Your dog is an important part of the family. So, if your furry pal has been showing signs of diabetes, or been diagnosed with it, lately, it’s hard on everyone.
It can take a while to adjust to, including adjusting his diet to something that’s good for his health, and can help to alleviate the symptoms of this nasty disease.
We want to help you with useful information, including a list of the best diabetic dog food options.
Product | Image | Rating | Check Price |
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Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Natural Adult Dry Dog Food | |||
Hill's Science Diet Dry Dog Food | |||
Nutrisca Grain-free Chicken Dry Dog Food | |||
Wellness CORE Natural Grain-free Dry Dog Food | |||
Orijen Original Dry Dog Food | |||
Royal Canin Glycobalance Dry Dog Food | |||
Merrick Grain-Free Dry Dog Food | |||
Acana Heritage Meats Dry Dog Food |
How We Chose the Best Diabetic Dog Food Choices
In order to offer you the best choices, we looked through a variety of review sites from veterinarians, professional brand reviewers, and retail sites like Amazon where real consumers reviewed the best brands and choices for diabetic dog foods.
Our list contains only choices that we found that rate at least four out of five stars, and come highly recommended by both professionals and real pet owners. They’re listed in no particular order.
The Top Diabetic Dog Food Choices on the Market
As we noted before, it’s important for your diabetic dog food choices to be low in carbohydrates, which generally means grain-free, high in protein, and low in fat.
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula
- REAL MEAT FIRST: Blue Buffalo foods always feature real meat as the first ingredient; High-quality protein from real...
- FOR ADULT DOGS: BLUE Life Protection Formula adult dog food contains essential proteins and carbohydrates to help meet...
- ANTIOXIDANT-RICH LIFESOURCE BITS: A precise blend of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals carefully selected by holistic...
Blue Wilderness is known for high quality dog foods for all kinds of dogs. This particular offering is grain-free, and made of duck as the first ingredient on the list. That means this option has lean protein as the main ingredient, and low carbohydrates.
This combination makes it a decent choice for diabetic dog foods alone, but the overall ingredient profile of nutrients make it an excellent choice.
The Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula offering for adult dogs is made with deboned duck, chicken and fish meal – meal meaning concentrated protein without fillers – to make sure your dog is getting the right amount of protein. It’s also made with fruits and veggies to guarantee he’s getting enough fiber.
There’s the right kinds of fats in this, coming in the form of Omega 3s and 6s, which help keep his coat healthy and shiny, his brain working properly, and his eyes seeing well.
This recipe is also enhanced with vitamins and minerals, antioxidants, and other healthy nutrients, without the use of by-products, corn, wheat, soy, or artificial flavors or preservatives.
Quality | Check Price | Rating |
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Hill's Science Diet Dry Dog Food
- This adult dry dog food promotes digestive health while nourishing skin
- A source of prebiotic fiber to support a balanced gut microbiome in your grown dog
- This dog food is formulated to be highly digestible for optimal nutrient absorption & easier stool pick-up
You’re probably with the Hill's Science brand; they’ve been around for a long time. And as they’ve gone along, they’ve gotten better and better at what they do.
One of their best offerings is the Diet Dry Dog Food recipe that’s made with white meat chicken and eggs for a healthy protein punch for your pooch. There’s no soy, and no corn, along with no wheat, so this dog food doesn’t have fillers or junk that will raise your dog’s glucose levels.
This offering from Hill's Science is full of natural ingredients only, and contains essential vitamins and minerals to help with your energy, and health, and can help regulate blood sugar levels. There are also no artificial colors, preservatives or flavors in this Hill's Science Diet Dry Dog Food offering.
Quality | Check Price | Rating |
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Nutrisca Grain-free
Made with chicken as the first ingredient, the Nutrisca grain-free chicken dry dog food option is high in fiber from the chickpeas that pair with the chicken. And this is a particularly recommended diabetic dog food because not only does it avoid corn, soy, and wheat, but they also don’t use any potatoes.
