Diabetes in Dogs: Common Symptoms and Treatment Options

About 1 in 300 dogs will get diabetes at some point in their lifetime. The good news is that with early detection and proper management, dogs with diabetes can live fulfilling and active lives. Read on to find out what causes this condition, how it affects dogs and ways to treat diabetes so your dog can lead a healthy life.

What Is Diabetes?

Diabetes mellitus, also known as sugar diabetes, is a chronic illness that occurs when the pancreas fails to produce enough insulin. To understand diabetes, you need to know the relationship between glucose and insulin:

• Glucose, also known as blood sugar, is derived from eating carbohydrates and provides fuel for the body's cells.
• Insulin is a hormone secreted by the pancreas that enables the cells to absorb glucose.

When the cells can't access insulin, they can't properly absorb glucose. This causes hyperglycemia, or high blood sugar. It also causes the liver to produce ketones, an alternative form of energy used to fuel starving cells. In diabetics, a high buildup of ketones can lead to a potentially life-threatening condition known as ketoacidosis.

Types of Dog Diabetes

In both dogs and humans, there are three types of diabetes mellitus:

• Type I diabetes means that the pancreas has stopped producing insulin. It's the most serious form of diabetes, for which there is no cure. Unfortunately, it's also the type that dogs are overwhelmingly most likely to develop.
• Type II diabetes happens when the pancreas continues to produce insulin but the cells stop absorbing glucose at a normal rate. This usually happens when too much sugar and carbs are consumed, and as a result, the cells can't keep up with the amount of sugar in the blood. This is the type that most commonly affects humans, but (although rare) it can also develop in dogs who are obese. With the right diet and exercise, this type can go into remission.
• Type III diabetes is a rare and potentially fatal hormonal condition that affects dogs who are pregnant and sometimes those going through a heat cycle. It is the equivalent of humans having gestational diabetes. Although it's temporary, a pregnant dog who survives this type of diabetes is likely to have it recur if they get pregnant again, so it's usually recommended to have them spayed as soon as they're healthy enough to undergo the procedure.

Diabetes Mellitus vs. Diabetes Insipidus

Another condition shares a similar name but is unrelated to diabetes mellitus. Diabetes insipidus, also known as water diabetes, is an extremely rare condition in which a dog's body can't retain and process water properly. Most dogs who have this disorder are born with it, although it can also be triggered by certain health issues, including brain trauma, cancer and endocrine or metabolic disorders, or by an adverse drug reaction.

How Do Dogs Get Diabetes?

Type I diabetes in dogs, which is by far the most common form, is caused primarily by one of two health conditions: an autoimmune disorder or pancreatitis.

• Autoimmune disorder: This happens when the immune system attacks healthy tissue — in this case, the pancreas. What triggers the immune system to attack and destroy the pancreas is unknown, although chronic inflammation is known to cause autoimmune disorders.
• Recurrent pancreatitis. Pancreatitis is an inflammatory disorder that causes the pancreas to destroy itself with its own digestive enzymes. Acute pancreatitis is typically caused when dogs consume too much fat in a short amount of time, but some dogs are genetically predisposed to it. Recurring episodes can cause scarring that interferes with insulin production.

Type II diabetes in dogs is caused the same way it is in humans — by eating a consistent diet that's too high in sugar and carbohydrates. And Type III diabetes is a hormonal disorder affecting pregnant dogs, similar to gestational diabetes in humans.

Dog Diabetes Risk Factors

Other factors that may increase the likelihood that diabetes will develop are:

• Cushing disease. Less commonly known as hyperadrenocorticism, Cushing disease is an adrenal disorder that causes the body to produce too much of the steroidal stress hormone cortisol.
• Inflammation. Chronic inflammation can cause autoimmune disorders, pancreatitis and several other chronic health issues that can lead to diabetes.
• Obesity. Too much fat in your dog's body causes chronic inflammation that can lead to diabetes and a host of other health problems.
• Over-vaccination. While vaccines don't cause diabetes, studies suggest that over-vaccinating your dog may cause overstimulation of the immune system that can trigger autoimmune disease, one of the primary causes of diabetes.
• Poor diet. A diet that's too high in carbs and sugar can lead to some dogs developing type II diabetes, as well as contributing to obesity. And a diet that's too high in fat can cause pancreatitis, another primary cause of diabetes. The type of fat you feed your dog matters as well. Too many omega-6 fats in your dog's diet can cause chronic inflammation.
• Toxins. Exposure to glyphosate, BPAs and other environmental toxins can disrupt the endocrine system, increase inflammation and increase your dog's chances of developing diabetes.

