Table of Contents Signs and Symptoms of Diabetes Screening Test Types of Diabetes Risk Factors Complications Glucose and Diabetes A1c Test Harsh Realities Terms Pet Diabetes: Cats and Dogs Cholesterol and Diabetes Blood Pressure Risks for diabetic related foot problems Defeat Diabetes® Month 2011 Physical Activity Calendar Defeat Diabetes® Month 2013 20 Tips to Improve Your Family's Health Diabetes History in a Timeline

 

 

 

     

Pet Diabetes Awareness and Prevention Program

by Defeat Diabetes Foundation

Pet Diabetes Prevention

Since obesity is a key risk factor for diabetes, it is important to determine if your pet is obese. As pet breeds differ in size and body type, establishing a standard weight is difficult. However, a simple test can give you a good idea of whether your pet is obese. Feel your pet's rib cage with your hands. You should be able to feel the ribs. Look at your pet in profile. The abdomen should be tucked up under the rib cage, not distended. Finally, take an overhead look at your pet. You should be able to see a waist behind the ribs if your pet is at a healthy weight. If you are still unsure, consult your veterinarian.

If you have determined that your pet is obese, the next step is to get it to a healthy weight. As with humans, fewer calories and increased activity are the keys to weight loss. Reduced calorie pet food and strict portion control are key strategies in helping your pet lose weight. Treats can still be a part of a weight loss plan, provided they are healthy and low in calories. Dinner table scraps and sugary treats should be completely eliminated from your pet's diet. Increasing activity in cats and dogs is also important. Dogs will benefit from increased walking and/or running to burn additional calories. While indoor cats have less opportunity for exercise, adding play with chase style toys can help them increase their activity level. Your vet may be able to suggest additional ways to address animal obesity.

 

Ensuring that your pet enjoys a healthy, appropriate diet is another way to help prevent diabetes. Cats and dogs have very different nutritional needs. The recommendation for cats is a high protein, low-carbohydrate diet, preferably of meat with no added sugars. In some cases, diabetic cats can experience remission by diet changes alone. Dogs  that are at risk for diabetes can benefit from a higher fiber content in their diet. But, an improved diet will not benefit your pets if they won't eat it. So, a certain amount of trial and error may be involved in finding the right balance.

 

Exercise For Dogs

Exercise is just as important for diabetic dogs as it is for non-diabetic dogs.

 

Exercise utilizes energy and helps to avoid hyperglycemia. In addition, the increased blood flow produced by exercise may improve insulin absorption by helping to further lower the blood glucose concentration.  More on Exercise for Dogs 

 

Exercise Tips For Cats with Diabetes

For most diabetic cats, strenuous exercise is not a reasonable option because of obesity or nerve damage. More on Exercise for Cats.

 

Finally, it is important for every pet owner to become aware of the symptoms of diabetes. While diabetes is easily treatable and need not be life-threatening, early detection and treatment are essential. If you see any of the following symptoms contact your veterinarian immediately: sudden weight loss or gain; excessive drinking and/or urination; change in appetite, either a marked increase (up to three times normal) or loss of appetite; and, weakness and lethargy, particularly in the back limbs. 

 

 

 

 

 

 Costa Rica Travel Corp. will donate a portion of the proceeds to and is a sponsor of Defeat Diabetes Foundation.