High-Protein & Low-Carbohydrate Canine Diets for Diabetes

Dogs with diabetes require a special diet to keep them healthy. When a dog has diabetes, its insulin levels are too low, which causes problems with its ability to digest glucose. Not only must food contain low levels of carbohydrates and high amounts of protein for diabetic dogs, the diet should also be higher in fiber and lower in fat than the diet of normal dogs. Owners of diabetic dogs must ensure that store-bought food meet these requirements.

  1. Carbohydrates

    • Foods with "fast or simple sugars," such as sweet treats, are dangerous to a diabetic dog. Glucose enters quickly into the bloodstream and the dog has insufficient insulin to use the release of glucose into its cells. Semi-moist foods also contain these types of sugars. "Slow or complex sugars" found in starch, however, are safe for diabetic dogs. The dog's diet can consist of up to 40 to 50 percent starch.

    Protein

    • A diabetic dog's diet should contain between 25 and 30 percent protein. However, owners need to take into account more than just the amount of protein. Some types of protein, such as that taken from ground chicken feathers, are indigestible to the dog. Owners can research the quality of their dog food by visiting the food company's website, as well as reading the ingredients of the dog food.

    Fiber

    • High levels of fiber in a diet will help the diabetic dog digest food more slowly, allowing a steadier release of glucose and nutrients into the bloodstream. Often, store brand dog foods that are high in fiber contain less carbohydrates. Owners can check by reading the nutritional information and ingredients listing on the package. Dry dog foods with large amounts of whole grain and ground vegetables are usually those with high fiber content.

    Fat

    • Controlling fat levels in a diabetic dog's diet is very important -- another result of canine diabetes is a buildup of fatty acids in the blood. In the case of diabetes caused by obesity, owners should limit fat intake still further. Diabetic dogs require 10 to 12 percent fat in their diets; amounts lower than this can have negative consequences on the dog's coat and skin.