Pet Diabetes Month: what I learned after my dog's diagnosis, and the signs every owner should know

Why I'm writing about Pet Diabetes Month

While I was making this site, I found out there's something called Pet Diabetes Month. It's every November.

I didn't know it existed until I started reading everything I could after my Labrador, Cooper, was diagnosed with diabetes. A whole month set aside for it tells me this isn't rare. Diabetes is a common hormone problem in dogs, and more people should know the signs before they see them at home, the way I did.

That's why I'm bringing together what vets have published, from different sources, in one place. I'm not a vet. I'm Cooper's owner. Every source is listed on the Sources page, and every page here sends you back to your own vet.

One thing worth keeping this month: a dog who is suddenly drinking and peeing a lot more needs a vet visit, not a wait-and-see.

How Cooper's diabetes showed up

In his eighth year, Cooper started drinking far more water than usual. He'd bark at his bowl for a refill again and again. He was peeing more too. It was winter, so at first I put it down to that.

Then he had two accidents indoors, near his bed. That isn't like him. Right after the second one, I took him to the vet. From the first signs to that visit was only a few days.

The vet said diabetes was the most likely reason, but a heart problem could also be behind it, so he ran a full blood panel and a chest X-ray. The first sugar test in the clinic was high, but he put part of that down to stress. A fasting test the next day was high too, and that confirmed it.

Looking back, I don't think I missed anything. A dog drinking and peeing more is simply not a sign to ignore. If there's one thing I'd want every owner to take from this month, it's that.

Signs of diabetes in dogs to check this month

These are the signs to watch. One on its own isn't proof of diabetes, but any of them is worth a call to your vet.

Drinking a lot more water. The bowl empties faster, or your dog keeps asking for more. Dog drinking a lot and peeing more shows a simple way to keep track for your vet.

Peeing more, or accidents indoors. Bigger puddles, more trips outside, or accidents from a dog who never has them.

Eating well, or even more, but losing weight. The body can't use its food properly, so a hungry dog can still get thinner.

Tiredness. Sleeping more, or less energy for walks and play. In an older dog that sleeps a lot anyway, this can be hard to read, so the drinking and peeing are often the clearer clues.

Cloudy eyes. These can be cataracts, a common complication of diabetes that can come on fast. Tell your vet; many dogs still live well with them. Cataracts in diabetic dogs explains what to look for.

Signs of diabetes in dogs goes through each sign in more detail.

Which dogs are more likely to get diabetes?

Diabetes is found most often in middle-aged and older dogs. Obesity raises the risk, and unspayed female dogs are more likely to get it too.

Some breeds seem more likely to get it than others. Are some breeds more likely to get diabetes? has more. But any dog can get diabetes, and a dog who isn't in a higher-risk group can still have it.

It isn't usually anyone's fault. Why did my dog get diabetes? covers what's known, and what isn't.

Don't wait it out

Waiting doesn't help. Left untreated, diabetes can lead to diabetic ketoacidosis, a life-threatening emergency. Diabetic ketoacidosis in dogs explains what it is and why it can't wait.

Vomiting, not eating, weakness, a wobbly walk, collapse, or breath that smells sweet, like nail-polish remover, means call your vet now, or an emergency vet if yours is closed. Call even if the extra drinking has stopped. The emergency page lists the signs that need help straight away.

If the only change is more drinking and peeing, and your dog is still bright and eating, call your vet today and ask when they want to see you.

What happens at the vet

Your vet will ask about drinking, peeing, eating and weight, examine your dog, and test blood and urine. Tests used to diagnose diabetes in dogs explains what each one shows.

One high reading isn't always the whole answer. Stress at the clinic can raise blood sugar, so your vet may recheck the blood and test the urine. Cooper's vet ran another test the next day. Only hold back food before a test if your vet tells you to. Your vet may also run other tests to rule out other causes, as ours did.

Take a few notes with you: when the drinking started, any accidents, what and how much your dog eats, and any weight change. Cooper's first vet check-up is what that visit was like for us, and the questions for the vet sheet helps you remember what to ask.

Life after the diagnosis

Most diabetic dogs need insulin injections, usually for the rest of their lives. That sounded frightening to me. It turned into a routine.

Cooper gets his insulin twice a day. At first I had to hold him. After about two days, he started coming to me as soon as I filled the syringe, wagging his tail, and sitting down to wait.

Once your dog is on insulin, wobbliness, a vacant look, twitching or collapse can mean the sugar has gone too low. Call your vet or an emergency vet now, and follow what they tell you on the way. Low blood sugar in dogs explains the signs.

With treatment and a steady routine, many diabetic dogs go on to live good, happy lives. When Cooper was diagnosed, his vet told me, "Don't worry, diabetic dogs live fine." I'm holding on to that.

You become part of the care team. Your vet sets the plan and the dose; you're the one who sees your dog every day, and what you notice and write down helps them. Working with your vet and getting support covers that side.

If you're just starting, starting out with a diabetic dog and the twelve-hour day are where I'd begin. Cooper's first two weeks with diabetes is how ours went. If it all feels like too much, I feel overwhelmed. Does it get easier? is for you.

Free things you can print

Everything here is free, with no sign-up and nothing to buy.

The seven-day log, for notes you start today and hand to your vet.

The "Insulin given?" fridge card and the blank insulin schedule. The amounts are left blank on purpose, for your vet to fill in.

The questions for the vet sheet, and the rest on the printables page.

For vets, clinics and rescues

If you work with dogs and their owners, you're welcome to print these pages and hand them out, or share the link, this month or any month. They don't name any product, they never give a dose, and they send owners back to their own vet.

If you'd like to add something, or you think I've got something wrong, the contact page reaches me directly.