Dogs can suffer many of the same health conditions that affect people since we share many of the same biological functions. For example, common conditions that might affect your dog include diabetes, pancreatitis, and kidney disease. Due to the seriousness of these conditions, you may need to alter your dog’s diet in addition to working closely with a veterinarian.
The Best Dog Food for Diabetic Dogs
In searching for diabetic dog food, you’ll want to focus on food that provides low-fat protein options while limiting or excluding carbs and sugar. Here is a short list of options that meet those requirements.
The Farmer’s Dog
This is one of the best food options for diabetic dog diets since it provides higher protein levels while minimizing carbs. Keeping carbs low is as important as reducing sugar since the body converts carbs into sugar. This raises the blood glucose levels to dangerous levels.The main ingredients in The Farmer’s Dog are chicken, chicken liver, brussels sprouts, broccoli, and bok-choy cabbage. The recipe provides 46% protein and only 12% carbs per serving. If you’re looking for treats to supplement the food, pumpkin seeds are low-sugar treat options that your dog will enjoy.
Raised Right
The turkey and pumpkin paté recipe from Raised Right provides all of the protein your dog needs while limiting carbs. When you’re looking for the best diabetic dog food for your pet, this brand is another worthy competitor. Its main ingredients are turkey thigh, turkey liver, turkey heart, organic spearmint, and pumpkin.
This is a grain-free food made up of only 9.9% estimated carbs. It provides 60.7% protein, primarily derived from fresh turkey. The low carbs and higher protein in this recipe make Raised Right an ideal recipe for dogs suffering from type 1 or type 2 diabetes.
Reduced Core
Focusing on providing a low-fat diet, the Reduced Core turkey and chicken recipe provides plenty of protein for your dog. Since it’s grain-free, it eliminates gluten. It provides 36.7% protein. It does have a higher amount of carbs (around 44.2%), so this might be a concern, depending on your dog’s needs.
Its primary ingredients include fresh turkey and turkey meal. The recipe also includes chicken meal, peas, and dried ground potatoes. The recipe is an excellent source of glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate, which are essential compounds for cartilage growth and joint support.
The Best Dog Food for Pancreatitis
The pancreas is responsible for digesting food. When this organ is inflamed, it’s known as pancreatitis which inhibits this process. Being unable to digest food can result in stomach distention, a loss of appetite, and other symptoms. When looking at dog food for pancreatitis, focus on brands that use easily digestible ingredients to reduce symptoms.
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Healthy Weight Dry Food
The manufacturers at Blue Buffalo use lean cuts of fresh chicken as the primary ingredient in their Life Protection Formula. Since this is an all-natural source of protein, your dog will get the nourishment it needs without unnecessary additives. The exclusion of other ingredients helps promote easier digestion.
Additionally, all Blue Buffalo recipes include a broad range of vitamins and nutrients. Included in those beneficial compounds are strong antioxidants. The antioxidants may help repair damage to the tissue of the pancreas while reducing inflammation.
American Journey Healthy Weight
If you’re concerned with costs while also trying to relieve your dog’s pancreatitis symptoms, the chicken and sweet potato recipe is your best choice. While competitively priced, this brand offers everything your dog needs for more efficient digestion. As the recipe name suggests, the primary ingredients are fresh cuts of chicken and sweet potato.
Look to the American Journey Healthy Weight brand if you’re also concerned about weight gain. This formula is low in calories while including ingredients that dogs can easily digest. This combination creates a dog food that your pet will enjoy while their pancreatitis symptoms grow less severe or less frequent.
Solid Gold Fit and Fabulous
Their grain-free weight control formula consists of all-natural ingredients to support easier digestion. The primary ingredients are fresh chicken, sweet potatoes, and green beans. This recipe keeps the dog food low in both fat and calories, helping to promote better weight control.
The recipe includes 26% protein, which primarily comes from fresh chicken. Solid Gold Fit and Fabulous infuses probiotics into the recipe to enhance the digestive process. The antioxidants in the formula help strengthen immune function for better overall health as well.
The Best Dog Food for Kidney Disease
Just as the kidneys filter waste from the bloodstream in people, they serve the same function in your dog. Kidney disease is a condition in which that filtration process loses efficacy, resulting in weight loss, poor appetite, and blood in the urine. When you need dog food for renal support, look for higher quality proteins and reduced amounts of sodium and phosphorus.
Royal Canine Renal Support Dog Food
Established in 1968, Royal Canin’s team of veterinary nutritionists helps them create all of the recipes they market. This includes their renal support recipe, which provides high-quality protein sources. The recipe additionally minimizes the amounts of sodium and phosphorus in each serving.
The recipe contains higher amounts of vitamins C and E, which act as powerful antioxidants. Each serving contains soluble fiber and omega-3 fatty acids. A variety of flavors will help you keep your pet interested in this brand. Between meals, use blueberries as low phosphorus treats for dogs.
Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets NF Kidney Function Formula
Before considering this option for your pet, there are a couple of things to keep in mind. The flavor options are less broad than those available from other brands. You will also need a prescription from your veterinarian to buy this food.
Taking those limitations into account, Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets NF Kidney Function Formula is still a good option. It regulates phosphorus and sodium while providing an excellent source of protein. It contains omega-3 fatty acids and other antioxidants. This formula is another excellent source of soluble fiber.
Follow Your Vet’s Instructions
In addition to choosing a new dog food for your pet, you should consult your vet about treating diabetes, kidney disease, or pancreatitis. Your vet might recommend a specific brand of dog food or caution you against sharing certain human-grade foods with your pets. Following your vet’s instructions can help you keep your dog healthier for longer.
