BARFing for diabetes involves some changes or adjustments to the diet of a sick pet. For example, certain foods should be avoided as a result of diabetes, while others should take their place. Read how you can make BARFing for diabetes pleasant and successful for your pet.
BARF for diabetes: How does the disease occur?
Diabetes can have various causes. A long-term diet rich in carbohydrates or foods that contain too much fat, as well as obesity or pancreatic diseases, can all contribute to type I diabetes. It is the most common form of diabetes in dogs. In many cases, its occurrence is also hereditary. In type I diabetes, not enough insulin is produced. In contrast to humans (and cats), type II diabetes is rare in dogs. In this type of disease, enough insulin is produced, but it is not recognized by the body's cells. Type III diabetes is usually a secondary disease of certain diseases, such as Cushing's disease or an underactive thyroid.
The most visible symptoms of diabetes in dogs are increased fluid intake and, associated with this, increased urination. This is because the sugar that is not broken down collects first in the blood and then in the urine. If you notice these symptoms, you should definitely contact your trusted veterinarian. They can take a blood and urine sample to check the sugar levels. Other symptoms include a breakdown of fat and muscle mass (effectively weight loss), poor wound healing, general lack of energy, dull fur and vomiting. Cat lens clouding can also occur.
BARF for diabetes: changing your diet
So what does the disease mean for BARF for a dog suffering from diabetes? In any case, diabetes must be treated with medication - this is unavoidable. But you can also help your pet with diet. You should avoid certain foods - especially those that contain a lot of carbohydrates (and are therefore converted into glucose in a normal metabolism): These include pasta, rice, potatoes, sweet potatoes and bananas. Fiber-rich foods such as lettuce, asparagus, small portions of spinach or cabbage are better because they slow down digestion and allow the sugar contained in them to be absorbed more effectively. Dairy products and eggs can also be helpful.
You should also be careful when choosing fruit - most types of fruit contain fructose. Citrus fruits, berries, guava, green melons and pulses are better. Brazil nuts and almonds can also be included in the nutritional mix.
BARF for diabetes: What about meat?
Finally, there is the question of which types of meat should be used for BARF for diabetes. The only rule here is that you should not feed an excessive amount of fatty meat or fat. So low-fat types of meat are better than BARF meat , such as horse for dogs , ostrich or veal. Otherwise, the majority of the diet for a BARFed dog remains unaffected by diabetes.
Would you like to put together food for your dog suffering from diabetes? Then use our BARF calculator . In the BARF guide you will also find many other helpful articles on the subject of BARF .
