Diabetic dog food: Timing of meals
The feeding schedule of pets receiving insulin should be planned so that nutrients are delivered to the body during peak periods of exogenous insulin activity. This span will be determined by the type of insulin used and the time of day it is administered. Several small meals should be provided throughout the period of insulin activity, as opposed to feeding a single large meal. Feeding several small meals helps minimize postprandial fluctuations in blood glucose levels. Other factors that affect the degree of hyperglycemia that occurs following a meal include the composition of the food and the type of insulin administered.
If insulin is administered early in the morning, the first meal should be given immediately before the insulin injection. If the pet refuses to eat on any occasion, the insulin injection can be withheld, thereby preventing the subsequent possibility of hypoglycemia. The remaining three or four meals in the day can be given at equally spaced intervals, depending on the action of the insulin used. Taking blood samples and measuring blood glucose levels every 1 to 2 hours throughout a 24-hour period will indicate if the feeding schedule coincides adequately with insulin activity. If postprandial blood glucose levels rise above 180 milligrams, (mg)/deciliter (dl), the interval between feeding and insulin administration should be decreased. If hyperglycemia still occurs, the size of the meal should be decreased and/or the number of meals provided per day should be increased. Likewise, a meal should always be provided within 1 to 2 hours following the lowest blood glucose level.
Once an appropriate pet food and feeding schedule have been selected, the management program should be strictly adhered to. Pets that have previously been fed free-choice should be gradually switched to the new regimen. Although most dogs will adapt quickly, cats can be very resistant to changes in their feeding routine and in the type of food that is fed. This resistance can make dietary management of a diabetic cat difficult for some owners. Mixing the new food into the cat's previous food and changing to a meal-feeding regimen over a period of several weeks can help decrease these problems. Allowing cats to nibble over the period of insulin activity is also effective in some cases. Supplemental food should not be given, and feeding times should vary as little as possible. Periodic monitoring of blood glucose levels can be used to adjust the diet as the pet loses weight, changes the amount of exercise it gets, or requires adjustments in insulin dosage.
We also recommend this natural balanced real-meat dog food and natural dietary supplement for recovery.
We would love to hear your pet's story. Please add a comment.
If insulin is administered early in the morning, the first meal should be given immediately before the insulin injection. If the pet refuses to eat on any occasion, the insulin injection can be withheld, thereby preventing the subsequent possibility of hypoglycemia. The remaining three or four meals in the day can be given at equally spaced intervals, depending on the action of the insulin used. Taking blood samples and measuring blood glucose levels every 1 to 2 hours throughout a 24-hour period will indicate if the feeding schedule coincides adequately with insulin activity. If postprandial blood glucose levels rise above 180 milligrams, (mg)/deciliter (dl), the interval between feeding and insulin administration should be decreased. If hyperglycemia still occurs, the size of the meal should be decreased and/or the number of meals provided per day should be increased. Likewise, a meal should always be provided within 1 to 2 hours following the lowest blood glucose level.
Once an appropriate pet food and feeding schedule have been selected, the management program should be strictly adhered to. Pets that have previously been fed free-choice should be gradually switched to the new regimen. Although most dogs will adapt quickly, cats can be very resistant to changes in their feeding routine and in the type of food that is fed. This resistance can make dietary management of a diabetic cat difficult for some owners. Mixing the new food into the cat's previous food and changing to a meal-feeding regimen over a period of several weeks can help decrease these problems. Allowing cats to nibble over the period of insulin activity is also effective in some cases. Supplemental food should not be given, and feeding times should vary as little as possible. Periodic monitoring of blood glucose levels can be used to adjust the diet as the pet loses weight, changes the amount of exercise it gets, or requires adjustments in insulin dosage.
We also recommend this natural balanced real-meat dog food and natural dietary supplement for recovery.
We would love to hear your pet's story. Please add a comment.
MORE VETERINARY ARTICLES
-
Does your pet have allergies ? Does he itch a lot? Many essential nutrients have to be added to your pets diet as the animal is itself not c...
-
The life cycle of the heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis) is as follows: A mosquito ingests microfilariae (first-stage larvae L1) from an infe...
-
Signs of labor in dogs and dog labor symptoms. Classically, dog labor is divided into 3 stages: 1st stage: Cervical relaxation and dilatati...
-
Stages of Labor in Cats Fortunately, over 99% of kitten deliveries occur without complications and/or assistance from their owners. However...
-
The Alaskan Malamute is larger than either the Siberian Husky or the Samoyed, two other similar breed of sled dogs. As the largest breed of ...
-
If you are in the market for a good family dog but place a high priority on territorial protection, the Boxer might fill this role quite nic...
-
The Doberman Pinscher is the epitome of the guard dog and disciplined protector. It is top ranked on ease of housebreaking and is second fro...
-
Dog Breeds - Groups The breeds of dogs are officially classified into 10 distinct groups, themselves divided into sections, created accord...
-
Signs of cat in heat . The expression " cat in heat " is used by owners to describe the summation of pro-oestrus and oestrus . T...
-
Dog on heat signs The dog heat symptoms occur when bitches are attractive to male dogs. The term "heat" is used by dog owners t...