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.
Hi
Thank you for all the information and knowledge you share.
My 10 year old Cavoodle was diagnosed with diabetes two weeks ago. And I am stressing out. After being a free eater, she now has to eat at 05.30am and 17.30pm, which is very difficult to persuade her to do, especially in the mornings.
However, my question relates to the giving of the insulin. She has now associated eating with the injection and the fact that she has felt it a couple of times (due to my incompetence and lack of skill) has scared her. This morning she would not stay still for me to inject her – she kept trying to get away. If she eats, but I can’t inject her – a) for how long afterwards can I keep trying e.g. can she be injected up to an hour or more after she’s eaten?
Kind regards
Trish
Hi Trish,
I am sorry your pup is starting to show signs of anxiety toward her insulin injections. I am glad you are reaching out for answers as these are some important questions! The goal of giving insulin with the meal is to try and prevent the blood sugar spike that comes after eating. If you give the insulin too long after a meal, it will still help to lower blood sugar but may not prevent the highest blood sugar spike. Also, the reason the insulin injections are timed for exactly 12 hours apart is that the insulin remains active for the whole 12 hours. So, if you are giving the morning injection later than usual, you would need to also give the evening injection later than usual. If the timing is too close together, you run the risk of having both injections taking affect at the same time and lowering the blood sugar too much and causing a hypoglycemic crisis. If you cannot get the morning dose into your girl within an hour of eating it may be best to just skip that dose and proceed as usual for the evening. Of course, it would be best to discuss this with your vet since they are more familiar with your pup’s medical details. Hoping you can keep things under control and wishing you both all the best!
My dog is a new diabetic. Her sugars are really high, over 33. We spent the day at our vets last Tuesday so they could check her blood sugar every couple of hours. At her usually time they gave her 9 units of insulin and we monitored her very closely in case her sugar dropped too low. Unfortunately that didn’t happen. Her last sugar at the end of the day was 33.1. The vet said to start her on 6 units of insulin twice a day, she was only getting insulin once a day. Yesterday she had to go back to her blood sugar checked again. Although still very high it dropped to 28.9. The vet left her on 6 units of insulin twice a day as he didn’t want to adjust it too soon. She has to go back next week to get her blood sugar checked again. They will decide then if her insulin has to be adjusted. She eats twice a day and is on a high protein dry dog food. The problem today is she has hardly eaten anything. She usually eats her breakfast but didn’t today. I read your suggestions about giving her half a dose of insulin if she misses one meal so I gave her 3 units if insulin. Is this okay as her sugars are really high so I don’t think she will become hypoglycemic I am watching her very closely for any signs as our vet had told me previously the signs of hypoglycemia. My dog is a toy poodle and is 14 years old.
Hi Constance,
I understand your concern for your pup and think it is good you are monitoring things so closely. It sounds like you are making the right adjustments, but I would recommend you also contact your vet and let them know about the change in appetite. There are some complications that diabetics can experience (such as ketoacidosis) that would require prompt medical attention. If you have any lingering questions or your girl has recurring issues with eating, please don’t hesitate to have her evaluated by your vet. Hoping all is well and wishing you both nothing but the best.
hi , I have a 8 yr poodle she has been diabetic for a year now , I really worry about her weight loss , though now she is a ideal weight sometimes she only eats half her breakfast, If she eat 3/4 do I still give her a full dose of insulin or just half I’m so stressed and worried about her as she was my mum’s dogs and she has died now .
Dear Kerry,
I understand your concern for your Poodle. It can be tricky to adjust insulin dosages with an appetite that changes daily. I strongly recommend you contact your vet and get their expert guidance. They are more familiar with your dog’s medical details and would be able to offer better guidance since I have not played a personal role in your dog’s care. I am hopeful there is an easy way to continue managing your pup’s diabetes treatment. Wishing you strength and comfort as you walk this unknown path and offering you my deepest sympathy on the loss of your mother. ♥
hello I have just found this site and I am at my wits end what to do, my shitzhu is 3 weeks in with diabetes and has become extremely reactive with having the injections, which is extremely distressing for me, he doesn’t always get the full dose if any because of his extreme behaviour. please please help.
Dear Susi,
I am sorry you are having issues with giving your pup his insulin injections. It is hard to know what advice to offer without being able to see what is happening in person. Please reach out to your vet and make sure they are aware of how your pup is reacting. They can schedule a time for you to come into the clinic and allow them to watch while you give the insulin. This will help them offer the best advice and guidance. Hoping for an easy solution and wishing you all the best.
Hello:
When I first started giving my dog insulin, I wrapped her up like a little burrito, which is like swaddling a baby. I’ve done this to her when I’ve had to syringe feed her, which I’ve had to do a few times since I brought her home.
Hi April,
Yes, this is a great technique that can make giving injections at home much easier. Thank you for sharing your experience with us!
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!