Best Diabetic Dog Food : 7 Great Non-Prescription Recipes To Consider
Vet-Checked • Pet-Tested • Owner-Approved
Approximately 1 in every 300 dogs will develop diabetes over the course of their lifetime.
Diabetes is the inability to control blood glucose levels. It occurs for two different reasons: Because the body produces no insulin (Type I) or because the body becomes resistant to insulin (Type II). Although obesity can be one cause of diabetes, some dog breeds are just more prone to diabetes than others.
Although diabetes is a serious and often chronic disease, it can be managed and, with proper treatment, your dog can live a long and happy life.
One of the ways to manage the symptoms and complications of diabetes, is by feeding your dog a healthy, well-balanced diet.
What Is The Best Food for Diabetic Dogs?
The Farmer’s Dog Fresh Frozen Beef
USDA Beef, Sweet Potato, Lentils, Carrot, USDA Beef Liver, Kale, Sunflower Seeds, TFD Nutrient Blend, Salmon Oil, Tricalcium Phosphate, Salt, Potassium Chloride, Choline Bitartrate, Magnesium Amino Acid Chelate, Taurine, Zinc Amino Acid Chelate, Iron Amino Acid Chelate, Vitamin E Supplement, Selenium Yeast, Potassium Iodide, Copper Amino Acid Chelate, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Manganese Amino Acid Chelate, Riboflavin Supplement (Vitamin B2), Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B1), Vitamin D3 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Folic Acid
Average Price : $8.00/day
The Farmer’s Dog Fresh Frozen Beef
The Farmer’s Dog food is often considered beneficial for diabetic dogs for several reasons:
- Controlled Carbohydrates: Diabetic dogs require a diet that helps regulate their blood sugar levels. By controlling carbohydrate intake, it can contribute to better blood sugar management in diabetic dogs.
- High-Quality Ingredients: Farmer’s dog food is known for using high-quality, human-grade ingredients. This means that the food is often made with whole, real foods and avoids artificial additives, fillers, or preservatives. This can be beneficial for diabetic dogs as they generally require a well-balanced, nutrient-dense diet to maintain their overall health.
- Customized Meal Plans: Farmer’s dog food offers customized meal plans based on the individual needs of the dog. This can be particularly helpful for diabetic dogs, as the meals can be tailored to meet their specific dietary requirements. The portion sizes and ingredient selection can be adjusted to ensure the right balance of nutrients and calories for each dog’s condition.
- Consistent Feeding Routine: Consistency in feeding is crucial for diabetic dogs to maintain stable blood sugar levels. The Farmer’s Dog food provides pre-portioned meals that are delivered to your doorstep on a regular schedule. This makes it easier to establish a consistent feeding routine, which can be beneficial for managing diabetes in dogs.
Average Price : $8.00/day
Orijen Six Fish Grain-Free Adult
If you are looking for a high-quality diet for your diabetic dog, consider the Orijen Six Fish Grain-Free Adult dog food formula. Though this formula is not specifically designed for diabetic dogs, it does offer plenty of high-quality protein and a low glycemic load.
Average Price : $4.52/lb
Orijen Six Fish Grain-Free Adult Recipe
Whole Mackerel, Whole Herring, Monkfish, Acadian Redfish, Flounder, Whole Hake, Mackerel Meal, Herring Meal, Blue Whiting Meal, Pollock Meal, Whole Red Lentils, Whole Pinto Beans, Safflower Oil, Whole Peas, Whole Green Lentils, Whole Navy Beans, Sunflower Oil, Lentil Fiber, Natural Fish Flavor, Whole Chickpeas, Pea Starch, Herring Oil, Vitamin E Supplement, Mixed Tocopherols (Preservative), Whole Pumpkin, Whole Butternut Squash, Collard Greens, Whole Apples, Whole Pears, Dried Kelp, Zinc Proteinate, Calcium Pantothenate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Copper Proteinate, Dried Chicory Root, Turmeric, Sarsaparilla Root, Althea Root, Rosehips, Juniper Berries, Citric Acid (Preservative), Rosemary Extract, Dried Lactobacillus Acidophilus Fermentation Product, Dried Bifidobacterium Animalis Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus Casei Fermentation Product.
