By Sunny. My Labrador Cooper has diabetes.
A calmer morning with a diabetic dog.
Plain answers to the questions owners of diabetic dogs ask. I'm not a vet, so check anything medical with your own vet.
Try a few words, like “not eating” or “drinking a lot”.
- Written by an owner, not a vet.
- No insulin amounts here. Those come from your vet.
- Your vet knows your dog best.
Weak, wobbly, trembling, vomiting or not eating?
Call your own vet or an emergency clinic now. Even one of these signs is enough to call. It could be low blood sugar, and that can get worse fast.
Pick a topic
Start with whatever is worrying you most. Each topic has short answers and practical next steps.
- Diagnosis and first weeks22 questionsWhat the diagnosis means, getting a written plan from your vet, and getting ready for the first check-up.
- Daily routine and shared care16 questionsMeals, walks, handing over to family, and a routine your vet is happy with.
- Food and feeding32 questionsKeeping meals the same, picking a food, and what to do when your dog won't eat.
- Monitoring and owner notes18 questionsWhat to write down, how home testing works, and notes your vet will actually use.
- Urgent help and safety12 questionsThe warning signs that mean you call your vet now.
- Complications, ageing and everyday health45 questionsEyes, weight, other illnesses, getting older, and keeping your dog comfortable.
- Working with your vet and finding support12 questionsWhen it all feels like too much, getting your questions ready, and working well with your vet.
Questions owners ask first
My diabetic dog won't eat — what now?
Call your vet before his next insulin time, and write down when he last ate and how he seems.
About 2 min
Why is my diabetic dog drinking so much?
Drinking more is one of the first things owners notice. Write down how it compares with his normal day and show your vet.
About 2 min
What should the first week of notes look like?
Food, mood, water and the time. Only do a glucose curve if your vet asks for one.
About 3 min
Today’s note
It takes about twenty seconds: what he ate, how he seemed, and what time he had his insulin. A week of these tells your vet far more than you can remember on the spot.
Your notes stay on your phone. The log never suggests a dose.
What goes in a morning note
What he ate
Write it in your own words
How he seemed
Bright, usual, quiet, or off colour
What time the injection was given
Just the clock time you gave it
This just saves what you write. It won't suggest a dose.
New here
Just found out your dog has diabetes? Start with these three steps.
- 1
Learn the words on your vet's plan.
Read the guide - 2
Copy your vet's plan onto the blank schedule. The amount lines are left empty for you to fill in from the plan.
Open the schedule - 3
Write a quick note each day: food, mood and the time. It takes about twenty seconds.
Log today
Guides
Longer reads for the first weeks and the harder days.
Starting out with a diabetic dog
From the diagnosis to a settled routine: what the tests mean, what to ask before you go home, how insulin and supplies work, and what the first weeks really look like.
About 13 min
LogA week you can show the vet
Your notes and times for the week, with space for your questions.
About 3 min
FoodHow to read a food label
What the label tells you, and what it doesn't, like how much to feed.
About 4 min
Printables
Blank sheets for you to fill in from what your vet told you.
Print any of these. Fill in the amount lines from your vet’s plan.
Sunny & Cooper
I'm Sunny. I live in India, and my Labrador Cooper has diabetes. Before he was diagnosed, he was drinking and peeing a lot more than usual. Here you'll find plain answers to the questions owners ask, and a simple daily log you can show your vet.
This week with Cooper
Video coming soon.