are not healthy for diabetic dogs. When in doubt, read the label and watch for terms such as fructose, glucose and corn syrup.
Brewer's Yeast
Add 1 tsp. of brewer's yeast to your dog's food during each of her meals. Brewer's yeast will help your dog's body utilize her blood sugar more effectively.
Vitamin E
Give your dog Vitamin E daily to help reduce his insulin dependency. The recommended dosage is 25 mg to 200 mg, depending on the size of your dog.
Fruits and Vegetables
Feed your dog fresh fruits and vegetables between meals. These foods contain naturally occurring sugars that will not cause your dog's insulin levels to become irregular. Do not make these "snacks" in your pooch's main dish because they could ferment when eaten in combination with meat and grains, which could lead to excessive gas and bloating. The best choices for raw vegetables are parsley, garlic and alfalfa sprouts. Choices that should be cooked include winter squash, potatoes and dandelion greens.
Grains
Introduce grains such as oats, rice and millets into your dog's diet. These grains should be given in smaller amounts because a dog's shortened digestive tract makes these grains hard for them to digest. These grains will not only help regulate your dog's insulin levels, they also will provide him with fiber, which is an important component for any animal's digestive health.
Insulin
Inject your dog with the proper type of insulin as required. There are several types of insulin, including Humalog, Novolog and Humulin, and the proper use of these medications should be given under the direction of your veterinarian.
Exercise
Activity can help lower your dog's blood glucose levels, which will help regulate her insulin. Run and walk your dog every day to help manage her diabetes effectively.
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