What Are The Best Diabetic Dog Food Brands 2018? Find Out Here!
Diabetes can be common among dogs, especially when they delight in almost every food. So, to help you prevent your pet from suffering, we’ve gathered the top 10 dry dog food you need to check out.
We are not the only ones who may suffer from diabetes. Since they love eating as much as we do, our dogs are likewise prone to this condition.
If your dog is unable to process insulin properly, he or she may have excess glucose in his or her body. This disease is what we know as diabetes. While it may not necessarily be fatal, it is still important to prevent the condition from getting worse. One of the best ways you can do so is by regulating your pet’s diet.
To keep your diabetic dog healthy, his or her diet must be rich in fiber and low in calories. Also, as much as possible, you have to restrict your pet’s carbohydrate intake.
Dog Nutrition and Diabetic Dogs - Part 1
To help you pick the right food for your diabetic furball, we have compiled the best diabetic dog food brands in the market today. Here they are:
Product | Weight (in lbs.) | Key Ingredients | Our Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
BLUE Freedom Grain-Free Beef for Adult Dogs - The Editor's Choice | 16 | Deboned Beef, Chicken Meal, Tapioca Starch, Potatoes, and Peas | ||
Dogswell Nutrisca Chicken & Chickpea | 15 | Chicken, Chicken Meal, Peas, Chickpeas, and Chicken Fat* | ||
Earthborn Holistic Coastal Catch | 28 | Herring Meal, Potatoes, Peas, Canola Oil*, and Pea Protein | ||
Wellness TruFood Baked Nuggets Chicken & Chicken Liver | 18 | Chicken, Chickpeas, Lentils, Pea Protein, and Chicken Liver | ||
Midwestern PRO PAC Ultimates Overland Red | 28 | Beef Meal, Potatoes, Peas, Chickpeas, and Canola Oil* | ||
Merrick Grain-Free Real Chicken + Sweet Potato Puppy Recipe | 12 | Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Potatoes, Peas, and Sweet Potatoes | ||
Nature’s Recipe Grain-Free Easy-to-Digest Salmon, Sweet Potato, & Pumpkin Recipe | 12 | Salmon, Potatoes, Pea Protein, Salmon Meal, and Peas | ||
Whole Earth Farms Grain-Free Recipe with Salmon & Whitefish for All Breeds & Life Stages | 12 | Salmon Meal, Dried Potatoes, Peas, Dried Chickpeas, and Chicken Meal | ||
Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Diets (LID) Sweet Potato & Fish | 13 | Sweet Potatoes, Salmon, Fish Meal, Potato Protein, and Canola Oil* | ||
Canidae Grain-Free Pure Resolve Weight Management with Fresh Chicken | 12 | Chicken, Chicken Meal, Turkey Meal, Sweet Potatoes, and Peas |
*Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols
1. BLUE Freedom Grain-Free Beef for Adult Dogs (11 lbs.) - Best Diabetic Dog Food The Editor's Choice
Product Overview
Does It Contain The Following: | YES | NO |
|---|---|---|
Artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives | ✓ | |
Corn | ✓ | |
Grains | ✓ | |
Soy | ✓ | |
Wheat | ✓ |
BLUE Freedom Grain-Free Beef for Adult Dogs boasts with BLUE LifeSource Bits, which contain a unique blend of essential nutrients. They have undergone minimal heat exposure during the manufacturing process to retain as much potency of the natural ingredients as possible.
