Question
My diabetic dog won't eat the prescription food
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
Plenty of dogs turn their nose up at the food the vet prescribed, and with insulin in the mix that's a worry. Most vets would rather switch him to one he likes than leave him hungry, and they can help you choose. Write down what he refuses and what he'll take. If meals are going uneaten, call your vet before his next insulin.
I never give insulin amounts here. Yours comes from your vet's written plan.
What you might see at home
The vet sends you home with a bag of diabetic food. He sniffs it and walks off. But he'll still eat chicken, his old food, or something wet.
This happens with all the big brands, including Hill's, Royal Canin and Purina. Some dogs eat it happily for a week and then stop. If he eats it but always seems hungry, that's a different problem and worth its own talk with your vet.
What to write down for the vet
- The full name on the bag, and how many meals he's refused.
- What he will still eat, including toppers and treats.
- Whether insulin time is close, and whether any meal was missed.
- How his energy is, any vomiting, and how much he's drinking.
What to take with you
Take the bag and your notes. Be honest about what he actually ate, even if it was mostly treats.
Don't leave him hungry in the hope that he'll give in, because a diabetic dog on insulin needs to eat. And don't switch foods without telling your vet, since any change can affect his sugar.
Sources
- Does my diabetic dog have to eat a prescription food?Whether prescription food is a must
- Can I mix the prescription food with the food he will eat?Mixing in food he will eat
- My diabetic dog only eats if I add a topperUsing a topper to get him eating
- My diabetic dog won't eat — what now?What to do when he will not eat
- Hill's, Royal Canin, or Purina: what are people comparing?How the big diabetic diets compare
Every outside source I used is listed on the Sources page.
Related
Q&A
My diabetic dog won't eat — what now?
Call your vet before the next injection is due.
Q&A
Can I mix the prescription food with the food he will eat?
Mixing foods is very common. Tell your vet exactly what goes in the bowl, and keep the mix the same.
Q&A
Does my diabetic dog have to eat a prescription food?
Not always. Most vets say a steady, balanced food can work, but your vet makes the call.
Q&A
My diabetic dog only eats if I add a topper
Plenty of diabetic dogs only eat with a topper. That's usually fine, as long as your vet knows and you keep it the same every day.