Average Price : $4.52/lb
Orijen Six Fish Grain-Free Adult Recipe
This recipe features 85% wild-caught fish ingredients with 15% fruits, vegetables, and botanicals with 0% grains or plant protein concentrates. This formula contains a whopping 38% protein and 35% low-glycemic carbohydrates to support your dog’s lean muscle mass while also supporting healthy digestion. To make up that 38% protein, this recipe features a variety of fish ingredients like whole wild mackerel, wild Atlantic flounder, whole wild redfish, wild monkfish, whole wild silver hake, and whole wild herring. All of this protein is supplemented with whole green peas, whole navy beans, whole red lentils, and other low-glycemic carbohydrates. This recipe also contains chelated minerals and dried fermentation products.
Average Price : $4.52/lb
Acana Heritage Free-Run Poultry
Deboned Chicken, Deboned Turkey, Chicken Meal, Whole Red Lentils, Whole Pinto Beans, Whole Green Peas, Chicken Liver, Chicken Fat, Catfish Meal, Whole Chickpeas, Whole Green Lentils, Whole Yellow Peas, Lentil Fiber, Turkey Giblets (Liver, Heart, Gizzard), Eggs, Fish Oil, Natural Chicken Flavor, Chicken Heart, Pea Starch, Salt, Dried Kelp, Whole Pumpkin, Mixed Tocopherols (Preservative), Zinc Proteinate, Calcium Pantothenate, Collard Greens, Whole Apples, Whole Pears, Vitamin A Acetate, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement, Riboflavin, Folic Acid, Freeze-Dried Chicken Liver, Freeze-Dried Turkey Liver, Copper Proteinate, Dried Chicory Root, Turmeric, Sarsaparilla, Althea Root, Rose Hips, Juniper Berries, Citric Acid (Preservative), Rosemary Extract, Dried Lactobacillus Acidophilus Fermentation Product, Dried Bifidobacterium Animalis Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus Casei Fermentation Product.
Average Price : $2.92/lb
Acana Heritage Free-Run Poultry
In accordance with Acana’s biologically appropriate philosophy, this recipe features 60% free-run poultry ingredients such as free-run chicken, free-run turkey, and nest-laid eggs. It also contains 40% fruits, vegetables, and botanicals to provide dietary fiber and vital nutrients without making the product difficult for your dog to digest. The carbohydrates found in this recipe are all low-glycemic which means that they won’t cause your dog’s blood sugar level to spike. In terms of nutrients, this Acana Heritage Free-Run Poultry Formula Adult Dog Food offers a whopping 29% protein, 17% fat, and 6% fiber with a total of 396 calories per cup.
Average Price : $2.92/lb
Nutro Healthy Weight Chicken & Rice
Chicken, Chicken Meal (source of Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate), Whole Grain Sorghum, Rice Bran, Split Peas, Whole Grain Brown Rice, Powdered Cellulose, Dehydrated Alfalfa Meal, Natural Flavor, Whole Flaxseed, Brewers Rice, Dried Plain Beet Pulp, Potassium Chloride, Chicken Fat (preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Choline Chloride, DL-Methionine, Salt, Citric Acid (preservative), Mixed Tocopherols (preservative), Chia Seed, Dried Coconut, Dried Tomato Pomace, Dried Egg Product, Dried Pumpkin, Dried Kale, Dried Spinach, Vitamin E Supplement, Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Oxide, Sodium Selenite, Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), Manganese Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, D-Calcium Pantothenate, Biotin, Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B1), Vitamin B12 Supplement, Vitamin A Supplement, Niacin Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement (Vitamin B2), Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Vitamin D3 Supplement, Manganous Oxide, Potassium Iodide, Folic Acid, Rosemary Extract.
