Canine Diabetes and Three Ways to Prevent It
Poor Diet and Lack of Exercise May Lead to Diabetes in Dogs
Jun 4, 2009
The last thing most dog owners ever think about when they get a puppy is that their new pet may someday become a diabetic dog. But for too many people, canine diabetes becomes a sad reality.
This disease is reaching epidemic levels among the pet population. Is there anything that can be done to lower a dog's risk of diabetes?
Poor Diet is Linked to Dogs with Diabetes
How do most people make a decision on what to feed their dogs? Mostly they rely on information from the pet food companies. Unfortunately, these companies are much more interested in the health of their bottom lines than they are in the health of the pets eating the food they manufacture.
Consider the fact that most dry pet foods are overloaded with carbohydrates because they're made from grains. In the United States, grains are cheap and abundant, which is why they're a popular ingredient in pet foods. But high carb levels wreak havoc with the health of many pets.
Pet food contains protein, fats, and carbohydrates. When the food is digested, it's broken down into glucose, a simple sugar that the body uses for fuel. Carbohydrates are broken down very quickly, and the resulting glucose is dumped into the bloodstream all at once, which causes blood glucose levels to spike after meals. Fats and proteins are digested more slowly, and the resulting glucose is released into the blood over a longer period of time, preventing this spike in sugar levels.
Another problem with a high-carb diet is weight gain. If the body can't use all the glucose right away, it's stored in the body in the form of fat. An overweight dog has a much higher risk of becoming a diabetic canine.
An even more important reason for avoiding a high-carb diet is that most trace minerals are lost in the refining process, including chromium, which is essential for regulating blood glucose levels. This may be an important factor in the increasing number of dogs with diabetes.
The best diet to feed a dog to keep it healthy is a high-quality canned food that's high in fiber and low in fat.
Regular Exercise Helps To Control Blood Sugar Levels
Exercise is a natural way to regulate blood glucose levels. It's a fact, though, that many pets are just as under-exercised as their owners.
A long walk every day, plus a vigorous game of catch, will go a long way towards keeping a dog fit and healthy, as well as keeping the pet's blood sugar at normal levels.
Natural Remedies For Dogs May Prevent Diabetes In Dogs
Quite a few pet owners wonder if any herbs for dogs can prevent diabetes. Research has shown that many herbs are useful for helping the body to balance blood sugar levels. Herbs that are safe and effective for pets include:
- Astragalus, a well-known herb in Chinese traditional medicine. It helps to boost the immune system and can prevent cataracts, as well as regulating glucose levels.
- Fenugreek, which slows down carbohydrate absorption, and may stimulate insulin production.
- Goat's rue, known to lower glucose levels without causing hypoglycemia, may also reduce your pet's risk of cataracts.
As mentioned above, chromium is a nutrient necessary for healthy blood sugar levels. Chromium supplements may prevent the problem of dogs with diabetes.
All pet owners should know the symptoms of canine diabetes. In addition, a healthy diet and plenty of exercise will often help to prevent puppies from becoming diabetic dogs later in life.
References
How to Prevent Canine Diabetes