Which Dog Breeds Are Predisposed to Diabetes?

Genetics is another major factor when it comes to developing diabetes. Although dogs of any breed or genetic makeup can get diabetes, these dog breeds are more likely to develop it:

• Alaskan malamute
• Beagle
• Boxer
• Cairn terrier
• Chow chow
• Dachshund
• Doberman pinscher
• Finnish spitz
• German shepherd
• Golden retriever
• Hungarian puli
• Keeshond
• Labrador retriever
• Miniature pinscher
• Old English sheepdog
• Poodle
• Pug
• Samoyed
• Schipperke
• Schnauzer
• Springer spaniel
• Tibetan terrier
• West Highland white terrier
• Yorkshire terrier

Symptoms of Dog Diabetes

Early detection and intervention can drastically improve a diabetic dog's length and quality of life. Below are the early warning signs of diabetes to watch for in your dog. Talk to your vet if you notice these changes in their behavior.

• Excessive urination and thirst: In the early stages of diabetes, the body will try to expel excess sugar, resulting in frequent urination. Dogs may beg to be let outside more often than normal or may break their house training and go inside. The extra expulsion of fluids makes them thirstier and causes them to drink more water than usual.
• Increased appetite: As the cells are starved of glucose for fuel, diabetic dogs are likely to be constantly hungry and unable to feel satiated.
• Unexplained weight loss: With diabetes, the body can't derive proper nutrition from food, which can result in weight loss in spite of eating and exercising normally.

As the disease progresses, you may also notice the following advanced symptoms of diabetes in dogs.

• Appetite loss: Fluctuations in blood sugar, stress and health complications can all cause dogs to lose interest in food. Skipping meals can result in dangerously low blood sugar, so talk to your vet at once if your diabetic dog refuses to eat.
• Dehydration: A diabetic dog may not be able to drink enough water to keep up with the amount they lose through constant urination. Another symptom, vomiting, may also contribute to dehydration.
• Lackluster coat: The body's inability to obtain essential nutrients from food, combined with dehydration, can result in dry skin, dandruff and a thin and dull coat.
• Low energy: Diabetic dogs can't convert glucose into energy. Combined with that may be an electrolyte imbalance caused by their high blood sugar. This may cause them to feel weak and tired and to lose interest in their usual activities.
• Sweet-smelling breath: The presence of high amounts of glucose in the blood could cause your dog's breath to smell sweet. This could also be a sign that your dog has gone into diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA).
• Stiffness or weakness: Muscles deprived of glucose may become weak, causing dogs difficulty with movement or getting up and down. Although it's more likely to affect cats than dogs, diabetic neuropathy can also cause the muscles to atrophy and grow stiff. Another less common effect on dogs is a condition called “dropped hocks" that causes the rear legs to hang closer to the ground, causing dogs to stand and walk with a strange gait and posture.
• Unexplained vomiting: Vomiting is likely if your dog also has pancreatitis, but it can also be a sign of DKA. You should let your vet know right away if your dog is vomiting for no apparent reason.

Diabetes can also cause other health complications and disorders, some of which can double as signs that your dog might have diabetes as an underlying cause.

• Cataracts and blindness: Cataracts are more likely to form in dogs with poorly managed diabetes, due to the way glucose is metabolized in the eye lens. As cataracts progress, they can lead to partial or complete blindness. But cataract removal surgery may be able to restore your dog's sight.
• Chronic infections: Diabetes in dogs causes decreased resistance to bacteria and fungus and makes them more prone to several types of infections, including skin and lung infections. Diabetic dogs are also more prone to frequent urinary tract infections.
• Diabetic ketoacidosis: DKA is a serious condition that occurs when ketones produced by the liver to make up for the lack of glucose getting into the cells causes the blood to become acidic. Pet parents of diabetic dogs should keep ketone testing sticks handy for testing their dog's urine when they notice symptoms that include sweet-smelling breath or vomiting, as well as rapid breathing, dehydration or lethargy. A positive test should be treated like a medical emergency and your dog should be seen by a vet as quickly as possible.
• Enlarged liver: Fat molecules tend to accumulate in the liver of dogs with diabetes, causing the liver to enlarge from fat buildup. This fatty liver can eventually lead to liver disease.
• Hyperglycemia: Extremely high blood sugar can cause a major diabetes complication called hyperglycemic hyperosmolar syndrome (HHS), which requires emergency treatment and intensive care. If untreated, chronic high blood sugar from diabetes can also eventually cause organ damage and nerve damage.
• Hypoglycemia: Dangerously low blood sugar can happen if a diabetic dog stops eating or is overdosed on insulin. This can cause seizures, fainting, disorientation, coma and even death. It's important to contact your vet immediately if you notice any of these symptoms. They may advise you on ways to raise your dog's blood sugar at home prior to bringing them in for treatment. Either way, a hypoglycemic dog is an emergency and should be treated by a vet as quickly as possible.