Average Price : $2.50/lb
Nutro Healthy Weight Chicken & Rice
For diabetic dogs, one of the best Nutro products is the Nutro Adult Healthy Weight Chicken & Brown Rice dog food. This recipe belongs to the Lite & Weight Management line of products and it is a great option for dogs that need to watch their weight. This diabetic dog food formula features fresh chicken and chicken meal as the top two ingredients which speaks to the high protein content of this formula. For carbohydrates, this recipe features rice bran, split peas, whole brown rice, and whole grain oatmeal – all of these carbohydrates offer healthy fiber in a highly digestible form to help manage your dog’s blood sugar level. In addition to plenty of protein and fiber, this Nutro Healthy Weight Chicken & Brown Rice recipe also features chelated minerals which have been chemically bound to protein molecules, making them easier for your dog’s body to digest and absorb. Overall, this is a great option for diabetic dogs.
Average Price : $2.50/lb
Merrick Real Texas Beef + Sweet Potato
Deboned Beef, Pork Meal, Salmon Meal, Sweet Potatoes, Potatoes, Peas, Natural Flavor, Pea Protein, Pork Fat, Potato Protein, Sunflower Oil, Flaxseed, Dried Yeast, Potassium Chloride, Salt, Choline Chloride, Apples, Blueberries, Salmon Oil, Minerals (Zinc Amino Acid Complex, Iron Amino Acid Complex, Sodium Selenite, Manganese Amino Acid Complex, Copper Amino Acid Complex, Calcium Iodate), DL-Methionine, Taurine, Vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Vitamin A Supplement, Niacin, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin Supplement, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Folic Acid, Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex, Biotin, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Vitamin D3 Supplement), Mixed Tocopherols for freshness.
Average Price : $3.50/lb
Merrick Real Texas Beef + Sweet Potato
Merrick Grain-Free is a great option for diabetic dogs, and most dogs really love the taste of it. It includes vitamins, minerals and probiotic bacteria. Merrick Real Texas Beef + Sweet Potato Recipe Grain-Free Adult Dry Dog Food is made with 65% protein and healthy fat ingredients, with deboned beef as the number one ingredient to help maintain healthy muscle tissue and energy levels. The remaining 35% consists of produce, fiber, vitamins, minerals and other natural ingredients to create a complete and balanced diet that’s great for all breeds. It is grain-free and only has about 36% carbohydrates, which is adequate for diabetic dogs. It has no corn, wheat, or soy. This recipe includes glucosamine and chondroitin support hip and joint function.
Average Price : $3.50/lb
Nulo Freestyle Salmon & Peas
This dog food from Nulo has a host of great qualities that check the boxes for diabetic pooches including a low percentage of carbs, high quality proteins, and low glycemic ingredients. It also contains amino acids as well as vegetables and fruits to support optimal immune health.
Average Price : $3.35/lb
Nulo Freestyle Salmon & Peas
Deboned Salmon, Turkey Meal, Menhaden Fish Meal, Whole Peas, Sweet Potato, Chicken Fat (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols & Citric Acid), Chickpeas, Deboned Turkey, Lentils, Pea Fiber, Natural Flavor, Yeast Culture, Dried Chicory Root, Dried Blueberries, Dried Apples, Dried Tomatoes, Dried Carrots, Salt, Calcium Carbonate, Choline Chloride, Potassium Chloride, Zinc Proteinate, Vitamin E Supplement, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (Source of Vitamin C), Iron Proteinate, Niacin, Copper Proteinate, Thiamine Mononitrate (Source of Vitamin B1), Calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin A Supplement, Manganous Oxide, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Source of Vitamin B6), Sodium Selenite, Riboflavin, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Biotin, Dried Bacillus Coagulans Fermentation Product, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Calcium Iodate, Folic Acid, Rosemary Extract.
