Question
Do green beans, pumpkin, or extra fibre help a diabetic dog?
Sunny, owner notes“I wish my dog lived as long as I do.”Updated
I'm an owner, not a vet. This is not veterinary advice, so check anything medical with your own vet.
Short answer
You'll often hear that pumpkin or green beans help diabetic dogs. Vets don't all agree about fibre. Some like a higher-fibre food for diabetic dogs, and others say a normal adult food works just as well. Too much pumpkin can throw his diet off balance. Ask your vet before adding anything, and keep it the same every day.
I never give insulin amounts here. Yours comes from your vet's written plan.
What you might notice at home
Green beans get used as a filler, a treat, and a way to fill up a hungry dog. Pumpkin gets used for stools and for fibre. Some owners felt his numbers smoothed out. Some just had a dog who liked beans.
Vets themselves disagree on this, so what helped another dog may not suit yours. Your own vet knows his weight and history and can help you decide.
What to write down for the vet
- What you add, and whether it is every day.
- The main food under the add-in.
- Whether his weight is going up or down. Extra fibre is a bad idea for a dog who's already too thin.
- Stool changes.
What to take with you
Ask: 'Would a higher-fibre food help him, or should his food stay as it is?'
Sources
- Are green beans and plain vegetables all right as treats?Plain vegetables as treats
- Feeding a diabetic dog: food and routineWhy fibre and carbs are not simple
- Is grain-free or low-carb food better for a diabetic dog?What vets weigh up besides carbs
- My diabetic dog is always hungryWhen he seems hungry all the time
- My diabetic dog is losing weightWhy a thin dog needs proper food
Every outside source I used is listed on the Sources page.
Related
Q&A
Are green beans and plain vegetables all right as treats?
They're still food. Ask your vet first, then keep it the same every day.
Q&A
My diabetic dog is always hungry
A dog who is always begging is hard to live with. Tell your vet before you add more food.
Q&A
My diabetic dog needs to lose weight
Let your vet set the target. Keep his walks normal in the meantime.
Q&A
Can I cook for my diabetic dog?
You can, but it's hard to get right. Ask your vet or a veterinary nutritionist first.