Diabetic Dog Treats

Dog Health Nutrition Recent May 15, 2022
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Diabetic Dog Treats

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If your dog has been diagnosed with diabetes and needs to be on a special diabetic dog food diet then his meals are not the only thing to consider.

Every part of your pup’s new diet should be diabetic-friendly which includes treats! There are many kinds of dog treats that are suitable for dogs with diabetes and there are also several kinds of commercial dog treats that are not safe for diabetic dogs.

In this article, we will discuss the best diabetic dog treats, what to look for and alternatives to store-bought treats.

Diabetic Diet Choices

Treats and kibble made with low-quality carbohydrates are not good for diabetic dogs and most commercial dog foods are full of high-sugar and high-glycemic-index ingredients. These are things like corn, potatoes, rice, peas, and other cheap fillers.
Finding the right diabetic dog treats to give your dog is important. Regular dog treats are okay for a healthy dog but will most likely affect your diabetic dog’s sugar levels, causing serious problems. Many dog food manufacturers offer dog food and dog treats specifically formulated for dogs with health problems such as diabetes.

 What to Look For in a Diabetic Dog Treat

Dogs with diabetes have insulin deficiency which is the main hormone required in regulating blood sugar levels. Foods that are high in sugar are absorbed into the bloodstream but there isn’t enough insulin to break them down.

Therefore, treats should be low in sugar and only contain complex carbohydrates that slowly process into the bloodstream to prevent a sugar spike. These carbohydrates have a ‘low glycemic index.

You can find commercial dog treats for your diabetic dog if you know what to look for. Here are some things to look for when shopping for diabetic dog treats:

  • Hard & Crunchy treats digest more slowly, therefore they don’t raise blood glucose as fast as softer treats
  • High Protein & Low Starch with no added sugars. The protein content should be higher than carbohydrates. 
  • Low-Calorie Content to control weight and ensure you do not overfeed your dog
  • High fiber is also a bonus because is slows digestion and absorption of dietary carbohydrates.
  • No Added Sugars because they can affect your dog’s blood sugar levels.

Natural Treats For Diabetic Dogs

If you prefer to give your dog natural, unprocessed treats rather than store-bought, there are lots of fresh vegetables, fruits, and even tofu that your diabetic dog can eat.

Low-glycemic vegetables such as bell peppers, brussels sprouts, carrots, cucumber, green beans,pumpkin, turnip, zucchini, broccoli, cauliflower, and pumpkin are great low-calorie treats. 

Any of these foods can be fed to your pup cooked, raw, or frozen. Steaming is the best option when cooking and do not add seasoning of any kind because dogs not only don’t like it, some of it is toxic. 

There are several fruits that you can feed your diabetic dogs such as bananas and blueberries, cranberries, and apples. Apples are not only high in fiber, but the pectin in the skin helps control how your dog’s body absorbs glucose. It is best to avoid giving your dog fruits that are high in sugar, like mangoes and peaches.

Unprocessed meat products like eggs, chicken, turkey, and fish can be given to your dog but should be cooked or dehydrated first. Also, it is best to remove the fatty skin and avoid beef and pork, which both contain too much fat for a diabetic dog.

Compare the Best Diabetic Dog Treats

Compare Diabetic Dog Treats

Best Overall
Old Dog Cookie Co. All Natural Diabetic Dog Treats

1. Old Dog Cookie Co. All Natural Diabetic Dog Treats

Best Low Glycemic
Ella's Diabetic Dog Treats

2. Ella's Diabetic Dog Treats

Best Grain Free
Canine Cravers Single Ingredient Dog Treats

3. Canine Cravers Single Ingredient Dog Treats

Best Raw
PureBites RAW Freeze Dog Treats

4. PureBites RAW Freeze Dog Treats

The Best Diabetic Dog Treats

1.

Old Dog Cookie Co. All Natural Diabetic Dog Treats

Product Info

  • The Old Dog Cookie Company's Diabetic Dog Treats were developed with veterinary guidance and have been recommended and supported my many in the veterinary community for over 20 years. These treats were specially formulated with the best known natural ingredients and healing herbs to help a dog better manage its insulin requirements. All ingredients are human grade and soured in the USA .:
2.

Ella's Diabetic Dog Treats

Product Info

  • Ella's dog treats are made from all organic, all natural, and low glycemic index ingredients. This makes these treats suitable for all owners who are looking for a healthy reward for their diabetic dog.:
3.

Canine Cravers Single Ingredient Dog Treats

Product Info

  • Canine Cravers Dog Treats are nutrient-rich dog treats and snacks aren’t just made with the best ingredients they’re made with one simple ingredient. All fish and meats are cooked using special air drying techniques that preserves freshness, flavor and nutrition. All products are free from soy, gluten and grain.:
4.

PureBites RAW Freeze Dog Treats

Product Info

  • PureBites are made with only 1 ingredient; 100% Pure USA Sourced & Made Chicken Breast. PureBites treats are freeze dried RAW to lock in the aroma, texture and freshness they crave. These treats are ideal for dogs with health issues or pets that are overweight, diabetic, have allergies, gastrointestinal disorders, or are on a restricted diet.:

How Often Should You Feed a Diabetic Dog Treats?

A dog with diabetes needs  a consistent diet and diabetic treats should be used sparingly. This will make it easier to manage your dogs blood glucose levels. Also changing treats often will make it difficult to manage your dogs insulin levels because he can react negatively to different products.

If your dog is on once-a-day insulin injections, you can give your dog half a treat just before his injection, and the other half about eight hours after. If your dog on two insulin injections, treats can be given right before each injection, with ten or more hours between each injection.

Always speak with your veterinarian about what kind and how many treats you should be feeding your diabetic dog.

Diabetic Dog Treat Recipes

Diabetic dog treats can be made at home using natural and simple ingredients. This allows you to control what you are feeding your dog and saves money in the long run.

Here’s a list of  ingredients that you can include when making diabetic dog treats recipes:

  • Whole grain flours
  • Meat and fish
  • Oatmeal or oat flour
  • Cornmeal
  • Buttermilk or yogurt
  • Chicken broth or bouillon
  • Raw seeds like sesame seeds or sunflower seeds
  • Bran for roughage
  • Brewers’ yeast
  • Eggs
  • Beans
  • Peanut butter
  • Brown rice and brown rice flour
  • Carrots
  • Apples and applesauce
  • Flaxseeds
  • Pumpkin
  • Cinnamon

Final Thoughts

Giving your dog diabetic treats will make your dog happy and loved as well as being a good option when training or rewarding your pup. Remember, leaving diabetes untreated can lead to  organ problems, skin problems, and many other health issues.

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Amy Towry is a Certified NAVC Pet Nutritionist and pet lover. She is the proud owner of two rescue cats and a rescue dog and her love for animals has led her to a successful career as a freelance writer specializing in pet care, nutrition, and product reviews.
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