There are so many different brands of dog food out there, sometimes it can be difficult to find the best diabetic dog food properly formulated for dogs with diabetes. Just because one brand may be high in fiber and low in fat, it doesn’t necessarily mean that it is the best to give to your dog.
In this post, we want to give you a few things you should consider before spending your hard-earned money on a brand that may or may not work to help manage your dog’s diabetic symptoms.
Important Things to Consider When Choosing a Diabetic Dog Food
Avoid Brands that Use Artificial Additives
There are plenty of brands on the market which claim to be a healthy brand, when in fact they use harmful ingredients like artificial additives. Artificial additives hold no nutritional value for dogs. In fact, they are typically only used to make a brand look appealing as well as enhance the flavor to entice dogs to eat it.
However, these types of ingredients have been known to aggravate potential dog food allergies. They even have the potential to aggravate other health issues. This is why brands with these types of ingredients should be avoided. Remember, if the food is made with high-quality ingredients, it doesn’t need any artificial additives to make it taste good.
Avoid Brands Which List a Carbohydrate as the First or Second Ingredient
One important thing to remember is that dogs who suffer from diabetes should avoid carbohydrates as much as possible. Feeding your dog carbs can elevate their blood sugar levels, spiking it into dangerous levels. You want to make sure you choose a dog food brand that lists high-quality protein sources as the first ingredient such as chicken, deboned chicken, lamb or beef.
Remember, while carbohydrates are natural ingredients found in most foods, you should only use brands that contain a carbohydrate content less than 25%
Avoid Brands Which Contain Unidentifiable Meat Ingredients
Just as you should avoid brands that contain over 25% carbohydrate content, you should also avoid brands that list mysterious meat ingredients on their label. This can include ingredients such as by-products or meat meals. While meat can be a good source of protein, which is essential for diabetic dogs, you should only look for identifiable meat ingredient listed in the first 5 spots of the label. Some of the best meat ingredients to look for are deboned chicken, lamb, salmon or beef.
Always Consult Your Veterinarian Before Choosing a Brand
This is one important consideration you shouldn’t skip. Remember, your dog’s veterinarian is qualified to handle your dog’s diabetes. He or she will be the best person to ask what is thebestdiabetic dog food you should be feeding your dog and even they can offer a few recommendations to point you in the right direction. Always consult your veterinarian to keep your dog’s health as your topmost priority.
The Bottomline
Owning a dog with diabetes can be challenging for even the most experienced dog owner. Choosing the best diabetic dog food brand can be even more difficult, especially if you don’t know what to look for. Keep these considerations we have offered in mind and you should find the best food with little difficulty.
