Question
My diabetic dog only eats if I add a topper
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
Lots of diabetic dogs ignore their food unless something tasty goes on top. Many vets are happy with a small topper, like plain chicken, egg or the wet version of his food. Tell your vet, because that topper is now part of his meal. Then keep it the same every day. If he refuses even his favourite topper, call your vet before his insulin.
I never give insulin amounts here. Yours comes from your vet's written plan.
What you might see at home
You've got a full bag of food and a dog who won't touch it. Then a bit of plain chicken, egg, or the wet version of the same food goes in, and the bowl is empty.
This is very common, and chicken and egg are the usual choices. Some dogs go off even their favourite topper after a while. If that happens, let your vet know rather than trying one new food after another.
What to write down for the vet
- The food named on the bag, and the topper you actually used.
- Whether he ate the meal, left it, or ate only the topper.
- How many days it's been like this.
- Any vomiting, low energy, or change in how much he drinks.
What to take with you
Take your notes, and the bag if you can. Your vet needs to know about the topper to understand what he's really eating.
If he won't eat at all and insulin time is coming, call your vet before you give the shot. Insulin lowers blood sugar, so giving it to a dog who hasn't eaten can make his sugar drop too low.
Sources
- Can I mix the prescription food with the food he will eat?Mixing prescription food with other food
- My diabetic dog won't eat the prescription foodWhen he will not eat the food
- My diabetic dog ate only part of the mealWhen he eats only part of a meal
- My diabetic dog won't eat — what now?If he will not eat at all
- Do I feed my diabetic dog before the insulin?Why food comes before the insulin
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
My diabetic dog won't eat the prescription food
If he won't touch the food your vet prescribed, call your vet and tell them what he will eat.
Q&A
My diabetic dog ate only part of the meal
If he leaves part of his meal, note what's left. If you've already given insulin, call your vet.
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.