When your diabetic dog won’t eat, it is natural to become worried and to wonder what you should do next. Integrative veterinarian Dr. Julie Buzby provides an easy-to-follow framework for discovering what might be dampening your senior diabetic dog’s appetite. Plus, she offers some practical guidance about how to get your pup eating again, and when to call the veterinarian.
I once had a dog who did not one, not two, but three little jump-spins every single morning and every single evening between the time I filled the bowl and the time I set it on the ground for him. We called it his “happy dance.”
I couldn’t help but smile each time I saw it. And I’m going to guess that many of you also take great joy in watching your own dogs do their “happy dance” at mealtimes.
But what happens when suddenly your dog couldn’t care less about his or her food? And what if your dog has diabetes mellitus and needs to eat in order to receive his or her insulin? That can be an extremely stressful situation. And it can be easy to feel scared or helpless.
However, knowing why your diabetic dog might not be eating, how to encourage him or her to eat, what to do about his or her insulin, and when to call your veterinarian, can go a long way toward helping you feel prepared.
Why does it matter if a diabetic dog won’t eat?
When the veterinary team was teaching you how to administer insulin to your diabetic dog, they probably stressed to you several times the importance of giving insulin right after a meal. And they probably recommended feeding your dog two distinct meals a day. To understand why, let’s take a look at what happens when a dog eats.
Eating + insulin = normal blood sugar
Normally, glucose (i.e. sugar) from the food enters the bloodstream. Then the pancreas releases the hormone insulin, which helps the sugar enter the cells where it can be used for energy. This keeps the dog’s blood sugar at a normal safe level and provides plenty of fuel for the cells.
However, a diabetic dog’s pancreas stops producing insulin. Without insulin, glucose can’t enter the cells, so it builds up in the blood. This leads to dangerously high blood sugar levels, that, over time, cause their own set of problems. And these problems are on top of the fact that all the cells of the body are left starving for energy.
For most diabetic dogs, insulin injections provide the easiest and most effective solution to this dilemma. The supplemental insulin helps transport glucose into the cells, where it can be used for all the vital processes associated with daily life. And the insulin injection also normalizes the dog’s blood sugar.
Not eating + insulin injection = low blood sugar
Due to how insulin works, you shouldn’t give insulin on an empty stomach. It is important that a diabetic dog has eaten prior to receiving insulin. Otherwise, without the influx of glucose from the food, the insulin injection can drop the blood glucose levels too low. Left untreated, low blood sugar (i.e. hypoglycemia) can be dangerous.
Therefore, it is so important to feed a diabetic dog first and ensure that he or she has finished the food. Then, only after you are sure your dog has eaten, should you give the insulin injection.
Additionally, since you must feed your dog a meal, then give insulin, your veterinarian will likely recommend your dog be “meal fed.” In other words, instead of leaving food out all day so your dog can nibble a few bites here and there, you should give your dog a measured amount of food twice per day as two distinct meals. And you should not leave any food out between these mealtimes.
For best blood sugar control, your dog’s meals should be roughly 12 hours apart. This is the case because most long-acting insulin injections work for about 12 hours.
Why won’t a diabetic dog eat?
Based on what we have discussed, if your diabetic dog isn’t eating his or her food, this could be a problem. But you (plus your vet) can get to the bottom of it and find some good solutions.
The first step is to do some sleuthing to try to determine why your diabetic dog isn’t eating. I like to break up the potential causes into three main categories—food-related causes, behavior-related causes, and medical causes. I will pair each one with some questions to ask yourself. Often, the answers can help you determine the cause of your dog’s inappetence.
Food-related reasons your diabetic dog won’t eat
Ask yourself:
- Have you recently changed foods?
- Does the food seem spoiled?
- Is the food past its expiration date?
- Is your dog filling up on treats or table scraps outside of mealtime?
Consider recent food changes
A healthy dog shouldn’t normally stop eating simply because he or she is tired of the food you are offering. But just like humans, dogs can have food preferences too. If you have recently switched from canned food to dry food, to a different brand of food, or to a prescription dog food, it is possible that your dog isn’t a fan of the new diet. In this situation, if there isn’t a medical reason to stay on the new food, consider trying to switch back to the old diet. Sometimes, that is all it takes to get your diabetic dog eating again.