Average Price : $3.35/lb
Nulo Freestyle Salmon & Peas
Nulo Freestyle Salmon & Peas Recipe has 80% animal-based proteins (instead of plant proteins) and ample amino acids to fuel lean muscles. It is very low on the glycemic-index, making it a top-notch choice for your diabetic dog. It is grain-free and has no chicken or egg proteins, either. Nulo Freestyle has vitamin B6 and niacin from lamb to support energy production, while probiotics aid in digestion. The amino acids in this recipe support lean muscle mass and a healthy heart. It includes wholesome fruits and vegetables to support immunity. Another great reason to choose Nulo Freestyle is the calcium and phosphorus to help your dog maintain strong bones. This food is only 38% carbohydrates, which is definitely adequate for your diabetic pup.
Average Price : $3.35/lb
Whole Earth Farms Chicken & Turkey
Chicken Meal, Potatoes, Canola Meal, Peas, Chicken Fat, Sweet Potato, Chicken, Turkey, Natural Flavor, Flaxseed, Apples, Carrots, Dried Beet Pulp, Dried Yeast, Potassium Chloride, Salt, Vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Vitamin A Acetate, D-Calcium Pantothenate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Folic Acid, Riboflavin Supplement, Niacin, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Biotin, Vitamin D3 Supplement), Choline Chloride, Minerals (Iron Amino Acid Complex, Zinc Amino Acid Complex, Zinc Sulfate, Sodium Selenite, Manganese Amino Acid Complex, Copper Amino Acid Complex, Copper Sulfate, Potassium Iodide), Taurine, Mixed Tocopherols For Freshness, Citric Acid For Freshness, Dried Lactobacillus Plantarum Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus Casei Fermentation Product, Dried Enterococcus Faecium Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus Acidophilus Fermentation Product. 2C85520
Average Price : $2.16/lb
Whole Earth Farms Chicken & Turkey
If you are looking for a high-quality diet for your diabetic dog, consider this Whole Earth Farms Grain-Free Recipe with Chicken & Turkey. This recipe is naturally grain-free, made with chicken meal as the primary ingredient which supports the high-protein claims made about this product. In terms of carbohydrates, this formula features grain-free, low-glycemic options like dried potatoes, peas, and dried sweet potatoes. This recipe offers 26% protein, 13% fat, and just 4.5% fiber – that is enough to support your dog’s healthy digestion without going overboard. There are also some healthy additives included in this recipe such as chelated minerals and dried fermentation products which act as probiotics to support healthy digestion. Overall, this Whole Earth Farms Grain-Free Recipe with Chicken & Turkey recipe seems to provide complete and balanced nutrition with plenty of natural flavor.
Average Price : $2.16/lb
In This Article...
- What Is The Best Food for Diabetic Dogs?
- What is Diabetes Mellitus in Dogs?
- What are some complications of diabetes in dogs?
- How to manage diabetes in dogs
- Which dog breeds are prone to diabetes?
- Recommended Dietary Modifications for Diabetic Dogs
- What’s different about diabetic dog food?
- Tips for Choosing a Quality Diabetic Dog Food
- Best Diabetic Dog Foods 2023 (Non-Prescription)
- Summing Up
What is Diabetes Mellitus in Dogs?
Diabetes mellitus is a very common condition in humans, especially considering the obesity epidemic that is running rampant through the Western world. Canine diabetes, as it is often called, may not be quite so common but it is still a major concern. Diabetes is a condition that occurs when a dog’s body is unable to produce or adequately utilize the hormone insulin. Here’s what happens with diabetes:
- When your dog eats food, his digestive system begins to digest it, breaking it down into various components such as glucose for energy.
- As the food is broken down, the glucose enters your dog’s bloodstream which will transport it throughout the body for storage or to be used for energy.
- When glucose enters your dog’s bloodstream, it triggers the pancreas to start producing insulin – the purpose of insulin is to help regulate the dog’s blood sugar level, keeping it from skyrocketing too high or dropping too low.
- If the dog’s body doesn’t produce enough insulin, or if his cells become resistant to its effects, it can lead to dangerously high blood sugar levels.