The recipe for Nutrisca’s chicken dry dog food is high in antioxidants, Omega fatty acids, and made from real fruits and veggies, along with those chickpeas and peas that provide the fiber he needs.
There are no artificial ingredients in this dog food, including no artificial flavors, preservatives or colors.
Quality | Check Price | Rating |
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$$ |
Wellness CORE Natural Grain-free
- GRAIN-FREE ADULT DRY DOG FOOD: Premium protein from responsibly sourced turkey is expertly balanced with nutrient rich...
- LEANER BODY MASS AND MUSCLE TONE: Based on the nutritional philosophy that dogs thrive on a natural diet mainly...
- SUPPORTS HEALTHY COAT & DIGESTIVE HEALTH: Guaranteed levels of omega fatty acids from ingredients such as flaxseed and...
This completely grain-free recipe from Wellness is one of the top sellers on Amazon and a variety of other sites for a reason. It’s got a complete, balanced dietary profile, that provides the right nutrients your dog needs in a daily diet.
This grain-free recipe is protein focused, using ingredients like natural turkey and chicken.
They use tons of veggies and fruits, as well, to add in the other nutrients necessary for a healthy, happy canine family member.Their ingredients are completely natural, so you can rest assured that your pal isn’t getting any junk food that will deter your efforts at keeping him healthy.
There are a variety of flavors to choose from, each promising a grain-free, all-natural ingredients list fit for your dog’s health.
Quality | Check Price | Rating |
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Orijen Original Dry Dog Food
- One (1) 23.5 lb bag of ORIJEN Amazing Grains Original Dry Dog Food
- Nutrient-dense, grain free* dry dog food formula tailored to support your dog's immune function, digestion, skin and...
- Dry dog food made with the most succulent and nutrient-rich parts of the prey, containing 85 percent** animal protein...
Another highly praised option suitable as diabetic dog food is the Orijen Original dry dog food. They make this food completely grain-free, with limited ingredients, and a single-source protein. Dogs with sensitive stomachs can handle this particular dog food better than others, as well, because of that single protein source.
This particular brand is perfect for anyone wanting the benefits of a raw diet for their dog, without the dangers of raw meats that could cause damage to your dog’s body. The reason? The food is freeze dried, so there’s no cooking of the ingredients, but the microbials and bacteria are still killed off.
Orijen only uses fresh, regional ingredients to make sure they know exactly what they’re putting into your dog’s food.
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Royal Canin Glycobalance Dry Dog Food
The Glycobalance Dry dog food from Royal Canin is specifically formulated for dogs with diabetes. Their recipe has only controlled amounts of fat, complex carbohydrates, and a strong fiber content to help moderate your dog’s glycemic response.
This recipe from Royal Canin is designed to help ease symptoms of diabetes, like digestive issues, as well as help you keep his blood sugar levels in check. They use complex carbohydrates to help ensure the fiber is beneficial, however, instead of flowing right through.
The ingredients list includes lots of vitamins and minerals, as well as psyllium husks to help with a balanced digestive system.This brand does contain items like corn meal and wheat gluten, though, so if you’re looking for a grain-free offering, please check out one of the other options.
Quality | Check Price | Rating |
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Merrick Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
- #1 INGREDIENT: DEBONED MEAT, FISH OR POULTRY: Merrick Grain Free dog food recipes contain leading levels of high quality...
- HEALTHY SKIN AND COAT, HIPS AND JOINTS: These grain free dog food recipes contain leading levels of Omega-3 and 6 fatty...
- REAL WHOLE FOODS FOR OPTIMAL NATURAL NUTRITION: Merrick Grain Free dog food recipes include real, whole foods like sweet...
If you’re looking for an awesome option with some exotic meat choices for Fido, you’re looking at the right brand. The Merrick Grain-Free dry dog food offering happens to be made of real buffalo meat as the first ingredient. That means it’s packed with protein that tastes a bit wilder and more natural to your dog than chicken or turkey.