Check for expired or spoiled food
If you haven’t recently switched diets, do a quick visual and sniff check to make sure your pup’s food doesn’t seem spoiled. If there are no new offending odors or signs of spoilage, also check the expiration date to ensure the food isn’t out of date.
Tally your dog’s treats and table food
Once you have ensured the food isn’t spoiled or expired, start thinking about whether your pup might be filling up on other food during the day. Sometimes your furry family member can eat a lot of treats and table scraps. And then he or she isn’t hungry for his or her regular food at mealtimes.
For most dogs, a few small, low-calorie treats throughout the day are just fine. But as a rule, treats shouldn’t account for more than about 10% of a dog’s caloric needs. And we must be even more judicious about treats in diabetic dogs as they can interfere with diabetic control.
While investigating, you might want to check with everyone in the family about treats and table scraps. I have seen many cases where each family member was giving treats in an amount that seemed reasonable. But when combined, it was too many calories.
Along the same lines, small dogs don’t need very many calories. This means that even a seemingly small number of treats can be too many.
Luckily, if you are worried that excess treats may be contributing to your dog not eating meals, this is an easy fix. Simply scale back significantly on treats and tables scraps in your diabetic dog’s diet, and see if your dog’s appetite improves.
If none of these food-related causes seem to be at play, move down the list to determine if a behavior-related issue might be the culprit.
Behavior-related reasons your diabetic dog won’t eat
Ask yourself:
- Has your dog always exhibited signs of “pickiness,” or is this a new issue?
- Will your dog willingly eat treats or table scraps but not his or her normal food?
- Have there been any major changes lately in your home or lifestyle that might be contributing to your dog feeling stressed, fearful, or anxious?
- Is your dog exhibiting any other new signs of stress, fear, or anxiety such as hiding, skittishness, or separation anxiety? (To help recognize the signs, check out this graphic about the spectrum of fear, anxiety, and stress in dogs.)
Consider your pup’s pickiness score
Most of my family’s dogs have been the type to never miss a meal. They would be more likely to gorge themselves silly on any food left in sight than to skip dinner. But there are plenty of other dogs out there who are not as food-motivated.
If your dog skipped some meals or was generally picky prior to being diagnosed with diabetes in dogs, then this behavior might be typical for him or her. Try to work with your veterinarian to find a diet that your dog likes and will reliably eat. And ideally, one that is also relatively diabetic-friendly.
If your dog wasn’t a fussy eater before, then it is more likely that something else is at play. And it is worth investigating his or her newly reduced appetite a bit further.
Identify stress, fear, or anxiety
Have you ever felt so stressed or upset that you lost your appetite? Did you know the same thing can happen with our beloved canine companions? Big environmental or life changes can sometimes cause stressed pups to skip a meal or two. Common culprits might include boarding away from home, moving to a new home, or the addition of a new pet or family member.
Additionally, some diabetic dogs have previously demonstrated anxiety related to a specific trigger, such as separation or storms. Therefore, it would not be surprising for them to skip a meal if they were exposed to those anxiety-inducing situations.
If you suspect that anxiety might be related to your diabetic dog’s lack of appetite, talk to your vet. Together, you can discuss general solutions for your dog’s anxiety. And your vet can help you decide whether anti-anxiety medication like trazodone for dogs might be beneficial.
Medical reasons a diabetic dog won’t eat
Ask yourself:
- Does your dog have a history of any other medical issues besides diabetes?
- Did your dog eat anything that could have caused GI upset?
- Is your dog exhibiting any other signs of illness like vomiting, diarrhea, or lethargy?
- Is your dog exhibiting any new symptoms of dental disease like foul breath or excessive drooling?
Remember that some medical conditions are more common in diabetic dogs
A diagnosis of diabetes is normally met with understandable stress on the part of the dog’s parent. I try to immediately follow this heavy news with the good news that most diabetic dogs can live a long and full life with diligent medical care. However, despite offering that reassurance, I do also want dog parents to know that diabetic dogs are predisposed to a few medical issues that can lead to a decreased appetite.
The two conditions that top the list are pancreatitis in dogs and diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) in dogs. With these conditions, you would expect to see other signs of illness in addition to a decreased appetite. Some of the most common symptoms include:
- Signs of nausea (e.g., dog keeps licking lips)
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Decreased energy (being a lethargic dog)
- Abdominal pain (in the case of pancreatitis)
Both conditions require prompt evaluation (potentially as an emergency vet visit) and careful veterinary care to increase the chances of your beloved dog making a full recovery.
