homemade dog food recipes diabetes

Recipe: Homemade Dog Food for Diabetic Dogs

If your dog has been diagnosed with diabetes, you've probably already had an in-depth conversation with your vet about changing her activity level, diet and possibly even adding daily medication to her routine. Making your own dog food is the absolute best way to cater to your pet's individual health needs. Ask your veterinarian if thishomemade dog food for diabetic dogsis right for your pooch.

It's important to consult an expert before changing your dog's diet, especially if you're making adjustments to his food to help treat a medical conditionsuch as canine diabetes. Homemade dog food for diabetic dogs is a great option to help pets with health issues, but if you don't feed a balanced diet you'll be doing more harm than good.

Diabetes can lead tomany other health issuesif not cared for properly. Some of these health problems include:

• kidney problems
• urinary tract issues
• liver disease

and many other complications. In fact, life threatening conditions like thyroid problems andCushing's Diseasehave been linked to Diabetes.

It's important to work with your vet and/or a canine nutritionist to find the right treatment for your pet. The treatment chosen will depend on the severity of the disease, your dog's weight, his age and other factors that your vet will take into account. Perhaps this homemade diabetic dog food recipe will fit into his treatment plan.

MORE RECIPES HERE:Homemade Dog Food & Treats Recipes

Homemade Dog Food for Diabetic Dogs Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 cup cooked pasta (I used spaghetti, but you can use any pasta)
• 1 1/4 cup chicken
• 1/2 tbsp. corn oil
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/2 cup carrots
• 1 tsp. dicalcium phosphate

LISTEN:Podcast on Dealing With Canine Diabetes ft. Rachel Poulin, RVT

Directions

As I explain in the video guide above, this homemade diabetic dog food is extremely easy to make. There isn't much prep work involved, and it's a limited ingredient recipe.

First, cook the chicken in the corn oil. Next, boil the carrots and pasta. Finally, mix everything together in a medium-sized mixing bowl.

That's it!

Once the food cools, you can serve it to your pup. The serving size is about 1/2 cup per 20 pounds of weight. Just be sure to check with your vet or a canine nutritionist to ensure that your dog is getting enough calories every day. If your dog lives an active lifestyle, he may require 3/4 cup for every 20 pounds of weight.

Also, a note ondicalcium phosphate. This is a supplement that will addphosphorus, calcium and fluorine to your pet's diet. It's important to check with your veterinarian to make sure that your dog actually needs this added to his diet.

It is commonly recommended for diabetic dogs, butyour pet may not need dicalcium phosphate added to his food. When feeding a homemade diet, it's best to vary the recipes that you use in order to provide a balanced diet. If your dog is getting enough calcium from his diet overall, adding this supplement could actual cause hypercalcemia (too much calcium in the system).

READ NEXT:Homemade Dog Food vs. Commercial Brands What's Better for Dogs?

Homemade Dog Food for Diabetic Dogs

How Ruby was Diagnosed with Diabetes

Ruby became sick in August of 2008. He was urinating a lot, had increased water consumption, and looked thinner than normal. He ended up in a veterinary hospital where he was diagnosed with diabetes, diabetic ketoacidosis, and pancreatitis. Ketoacidosis can be a life-threatening complication for those suffering from diabetes. It occurs due to a lack of insulin which the body responds to by burning fat for fuel and producing ketones. High levels of ketones can poison the body. Simply put, Ruby was quite ill. In an attempt to comfort Ruby, I would crawl into his hospital kennel, hold him, and sing to him. You Are My Sunshine was on regular rotation. Perhaps I did less singing and more pleading and praying. Either way, after a week in the hospital I was able to take my sunshine home.

My Trick for Injecting a Diabetic Dog

It was a challenge to convince Ruby that getting two insulin shots a day was actually a good thing. I had success after following some great advice: use his food as a reward for receiving the shot. I started by putting his full food bowl on the counter while prepping his shot. Like any food-motivated dog, movement of his food bowl commands his attention. But then the approaching needle would make him run away. After he ran away, I would put his food bowl in the cupboard. That movement of his bowl would bring him back again. Round and round we went until he realized the simple equation of food bowl on counter + shot in dog = food bowl on floor + full dog belly. See, Ruby, insulin shots are a great thing! Before we knew it, he rushed each injection along so he could eat.

My Recipe for Homemade Diabetic Dog Food

The hospital sent us home with a few samples of diabetic dog food. I sought advice from Rubys vet on both packaged and homemade diabetic dog food. Dr. Old Vet was quite ambivalent and offered little to no opinion or advice. His disinterest got me frustrated and angry and it got Dr. Old Vet fired. In walked Dr. New Vet, who had experience with canine diabetes, and Dr. New Vets wife, who had experience with homemade pet food. At this point, I really wanted to try and make Rubys food. I set out to develop a recipe which would later be known as Ruby Stewbie. I first researched which foods rank low on the glycemic index (GI). These foods are especially important to a diabetic in order to keep blood sugar levels from spiking. My research led me to this amazing article and its subject: a beautiful yellow bean from India called chana dal. When I first saw them, I was struck by how much chana dal resemble little suns. Since chana dal ranks incredibly low on the GI, I made it one of the main ingredients of Ruby Stewbie. I ran my recipe by Dr. and Mrs. New Vet, and they both approved. I have been making this homemade diabetic dog food recipe for over seven years now, and today I am happy to share it with you. Welcome to Rubys Diner!

