Question
My diabetic dog's glucose looked higher after a food change
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
It's worrying to see higher numbers right after a food change, but this is common. A week of readings doesn't prove the new food is wrong. Write down the old food, the new food, the date you switched and any readings you have. Show your vet before you switch back. Never change his insulin without talking to your vet first.
I never give insulin amounts here. Yours comes from your vet's written plan.
What you might notice at home
A few meals into a new bag, the meter looks worse. Or the next curve comes back higher. Sometimes he seems brighter but the numbers don't. Sometimes both look wrong.
Owners say this about prescription foods, grain-free foods and normal brands alike. Usually the switch itself is what moved the numbers, whatever the brand.
What to write down for the vet
- Old food, new food, the day of the switch.
- Treats that changed in the same week.
- Readings with clock times, and gaps where you did not test.
- Appetite, stool, and energy.
What to take with you
Your notes, and a curve if you can get one, rather than one scary number. A single reading on its own doesn't tell you much.
Sources
- Should I keep my diabetic dog on the same food?Why a steady food matters
- Is one glucose number enough?Why one number is not enough
- What is a glucose curve, and can I do it at home?Why a curve says more than one reading
- What should I write in a notebook for my diabetic dog?What to write down for the vet
- Why do my dog's numbers swing so much from day to day?Why numbers swing from day to day
Every outside source I used is listed on the Sources page.
Related
Q&A
Should I keep my diabetic dog on the same food?
If he's steady, most vets say stick with it. Another illness can still mean a change.
Q&A
Is one glucose number enough?
One reading only shows that moment. Write it down with the time and how he seemed, and let your vet look at it.
Q&A
Hill's, Royal Canin, or Purina: what are people comparing?
All three make diabetic diets. Most vets care more about whether he eats it than the brand.
Q&A
Is grain-free or low-carb food better for a diabetic dog?
Most vets care more about fibre and a steady routine than cutting carbs. Ask before you switch.