Cooking For Your Diabetic Pet

If you dog or cat has been diagnosed with diabetes, you can still provide it with a normal, happy, healthy life! You will have to pay close attention to your pet's diet needs and commit to it’s good health, and hopefully you will be able to enjoy time with your companion for many more years!

When it comes to feeding your diabetic pet, a high-quality diet that the pet will eat regularly is crucial. The healthier and more consistent the food, the easier it will be to control your animal’s glucose levels.

Learn about diagnosing diabetes in dogs here.

Many vets recommend a special diet that has a high fiber content, much higher than what is commercially available. Also, especially for cats, a high protein diet is often recommended. Vets may prescribe foods that fit your animal’s specific needs and that help them lose weight, but you can also cook them a special diet at home.

Here are some recipes for dogs with diabetes!

Dixie’s Recipe (For medium and large dogs)

Ingredients

• 3 Cups chopped carrots
• 2 Cups chopped celery
• 1 bunch of fresh broccoli
• 10 oz package of fresh spinach
• 6 pounds of lean beef cubed (sirloin tip roast)
• 3 garlic gloves (crushed or minced)
• 3 Cups rye (uncooked)
• 4 Cups brown rice (uncooked)
• 165 oz liquid (1/2 beef broth and 1/2 water)

Preparation

Simmer the beef in the liquid and garlic for approximately 20 minutes. Remove the beef and add the rye. Bring to a boil cover and simmer rye for 40 minutes. Then add the rice, cover and simmer another 15 minutes. Let stand until the liquid is absorbed. In a large container mix the veggies, still raw with the meat. Then pour the hot rice and rye over the veggies and mix it well. The hot rice steams the vegetables and you don't lose vitamins or nutrients from cooking.

Mantauk’s Recipe: (For large dogs)

Ingredients

• 6 pounds lean ground beef, chicken or other lean meat
• 5 cups uncooked pearl barley
• 5 cups uncooked brown rice
• 2 cups minced celery, green beans, chopped spinach or green vegetable
• 24 cups water

Note: (With brown rice it is 2 cups of water per cup of uncooked rice. The barley takes slightly more so I use 24 cups rather than 20.)

Preparation

Put ingredients in large pan, bring to a boil, lower heat to simmer and cook until all the water is absorbed.

Taffy’s Recipe: (For small dogs)

Ingredients

• 2 cups cooked chicken breast, cubed, No skin or fat
• 1/2 cup cooked pasta
• 1/2 tablespoon corn oil
• 1/2 teaspoon Morton lite salt
• 3/4 teaspoon dicalcium phosphate

Preparation

Remove fat and skin from chicken. Boil. De-bone if necessary and cut into cubes. Boil pasta until done. Mix all ingredients. Serve 1/2 cup twice daily. Makes enough for 2-1/2 days.

Consult your vet!

Before cooking any of these meals for your pet, consult with a veterinarian to ensure that these recipes are compatible for your animal’s diet.

These recipes came from PetDiabetes.com. Find more diabetic pet recipes here!