When you decide to be a dog owner, you should also anticipate dealing with your pet’s medical issues from time to time. You have to be ready when your furry friend experiences medical problems or conditions that will need urgent treatment and attention. Everyone knows how common diabetes is for humans, but the same also applies to our pets.
Since some kinds of diabetes might happen due to lifestyle factors, it’s possible to prevent it in the first place. So now, let’s talk about some easy-to-follow tips to prevent diabetes in your furry companion and reduce your stress in the future.
How to Protect Your Dog From Diabetes
Deworming, routine pet vaccinations, parasite preventions, and regular checkups are all in the course of dog ownership. However, not every pet owner knows their canine is in danger of diabetes. Here are five simple pointers pet owners can follow to protect their pets from this prevalent condition.
1. Never miss routine checkups
Veterinarians and animal centers are vital to your dog’s health care. They have enough training, experience, and knowledge to recognize health problems like kidney disease, diabetes, heart issues, and other conditions that might contribute to the development of diabetes in pets.
Furthermore, veterinary internal medicine professionals can help treat and manage diabetes or kidney problems should your canine contract them. For example, they might recommend diet plans or routine activities appropriate for your pet’s condition or perform aggressive treatment to address the problem.
2. Know the symptoms of diabetes
Dog diabetes signs are not different from the signs people experience with the same condition. A few of the signs you should look out for include:
- Uncommonly sweet-smelling breath
- Increased urination
- Changes in appetite/ increased thirst
- Sudden weight loss of unknown cause
- Lethargy
- Dehydration
Pets with diabetes might also experience scaly or dry skin, so be on the lookout for this. If you notice skin problems in your canine, have them examined by professionals specializing in veterinary dermatology for pets for recommendations on what actions you need to take to restore your pet’s healthy skin.
3. Ensure your pet gets enough exercise daily
Routine exercise keeps your pet healthy and fit and can drastically aid weight management, which is essential for preventing diabetes. Different dog breeds have the amount of exercise they need daily. You may ask for advice from facilities like Fayette Veterinary Medical Center to know the amount of activity and exercise your pet will need daily to keep them in tiptop condition.
4. Maintain their healthy weight
Obesity is the primary culprit of diabetes in people and is most likely the same contributing factor for pets who develop the stated condition. Therefore, a healthy weight can help prevent diabetes and even secure your furry companion from different health conditions impacting their heart, lungs, and kidney.
To help your four-legged buddy maintain a healthy weight, always follow the recommendations provided to you by your veterinarian. Avoid overfeeding your pet, ensure you choose quality food with the best nutrition, and avoid giving sugary snacks to your pet.
5. Spay your female pet
Spaying pets come with many health benefits you may not know yet. Spaying your furry buddy can help manage the overpopulation crisis and avoid unwanted pregnancy. Furthermore, this can also help reduce the risk of your pet contracting life-threatening conditions like diabetes and various female cancers.