As one of the best diabetic dog food brands, it provides your dog with a complete nutrition minus the harmful ingredients. Mainly, it promotes the following:
- Active lifestyle
- Coat and skin health
- Muscle development
- Dental health
- Immune function
Daily Feeding Guide
Calorie Content: 3,615 Kcals/kg; 377 Kcals/cup
Dog Weight (in lbs.) | Amount |
|---|---|
15 and less | ½ to 1 ¼ cup(s) |
16 to 25 | 1 ¼ to 1 ¾ cups |
26 to 40 | 1 ¾ to 2 ½ cups |
41 to 60 | 2 ½ to 3 ½ cups |
61 to 80 | 3 ½ to 4 ¼ cups |
81 to 100 | 4 ¼ to 5 cups |
More than 100 | At least 5 cups** |
**For every additional 20 lbs., add ½ cup.
Pros |
|---|
Cons
|
2. Dogswell Nutrisca Chicken & Chickpea (15 lbs.) - Best Diabetic Dog Food With Chicken
Product Overview
Does It Contain The Following: | YES | NO |
|---|---|---|
Artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives | ✓ | |
Corn | ✓ | |
Grains | ✓ | |
Soy | ✓ | |
Wheat | ✓ |
If your diabetic dog is fond of chicken, then this might be the perfect choice for you. Dogswell Nutrisca Chicken & Chickpea made it to our list of the top 10 diabetic dog food brands because of its distinct and thorough formulation.
Balancing its first ingredient, chicken, are fiber-rich elements such as peas, chickpeas, tomato pomace, dried carrots, dried apples, dried cranberries, dried blueberries, and dried apricots. These support healthy digestion. Moreover, it is rich antioxidants and Omega fatty acids that help maintain your dog’s coat and skin.
Daily Feeding Guide
Calorie Content: 3,830 Kcals/kg; 405 Kcals/cup
Dog Weight (in lbs.) | For Adult Dogs | For Puppies | For Gestating and Lactating Female Dogs |
|---|---|---|---|
10 and less | ¼ to 1 cup(s) | 5/16 to 1 ¼ cup(s) | ½ to 2 cup(s) |
11 to 20 | 1 to 1 ¼ cup(s) | 1 ¼ to 1 9/16 cups | 2 to 2 ½ cups |
21 to 40 | 1 ¼ to 2 cups | 1 9/16 to 2 ½ cups | 2 ½ to 4 cups |
41 to 60 | 2 to 2 ½ cups | 2 ½ to 3 ⅛ cups | 4 to 5 cups |
61 to 80 | 2 ½ to 3 cups | 3 ⅛ to 3 ¾ cups | 5 to 6 cups |
81 to 100 | 3 to 3 ½ cups | 3 ¾ to 4 ⅜ cups | 6 to 7 cups |
101 to 120 | 3 ½ to 4 cups | 4 ⅜ to 5 cups | 7 to 8 cups |
More than 120 | At least 4 cups*** | NA | At least 8 cups**** |
***For every additional 10 lbs., add ¼ cup.
****For every additional 10 lbs., add ½ cup.
Pros |
|---|
Cons
|
3. Earthborn Holistic Coastal Catch (28 lbs.) - Best Diabetic Dog Food With Fish
Product Overview
Does It Contain The Following: | YES | NO |
|---|---|---|
Artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives | ✓ | |
Corn | ✓ | |
Grains | ✓ | |
Soy | ✓ | |
Wheat | ✓ |
Fish is an excellent protein source alternative for poultry, which is why we consider this product as one of the best diabetic dog food brands today. It has herring meal, salmon meal, and whitefish meal, sustaining your dog’s healthy daily life with a protein-rich diet.
Furthermore, Earthborn Holistic Coastal Catch contains nutritious carbohydrate sources such as potatoes and peas. The fruits and vegetables also add value with their antioxidants and fiber. Then, the L-carnitine improves your pet’s metabolism.
