Question
What should I know before adopting or fostering 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
Taking on a diabetic dog is a big, kind step, and it goes much better with the right information up front. Ask for his vet records, his current written plan and a hands-on lesson in his daily care. Agree who does the daily care, where supplies come from and who helps if you can't. Meet his vet if you can, and ask who to call later.
What to know at home
The move is easier if you know what food he actually eats and who has been giving his injections. Stick to his current routine, not a general adoption checklist or what you did for a previous dog.
What to write down
- Current food, device and medicine records
- Who pays for routine and emergency care
- A trained backup caregiver and clinic contact
What to ask next
Ask the rescue or previous owner and the vet to plan the handover together. Book his first check-up, and agree what to do if he stops eating, gets ill or runs out of supplies during the move.
Sources
- Starting out with a diabetic dogA starting guide for new owners
- What happens to my dog's care if I get ill or have to go away suddenly?Training a backup caregiver
- Daily routine for a diabetic dog: meals, insulin and walksWho does what in the daily routine
- How often does a diabetic dog need vet check-ups?What happens at check-ups
- My diabetic dog won't eat — what now?What to do if he stops eating
Every outside source I used is listed on the Sources page.
Related
Q&A
My puppy or young dog has diabetes. Is that different?
Yes, a young dog needs a plan made for his age and growth.
Guide
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.
Q&A
Does this mean my dog has diabetes?
Drinking more, peeing more and losing weight mean it's time to see a vet. Only the vet can tell you if it's diabetes.