Consider these additional medical conditions
There are also plenty of other medical conditions that can cause a decreased appetite and are common in both diabetic and non-diabetic dogs.
Some additional medical issues that might make your diabetic dog reluctant to eat include:
- Acute Gastrointestinal (GI) Disease
- Non-specific gastroenteritis
- Dietary indiscretion
- GI parasites
- GI foreign bodies
- Chronic Gastrointestinal Disease
- Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD in dogs)
- Gastrointestinal cancer
- Oral pain or dental disease in dogs
- Liver disease in dogs
- Kidney failure in dogs
- Cancer
Remember that this is not an exhaustive list. A good rule of thumb is that if your diabetic dog skips a meal and is displaying any other concerning signs, the safest thing to do is to call your veterinarian for advice.
What should you do if your diabetic dog won’t eat?
If your diabetic dog turns up his or her nose at either breakfast or dinner, first take a deep breath. Work through the questions and causes we have just discussed. And then consider trying one of the following four tricks to try to get your diabetic dog to eat.
PLEASE NOTE: If your dog has skipped more than one meal, or otherwise seems to be feeling poorly, skip to the next section. Missing multiple meals and/or acting sick is a good reason to contact your veterinarian promptly.
1. Add a tempting but safe topper
Adding a desirable topping is an easy first step when trying to get your diabetic dog interested in his or her meal. You want to steer clear of anything too rich or fatty because of the risk of pancreatitis. But that still leaves you with plenty of options.
You may want to try adding some canned dog food if dry kibble is your dog’s normal fare. And you can even consider heating the entire concoction in the microwave for 10 seconds or so to make it extra smelly and enticing. Just be careful to stir up the food and check the temperature prior to feeding it to your dog. Microwaves can sometimes heat unevenly and create dangerously-hot pockets of food that could burn your dog’s mouth.
If that doesn’t work, low-sodium chicken broth, a tablespoon or two of plain meat baby food, or a bit of shredded cooked boneless skinless chicken breast are also good options. Just ensure those toppers don’t contain any garlic or onions. While flavorful for humans, these can be toxic to dogs.
Finally, using a small amount of plain non-fat, or low-fat yogurt or even a sprinkle of grated parmesan cheese on the food is also a safe way to tempt a diabetic dog that won’t eat.
2. Try hand-feeding your dog
This one doesn’t make very much logical sense. But I have seen it work successfully too many times for reluctant-to-eat hospitalized patients to not to share it with you. It also has the added benefit of being very simple.
All you need to do is try to gently coax your pup to eat by hand-feeding him or her. Just don’t get too overzealous and venture into force-feeding territory. Force-feeding is not recommended since it can cause aspiration pneumonia and food aversions.
3. Check your dog’s blood glucose
This tip won’t necessarily get your diabetic dog to eat. But it can give you helpful information so you can determine if you need to visit a veterinarian sooner rather than later. And don’t worry, this tip only applies if you already have blood sugar monitoring equipment at home. If you don’t have the right supplies or know how to check your dog’s blood sugar, then it is perfectly fine to skip this step.
However, if you do have a blood glucose monitor and you know how to check your dog’s blood sugar, go ahead and see if the blood glucose is worrisomely high (>400 mg/dL) or dangerously low (<80 mg/dL). Blood glucose readings that fall in those danger zones should prompt a call to your veterinarian to discuss what to do next.
4. Give a reduced dose of insulin
Deciding whether to give insulin may be the most anxiety-inducing part of having a diabetic dog who won’t eat. At this point, you are probably well-versed in why diabetic dogs need insulin. And you also know why insulin must be given with food.
Therefore it proves to be quite a pickle if you have a diabetic dog who won’t eat. But luckily, it is one that often isn’t overly complicated to sort out in the short term. If your dog skips ONE meal, then you can give half of the normal dose of insulin. If their dose is an odd number of units, simply round down to the nearest whole unit instead of trying to measure half unit in your insulin syringe.
PLEASE NOTE: This advice is only good if your dog skips a single meal, otherwise seems to be feeling fine, and your vet hasn’t advised you differently. If you give half the dose of insulin and your pup skips a second meal, do not give any insulin. Instead, call or visit your veterinarian.
