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

Exercise For Pets With Diabetes

 

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.

 

The activity level of your diabetic dog should remain unchanged and regular. If a dog is suddenly very active (e.g. longer walks or excitement about visitors) it uses more glucose (energy). In diabetic dogs, this can result in very low blood sugar (glucose) levels. In fact, very low glucose levels can deprive the brain of energy and your dog could lose consciousness. If this happens, you will need to administer glucose immediately.

 

Exercise Tips for Dogs with Diabetes

These are general tips, but please, always talk to your dog’s vet for the best course of action for your pet.

 

Pick an exercise your dog will find fun, but is low-key. The activity should be reasonable for your dog’s temperament, age and health. Walking is always a safe bet, but hiking, swimming, and other low-key activities are fine and provide variety. A low-key activity is something your dog can do without panting.

 

But, don’t go overboard with weight loss–a little bit of activity goes a surprisingly long way. If your dog has been inactive, you definitely need to start small, 10 to 15 minutes at a time. It is better to do a little bit most days, than to cram 30 minutes of workout in just two days.

 

It is important to keep their activity level the same from day to day. Try to exercise at the same time of day for the same length of time. It helps you both get into the habit, but it also gives your pet’s body time to adjust to the changes. In fact, if your dog’s activity changes drastically one day from the previous,  its blood glucose levels can surge and really endanger your dog’s health.

 

Always, take a little sweetener, like Karo syrup, with you when you walk or exercise. If your dog over-exercises and  its blood sugar drops, you will see strange behavior, anything from dizziness to fatigue to convulsions. If so, give your dog a little sugar and you should see a difference right away.

 

Remember, make changes one at a time. Go slow, go gradual. But, do go!

 

Cats

Exercise Tips For Cats with Diabetes

 

Take 5 minutes a few times a day for some active play with your kitty.  Have it walk after a string that you drag along the floor, play soccer with a small ball, or swat at a long feather that you wave in the air.

  

Whatever exercise you do with your cat, it should be reasonably consistent. If the cat's activity varies too much from day to day, this will disrupt the effectiveness of its insulin regimen.

 

Talk to your veterinarian before starting an exercise routine with your cat. Start carefully, in short sessions, and don’t force your cat to move around if it clearly does not want to.  

Testing and Supplies

 

 

 

 

 

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