Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Getting Started

Diabetes in dogs: The risk factors and symptoms all pet parents need to know

Symptoms of a diabetic dog: What they are and what to do if you notice them in your pet

BethAnn Mayer
By

Diabetes is a common disease in humans, but it can happen to dogs, too. The definition of the chronic condition is the same for canines and people.

Diabetes involves insulin and glucose. Insulin is a hormone produced by the dog’s pancreas that regulates glucose, or blood sugar. Diabetes occurs when the dog has unregulated blood sugar. It is a chronic metabolic disorder, and there is no cure.

Related Videos

However, it is treatable, and your dog can continue to live a happy life despite the condition. Detection and treatment are key, so you’ll want to be on the lookout for risk factors and symptoms of a diabetic dog.

Here’s what to know about diabetes in dogs.

a woman in a dark yellow hat, a pomeranian and a vet

What are the types of diabetes dogs can get?

You may have heard of Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes for humans. Dogs can develop different types of diabetes, too. They are:

  • Insulin deficiency: The most common type of doggie diabetes, insulin deficiency occurs if the body underproduces insulin. A damaged pancreas can trigger this condition.
  • Insulin-resistance diabetes: This type of diabetes is less common but happens when the pancreas does not properly use insulin, despite the fact that the pancreas is producing it.

A Labradoodle dog lies on a sofa in the living room
What are the common risk factors for diabetes in dogs?

Any dog can become diabetic, but some dogs are at a higher risk, including pets that are:

  • Middle-aged or older
  • Obese
  • Breeds (like Terriers, Pomeranians, Labrador retrievers, and Golden Retrievers)
  • Prone to chronic pancreatitis
  • Take steroid medications
  • Unspayed females
  • Have Cushing’s disease

A Yorkipoo dog's face
What are the symptoms of a diabetic dog?

Catching diabetes in your dog can ensure they get the treatment they need. Look out for these common red flags, such as:

  • Increased thirst
  • More frequent urination
  • Weight loss
  • Appetite changes
  • Lethargy
  • Vomiting

It’s important to note these symptoms can be the signs of other conditions — or could be completely benign. A vet is the only one who can diagnose diabetes in your dog and can do so by testing for too much sugar in the blood or urine. If you notice these symptoms, it’s best to have a conversation with your vet about further testing.


What are the risks of diabetes in dogs?

Unfortunately, diabetes can compound and contribute to other issues, such as:

  • Kidney failure
  • Heart problems
  • Nerve damage
  • Blindness
  • Seizures
  • Liver failure
  • More frequent urinary tract infections

A man walks two Siberian Huskies in a neighborhood
How can I prevent my dog from becoming diabetic?

As a pet parent, you cannot protect your furry friend from everything. Sometimes, such as with thyroid problems, it’s genetics or bad luck. However, there are some steps you can take to reduce your dog’s risk of developing diabetes. Prevention is the best medicine, so consider:

  • Frequent exercise
  • Ensuring 90% of their daily food intake comes from a dog food with the AAFCO seal, appropriately portioned
  • Limiting treats to 10% of your pup’s daily calories
  • Ensuring your dog stays within the appropriate weight range for their breed
  • Keeping up with annual or bi-annual vet check-ups
  • Discussing risk factors for diabetes with your veterinarian

a vet evaluating a yorkie with their tongue out
How can I treat my diabetic dog?

Diabetes is not curable in dogs, but treatments are available and can improve your pup’s health and lifespan.

After a diabetes diagnosis, your vet will discuss treatment options. Most diabetic dogs will need insulin shots every day for the rest of their lives. You will also likely need to check your dog’s glucose by pricking them and inserting a test strip into a monitor. It can feel overwhelming, but you and your pet can adapt with support from your vet.

Your vet will also discuss lifestyle changes, such as diet and exercise, that can help keep your dog’s blood sugar in a healthy range. Finally, more frequent visits to the vet to monitor the dog’s status may also be necessary. Pet insurance can help you cover the costs of these treatments.

