Diabetes in Dogs: A Practical Owner's Guide

A diagnosis of canine diabetes is life-changing but not life-ending. With twice-daily insulin injections, consistent feeding, and regular blood glucose monitoring, diabetic dogs can live happy, active lives for years. The learning curve is steep at first; within a few weeks, it becomes routine.

The Classic Signs (The 4 Ps)

• Polyuria — urinating much more frequently than usual
• Polydipsia — drinking excessively, emptying the water bowl constantly
• Polyphagia — ravenous appetite yet losing weight
• Weight loss — despite eating the same or more

Additional signs: cloudy eyes (cataracts develop rapidly in diabetic dogs), lethargy, recurrent infections, dull coat.

Diagnosis

Fasting blood glucose over 200 mg/dL, combined with glucose in the urine, strongly suggests diabetes. The vet will also check a fructosamine level — a 2–3 week average of blood glucose that rules out stress-induced spikes — and a full blood panel to assess organ function and rule out concurrent disease.

Why Does It Happen?

• Insulin-deficient diabetes — destruction of insulin-producing beta cells (most common in dogs)
• Insulin resistance — from obesity, progesterone (intact females), steroids, or Cushing's disease
• Higher-risk breeds: Miniature Poodles, Miniature Schnauzers, Samoyeds, Spitz types, Dachshunds. Middle-aged females are over-represented.

Insulin Therapy

Most dogs need twice-daily injections, timed to coincide with meals. The needles are very fine and most dogs barely react. Your vet will demonstrate technique and start with a conservative dose, adjusting based on glucose curves.

• Glucose curve: serial blood samples every 2 hours over 12 hours to find the glucose nadir and duration of action
• Home monitoring: glucometers calibrated for dogs, or continuous glucose monitors (CGM) are increasingly used
• Hypoglycaemia emergency: trembling, weakness, seizure → rub honey/corn syrup on gums immediately → emergency vet

Feeding a Diabetic Dog

• Same amount, same time, every day — consistency is the most important rule
• High-quality protein, complex carbohydrates, good fibre content
• No sugary treats, fruit (fructose matters), or table scraps
• Never skip a meal without adjusting or skipping the corresponding insulin dose — ask your vet for a sick-day protocol

Log every insulin dose, glucose reading, and behavioural change in Purzi. Patterns across weeks tell your vet whether the current dose is working — and help you catch trends before they become crises.