When should you call your vet?
If you have been paying attention to the warnings along the way, you already know that all the advice so far is centered on the assumption that your pup has skipped just one meal and is feeling and acting normal. However, that isn’t always going to be the case. So I want to also provide you with a quick reference guide for when to involve your vet.
Your dog skips two consecutive meals
If your diabetic dog skips more than one meal in a row, the best thing you can do is call your veterinarian. This helps ensure none of the more serious medical issues are at play. Prolonged inappetence is especially problematic for diabetic dogs since they cannot receive their insulin regularly if they don’t eat. And some of the conditions diabetic dogs are predisposed to, like diabetic ketoacidosis, can even be fatal without prompt and aggressive veterinary care.
I don’t say this to scare you. Rather, I hope to impress upon you the gravity of the situation if a diabetic dog doesn’t want to eat. You have a bit more leeway with a non-diabetic dog who won’t eat. But with a diabetic dog, skipping more than one meal is truly a medical emergency.
Your dog is acting sick (even if he or she only skipped one meal)
Additionally, if your diabetic dog is showing signs that he or she isn’t feeling well, you should go ahead and get the ball rolling to see a veterinarian. This is the case even if your dog only skips a single meal or is still eating.
Some symptoms that should spur you toward more immediate action include:
- Not drinking in addition to not eating
- Any amount of throwing up
- Multiple episodes of diarrhea
- Any significant change in behavior or lack of energy
Your veterinarian can help
If you find yourself in this situation, your veterinarian can perform a thorough physical exam on your dog and run tests to check for underlying medical conditions. Sometimes this uncovers a problem that the vet will then address.
But even if it doesn’t, going to the vet offers peace of mind and access to additional medical therapies to improve your dog’s appetite. Useful tools in the vet’s toolbox include prescription antinausea medications (like cerenia for dogs) and appetite stimulants for dogs. Sometimes those medications can jumpstart your pup’s appetite.
If your furry family member still won’t eat despite outpatient treatments, then your veterinarian can discuss the option of hospitalization. This gives the vet the ability to administer IV fluids, monitor your dog’s blood glucose, and use injectable short-acting insulin that is safer and easier to titrate for dogs who aren’t reliably eating. The combination of these therapies can help get your diabetic dog feeling and eating, better.
Occasionally, if a diabetic dog is recovering from a serious concurrent medical issue that might negatively affect his or her appetite for a longer period, the vet may also recommend placing an esophageal feeding tube. If your canine companion is in this situation, rest assured that your veterinarian will discuss the ins and outs of this option with you at length.
The right amount of concern when your diabetic dog isn’t eating
It would be great if I could tell you that you don’t have to worry at all if your diabetic dog isn’t eating, but that simply isn’t true. As we have discussed, not eating can quickly become dangerous for diabetic dogs. And it may be an indicator of other medical problems too.
However, that doesn’t mean you need to let fear and stress damage your relationship with your diabetic dog. You can, and should, still enjoy watching his or her adorable mealtime antics. And if one day your diabetic dog doesn’t eat a meal, take a deep breath and calmly work through the steps in this article.
Maybe you find a simple solution and your dog goes right back to eating like clockwork. If so, that is great! But, if he or she refuses the second meal in a row or is acting sick, don’t delay in consulting with your veterinarian. The sooner you take action, the sooner you and your dog can get back to doing the mealtime “happy dance” again.
How do you monitor your diabetic dog’s eating without becoming stressed about it?
Please share below.
