Homemade Dog Food for Senior Diabetic Dogs: Pet-Parents Must Know

Like humans, our pets can also develop health problems like diabetes as they become older. Controlling diabetes in older dogs can be a huge problem. This problem does not arise if we provide homemade dog food for senior diabetic dogs from the beginning. Almost 38% of dog owners in USA, are paying more attention to homemade food these days. They are ensuring that their dogs are nutritious by giving them homemade food, as well as ensuring that they do not have any health problems.

 In this blog, we will discuss how you can keep your dog healthy if we prepare dog food at home. Even if it suffers from diabetes, how you can keep it in almost normal life for a long time. The key is its food habit which will be able to provide your pet-child a healthy life. So I shall provide a few very easy recipes suitable for your old diabetic dog. I will also answer all the questions related to dog diabetes that dog lovers and dog owners generally have in mind. Through this post, we will give answers to all the questions 

Why Consider Homemade Food for Your Senior Diabetic Dog?

If your dog is diagnosed with diabetes, controlling their blood sugar levels becomes even more important. While commercial dog foods have many benefits, they often contain filler additives and high levels of carbohydrates, which are not good for diabetic dogs.

So homemade food is best for your elderly and diabetic dog. Here are some of the benefits you will get:

• Control Ingredients: You can definitely include all the ingredients that senior dogs need in their food, such as high-quality protein, complex carbohydrates, and healthy fats, when you make your own food at home.
• Tailor the Diet: You know your dog, what types of food he likes and dislikes, what are the beneficial and harmful qualities for him, and with all this in mind, you can prepare a food list for your dog that is just right for him.
• Manage Blood Sugar: If you can carefully plan your diet, it will be very effective in controlling your senior dog’s blood sugar levels.
• Improve Overall Health: A balanced diet, if prepared at home, can boost your dog’s immunity, improve digestion, and also meet the necessary energy needs.

Key Ingredients for Homemade Dog Food for Senior Diabetic Dogs

When planning or preparing a diet for your elderly diabetic dog, you should keep in mind the ingredients that are not necessary for his nutrition and overall well-being. Here are some of those important ingredients:

• High-Quality Protein: Turkey, chicken breast, fish, and venison are all great sources of high-quality protein for dogs. They are full of protein and fat-free. They are also great for helping dogs maintain a healthy weight and control their diabetes.
• Complex Carbohydrates: To keep your dog’s sugar levels in check, choose complex carbohydrates like sweet potatoes, peanuts, and oats. Avoid adding sugar to your dog’s food. These foods provide sustained energy and help control blood sugar levels. Keep an eye on them, as blood glucose levels can fluctuate from one family of foods to another.
• Healthy Fats: To control your dog’s diabetes, you need to be very careful about giving him fatty foods. Fish oil and omega-3 fatty acids found in flaxseed oil are beneficial for your dog’s overall health. They help control inflammation, so use all of these ingredients in appropriate amounts.
• Fiber: Fiber-rich vegetables like green peas, broccoli, and spinach aid in a dog’s digestion and also help boost immunity by regulating blood sugar levels.
• Vitamins and Minerals: It is your responsibility to provide your senior dog with a balanced diet or supplements that provide adequate vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients. Make sure your dog is getting some of the same nutrients. If he is getting them, you won’t have to rely on other dog foods or give him more medication.

Ingredients to Avoid in Homemade Dog Food for Senior Diabetic Dogs

If you are making homemade food for an older diabetic dog, here are some ingredients you should completely avoid. All of these ingredients can affect your dog’s food.

• Sugary Foods: Foods like grapes, raisins and Vidyanagar honey contain a lot of sugar. They increase blood sugar levels, so avoid them.
• Simple Carbohydrates: Limit or completely avoid white rice, white bread, and other refined grains. These types of foods are high in simple sugars, which can contribute to high blood sugar levels.
• Processed Meats: And processed meats like those that are almost as high in salt and unhealthy fats as humans can have adverse effects on dogs’ blood.
• Xylitol: Anything Little is an artificial sweetener. It is a poison for your diabetic dog so avoid it.
• Chocolate: Chocolate contains theobromine, a toxic substance for dogs.

Homemade Dog Food Recipes for Senior Diabetic Dogs

Here are two recipes that are especially suitable for diabetic dogs, especially older dogs. However, before trying these recipes, be sure to consult your veterinarian to make sure they are suitable for your dog.

Recipe 1: Chicken and Veggie Delight

Ingredients:

• 1 cup cooked chicken breast (shredded)
• ½ cup steamed green beans
• ¼ cup cooked pumpkin
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

Instructions:

1. Cook the chicken thoroughly and shred it into small pieces.
2. Steam the green beans until soft.
3. Mix the chicken, green beans, and pumpkin in a bowl.
4. Drizzle with olive oil and serve.

Recipe 2: Turkey and Sweet Potato Stew

Ingredients:

• 1 cup ground turkey (cooked)
• ½ cup mashed sweet potato
• ¼ cup chopped spinach
• 1 teaspoon coconut oil

Instructions:

1. Cook the ground turkey in a pan until fully done.
2. Boil and mash the sweet potato.
3. Mix the turkey, sweet potato, and spinach in a bowl.
4. Add coconut oil and stir well before serving.

Tips for Managing Your Senior Diabetic Dog’s Diet

• Consistency is Key: To keep your dog’s blood sugar levels stable, feed him at a specific time every day and continue to feed him the same types of food.
• Portion Control: Do not overfeed your older dog. Limit the amount you feed your dog. Consult your veterinarian to determine the appropriate diet for your dog’s age and breed.
• Monitor Blood Glucose: Regularly monitor your dog’s blood glucose levels as directed by your vet.
• Introduce New Foods Gradually: If you want to introduce or eliminate something new from your older dog’s diet, do it gradually. This gradual change is very useful to avoid digestive problems and maintain blood sugar levels.
• Work Closely with Your Vet: Consult your veterinarian before making any changes to your dog’s blood sugar levels, including giving medication. Check with your veterinarian to see if his diet is appropriate, and if not, maintain it as prescribed.
• Avoid Harmful Ingredients: Reduce or completely eliminate all ingredients that increase blood sugar levels, such as grapes, raisins, onions, garlic, and foods high in sugar.
• Track Blood Sugar: Even if you are doing everything you can to keep your dog’s diabetes or blood sugar levels under control, regularly monitor your dog’s blood glucose levels to see if your efforts are working.

FAQs on Homemade Food for Diabetic Senior Dogs