Are you feeling overwhelmed trying to take care of your diabetic dog? Canine diabetes is a manageable disease, but it's up to the pet owner to carry out the treatment plan. If you're struggling, read on to learn the three things you must know to manage diabetes in dogs.

1. Diet For Dogs With Diabetes Is Very Important

In order to avoid spikes and dips in his glucose levels, you'll be feeding your pet twice a day, twelve hours apart. But what to feed your canine diabetic?

Avoiding foods with sugar would seem to be the most obvious thing you should be doing. But do you realize that most dry and semi-moist dog foods contain high levels of sugar and carbohydrates? Your pet's body breaks carbs down into glucose--so a high-carb diet is the last thing you should be feeding your pet. Even the prescription diets your vet sells are high in carbs. Get in the habit of reading pet food labels. 

Fats and proteins are also broken down into glucose, but it happens much more slowly than with carbs. This type of diet helps to avoid blood sugar spikes right after meals.  

A high-quality canned dog food is your best choice. Avoid sneaking your buddy table scraps or treats made with flour and sugar, as this sort of thing will play havoc with his glucose levels.

2. Keep Up With Your Diabetic Dog's Medications

Your vet will teach you how to monitor your pet. You'll either use urine strips to measure the amount of sugar present in your pet's urine, or a blood glucose monitor like people use.  

More than likely, you'll be giving your pet two insulin injections a day. Talk to your vet, but it's probably best to wait to give the shots until after you feed your companion. If you give the shots before a meal, and then he doesn't eat, his blood glucose levels can drop to dangerous levels, and he can go into hypoglycemia, which can be fatal. You'll need to get him to the vet quickly if this happens.

3. Exercise For A Pet With Canine Diabetes

Always talk to your vet before setting up an exercise plan for your pet, as exercise will affect the levels of sugar in his blood.  

There are two things to remember about exercise and a diabetic dog. First, you must keep him on a schedule. A ten-minute walk at the same time every day is much better for your pet than a vigorous 30-minute exercise session twice a week.  

A low-key activity like hiking or swimming is best. Low-key means your pet won't get out of breath.

If your buddy hasn't been very active in the past, it's best to start out slowly. You'd be surprised how far a small amount of exercise will go in regulating his glucose levels.  

The key is to be consistent. If his activity level varies drastically from day to day, it can cause his blood sugar levels to spike.

When you go for a walk, take a little sweetener like Karo syrup with you. If you see symptoms of hypoglycemia while you're away from home, rub a little syrup on his gums to bring his levels back up.

Natural Remedies For Dogs Can Help Control Blood Sugar Levels

Studies have shown that the herbs goat's rue, fenugreek, and astragalus, along with the mineral chromium, are safe and effective for regulating blood glucose levels naturally in pets. The key is to find a remedy that has been formulated especially for companion animals, not people.

The best thing about this remedy is that it's safe to use, even if you're already giving your pet insulin. Always consult with your vet before making any changes in your canine friend's treatment program. Your vet may need to make adjustments in your pet's insulin dosage to avoid hypoglycemia.

You may find that using natural remedies for dogs can make managing your dog with diabetes much easier.