If your dog has just been diagnosed with diabetes, there are several things you should know. If your vet has not impressed upon you the value of a proper canine diabetes diet, I can help. Here are the right foods to eat, the percentages of each and what other treatment options may be available in addition to insulin.

Canine Diabetes Diet

In Dr. Marty Goldstein's book, The Nature of Animal Healing he promotes a diet with the following percentages:

• 50% complex carbohydrates
• 25% vegetables
• 25% protein

This makes sense because it will reduce the stress placed on the dog pancreas. First of all, complex carbohydrates such as cooked brown rice, millet, buckwheat and rye are healthy grains unlike wheat or white flour that has been stripped of nutrients and fiber. Wheat and white flour are seen by the body as sugar.

Vegetables have vitamins, minerals and fiber. Green beans have pods containing an insulin-like hormonal substance. Carrots and winter squash are great. Even buying a bag of frozen mixed vegetables is a decent choice. While not a vegetable, alfalfa sprouts are absolutely loaded with nutrition.

A variety of meats such as organic chicken, lean beef, steamed fish, and the addition of eggs a few times a week instead of one meat day after day will avoid a food intolerance (what is often referred to as an allergy) from developing.

Lean meats are important because the pancreas not only produces insulin but enzymes to break down fats as well.

Foods to Avoid

Strict avoidance of all foods with sugar and white flour (often listed as wheat flour), and chemical preservatives is very important. Examples are any pre-moistened foods that come in packets or treats with bacon or pepperoni man-made flavors. (These foods may be to blame for the onset of diabetes in dogs.)

Canine Diabetes Treatment

Insulin for dogs, along with careful monitoring of blood sugar through urine testing is the standard treatment.

In a holistic view of dogs with diabetes, we know that insulin is a treatment but not a cure. By supporting the pancreas, could it start producing insulin again? We also know that when one organ isn't working properly, it stresses other organs because they have an increased workload to take up the slack because the body organs work together as a whole.

Homeopathy for Dogs

By incorporating certain remedies, the body will be less stressed. Things such as homeopathic injectable pancreas in dilution, pancreatic enzymes, or Chinese herbs given by a trained veterinarian will not only help the pancreas, but prevent damage to the liver and kidneys.