Diabetes in pets has become a point of concern among pet parents. Though diabetes is normally seen in older pets, young dogs and cats are not entirely spared. Moreover, the rise in pet obesity has also lead to an increase in the number of diabetic pets. Therefore, November is celebrated as national pet diabetes month, and its main aim is to spread awareness about diabetes and help pet parents in preventing it.
Diabetes is a health condition where the animal’s body isn’t able to utilize the required amounts of glucose. Since glucose provides energy to the body parts, it’s essential to keep it in balance for a healthy body. Insulin also plays a vital role as it is needed to transfer glucose to various cells in the body. Thus, when the body doesn’t produce insulin, it disturbs the glucose levels of the body.
There Are Two Types of Diabetes –
Diabetes I – This type is very common in pets, especially dogs. In Type I diabetes, the dog’s body isn’t able to produce enough insulin. This occurs due to damaged pancreas and requires daily treatment for a lifetime.
Diabetes II – Mostly common in older and obese dogs, Type II diabetes occurs when the pancreas produces insulin but the body can’t utilize it.
Here Are The Common Signs of Diabetes –
- Increase in thirst and appetite
- Weight loss
- Chronic infections
- Cloudy eyes
- Lack of energy
Diabetes is a very dangerous disease which once your pet gets and it stays with him for a lifetime. Therefore, as the saying goes, ‘prevention is better than cure,’ you need to be vigilant and take all the preventive measures to keep your furry companion protected.
In order to keep pets healthy and reduce the risk of diabetes, we have compiled a list of points that can be helpful to pet parents. Read on below to find out how to prevent diabetes in pets.
- Keep your furry companion active. The more active your pet is, the lesser are the chances of him getting diabetes. One of the main causes of diabetes is obesity, so when you keep your pet on their toes, it will keep regulating his blood sugar levels. Most vets recommend that dogs need to be walked every day for them to stay fit.
- Encourage routine vet check-ups so if there’s anything suspicious, the vet can help you in figuring it out. Moreover, the vet can easily spot even the smallest of early symptoms of diabetes. So it’s always helpful to not miss the vet’s appointment(s)!
- Stop overfeeding. Many a times, pet parents don’t realize how much they’re feeding their pets. This not only leads to the pets gaining weight, but it also increases the risk of diabetes.
- Watch your pet’s weight. A pet that has an ideal body weight is comparatively less likely to get diabetes.
Diabetes can hamper your pet’s health and cause many other health conditions. Thus, it’s best to take preventive measures and avoid it all together. Moreover, it’s also crucial to protect your furry friend from other health dangers such as intestinal worms and fleas and ticks. So ensure you have the necessary pet supplies at your home.