Daily Feeding Guide
Calorie Content: 3,725 Kcals/kg; 435 Kcals/cup
Dog Weight (in lbs.) | Amount |
|---|---|
5 to 20 | ¼ to 1 ¼ cup(s) |
20 to 35 | 1 ¼ to 1 ¾ cups |
35 to 50 | 1 ¾ to 2 ¼ cups |
50 to 65 | 2 ¼ to 2 ¾ cups |
65 to 80 | 2 ¾ to 3 ¼ cups |
80 to 95 | 3 ¼ to 3 ¾ cups |
95 to 115 | 3 ¾ to 4 ¾ cups |
Pros |
|---|
Cons
|
4. Wellness TruFood Baked Nuggets Chicken & Chicken Liver (18 lbs.) - Best Natural Diabetic Dog Food
Wellness TruFood Baked Nuggets Chicken & Chicken Liver is one our best diabetic dog food brands because it boasts with its all-natural ingredients. While it contains chicken as its primary ingredient, it is free of poultry byproduct meals.
More importantly, it does not contain grains, potatoes, and wheat. Instead, chickpeas, lentils, and fruits and vegetables such as spinach, blueberries, purple carrots, and apples balance the formula for a complete yet uncompromised nutrition.
The chicken liver provides the necessary vitamins A, B-complex, and D. Meanwhile, apples provide pectin, which plays an important role in maintaining healthy digestion.
Daily Feeding Guide
Calorie Content: 3,694 Kcals/kg; 377 Kcals/cup
Dog Weight (in lbs.) | Amount |
|---|---|
5 to 15 | ½ to 1 ⅛ cup(s) |
15 to 25 | 1 ⅛ to 1 ¾ cups |
25 to 45 | 1 ¾ to 2 ¾ cups |
45 to 65 | 2 ¾ to 3 ⅔ cups |
65 to 85 | 3 ⅔ to 4 ½ cups |
85 to 105 | 4 ½ to 5 ¼ cups |
105 to 125 | 5 ¼ to 6 cups |
More than 125 | At least 6 cups***** |
*****For every additional 10 lbs., add ⅓ cup.
Pros |
|---|
Cons
|
5. Midwestern PRO PAC Ultimates Overland Red (28 lbs.) - Best Diabetic Dog Food with Beef
Dogs are naturally carnivores that thrive in the wild. It is safe to say that the original canine diet consists of tasty red meat. So, if you want your dog to enjoy this original diet conveniently, Midwestern PRO PAC Ultimates Overland Red might be the excellent option for you.
This item would not be one of our best diabetic dog food brands if it is not rich in natural sources of fiber such as peas, chickpeas, flaxseed, apples, blueberries, among others. Combined, these fruits, vegetables, and seeds support healthy digestion.
Additionally, it has a unique antioxidant formula that nourishes your pet’s coat and skin. The vitamins A and C found in fruits and vegetables also contribute to a healthier immune system.
Daily Feeding Guide
Calorie Content: 3,330 Kcals/kg; 340 Kcals/cup
Dog Weight (in lbs.) | Amount |
|---|---|
5 to 10 | ½ to 1 cup |
11 to 25 | 1 ⅛ to 1 ¾ cups |
25 to 50 | 2 to 3 ¼ cups |
51 to 100 | 3 ¼ to 5 ½ cups |
More than 100 | At least 5 ½ cups****** |
******For every additional 10 lbs., add ½ cup.
Pros |
|---|
Cons
|
6. Merrick Grain-Free Real Chicken + Sweet Potato Puppy Recipe (12 lbs.) - Best Diabetic Dog Food for Puppies
It is highly recommended to be mindful of diabetes as early as possible. Consequently, it is ideal to start your pet young with a diabetic diet. So, for this, we strongly suggest that you try Merrick Grain-Free Real Chicken + Sweet Potato Puppy Recipe.
We have included this product in our list of the best diabetic dog food brands because its first ingredient, real deboned chicken, is not just a good source of protein. It is also rich in DHA, which helps shape brain development and cognitive function.
Its formula contains 55% protein and essential fats. The remaining 45% consists of real, whole foods enriched with vitamins and minerals.