Ruby Stewbie - Diabetic Dog Food

Welcome to Ruby's Diner! I made my diabetic dog this homemade recipe from 2008 to 2016. Control canine diabetes with a low glycemic dog food made with love.

• 28 cups water
• 1 bag (4 pounds) chana dal rinsed
• 2 bags (1 pound each) brown lentils rinsed
• 2 bags (1 pound each) black-eyed peas rinsed
• 2 bags (1 pound each) green split peas rinsed
• 1 pound pearl barley rinsed
• 5 pounds boneless chicken breasts cut into -inch cubes
• 1 pound ground turkey
• 1 can (29 ounces) Libbys 100% Pure Pumpkin
• 2 bags (16 ounces each) frozen broccoli cuts
• 2 bags (16 ounces each) frozen crinkle cut carrots
• 2 bags (16 ounces each) frozen green beans
• 2 packages (10 ounces each) frozen chopped spinach

1. Pour water into a 20-quart pot. Bring to a boil over high heat.

2. Add chana dal, brown lentils, black-eyed peas, green split peas and barley. Reduce heat to medium, stir occasionally.

3. Cut and add chicken breast.

4. Add ground turkey.

5. Stir in pumpkin.

6. Add in the frozen vegetables. (My pot will not accommodate all of the vegetables so I add in as much as I can and thaw the rest to be added in before storage).

7. Reduce heat to medium-low, stirring occasionally until most of the water is absorbed. Let stand and cool before storing.

SERVING SIZE: This recipe is based on a 48 pound dog eating four cups of Ruby Stewbie and one cup of dry food daily. An example for a 20 pound dog would be about 1 1/2 cups of Stewbie and roughly 1/2 cup of dry food daily.

20/48 = .41 x 4 = 1.6 cups of Stewbie

Calculate a comparable amount for your dog's weight by substituting the bold amount in the formula above.

For more information on the glycemic index of each ingredient, see glycemicindex.com.

CALORIES: There are 265 calories per cup of the Ruby Stewbie.

DRY FOOD: Ruby's vet suggested Hill's Science Diet Adult Light Dry Dog Food and Pet Canine PowerFood from Only Natural Pet.

Storage for Homemade Diabetic Dog Food

I laid out six large storage containers on the counter and scooped 12 cups of Ruby Stewbie, including the vegetables, into each container. One container went straight into the refrigerator and the others into the freezer. As one container got about half eaten, I moved another from the freezer to thaw in the refrigerator. Ruby ate four cups of this recipe daily. Each container lasted three days and each batch lasted 18 days. I supplemented Rubys diet with one cup of dry food daily. His vet suggested Hills Science Diet Adult Light Dry Dog Food, and its the kibble that agreed with him best. I tried other dry dog food, but he always had one issue or another. So wed return to the old standby. He really loved the dry Pet Canine PowerFood from Only Natural Pet.

Ruby rarely left my side, but he stayed especially close on cooking day. He spent the whole time waiting for some chicken to accidentally fall in his direction.

Rubys Legacy

On May 4th, 2016, Ruby passed peacefully in his sleep, surrounded by his pack. He lived 14 glorious years, eight of them with canine diabetes. Always a lover not a fighter, we know hes looking down and wagging his tail at all the dogs feasting on his Ruby Stewbie. Learn about other ways we continue to give back in his honor at FriendsOfRuby.org.

11 Easy Homemade Diabetic Dog Food Recipes

Here are the 11 easiest homemade diabetic dog food recipes to take care of your furry friend in the best possible way.

We all love our dogs, and when it comes to their health, we want the best for them. If your furry friend has diabetes, you know how important it is to manage their diet carefully. Homemade diabetic dog food recipes are an excellent way to ensure your pup gets the right nutrition while enjoying tasty meals. So, lets explore 11 delicious and nutritious recipes that can help keep your diabetic dog happy and healthy.

Understanding Diabetes in Dogs

Before we dive into these recipes, lets briefly understand diabetes in dogs. Just like in humans, diabetes in dogs affects how their bodies handle sugar or glucose. There are two main types: Type 1 (insulin-dependent) and Type 2 (non-insulin-dependent). Both types require proper management, and diet plays a crucial role.

When preparing homemade diabetic dog food, keep these principles in mind:

a. Consistency: Stick to regular meal times to regulate your dogs blood sugar levels.

b. Balance: Aim for a well-balanced diet with the right proportions of protein, fat, and carbohydrates.

c. Fiber: Include fiber to slow down glucose absorption and stabilize blood sugar levels.

d. Protein: High-quality protein supports muscle maintenance and overall health.

e. Low-Glycemic Carbs: Choose carbohydrates with a low glycemic index to prevent spikes in blood sugar.

