World Diabetes Day! Ways To Help Our Pets

Did you know November 14 is dedicated to raising global awareness focusing on diabetes every year? According to Vet Source, it is estimated that 1 in every 300 dogs and 1 in 230 cats will develop diabetes during their lifetime and these numbers keep rising.

What is Diabetes in Pets?

Diabetes Mellitus, or sugar diabetes, develops when the body cannot produce enough insulin or has trouble responding to insulin properly. Insulin is a hormone that’s needed to store energy from the food they eat and allows glucose in the blood to enter cells and fuel the body. When diabetes occurs in pets, they may need ongoing medical care to manage the disease so they can lead a normal life.

Does your pet have any of the below symptoms?

Excessive thirst
Excessive urination
Inappropriate urination
Weight loss (most commonly over the back), despite an overweight body condition
Increased hunger
Increased “whiteness” of the lens of the eye due to cataracts
Blindness
Weakness
Lethargy
Poor skin condition (like excessive dandruff or an oily hair coat)

How can you care for diabetic pets?

Dogs and cats with diabetes require a special diet that is high in protein and low in carbohydrates like Ziwipeak. Ziwipeak recipes are low carbohydrate and feature high inclusions of meat, organs, and bone - with no added high glycemic ingredients.
Regular exercise is important to keep your pet's diabetes under control. For Dogs, take them out for daily walks and incorporate more playtime. Cats, on the other hand, add playtime along with the help of interactive or puzzle toys to encourage them to stay active. It is important to keep your pet’s activity level the same every day.
Monitor your pet’s blood sugar level consistently to make sure it’s near-normal levels and avoid too-high or too-low levels that can be life-threatening. Schedule regular visits to your vet for checkups and to stay on top of your pet’s health.

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Nov 14