Feed Program for Diabetic Pets

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I often get letters asking what kind of diet should be used for a diabetic dog. A few years ago I had a Great Dane that was diabetic in his later years, so I set out to do some research on this topic and came to some conclusions regarding his diet and what worked best for him.

It has been my observation that the prescription diets for diabetic animals, sold at the vets office, are generally very low protein, which means they are very high in carbohydrates, or carb based food. Research shows us now that carbohydrates, especially poor quality carbs are the last thing you want in a diabetic diet, due to the glycemic index, or the way the body utilizes carbohydrates. Plus a lower protein diet means loss of muscle mass, and the largest muscle in the body is the heart.

These prescription diabetic diets are also lower in fat, which is fine to help keep weight down, but dropping below 10% fats makes the coats suffer dramatically; itching, shedding and flaky skin. The bottom line is there are no holistic prescription diets on the market that really meets the nutritional requirements for a diabetic diet due to poor quality ingredients (grocery store foods too) made of non-human grade food stuffs and minimal nutrients are used on the foods.

It is rare that a veterinarian will suggest anything other than these prescription diets, but if they are honest with you, they will tell you they have they have little training in nutrition and depend solely on what they are told by the dog food companies and sales people that come into their office. Like most physicians, there is an enormous gap in nutritional knowledge which can be so benefical in correct many health issues.. That is why I developed this program to assist you and your veterinarian. You do have good nutritional options for your pets and we have even seen a reversal in diabetes if caught in the early stages and addressed nutritionally. If nothing more it will be a less use of drugs to maintain blood glucose levels..

Diabetes is a disease of the pancreas, so we must support the body and repair the body in this condition. It is imparative to use a Holistic or Natural Super Premium level food for optimal nutrition, because they are meat base foods unlike those found in the the grocery store or vet's office (unless they are holistically inclined), because an animal/human that has any disease, has even greater nutritional requirements. Therefore it is important to use a brand of food that utilizes optimal nutrients on the food.

The general range for protein in a prescription diabetic diet is from 17 -22% and for fats it is 6-10%, and for fiber the range is very high compared to normal diets (3.5-4%) it is generally 7-10% fiber. With a protein base this low that means it is a very high grain diet and that is not at all what I want to feed a healthy animal, let alone one that is diabetic or has a weight problem. At the low end of this percent there is hardly enough protein to even repair tissue. Like humans, animals on a higher protein and good fats diet with low carbs do much better in managing their diabetes.

Cat Notes: if you have a cat with diabetes, these supplements will be supportive as well, however cats are difficult to get to eat supplements. You might want to start with one supplement at a time to see if the cat will consume it. The most important thing for a cat is NO grains - they are obligate carnivores - I suggest the Petcurean No Grain for Felines - a no grain diet in this instance.

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Understanding Diabetes in Pets

A change in diet and the Diabetic Support Kit is very important for your pet.
Below is a list of better foods and the link where to purchase the Insuline Sensitivity Support Kit #22 plus an article on this condition.

To Purchase: Insulin Sensitivity Support Kit#22

FOOD RECOMMENDATIONS (ALL BREEDS/AGES)

For diabetes as in cancer situations, the dogs generally do better with a higher protein and higher fat diet, with fewer carbohydrates (which can turn to sugar).This does not mean they should not eat quality whole grains such as oats, barley, quinoa, amaranth. These grains have fiber intact which is very important and they do not burn as fast as some Grain-Free foods do that have potato as the carb source.

My preference is a to use a grain free diet first, but if you are using a food with quality whole grains, the protein needs to be in the 26% -32% protein and 15% - 20% fat. These are some foods I would try ..keeping in mind that tiny dogs need a high protein diet so their energy levels do not fade. If your dog has a weight problem remember portion control is the key. We do not want to sacrifice nutrition by using a inferior food just to get low calories.

My First Choice are Grain Free's w/ No Potato:

Precise Holistic Complete Grain Free Lamb/Turkey  27%protein 17% fat -
Precise Holistic Complete Grain Free Pork - 26% protein 16% fat

these two foods use chickpeas as carbohydrate source and they have a low glycemic index which is what you want.

If you want a food with Quality Grains in them use:

Precise Competition Formula (3 proteins) 26% protein 16% fat
Precise Endurance - (4 proteins) 30% protein - 20% fat

Precise Holistic Sm/Medium Breed Puppy (4 proteins) 29% protein/19% fat
Precise Holistic Sm/Medium Breed Adult (4 protein) 27% protein - 17%

Other options if these above are not available.

