Ways to Help Prevent Canine Diabetes Animal Blog from Animal Friends Pet Insurance

Unfortunately, for some dogs, canine diabetes is a sad reality. The number of reported cases has been increasing at alarming rates. Lack of exercise and poor diet are both contributing factors to canine diabetes. Every pet owners' nightmare is their dog or cat developing a chronic ongoing illness; it can and does happen often, and for this reason you should look to buy pet insurance which has full lifetime cover .

Some of the ingredients found in commercial dog foods today increase the chances of your dog becoming a diabetic. Dog food contains fats, carbohydrates and protein. When a dog digests its food it's broken down into a simple sugar called glucose and this is what gives your dog energy.

Carbohydrates are broken down quickly, which in turn increases glucose levels after a dog has finished eating. Proteins and fats take longer to break down into glucose. Feeding your dog a high-carb diet can lead to weight gain. Overweight dogs are at a much higher risk of becoming diabetic. To help maintain your dog's weight you should make sure they are eating dog food that is not too high in carbs and also make sure they get plenty of exercise.

Exercising is a natural way to regulate blood glucose levels in your dog. By walking your dog every day and playing with him you will be helping your pet to stay fit and healthy. There are also some natural supplements that can be useful in maintaining your dog's glucose levels. Before giving any type of natural supplement or vitamins to your dog you should always check with your vet first. This is a must, especially if your dog is already on any type of medications.

You should be aware of the symptoms of diabetes so you can get your dog examined by your vet if you think there is something wrong with him. The symptoms include frequent urination and extreme thirst. Others signs are unexplained weight loss, shakiness, and recurring urinary tract infections. These are a few of the signs to look for.

To reduce the chances of your dog developing canine diabetes you should make sure they are eating healthy and getting plenty of exercise. Simply by not over-feeding your dog and walking him daily you can improve the health and quality of life of your faithful canine companion and enjoy each others' company for many more years to come.