While high blood sugar levels may not sound like a big deal, they can actually be very dangerous – even fatal.
When your dog’s body doesn’t properly produce or utilize insulin, it prevents his cells from getting the glucose (energy) they need which can result in the starvation of vital cells and organs.
In fact, there are a number of serious complications that can result from canine diabetes – one of them is called diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). This condition results from the cell starvation caused by inadequate insulin production or utilization. When the body cannot properly utilize glucose for energy (due to inadequate insulin use or production), it starts to break down stored fat for fuel in a process that produces ketone bodies which can accumulate in the body and cause some serious health problems.
In addition to diabetic ketoacidosis, there are some other complications which can result from uncontrolled diabetes in dogs.
What are some complications of diabetes in dogs?
Hypoglycemia
This condition is the result of abnormally low blood sugar levels which can deprive the brain of vital energy. Hypoglycemia results in symptoms such as weakness, lethargy, drooling, loss of coordination, and even seizures, coma, or death.

Diabetic Neuropathy
This condition is the result of peripheral nerve damage caused by high blood sugar levels. Diabetic neuropathy can result in weakness (particularly in the hind limbs) and it typically affects older dogs.
Cataracts
High blood sugar levels can eventually result in the formation of cataracts, an opacity in the lens of the eye which can obstruct vision. Cataracts are generally not painful and most dogs adapt well to a loss of vision.
Uveitis and Glaucoma
These conditions are often secondary to cataracts. When cataracts develop, they sometimes leak protein into the eye which can cause inflammation called uveitis. If left untreated, the uveitis can progress into glaucoma which may result in permanent loss of vision.
Impaired Immunity
When your dog experiences chronic high blood sugar levels it can create an internal environment which is optimal for the growth of bacteria. This, paired with inadequate energy production and utilization, can lead to impaired immunity.
Now that you understand the basics of how diabetes works and you’ve read some vital information regarding the severity of this condition, you may be wondering how to identify this condition and whether or not it can be managed.

How to manage diabetes in dogs
The first thing you need to know is that there are two different types of diabetes that commonly affect dogs.
Type 1 (I) Diabetes results from a total lack of insulin production.
Type 2 (II) Diabetes results from impaired insulin production and/or inadequate response to the hormone.
In most cases, Type 1 Diabetes is a condition that the dog is born with and it cannot be cured, just managed with insulin therapy. Type II Diabetes is something a dog can develop at any point in his life and it is frequently related to obesity and unhealthy dietary habits.
Though Type I and Type II Diabetes are caused by different underlying factors, they present with a similar set of symptoms. Some of the most common symptoms of canine diabetes include the following:
- Changes in appetite
- Excessive thirst, increased water consumption
- Unexplained weight loss
- Increased frequency of urination
- Sweet-smelling breath, often fruity smell
- Lethargy or general lack of energy
- Dehydration, and related symptoms
- Recurrent urinary tract infections
- Chronic skin infections
- Cataract formations, loss of vision
The exact cause of diabetes in dogs remains unknown, but it is thought that genetics, autoimmune disease, chronic pancreatitis, and obesity can all play a role in its development. All dogs can develop diabetes, though it seems to be more common in female dogs and obese dogs.
Which dog breeds are prone to diabetes?
Certain breeds like the Schnauzer, Dachshund, Poodle, Samoyed, Keeshond, and Australian terrier also seem to have a higher risk for the disease.
Diabetes is generally treated with insulin therapy to help regulate blood sugar levels. There are also certain dietary changes which can help to stabilize your dog’s blood sugar.
We take a look at the best dog food for diabetic dogs below.
Recommended Dietary Modifications for Diabetic Dogs
Before getting into the details of what makes diabetic dog food different from traditional dog food, you need to learn the basics about the nutritional needs of dogs.
Contrary to popular belief, dogs are not strictly carnivores in the way that cats are. It is true that wild dogs receive most of their nutrition from animal sources, but they will occasionally eat plant foods if meat is not available – they also consume some plant foods in the stomach contents of their prey.