Nutri-Source Grain Free - 28% protein 18% fat - chicken formula
Nutri Source Super Performance - 32% protein - 21% fat
Nutri Source Adult - 26% protein - 16% fat

Petcurean NOW! Grain Free Puppy Formula - 28% protein 18% fat
Petcurean NOW! Grain Free Adult formula 26% protein 16% fat

Read: DIABETES PROGRAM FOR YOUR PET

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Schedule of Supplements FROM kIT #22:

If your dog has been diagnosed with diabetes, and you choose to purchase this kit after discussion with your vet, introduce each supplement according to the chart below while continuing with the supplements all ready started- so you can monitor the dog's insulin levels carefully. If there is any loose stool, slow the introduction down a day or two and ease into the next supplement. While continuing with the supplements that have been added to the diet, add each new supplement in the order, with the timing, that is shown below:

This is the schedule for daily supplementation:
Day 1 - Filling N' The Wholes (dosage on label) - then add:
Day 3 - Nzymes - do not double dose as jar suggests (dosage see label) then add:
Day 6 - Cinnamon (1-2 capsules - large/giants, 1 cap med - small dogs/cats, 1/4 tsp - then add:
Day 9 - Colostrum -(dosage on label) - then add:
Day 12 - Alpha Lipoic Acid (300 mg daily - all sizes) - then add:
Day 12 - Co-Q-10 (1 capsule daily - 30 mg) - then add:
Day 12 - Poopity Doo - (dosage on label) - then add:
Day 15 - Angstrom Magnesium Liquid (1 tablespoon Giants, 2 teaspoons large/medium, 1 teaspoon small, ½ teaspoon toy breeds

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OPTIONS For Variety - Meats - Fruits - Vegetables

MEATS: I use Precise or any holistic canned dog foods for variety (beef, chicken, liver, lamb, duck, fish, puppy).I mix a couple of tablespoons of canned meat with tepid temperature water and make a gravy.

Do NOT use grocery store brands they are full of preservatives and 4D meats (dead, diseased dying and disabled) and they give the dogs stinky gas and are full of unhealthy fillers. NO homemade concoctions of meat/rice combinations that you make up at home, they are very unbalanced in their calcium and phosphorus levels and can cause problems over time and growth problems in dogs under 8 months of age.

FRUITS &VEGETABLES:

I think it is important to incorporate some real foods into you dogs diet on a daily basis. Not only is this done for nutritional purposes, but because the dog gets bored eating the same thing day in, day out!! This is a list of recommended foods to use in moderation:

yogurt, buttermilk berries melons, apples, banana, tomatoes, carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, oranges, squash, sweet potato, green beans, zucchini - minced/diced/raw/cooked - they love frozen berries and melon balls!! Pulverized fresh veggies are best for digestion.

NO raw onions, grapes or raisins, macadamia nuts.

Linda's Very Veggie Soup - 2 large cans of chicken or beef broth - (low sodium for heart or elderly dogs- or homemade). Add LOTS of veggies - carrots, green beans, wax beans, zucchini, squash, tomatoes, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower and couple cloves of garlic. The idea is to use this as the filler so you want it to be hearty and filling.

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A Safe Balanced Raw Meat & Fruit/Veggie - OPTION

If you want to introduce some raw meat, fruits and veggies to your dogs diet, the is is the best way to do it because it is balanced in it's calcium and phosphorus ratios and free from pathogenic bacteria and parasites. This is a freeze-dried dehydrated raw turkey or chicken diet, all you have to do is reconstitute with filtered water, let sit a few minutes and serve. Do not get lazy and simply sprinkle this on the top of their food, make sure you use it reconstituted with water first -so it does not draw all the water out of the dog's gut, causing the dog to want to drink water in excess. The food dehydration process takes place so the ingredient are still considered raw yet done at a temperature to kill any pathogenic bacteria. Enzymatic activity in dehydrated foods is simply suspended until the food is rehydrated with liquid.

The Honest Kitchen dehydrated raw dog food is available in two formulas:

FORCE (21% protein - 14% fat) - Chicken, Flaxseed, Potatoes, Celery, Cabbage, Sweet Potatoes, Zucchini, Green Beans, Apples, Honey, Alfalfa, Kelp,Yogurt, Bananas, Papayas, Basil and Rosemary.

EMBARK 29% protein - 16% fat - Turkey, Flaxseed, Potatoes, Celery, Spinach, Carrots, Coconut, Apples, Kelp, Eggs, Sesame Seeds, Bananas, Cranberries, Rosemary.

To order: www.firstchoicenaturals.com

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Withholding water for fear of bloat is breeds prone to Gastric Torsion, is a myth. Stress is the trigger and bloat/torsion is the response. It is much more complicated that simply saying water is the cause of bloat.

(See my article on Bloat and Torsion for details) (See On My Soapbox)

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Here is a valuable website regarding Diabetis in humans - it is well worth reading.