Question
How do I feed a diabetic dog alongside my other pets?
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
Mealtimes can get chaotic when other pets are quick to pinch food from the bowl. Feed your diabetic dog separately and watch him eat, so you know what he actually ate. Stick to the food and timings your vet set. You don't need to put every pet on his food. Tell the vet if he often steals food or leaves part of a meal.
I never give insulin amounts here. Yours comes from your vet's written plan.
What to know at home
Feeding in separate rooms, or with the door shut, makes it easier to see who ate what. Keep food and treats where nobody can help themselves between meals.
What to write down
- Who eats whose food
- What is left after meals
- Caregiver and feeding arrangements
What to ask next
If you can't keep them apart, ask your vet to help change the plan. If your dog steals food or leaves his meal around insulin time, call the vet rather than trying to even it out yourself.
Sources
- My diabetic dog ate only part of the mealIf he eats only part of a meal
- My dog ate something he shouldn't. What now?If he eats something unplanned
- My diabetic dog grazes all day. Should meals be twice a day?Why set meals work better than leaving food out
- How do I measure my diabetic dog's meals?How to measure his meals
Every outside source I used is listed on the Sources page.
Related
Q&A
How do I care for a diabetic dog in hot weather?
Keep clean water out, and keep your diabetic dog and his insulin out of the heat.
Q&A
What should I write in a notebook for my diabetic dog?
Food, mood, water, injection times and your questions. Keep it short.
Q&A
When does a diabetic dog need a vet the same day?
If he's weak, trembling, collapsing, vomiting or won't eat, call your vet now. Read the rest later.