Diabetes in Dogs: Signs, Diagnosis and Daily Care

Diabetes in dogs is a lifelong condition in which the body cannot make enough insulin, so blood sugar rises dangerously high. The PDSA describes it as extremely serious without treatment, but with veterinary help many dogs do well. It is most often seen in older dogs, so speak to your vet if your dog is drinking and weeing more.

At a glance

• What it is: too little insulin, leading to high blood sugar.
• Who it affects: mainly older dogs (over eight in a VetCompass study), with some breeds more likely than others.
• Urgency: soon for early signs. Emergency if your dog is vomiting, collapsing or very unwell (see below).
• Vet needed? Yes. Diabetes is diagnosed and managed with your vet.

Signs to look for

The PDSA lists these early signs: more thirst, more hunger, weeing more, weight loss and low energy.

• Increased thirst and hunger
• Urinating more often
• Weight loss
• Low energy (lethargy)

Causes and risk factors

The PDSA says the immune system usually destroys the body’s own insulin-producing cells, and that it can sometimes follow pancreatitis. The Kennel Club says the most common type in dogs is insulin-dependent, where too little insulin is made, and that pancreatitis is a significant contributor to roughly a quarter of cases.

A Royal Veterinary College VetCompass study compared 409 UK dogs with diabetes against 818 without. Dogs over eight, unneutered females and neutered males, and Border Terriers and West Highland White Terriers were more likely to be diagnosed. Staffordshire Bull Terriers, Shih-tzus and German Shepherd Dogs were less likely. Earlier steroid medication, obesity, pancreatitis and Cushing’s disease were also risk factors.

When to call your vet

Speak to your vet promptly if you notice the early signs. The PDSA says that without treatment diabetes can often lead to death, so please do not wait it out. If you need a practice, see our vets guide. The PDSA says these signs are an emergency, so contact your vet immediately: vomiting, diarrhoea, not eating, low energy, unsteadiness, collapse, or breath that smells sweet like nail polish remover or pear drops. These can be signs of diabetic ketoacidosis, a build-up of ketones (chemicals made when the body cannot use sugar for energy).

For a dog already diagnosed, the PDSA also describes low blood sugar, which can follow too much insulin, too much exercise or too little food. Signs include wobbliness, a vacant look, twitching, vomiting and collapse. The PDSA says low blood sugar is an emergency. If you think this is happening, contact your vet or an emergency vet immediately. Our sick dog symptoms guide may help with other worrying signs.

How vets diagnose it

According to the PDSA, diagnosis uses urine and blood tests, and it helps to bring a fresh urine sample. The Kennel Club says the vet will test blood and urine for glucose and ask about the signs you have seen.

What vets generally do about it

The PDSA says treatment has three parts: insulin injections, controlled feeding and controlled exercise, and it is lifelong. Your vet will show you how to give the injections, which are given at set times each day. Feeding means the same food in the same amounts at set times, without treats between meals, and exercise is kept regular. The PDSA says dogs usually feel much better within a week or two of starting. The Kennel Club adds that your vet may recommend a specific diet and will watch for complications such as cataracts or urinary tract infections. Your vet decides all of this for your dog.

Living with it and prevention

The PDSA says a consistent daily routine helps keep blood sugar steady, and that keeping your dog slim makes diabetes much easier to control. Regular check-ups let your vet confirm it is well controlled. The PDSA lists common problems: dosing errors, insulin spoiled by being left out of the fridge, a dog refusing food, and vomiting after meals. Phone your vet for advice if any of these happen. The PDSA says most well-managed dogs live long, happy lives, though it takes real commitment. In the VetCompass study, dogs that started insulin lived longer. The Kennel Club lists cataracts as a possible complication; the PDSA says they are not painful but cause vision loss and eventually blindness. The PDSA says treatment can cost thousands of pounds over a dog’s lifetime, so see our UK pet insurance guide early. The sources we used do not describe a way to prevent diabetes.

Related conditions

• Pancreatitis in dogs
• Cushing’s disease in dogs
• Obesity in dogs
• Cataracts in dogs
• Urinary tract infections in dogs
• Kidney disease in dogs

You can browse the full A–Z of dog illnesses and conditions too.

Sources

• PDSA, Diabetes in dogs (Pet Health Hub)
• The Kennel Club, Diabetes in dogs
• Royal Veterinary College VetCompass, Diabetes mellitus in dogs attending UK primary-care practices: frequency, risk factors and survival (Heeley et al., 2020)

This page is general information, not veterinary advice. If you are worried about your dog, speak to your vet. Written by Georgiana & Figo, who are dog owners, not vets. Have a look around Calmshops for everyday dog essentials.