Daily Feeding Guide
Calorie Content: 3,400 Kcals/kg; 381 Kcals/cup
Dog Weight (in lbs.) | Puppies Aged 6 to 16 Weeks Old | Puppies Aged 16 to 52 Weeks Old |
|---|---|---|
3 | ¾ cup | ½ cup |
6 | 1 ⅓ cups | 1 cup |
10 | 1 ¾ cups | 1 ½ cups |
15 | 2 ½ cups | 2 cups |
20 | 3 cups | 2 ½ cups |
30 | 4 cups | 3 ⅓ cups |
40 | 5 cups | 4 cups |
50 | 6 cups | 4 ¾ cups |
60 | 5 ½ cups | |
70 | 6 cups | |
80 | 6 ¾ cups |
Pros |
|---|
Cons
|
7. Nature's Recipe Grain Free Dry Dog Food (12 lbs.) - Best Easily Digestible Diabetic Dog Food
We consider Nature’s Recipe Grain-Free Easy-to-Digest Salmon, Sweet Potato, & Pumpkin Recipe as one of the best diabetic dog food brands because of its flavorful formula. It combines ingredients that are rich in protein, carbohydrates, and fiber to create a balanced diet free of unnecessary and harmful additives or fillers.
In addition, it boasts with an easy-to-digest guarantee. As a result, your pet may less likely suffer from stomach aches or other digestive troubles even during transitioning period.
Daily Feeding Guide
Dog Weight (in lbs.) | Amount for Adult Dogs | Puppies Aged 6 Months and Below | Puppies Aged Above 6 Months | Pregnant and Lactating Female Dogs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
3 to 10 | ¼ to 1 cup | ½ to 2 cup(s) | ½ to 1 ½ cup(s) | 1 to 4 cup(s) |
10 to 20 | 1 to 1 ½ cup(s) | 2 to 3 cups | 1 ½ to 2 ¼ cups | 4 to 6 cups |
20 to 50 | 1 ½ to 3 cups | 3 to 6 cups | 2 ¼ to 4 ½ cups | 6 to 12 cups |
50 to 100 | 3 to 5 cups | 6 to 10 cups | 4 ½ to 7 ½ cups | 12 to 20 cups |
More than 100 | At least 5 cups******* | At least 20 cups******** |
*******For every additional 10 lbs., add ½ cup.
********For every additional 10 lbs., add 2 cups.
Pros |
|---|
Cons
|
8. Whole Earth Farms Grain-Free Recipe with Salmon & Whitefish for All Breeds & Life Stages (12 lbs.) - Best Diabetic Dog Food for Pregnant and Lactating Female Dogs
A couple of our best diabetic dog food brands are suitable for pregnant and lactating female dogs, but we have picked this item to be the most outstanding in such category for its nutritionally valuable, whole food ingredients.
Pregnant and lactating female dogs are more sensitive than any other dogs at any other life stages. Moreover, they need to eat more than their male adult counterparts. Whole Earth Farms Grain-Free Recipe with Salmon & Whitefish for All Breeds & Life Stages meet all these demands with the unparalleled cost-efficiency in mind.
With fish as its source of protein and various fruits and vegetables as its sources of vitamins and minerals, your pet will surely get all the nutrition he or she needs. Moreover, it will surely deliver all the essentials for your pregnant and lactating female dog to nourish her offsprings.
Daily Feeding Guide
Calorie Content: 3,460 Kcals/kg; 346 Kcals/cup
Dog Weight (in lbs.) | Average Adult Dogs | Active Adult Dogs | For Puppies | Pregnant and Lactating Female Dogs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
3 to 12 | ⅓ to 1 cup | ½ to 1 ¼ cup(s) | ⅔ to 3 cup(s) | ⅔ to 3 cup(s) |
13 to 20 | 1 to 1 ⅔ cup(s) | 1 ¼ to 1 ¾ cups | 2 to 5 cups | 2 to 5 cups |
21 to 50 | 1 ⅔ to 3 cups | 1 ¾ to 3 ⅔ cups | 3 ⅓ to 9 cups | 3 ⅓ to 9 cups |
51 to 100 | 3 to 5 ⅓ cups | 3 ⅔ to 6 cups | 6 to 16 cups | 6 to 16 cups |
More than 100 | At least 5 ⅓ cups******** | At least 6 cups******** | At least 10 ⅔ cups********* |