So, while a dog’s body is optimized to digest and absorb nutrition from animal sources, they do have a limited ability to process carbohydrates as long as they are cooked and easily digestible.
The three main nutrients a dog needs (called macronutrients) are protein, fat, and carbohydrate. In addition to these macronutrients, your dog also needs plenty of fresh water and some specific micronutrients – vitamins and minerals.
Protein is the most important nutritional consideration for dogs because it helps them to develop and maintain lean muscle mass, plus it fuels their growth and development.
Fats are a highly concentrated source of energy for dogs. Even though you have been lead to believe that all fats are bad, they are actually an important building block in the healthy diet for dogs.
Carbohydrates provide dietary fiber as well as certain micronutrients, though your dog should only receive a limited amount of carbohydrates in his diet compared to the recommended protein and fat content of a healthy diet for dogs.
What’s different about diabetic dog food?
Now that you understand the basics of dog nutrition, you can start to learn about diabetic dog food.
As you have already learned, diabetes is a condition that affects a dog’s ability to produce and utilize insulin, a hormone produced in the pancreas. A diabetic diet, then, is designed to help stabilize your dog’s blood sugar levels – preventing them from getting either too high or too low. In many cases, treatment for canine diabetes involves pairing insulin injections with meals to counteract the potentially negative effects of high blood sugar levels by using insulin as a stabilizer.
In addition to timing your dog’s insulin injects to coincide with his meals, many veterinarians recommend a low-fat, high-fiber diet for diabetic dogs.
Low-fat foods contain fewer calories which can help your dog achieve and maintain a healthy bodyweight while high fiber content helps to slow the entrance of glucose into the bloodstream, preventing dangerous spikes.
In addition to watching what you feed your diabetic dog, you should also be intentional about how much you feed him and when.
To prevent your dog’s blood sugar levels from getting too high or too low, you should plan to feed him several small meals throughout the day, keeping to a regular schedule as much as you are able. Try to time your dog’s insulin injections to coincide with his meals as well, following your veterinarian’s recommendations for dosage.
Not only should you be mindful of your dog’s dietary habits, but you should also make sure that he gets some regular exercise. This will help your dog achieve and maintain a healthy bodyweight while also stabilizing his blood sugar levels.
Just don’t make your dog exercise too hard or too long because it could result in a significant drop in blood sugar levels – about 30 minutes a day is just right.

Tips for Choosing a Quality Diabetic Dog Food
Choosing a diabetic dog food for your dog can be a challenge. Not only are there hundreds of different dog food brands and thousands of recipes out there, but all dog foods are not created equal.
If you make a direct comparison between two dog food products (say one expensive recipe and one inexpensive recipe) you will notice a stark difference in the type and quality of the ingredients used.
Cheap dog foods are rarely quality but a high price tag doesn’t necessarily indicate quality, either. In order to make sure that the diabetic dog food you choose for your dog is of high quality you need to learn the basics about reading a dog food label.
When it comes to evaluating the quality of a dog food product, there are three things you should look for on the label:
- Statement of Nutritional Adequacy – The American Association of Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) is responsible for monitoring the quality and safety of pet foods and animal feed produced in the United States. AAFCO has determined the basic nutritional requirements for adult dogs (this is called the maintenance stage) and for pregnant or lactating dogs and puppies (the growth and reproduction stage). Before they can be sold, dog foods are compared to these nutritional profiles and, if the product meets the basic nutritional requirements, it will carry an AAFCO statement of nutritional adequacy that looks something like this, “[Product Name] is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles”. If the diabetic dog food product you are looking at doesn’t have a statement like this on the package, it is not a quality product and it will not meet your dog’s nutritional needs so you should move on to the next option.