Diagnosing Dog Diabetes

Although diabetes is a complicated disease, diagnosing it is fairly simple. Your vet can likely tell whether your dog is diabetic based on their symptoms alone, but an official diagnosis will require a few tests:

• A complete blood count (CBC)
• A blood chemistry panel to check fasting blood sugar levels
• A urinalysis to check for the presence of glucose in the urine
• A fructosamine assay to get an overall picture of blood sugar levels over a few weeks

Treatment for Dog Diabetes

Treating diabetes in dogs involves a two-pronged approach that includes diet and exercise, as well as insulin injections.

Diet and exercise

Prescription dog food is available for diabetic dogs, which your vet is likely to recommend. Food for diabetic dogs should be high in fiber with an appropriate balance of protein, healthy fats and complex carbohydrates to maintain blood sugar at a healthy level. Dogs with diabetes should be kept away from fatty foods, high-carbohydrate diets and sugary treats and snacks. Prescription treats are also available for diabetic dogs, which are high in protein and fiber and low in sugar and fat.

You can also treat your dog with raw or cooked veggies like broccoli or carrots. Eggs are another protein-rich treat you can safely give to diabetic dogs. And if your pup isn't lactose intolerant, you can fill ice cube trays with Greek yogurt and freeze them for a cool treat on hot days.

In addition to what you feed your diabetic dog, how you feed them is also important. They should be fed consistently with the same food at the same time each day to help regulate their blood sugar.

Along with diet, regular exercise is also important to help keep blood sugar stable. And obese or overweight dogs will need to lose weight to improve their health and quality of life.

Insulin injections

Your diabetic dog will also need regular insulin injections, which can run anywhere from $20 to $600 per month.¹ You may be able to save money with generic insulin, but how individual dogs respond to certain types of insulin varies, and you may need to experiment to find what works. Your dog may also become resistant to one type of insulin and need to be switched to another at some point.

Your vet will help determine the best type and dosage of insulin for your dog, as well as train you to give shots at home. They'll also help you devise the best schedule for giving daily shots. Dogs usually start out with two shots a day, scheduled around meal times. The needles on insulin syringes are very small and sharp, so you don't need to worry about hurting your dog.

Managing Your Dog's Diabetes

Type I diabetes has no cure. If your dog has this type of diabetes, they'll need monitoring and treatment for the rest of their lives. Dogs with type II diabetes are also likely to need lifelong management unless a healthy diet and weight loss can send them into remission.

When your dog begins insulin therapy, your vet may keep them hospitalized to monitor their blood sugar every two to four hours after the first dose. Afterward, you'll need to bring your dog in every one to two weeks to test their blood sugar and see if the insulin dosage needs to be adjusted. Once the correct insulin dosage and schedule is settled, you should be able to test your dog's daily blood glucose levels at home and might only have to bring them in for an evaluation every six months if there are no complications.

How Long Can a Dog Live With Diabetes?

Diabetes mellitus is not a death sentence. With proper management, many dogs live happily with this condition for years after receiving diagnosis. The earlier it's discovered and treated, the better the outcome will be for your dog.

That said, older dogs, overweight dogs and those with other health issues like Cushing disease or pancreatitis are more likely to have serious complications that could drastically increase the amount of care they need and reduce their quality of life.

Preventing Diabetes in Dogs

Unfortunately, you may not be able to prevent your dog from getting diabetes, especially if they're genetically predisposed to it. But you can lower their risk by feeding them nutritious, high-quality dog food, being careful not to overfeed them and making sure they get regular exercise so they can stay fit and healthy. Regular vet checkups will also help ensure that diabetes is caught early, so that if your dog does get it, they can start treatment right away and improve their chances of a longer, happier life.

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Expert Reviewer

Dr. Kathy Wiederkehr (Wentworth), V.M.D.

Dr. Kathy Wiederkehr (Wentworth) has been practicing veterinary medicine at pet care facilities in California since 2001. Most recently, she served as medical director of the VCA PetPoint Medical Center and Resort in Irvine. She is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine and became board-certified as a diplomate in Canine and Feline Practice by the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners in 2010.

Author Bio

Jean Marie Bauhaus is a freelance writer and novelist who has been writing pet content since 2013. Her work has appeared on Forbes.com, Hill's Pet, Chewy, AKC.org and more.