********For every additional 10 lbs., add ½ cup.
*********For every additional 10 lbs., add at least 1 cup.
Pros |
|---|
Cons
|
9. Natural Balance LID Sweet Potato & Fish (13 lbs.) - Best LID Diabetic Dog Food
In this list of the best diabetic dog food brands, we only consider products that are completely free of fillers that do not benefit our dogs. So, it is only fitting to include Natural Balance LID Sweet Potato & Fish, which only contains ingredients that improve your pet’s overall health.
First of all, it has high-quality protein and carbohydrate sources. As a result, your dog gets the nutrition he or she needs to develop leaner and stronger muscles and the energy to meet the demands of everyday life.
With limited ingredients, it is also a guarantee that the digestive health of your dog will improve. Then, on the surface, the Omega 6 and 3 fatty acids keep his or her coat and skin luxuriously healthy.
Daily Feeding Guide
Calorie Content: 3,340 Kcals/kg; 350 Kcals/cup
Dog Weight (in lbs.) | Amount | Dog Weight (in lbs.) | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
Less than 10 | ½ to 1 cup | 40 to 60 | 3 to 4 cups |
10 to 20 | 1 to 1 ½ cup(s) | 60 to 80 | 4 to 4 ¾ cups |
20 to 30 | 1 ½ to 2 ½ cups | 80 to 100 | 4 ¾ to 5 ¾ cups |
30 to 40 | 2 ½ to 3 cups |
Pros |
|---|
Cons
|
10. Canidae Grain-Free Pure Resolve Weight Management with Fresh Chicken (12 lbs.) - Best Diabetic Dog Food for Active Adult Dogs
Not many diabetic dog food brands are altogether sensitive-friendly and weight-loss-friendly. Most of the time, it is either one or the other. Take Canidae Grain-Free Pure Resolve Weight Management with Fresh Chicken differently.
Aside from containing limited ingredients to support the needs of dogs with food sensitivities, it also promotes the interests of those that are trying to lose weight through a more active lifestyle. So, if your pet is engaged in intense daily exercise or training to trim some pounds, this item might be the perfect one for you.
Daily Feeding Guide
Calorie Content: 3,300 Kcals/kg; 409 Kcals/cup
Dog Weight (in lbs.) | Adult Dogs with Exercise | Adult Dogs with Reduced Activity |
|---|---|---|
2 to 5 | ¼ cup | ⅕ cup |
5 to 10 | ½ cup | ⅜ cup |
10 to 25 | ¾ cup | ⅝ cup |
25 to 50 | 1 ½ cups | 1 ¼ cups |
50 to 75 | 2 ½ cups | 2 ⅛ cups |
75 to 100 | 3 ⅓ cups | 2 ⅞ cups |
100 to 125 | 4 ¼ cups | 3 ½ cups |
125 to 150 | 5 cups | 4 ⅛ cups |
Pros |
|---|
Cons
|
Summary
My personal choice in this list is BLUE Freedom Grain-Free Beef for Adult Dogs.
First, it takes pride in BLUE LifeSource Bits that are highly potent with nutritional value. When buying dog food, one of my main considerations is the manufacturing process, and this is exactly where the product has won me over.
Then, it features beef as its first ingredient. For me, I like seeing dogs enjoy their original diet, red meat. However, this does not mean that white meat such as fish and poultry are not as delectable and nutritious.
When choosing the right food for your diabetic dog, just remember to look for fiber-rich ingredients. More importantly, avoid those with grains such as rice and whole grain barley as their main carbohydrate sources.
That is all you need to keep in mind when regulating your pet’s diet! We hope that you have learned something new today. If you have any questions or insights, feel free to share them with us on the comments section below!
Thank you and Have a good day ahead!
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