My 16 year old Carin, Molly was recently diagnosed back in 2023 as being diabetic. Before getting the diagnosis, she had lost her sight. Prior to losing her sight, I noticed she was drinking a significant amount of water and was frequently urinating large amounts, along with having accidents. We immediately took her to the vet and bloodwork was done, that’s when we discovered her diabetes diagnosis and glucose level being extremely elevated in the low 600’s. That is the day she started taking 9 units of insulin twice daily. We have been able to regulate her blood sugar levels with some adjustments of her insulin along the way. Molly, has always been a dog who was always driven by food. We recently were recommended by her vet to give Molly Nutri Cal, which helps increase her blood sugar levels, when she would she would refuse to eat, then we were told to give her the insulin.. But when she kept refusing to eat, we were told by the vet to continue to give her the Nutri Cal, then the insulin after, even if she refused to eat. We finally took her in to the vet, because she would not eat, so they tested her blood sugar level and it was extremely dangerously low at 32 and that was due to her not wanting to eat, then giving her the Nutri Cal, and insulin, which the vet had told us to do prior. As of 10/23/24, she has refused to eat all of her favorite cooked foods. We have also tried hand feeding her and are constantly switching up her foods. And as of today she has stopped drinking water. I have a appointment to take Molly to the vet tomorrow to have her blood sugar checked. Molly is truly my best friend and I love her so much and at the same time, I am struggling with the decision of possibly letting her go, but I definitely don’t want to see her suffer. I have actually reached out to Road to Home for Pets. I guess what I want to know from you is, am I doing the right thing? Or is there something else I can do for her? Or how much time do you think I have left with her? All I want to do is make her feel comfortable until the end. Thanks for listening.
Dear Rochelle,
I am sorry you are facing this difficult situation with Molly. Without playing a personal role in her medical care it is hard to make specific conclusions about her prognosis or what you will be facing in the near future. It does sound like her condition is worsening and it is possible she is nearing her final days. You may want to consider a consultation with an internal medicine specialist. Also, it is ok to let go before all joy is lost and the only thing that remains is pain. I would rather say goodbye one day too early than one day too late and allow unnecessary suffering. Here is a link to an article that may offer additional advice: Signs Your Dog With Diabetes Is Dying
Hoping you can find the answers you need to make the best choice for you and Molly. Bless you both. ♥
My diabetic dog (diagnosed in April 2023) is not eating her usual food and has diarrhea, but she will eat turkey and other foods. It is hard to test her blood sugar as the blood just won’t be enough. I’m nowhere near my regular vet. Other than the diarrhea, multiple times, and not eating her usual food, she is acting pretty normal. She did get into chicken bones earlier today. Not sure how to adjust her insulin due to the lack of BG readings. Ideas?
Hi Krista,
I understand your concern for your pup and agree this may be cause for concern. Unfortunately, without examining her myself, it is hard to know if this is an urgent matter. If in doubt, I would say to skip the insulin until you can talk with your vet. It is much safer for your girl’s blood sugar to be high than to accidentally drop it too low. The chicken bones may cause an issue but that will need more in-depth investigation by your vet. Hoping all is well and praying your girl was able to recover uneventfully. Feel free to leave an update if you have a chance.
My fur baby just got out of the hospital yesterday after having pancreatitis and was diagnosed with diabetes he had his breakfast and his insulin then but is refusing his dinner I’m worried about him missing his nighttime dose of insulin what should I do?
Hi Debbie,
I am sorry your pup has been through so much in the last few days. Please call your vet anytime there are changes in behavior or appetite as this could be signs of other issues that need to be addressed promptly. If your boy does not eat, it is not recommended to give the insulin as it could cause his blood sugar to drop dangerously low. Low blood sugar levels are much more life threatening than high levels. Hoping all is well today and praying your sweet boy can get back on the right track.
Just started testing our handsome Malachi who is -2 years old. 2x a day 5cc after eating. But he loves treats. Tonight he refuses to eat. Should I skip a dose and just start again in morning ?? I’m nervous… vet said that if he has to skip one dose it would not hurt him as long as he gifs back to normal the next day. What should I do. Give him half a dose or skip
Hi Maureen,
I understand your concern for your pup and am sorry he is facing this difficult diagnosis. It is not recommended to give insulin if your pup doesn’t eat as this could cause his blood sugar to drop to a dangerously low level. Low blood sugar is much more life threatening than high levels. Please contact your vet as soon as you can and inform them of this change in your pup’s appetite. Loss of appetite may be nothing to worry about if it is just one meal that is missed. But if things don’t return to normal promptly, this could be a sign of more serious issues that need to be addressed right away. Hoping all is well and wishing you and Malachi all the best.