- Guaranteed Analysis – The guaranteed analysis on a pet food label provides you with the minimum or maximum levels of four key nutrients: crude protein, crude fat, crude fiber, and moisture. You can look at this analysis to make sure that the product meets the basic requirements of dogs for protein and fat – you may also want to make sure that the fiber content is high enough, but not too high. The minimum protein requirement for adult dogs is 18% and the minimum fat requirement is 8% for puppies and 5% for adult dogs. In addition to making sure that the product meets the minimum requirements for dogs, you can also use the guaranteed analysis to make a direct comparison between two diabetic dog food products.
- Ingredients List – Just like the packages of foods you eat yourself, dog food also has a complete list of ingredients on them. The most important thing you need to know is that these lists are compiled in descending order by volume – the ingredients present in the largest quantities are at the top of the list. This being the case, you want to look for high-quality ingredients such as quality animal proteins, digestible carbohydrates, and animal fats near the beginning of the list. You also want to make sure that certain things are NOT on the list such as allergens, low-quality fillers, artificial preservatives, etc.
Now that you know a little more about how to read a dog food label, you should learn the basics about what to look for in a diabetic dog food in particular.
As you have already learned, most veterinarians recommend low-fat, high-fiber dog foods for diabetic dogs. What you want to watch out for, however, is diabetic dog foods that also have low protein content.
Protein is the most important nutritional consideration for all dogs, even for diabetic dogs. Protein is essential to help your dog maintain lean muscle mass and it needs to come from quality, animal-based sources. Your dog also needs some fat in his diet but moderating the amount of fat in a diabetic dog food is the most effective way to reduce calorie content.
Just make sure that, as a means of reducing calorie content, the diabetic dog food you choose doesn’t also reduce protein content.
When it comes to high fiber content in diabetic dog food, you need to be careful about what sources of fiber the product uses.
Corn, wheat, and soy ingredients may provide plenty of dietary fiber, but these ingredients are of low nutritional value for dogs and they also come with a high risk for triggering food allergies or sensitivities.
Whole grains (as long as they are fully cooked) are one of the most beneficial sources of dietary fiber for dogs because they are often low on the glycemic index (this means that they will not cause your dog’s blood sugar level to spike).
Some good options include whole grain oatmeal, brown rice, cracked pearled barley, and the likes. You can also look for gluten-free, grain-free carbohydrates like sweet potato, tapioca, and green peas.
Many quality diabetic dog foods also include fresh fruits and vegetables as supplementary fiber sources and as natural sources for vital nutrients. When shopping for diabetic dog food, just make sure that the fiber content is high enough but not too high – excess fiber content could have the opposite of the desired effect, causing problems with digestion instead of fixing them.
Best Diabetic Dog Foods 2023 (Non-Prescription)
If your dog has diabetes mellitus, your veterinarian may recommend that you make specific changes to his diet in order to help manage his condition. Unfortunately, some of the dietary changes recommended for diabetic dogs are not as easy to accomplish as they sound – in most cases you will be better off finding a commercial diabetic dog food than you would be trying to make a homemade diet for your dog. To help you get started in shopping for a quality diabetic dog food, consider some of the top rated diabetic dog food brands below:
- The Farmer’s Dog Fresh, Human-Grade Beef Recipe – The Healthiest
- Nutro Adult Lite Weight Loss Dog Food Chicken, Whole Brown Rice & Oatmeal Recipe
- Purina Beyond Grain-Free White Meat Chicken & Egg Recipe
- Whole Earth Farms Grain-Free Recipe with Chicken & Turkey
- Acana Heritage Free-Run Poultry Formula Adult Dog Food
- Orijen Six Fish Grain-Free Adult Dog Food
- Merrick Real Texas Beef + Sweet Potato Recipe Grain-Free Adult
- Nulo Freestyle Salmon & Peas Recipe Grain-Free Adult Dry Dog Food

Summing Up
Choosing a high-quality commercial dog food for your canine companion can be quite the challenge, largely because there are so many options to consider.
If your dog has specific dietary restrictions, however, it becomes even more difficult. If you are looking for a quality diabetic dog food, consider one of the top rated brands reviewed above.