Feeding a Diabetic Dog?

Question

My 11 year old labrador was diagnosed as diabetic two years ago. She has now hit 11 years old, which is pretty old for a labrador.

But over the past couple of months she has simply not wanted to eat what we put down for her, which is really dangerous for her as she has to have a controlled diet alongside her injections of insulin. We have taken her to the vets a couple of times and he has put her on several different diets, none of which she takes to very long. Yet all of the specialists have advised us not to change it too much too often, as it can mess up the diabetes further. But in the last couple of weeks she has really seriously lost weight to the point where we can see and feel every single bone in her body.

There is no underlying illness, no possibly cancers, digestion problems, nothing as she has had every test under the sun. She is really perky in herself most of the time, quite happy to go for a walk and play in the garden with us. But when it comes to food she just doesn't want to know. She has always been a picky eater, but in her condition it is becoming more and more dangerous.

I have heard before that putting something smelly onto their dinner works well, I believe it was pepper in that instance, which I have tried but she doesn't really want to know. We have mixed in: chicken, salmon, toast, rice, pasta, gravy, all sorts of things.

Has anybody ever been in a similar situation? Or does anybody know of a way to encourage their dog to eat? She needs to eat twice a day, 8 in the morning and 8 in the evening, at the same time as her insulin injections.

Answer 1

my teacher said that chocolates kills dogs..

Answer 2

Dont give her canned food.

Give her fresh meat & table scraps when possible.

Answer 3

11 is pretty old for a lab.  She just may be on her way out.  Sorry to say that.  Will she eat if you hand feed her?  She just may need some help with it.  Do you feed her dry kibble or canned?  If dry, do you put something moist on it to make it easier to chew?  She may have dental problems as well.  Could be a lot of things.  I'm so glad you have put in the time and effort to keep her going even after the diabetes diagnosis.  I know that's a lot of work and responsibility on your part.  

Answer 4

the main things with diabetics is they need to have a low fat diet or it will throw her insulin levels around. perhaps try getting some fresh liver and thinly slice it and cook it and mix it with her regular diet. liver is a very palatable thing for dogs. make sure her food is always warm as it can help encourage her to eat and when ever she does not eat do not give her the insulin until you have spoken to you vet!!. there are a few prescription diets which your vet can tell you about, one of them is a special diet which can be syringe fed so worst comes to worst you can use that as a last resort.

good luck.