Hi. I think I commented here before. I am having trouble regulating my diabetic dog. My question is my vet gave instructions to feed my dog BEFORE eating then wait 30 minutes to feed. This seems logical as the novolin n doesn’t start working for 1 to 1 1/2 hour later. She always eats and is hungry all the time she is on novilin n twice a day Instructions are give 10 units of insulin if by is over 250 to 350 and 12 units if over 350. None if under 250. So many sites recommend feeding first. I tried to discuss this with vet but was told by tech to follow the instructions. Now I am an adult and it is right to question especially when health is at risk. My pup is 6 years old. Yorkie/pom mix and is overweight at 19 lbs. she has been on insulin for 2 months now and I can’t get her regulated. Have had no low complications but her big runs mostly high. Long message I know but I can’t find answers. Can you help
Hi Wanda,
Yes, I replied to your other comment yesterday. I hope you will see my original reply as I attached some links to other helpful articles about how to manage diabetes. Anytime you have lingering concerns about your girl’s medical care it is always ok to get a second opinion or reach out for advice. I never give insulin to a dog before they have eaten a meal. This is because low blood sugar is much more life threatening than high blood sugar. So, if you give insulin and then the dog doesn’t eat, you run the risk of dropping their blood sugar too low. Low blood sugar can cause seizures and can lead to coma and death if not corrected quickly. There are many reasons that it can be challenging to get a diabetic well regulated. This article explains some of the causes in more detail: Diabetes in Dogs: The Ultimate Guide
I encourage you to investigate ways to make your dog’s diet more diabetic friendly. The right diet can be a real game changer in cases like this. Hoping this helps a bit. Wishing you and your sweet girl all the best!
Thank you again. I got the guide I appreciate you taking the time
Hi, My almost 11-year-old border collie, Mellie, was just diagnosed with diabetes a week ago. It has been a struggle to get her to eat ANYTHING! She has never been food avoidant like this. I have tried just about everything. She is used to eating kibble, so I bought weight control dog food both dry and wet/canned. I made some chiken, egg, overcooked rice with broth. Nope. (my other dog gobbled these options down happily,) I tried just getting her to take some chicken breast that she normally LOVES, but completely disinterested. I have only been giving her small does of insulin and I just received the glucometer today. She got her partial insulin dose at 7:30 am and at 12:30 her blood sugar was 97. I let her rest and get some wather and tested again at 2:30 and it was 150 then 157 another 2 hours later. I REALLY am trying to get her to eat, but nothing. I am going to call the doc tomorrow, but she does have a follow up on Monday. Any guidance (withouot criticism) will be ENORMOUSLY APPRECIATED! Thank you!
Hi Kristen,
I am so sorry you are facing this difficult disease with your senior girl. I am glad you were planning to call your vet as it may be necessary to have Mellie rechecked just to make sure nothing else is contributing to her lack of appetite. Some diabetic dogs can become unregulated and end up in a state called ketoacidosis. This is a medical emergency and needs to be addressed right away. Of course, I can’t say for sure if this is the case for your girl, but I am sure your vet will rule this possibility out pretty quickly. It may be necessary to use an appetite stimulant for a while until you can get things under control. Hoping you were able to get some answers and praying Mellie is back to living her best life. Never hesitate to reach here out for advice from our readers. This is a place for encouragement and support, and no one should ever feel criticized. Best wishes and bless you both!
My diabetic dog was out on prescription hills multinWD food but hates it it’s very expensive to have to throw out. It’s canned..The only way Zi can get her y
To before her insulin injection,is to giver boiled chicken fillets. If I add it to the prescription food,she just picks the chicken out And will leave the rest.
There must be other food..the vet is cold, and says, leave it out, when she’s hungry she will eat..I hate. To leave it all day, as it could go back,,,I put in frig, then take it out for dinner and she still will not eat it she does eat the boiled chicken. Any suggestions for me..I am so upset about this, and the twelve hour span,,,she cries to eat , but not the hills diet food..
Hi Jan,
I am sorry your pup is not wanting to eat her prescription food. While she may be picky with anything you try, there are definitely options to explore. Several dog food companies make prescription diets. It may be worth trying a different brand or utilizing a mixture of dry and canned food. If your girl isn’t a big fan of Hill’s, then see if your vet is willing to order or write you a prescription for Purina, or Royal Canin. I am hopeful you can find a way to get her the nutrition she needs and also keep her diabetes regulated. Wishing you all the best of luck!