This particular formula contains glucosamine and chondroitin for healthy older dogs who have joint issues, and can help maintain the joint health of younger animals so that they don’t have as many issues later in life.
The industry’s standard levels of Omega 6s and Omega 3s are present, and help keep your dog’s coat healthy and shiny, while keeping his eyesight and heart in better condition. They also use healthy ingredients like blueberries, peas, and sweet potatoes to up the Vitamin A, antioxidant, and fiber levels.
They do have other flavors available in their grain-free line, so if you’d prefer the milder poultry, or fish options, you’ll find some options in these.
Quality | Check Price | Rating |
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Acana Heritage Meats Dry Dog Food
Another great grain-free offering in diabetic dog food options is the Acana Heritage Meats dry dog food. They limit the ingredients in their recipe, and use a single-source protein per recipe to guarantee the gentlest possible option for your dog’s digestive system, while still providing enough protein.
The recipe features healthy and biologically appropriate ingredients, with meats like Angus beef, Suffolk lamb, or Yorkshire pork.
Quality | Check Price | Rating |
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What Is On The Shelf From Taste Of The Wild?
Diabetes in dogs, just like in humans, is a complex disease that’s caused by one of two things: a lack of the hormone called insulin, or a resistance to it.
Insulin is a hormone that your dog’s body secretes in response to the food that’s broken down by his digestive system. There’s stuff called glucose, which is a sugar type, that comes from food. And too much of this causes issues, which is why insulin exists. It breaks down the glucose in the body, so that the body can properly process it.
Diabetes is manageable, and dogs with this disorder can still live happy, healthy lives. The right diet and enough exercise are critical for the management of diabetes, though, so it’s important to know which foods are safe for your pooch.
What Do Diabetic Dogs Need to Eat?
As we stated, one of the most important components of controlling diabetes in dogs, as well as any other creature with the disorder, is the proper diet. The right diet for dogs with diabetes is high in fiber, low in empty carbohydrates, and is packed with essential vitamins and minerals.
The carbohydrates in diabetic dog food should the complex kinds, meaning no fillers or junk like corn meal and wheat. Instead, the carbohydrates should be beneficial foods like carrots or chickpeas, as these have complex carbohydrates and tons of nutrients and fiber.
For those who are able to make their own dog food at home, you’ll want to make sure the recipes you’re using are full of lean proteins, like cooked turkey and chicken, and digestible grains like oats, and tons of fresh fruits and vegetables to give the full nutrition needed.
For the rest of us, a healthy, grain-free, all-natural dog food is your best choice. Be sure to look through the ingredients list and avoid anything that contains items you cannot pronounce or recognize, anything that indicates artificial colors, added sweeteners of any kind, and lower in fat.
Feeding Tips for Diabetic Dogs
Apart from making sure you’re giving your canine pal the right foods, it’s also important to keep him to a strict eating schedule. That means you need to feed him the right amount of food at the right intervals throughout the day.
It’s also important to keep Fido on a regular exercise routine. Take him for a jog with you in the mornings, play fetch in the afternoon, and do other things to help keep him active and moving. It won’t hurt your health, either, so enjoy the mutual benefits of taking care of each other.
Buyer’s Guide for Diabetic Dog Foods
When you look for diabetic dog food options, be sure to look for grain-free or specially formulated recipes that cater specifically to your dog’s needs for a low-carbohydrate, high protein, healthy and low-fat diet.
Look for foods like Purina’s grain-free line, Merrick’s exotic meat food choices, and others like them that know that fillers, artificial colors and preservatives are unhealthy for your dog.
Do your research into them, always look at the ingredients list, and always consult your dog’s veterinarian before changing dog foods for a diabetic dog.
Featured Image via Pexels
Last update on 2023-04-14 at 23:26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API