A diabetes diagnosis can feel stressful, but it’s the first step to treating the condition. Treatment is important. Diabetes can have a cascading effect throughout the body and lead to organ failure, including of the kidney and liver. The good news is that the chronic disease is treatable even though it’s not curable. Insulin shots and blood sugar monitoring can keep your pet healthy. Your vet is your best resource for information on diagnosis and treatment. That said, if your dog is not diabetic, know that prevention is the best medicine. Adhering to a healthy diet and ensuring they get plenty of exercise can lower your dog’s risk of developing diabetes.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Is getting a puppy for Christmas a good idea? You can’t return them like a sweater
Here's what to know before you bring home a puppy for Christmas
Woman snuggling Samoyed puppy in front of the Christmas tree

Of all the viral holiday videos to make their way around the internet, there’s nothing quite as heartwarming (and adorable) as seeing a new puppy jump out of a box on Christmas. It’s easy to see why many families feel inspired to get this surprise present for their loved ones and show up with a new furry friend during the holidays.
Getting a puppy for Christmas can seem like a special, even life-changing gift, but the cleaning and work that accompany them aren’t as cute. Many families aren’t prepared for the effort and expense that raising a dog requires, which unfortunately leads to pets being dropped off at shelters not long after the holidays.
If you’re considering gifting a puppy to your family this Christmas, make sure you do the research and consider the obligations that pet parenthood entails. Here’s what to know.

Why getting a puppy for Christmas isn’t always smart
Although getting a dog can be a rewarding and joyful experience, it also requires work, patience, and responsibility. Is your family ready to take this on?
According to the shelter staff at the Marion County Humane Society in West Virginia, the end of January tends to see a rise in shelter admissions. Unfortunately, many of these pets are Christmas gifts that families weren’t ready to care for. “People that got a new puppy or a new kitten, and they expect their young child to take care of them,” one shelter tech told WDTV. "Of course, if the kid doesn't do it, the parent doesn't want to take care of them either.”
A lack of research is also a large factor in unsuccessful pet adoptions. Not all dog breeds will do well in all homes, so consulting an expert or doing some reading is vital before taking action. And remember — a cute, tiny puppy can still grow into a huge, rambunctious dog (depending on their breed) so you’ll need to be prepared.
It’s also important to consider where you’re adopting your new pup from because not all breeders are reliable. As awful as it is to acknowledge, there are people who sell sick and injured dogs for a quick buck. Needless to say, a dog with health concerns can be as loving of a companion as any other — after treatment, of course — but you have a right to be informed about the condition of your new friend, including information about the puppy's parents.
Shelters can help you get to know your pup a bit before bringing him home, but rescued dogs may need some extra time to adjust to their surroundings. The honeymoon phase may not be as happy-go-lucky as you expect, especially if there has been any past trauma.

Read more
9 Boston terrier facts to know before you bring one into your life
Important facts about the adorable Boston terrier breed
Boston terrier on a pink leash in grass

Boston terriers are always dressed for a black-tie affair. The breed’s tuxedo coat is one of many features that have endeared. Their short muzzles, compact bodies, and oversized eyes make this terrier breed absolutely adorable. Come winter, you can find Bostons strutting their stuff in cute sweaters to keep them warm underneath their short coats.

Of course, looks aren’t everything. Boston terriers are also known for their curious and loving personalities, among other common traits. Though no two dogs are exactly alike — even ones in the same breed or litter — understanding common breed characteristics is a great launching point to researching what pup is best for your home and lifestyle. If a Boston terrier is on your list, look no further. We dog up the details on this lovable breed.

Read more
Does your cat have ear mites? How to tell (and what you can do about it)
Are your cat's ears dirty or does she have ear mites? What to know
A close-up shot of a blue-eyed white cat

Did you know your cat's ears are truly astounding? Not only can your fur baby's ears help her detect prey using her whiskers -- also known as ear furnishings -- inside her ears, but they can detect frequencies as high as 64,000 Hz. For comparison, humans can only detect frequencies as high as around 20,000 Hz, which means your cat's hearing is a little more than three times better than yours.

Just like humans, cats are susceptible to developing ear infections and other ear-related issues. (Fortunately for our feline friends, instances of ear infections are relatively uncommon.) Unfortunately, ear mites are considered common -- and they're highly contagious. If you've been frantically searching "mites cat ears," or "dirty cat ears vs. ear mites," you're in the right place. Does your cat have ear mites? We'll teach you how to tell.

Read more