Jan,
I’m having the same issue with my 14 year old diabetic miniature poodle. He’s been eating prescription Hill’s W/D dry and canned food consistently since 2020. Now he can’t stand eating the stuff and I’ve been dealing with this since April/May 2024. He’s been back and forth to the vet. Nothing alarming but of course his glucose levels now more out of wack because of the inconsistent eating, diet and insulin dosages. He will eat the Simply Nourish Chicken Shreds with pumpkin cans/packets or Simply Nourish Homestyle stew from Petsmart only when it’s not mixed or touching the W/D. And now his stomach is upset and his poop is loose and of course more PU/PD. Oh got some of the low fat ID canned food since GI is upset and he barely wants that too. Oh but he’ll eat my cat’s food if he can get to it so he has an appetite just doesn’t want that prescription stuff now. Believe me I understand how hard it is to just waste it in the trash because now your dog won’t eat it. Seems weird that diabetic dogs like mine that use to gobble this up are now refusing to eat this stuff? Wouldn’t surprise me if they changed the formulation like they cut the dry kibble size in half last year and didn’t put that on the bag. He’s also wasn’t a fan of the prescription RC Glycobalance but maybe your dog might like it. It is VERY frustrating and the stress has contributed to me having a bad case of gastritis too! I’m hoping things improve for you and your little one very soon. Good luck 🙂
Hi Ashley,
I am sorry you are having such a tough time getting your boy to eat consistently. Thank you for offering advice and support to others as they navigate this difficult situation too. Hoping you can stay strong and continue to find ways to maintain your senior pup’s health. Best wishes and bless you both!
thank you for that info.for my dog Trevor who has just been diagnosed with diabetes.hes got ABIT of pancreatitis.hes not been eating.but he will eat tasty chicken.but l will try anything to get him to eat.so he can have his insulin.it is a worry.so all of you out there good luck.with it.we are not alone.
Dear Diane,
I am sorry you are trying to navigate this difficult path with Trevor. Praying for his healing and for brighter days ahead. ♥
My chiweenie has a large tumor on her underbelly that is cancerous and has apparently spread. My vet feel like this is the culprit for her developing diabetes. I have had her on a special diet for managing diabetes (Hills Diet) and feeding her exactly 12 hours apart then dosing her for right at a year now. This week there have been a couple of occasions that she will not eat in the morning. My vet recommended giving her 1/2 a dose of insulin when this occurs. This happened again this morning. I feed her at 8am and 8pm. It is 2:15 pm and she acts like she is starving and she is shivering. Is there any treat that I can give her to tide her over until her next scheduled feeding? Would that require another partial dose of insulin?
Hi Jennifer,
I am sorry you experienced this worrisome situation with your little pup. If you think your girl is truly hungry, I would offer a small amount of her normal food instead of some kind of treat. Also, her shaking has me a bit concerned. There is a slight risk that her blood sugar could be too low since she still received some insulin earlier in the day. I encourage you to reach out to your vet and get their expert opinion. They can advise you how to proceed or let you know if you need to bring your dog into the clinic to have her blood sugar level checked. Hoping all is well and wishing you both the best!
I recently found this site and I am thrilled with your compassion and knowledge. Thank you !
My little guy is 14, and diabetic. My question is this. It is recommended that insulin is given every 12 hours. This is nearly impossible. He won’t eat until 8.30 am or after. Then he is starving at 5.30 ! So we are never at 12 hours. Each night about an hour after he gets insulin he pants
And pants and after an hour he calms
Down. Could this be that his morning dose is still working and now he is getting more before the recommended 12 hours?
Any suggestions would be so appreciated. We almost lost him 3 weeks
Ago to pancreatitis:( thank you for your expertise and kindness.
Hi Vanessa,
I am sorry your senior guy is dealing with this troublesome disease. These are all great questions, and I am glad you are reaching out for advice. The recommended timing of the injections and the length of their action all depends on the type of insulin your pup has been prescribed. Some insulin is long acting while others are short acting and would be cleared from the body within a few hours. I am not familiar with insulin causing a dog to pant but anything is possible. Here is a link to an article with more information: Diabetes in Dogs: The Ultimate Guide
If you have any lingering concerns or unanswered questions, don’t hesitate to ask your vet about scheduling a consultation with an internal medicine specialist. Wishing you all the best and praying your sweet boy has many happy days ahead!