Now, lets dive into these homemade diabetic dog food recipes, and Ill walk you through how to make each one:

1. Turkey and Brown Rice Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 cup lean ground turkey
• 1/2 cup brown rice
• 1/2 cup green beans (steamed and chopped)
• 1/4 cup unsweetened pumpkin puree
• 1/4 cup low-sodium chicken broth

Instructions:

• Cook the ground turkey in a non-stick pan until its fully cooked.
• Meanwhile, cook the brown rice according to the package instructions.
• Mix the cooked turkey, brown rice, steamed green beans, and pumpkin puree together.
• Add chicken broth to achieve the desired consistency.

2. Chicken and Sweet Potato Stew

Ingredients:

• 1 cup cooked chicken (shredded)
• 1/2 cup cooked and mashed sweet potatoes
• 1/4 cup cooked carrots (chopped)
• 1/4 cup cooked peas
• 1/4 cup low-sodium chicken broth

Instructions:

• Combine the shredded chicken, mashed sweet potatoes, chopped carrots, and peas.
• Add chicken broth to create a stew-like consistency.
• 3. Salmon and Quinoa Delight

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3. Beef and Sweet Potato Skillet

Ingredients:

• 1 pound lean ground beef
• 1 sweet potato, peeled and diced
• 1/2 cup spinach, chopped
• 1/2 cup green beans (fresh or frozen)
• 1/4 cup low-sodium beef broth
• 2 tablespoons olive oil

Instructions:

• In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
• Add the ground beef and cook until its browned and no longer pink, breaking it into small pieces as it cooks.
• Drain any excess fat from the beef.
• Add the diced sweet potato, green beans, spinach, and beef broth to the skillet. Stir well.
• Cover the skillet and let the mixture simmer for about 15-20 minutes, or until the sweet potato is soft and cooked through.
• Allow the mixture to cool before serving it to your diabetic dog.

4. Beef and Green Bean Casserole

Ingredients:

• 1 cup lean ground beef
• 1/2 cup steamed and chopped green beans
• 1/2 cup steamed and mashed cauliflower
• 1/4 cup low-sodium beef broth

Instructions:

• Brown the lean ground beef in a non-stick pan until its fully cooked.
• Combine the cooked beef, steamed green beans, mashed cauliflower, and beef broth.

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5. Pork and Barley Bowl

Ingredients:

• 1 cup lean ground pork
• 1/2 cup cooked barley
• 1/4 cup cooked and chopped carrots
• 1/4 cup cooked and chopped zucchini
• 1/4 cup low-sodium pork broth

Instructions:

• Cook the lean ground pork until its done.
• Mix the cooked pork, cooked barley, chopped carrots, chopped zucchini, and pork broth.

6. Chicken and Lentil Stew

Ingredients:

• 1 cup cooked chicken (shredded)
• 1/2 cup cooked lentils
• 1/4 cup cooked peas
• 1/4 cup cooked and chopped carrots
• 1/4 cup low-sodium chicken broth

Instructions:

• Combine the shredded chicken, cooked lentils, peas, chopped carrots, and chicken broth to create a stew-like consistency.

7. Turkey and Sweet Potato Mash

Ingredients:

• 1 cup lean ground turkey
• 1/2 cup cooked and mashed sweet potatoes
• 1/4 cup steamed and chopped green beans
• 1/4 cup low-sodium turkey or vegetable broth

Instructions:

• Cook the lean ground turkey until its fully done.
• Mix the cooked turkey, mashed sweet potatoes, steamed green beans, and broth together.

8. Salmon and Asparagus Medley

Ingredients:

• 1 cup canned salmon (boneless and skinless)
• 1/2 cup steamed and chopped asparagus
• 1/2 cup cooked brown rice
• 1/4 cup low-sodium vegetable or chicken broth

Instructions:

• Combine the canned salmon, steamed asparagus, cooked brown rice, and broth.

9. Egg and Spinach Scramble

Ingredients:

• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup cooked and chopped spinach
• 1/4 cup cooked and finely grated carrots
• 1/4 cup low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth

Instructions:

• Scramble the eggs in a non-stick pan.
• Mix the scrambled eggs with the cooked spinach, grated carrots, and broth.

10. Lamb and Millet

Ingredients

• 1 cup ground lamb
• 1 cup cooked millet
• 1/4 cup broccoli (steamed and chopped)
• 1/4 cup cauliflower (steamed and chopped)

Instructions:

1. Cook the ground lamb thoroughly in a non-stick pan.
2. Cook the millet according to the package instructions.
3. Steam the broccoli and cauliflower.
4. Mix all the ingredients together and let them cool before serving.

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11. Tuna and Brown Rice

Ingredients:

• 1 cup canned tuna in water (drained)
• 1 cup cooked brown rice
• 1/4 cup green peas (steamed)
• 1/4 cup carrots (steamed and diced)

Instructions:

1. Mix the drained canned tuna with the cooked brown rice.
2. Steam the green peas and dice the carrots.
3. Add the steamed peas and diced carrots to the tuna and rice mixture. Mix well and serve when cool.

Always remember to consult with your veterinarian to tailor these recipes to your diabetic dogs specific dietary needs. With the right care and these homemade meals, your furry companion can enjoy a vibrant and fulfilling life while managing their diabetes effectively.