When you find out your dog has diabetes, we understand it can be a lot to absorb and can leave you feeling worried as a pet parent. But don't worry, we're here to support you.

It's important to reassure yourself that most dogs with diabetes live normal, happy lives full of all the usual fun and games. Successful management of the condition is absolutely achievable, but we know it involves work and changes. To support concerned Butternutters, we give you access to a 24/7 vet-nurse helpline when you sign up. So if your diabetic dog is acting differently, you always have someone to talk to.

Your vet can give you lots of helpful advice on administering insulin and getting your pooch's activity level to where it needs to be. But diet is also crucial, so let's take a look at the best foods for dogs with diabetes, thinking about portion sizes, regularity of meals and how Butternut Box can help.

Diabetes is a hormonal disease caused by one of two things. Either your dog's pancreas doesn't produce enough insulin, or they don't have an adequate biological response to the insulin that is produced. Whatever the cause, it means that after eating, your pooch doesn't absorb the sugars in their blood which would normally give them energy and keep them healthy. As they won't be able to control their own blood-sugar level, it's up to you to keep it at normal. An insulin injection twice a day after your dog has eaten will do this, and managing their diet can also help. Our recipes have been designed by expert nutritionists using healthy, high-fibre veg and lentils. A fibrous diet can help keep blood sugars at a steady level. To give you extra peace of mind, all of our meals have been approved by our expert vet team.
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Another way to keep your pooch's blood sugar on an even keel is by sticking to regular mealtimes. The PDSA recommends you feed your diabetic dog every twelve hours and that you inject their insulin within an hour of their meal. Controlling portion size is important, too – it'll help them maintain a healthy weight and you can be sure they're getting the nutrients they need.

Our customised meal plans are built with this in mind. Every pouch is perfectly portioned into balanced meals. This means you can easily regulate their meals and their weight without worrying they're missing out on any vital vitamins and minerals. And because we deliver direct to your door, you’ll never run out of food. Why not check out our menu to see what might tempt your four-legged family member?
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The great news is all our recipes except our veggie recipe are suitable for diabetic dogs - all of our meals use only the good stuff, none of the nasties. They’re gently cooked – just like you would at home – with tried and tested recipes and freshly prepared ingredients. Because Butternut meals are carefully calculated for each individual dog it means your pooch gets the right balance of nutrients and the perfect number of calories, which helps you control their weight. Our low-glycemic-index ingredients (such as lentils and sweet potato) can also minimise sugar spikes and we have low in fat recipes too.

Diabetic dogs need to avoid blood sugar spikes or rapid changes to diet - the good news is that Butternut is here to help and transitioning your dog can be nice and easy.

Talk to your vet - it's important to keep your vet in the loop with any changes to your dog's usual routine or diet.

Avoid sudden changes to the diet - we need to take things slowly. A steady transition over 10-14 days will help your dog's body adjust. Start by adding a spoonful of Butternut to your dog's old diet, and gradually increase this a spoonful at a time whilst reducing their old food.

Routine - A good routine is really important and helps keep blood sugar levels under control. When transitioning to Butternut, keep your dog's meal times exactly the same.

Take a step back - if you notice any tummy upsets, slow it down and take a step back.

Butternut is highly digestible, gently cooked, and free from any artificial nasties, making it a great option for your diabetic pup. Our meals also include low-glycemic-index ingredients like sweet potato and lentils to provide a steady release of energy.

Thousands of diabetic dogs have made the transition to Butternut, but if you have any questions, you can book in a call with our friendly in-house Vet Nurse team and they'll be happy to help.

Please note these are feeding guidelines only. We understand you know your pooch best so it's totally understood that you may need to make some changes to suit them.