My Yorkie is 14 years old and has been diabetic for 8 years
She always been well controlled but over the last few months she has had reduced appetite and lost 1kgm in weight
Her blood sugars are erratic ranging from 2 – 33 …when I reduce the dose when she is low then she ends up high before bed so I increase the dose but then 6 hours later she has a hypo my vet has no idea what is going on
I have tried a curve at home but she was on recovery food and a/bs and her readings were high – could that be a factor ?
I have had sleepless nights with worry 😪
Hi Anne,
I am so sorry your girl is having these issues and agree these low blood sugar episodes are cause for concern. It may be a good idea to talk to your vet about a referral to an internal medicine specialist. Hopefully they can get some answers and offer a good solution to get your girl stabilized. Some vets are starting to use continuous glucose monitors, such as the FreeStyle Libre, with great results. This may be an option to get an accurate glucose curve from your pup. Hoping you can find the best way to get your sweet girl back on track. Praying for a quick and full recovery.
My dog is 15 and been diabetic for 2 years. She has got picky over her eating. She also has a nasty growth type thing on her back foot. It doesn’t make her limp, she walks flatter on it, but I think at her age surgery wouldn’t be an option. The vets have given me anti inflammatory meds for her but I’m wondering if her lack of appetite may be due to the discomfort, but don’t want to give NSAID if she’s not eating properly. A bit of a catch 22 I think. Any suggestions please?
Dear Sue,
I understand your concern for your senior girl and can see why you are unsure how to proceed. Has your girl been examined by your vet recently? If not, it could be a good time for a checkup. With this recent change in appetite, it would be best to make sure nothing more serious is contributing to this issue. Hoping you can get some answers and find a clear path forward. Wishing you both nothing but the best.
My dog is almost 14 and has had diabetes for 5 years. He has recently shown a decline in health with low blood sugar, lack of energy and interest in most normal activities. My vet has been honest about what is likely heading toward the end of Jack’s life.
The last few days he has not wanted to eat and stopped wanting any of his normal treats as well. If I can get 1/4 cup of food in him, I’ll give him a very small amount of insulin. I’ve added a new food topper hoping he will want to eat more in the coming days.
Hi Beth,
My heart aches for you as you see Jack’s health slowing declining. If he is not eating, then there may not be a need for the insulin at this point. Please make sure your vet is staying informed of how things are progressing. They may want to discuss your boy’s quality of life and help you navigate this difficult path. Here is a link with more information that might be needed in the near future: Signs Your Dog With Diabetes Is Dying
Praying for your strength and comfort to face the days ahead. Bless you and your senior boy.
my dog is diabetic and his protein allergy. I started sneaking in his regular dog food, which is Hill ZD and gradually he decided that he was going to spit out his regular food and just eat the food that he likes. Now he is refusing even an egg that he used to love, he will eat boiled chicken, but like I said he is allergic to protein. What do I do? I’m at a loss he’s become very picky.
Hi Amanda,
I am sorry your pup is giving you so much trouble with his food preferences. It is hard for me to make specific recommendations without knowing all the details and playing a personal role in your dog’s medical care. What sources of protein is he allergic to? I am not sure I have ever come across a dog that was allergic to ALL protein. Please make sure your vet is aware of this issue. They may be able to offer alternative food options that are safe and work with your pup’s specific needs. Also, you can always request a consultation with a veterinary nutritionist. They are great at formulating diets that can be made at home but are still nutritionally complete. Best wishes and good luck!
my d9g only ate a third of his meal but given his full dose of insulin. shud I be worried or give him a snack..he seems fine at moment…
Hi Sally,
I understand your concern for your diabetic dog in this tricky situation. I hope all is well and things were ok. If you ever have immediate concerns about your dog’s well-being, please reach out to your vet or the closest emergency clinic for support. All my best to you both!
Hi I’ve enjoyed reading your articles. My dog is diabetic and has a high alkaline phosphatase. She is on Cesar dogfood. Would you recommend something different?
Hi Patricia,
There are so many different dog food brands and options, and I am not familiar with the nutrition information for each one. It is likely there could be a better food for your dog’s specific needs and medical conditions. I would recommend you talk to your vet about her diet. It can be helpful to bring the food’s packaging with you so your vet can evaluate the details of the food’s ingredients. You can also schedule a phone consultation with a veterinary nutritionist if needed.