Home » Dog Care » Safe and Tasty Diabetic Dog Treat Recipes

If you have a dog with diabetes, finding safe diabetic dog treats is of utmost importance.  All dogs love treats but with diabetic dogs, feeding snacks in between meals is more than just a treat or a training tool.  It can be vital in stabilizing blood sugar levels or even used as a reward or tool to help with insulin injections. But, here’s the important bit, it must be a safe treatment that doesn’t affect the blood sugar levels of a diabetic dog.  That’s the challenge but luckily there’s a solution that I can help with.

Managing Diabetes In Dogs

To manage diabetes in dogs you MUST consult with your veterinary and follow their guidelines on what to feed your dog if they have diabetes.  That means you should follow the diet recommended by your vet. Your dog’s food should have a consistent amount of carbohydrates and not fluctuate, be in the same quantity every day, and be fed at the same time every day, preferably twice a day.

Any treats that contain sugar or carbohydrates are likely to affect your dog’s blood sugar levels and throw off their insulin levels.  Sugar can be listed as many things such as fructose, dextrose, molasses, cane molasses, corn syrup, or malt syrup. Store-bought treats that are soft or are semi-moist usually contain sugar or one of the alternate sugars listed.  The same goes for the store-bought jerky-type treats, so be careful and read the labels, and always check with your vet if you’re in doubt.

What You Need In a Diabetic Dog Treat

We’ve looked at what you DON’T want in diabetic dog treats but what about what you DO need!  In a nutshell, you need a treat that doesn’t raise or even affect the blood sugar levels, satisfies your dog’s hunger, helps with training, keeps your dog at a healthy weight, and most of all are tasty!

Meat-based treats, whole grains, or vegetable treats are best.  Fruits are acceptable too but need to be in moderation. We do have some fabulous recipes for you to try further down the page!

             Treats made with meat or vegetables are the best treats for diabetic dogs.

Read The Label Of Diabetic Dog Treats

If you buy diabetic dog treats, it is vital that you check the label. Don’t be fooled into thinking that because the label says ‘diabetic dog treats’ that it is in fact safe for your dog, still read the label to ensure that it doesn’t contain the following:

• Sugar
• Fructose
• Dextrose
• Molasses
• Cane Molasses
• Corn Syrup
• Malt Syrup
• Corn
• Soy
• Propylene Glycol

Dog Food As A Treat

If you’d rather not add additional treats to your dog’s diet, you can adapt their current food into a tasty treat.  This changes the texture and subtle taste changes which makes the food more enticing and interesting to your dog but keeps the calorie and carbohydrate content relatively the same.

All our dogs deserve a treat! If your dog is on a restricted diet, using your dog’s food as a treat is a fabulous way to make them feel special. Here are a few great recipes for making your dog their own diabetic dog treats.

1. Treats Using Dry Food

Place 2 cups of your dog-dried food in a blender and grind the food so it becomes a powder consistency. In a mixing bowl, mix the grinned dried dog food with 1/4 cup of cold water until it forms a dough. Shape into cookies and flatten the dough using the back of a wooden spoon and place them onto a non-greased cookie sheet and bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Make sure you let the cookies cool down before serving them to your dog.

These cookies can be stored in the refrigerator for up to one week in a sealed container.

2. Treats Using Canned Food

Open a can of your dog’s food and the loaf into 1/4″ thick slices. Then to make it fun use a small cookie cutter to cut out individual pieces of the loaf. If you don’t have cookie cutters, you can cut the loaf into bite-sized pieces instead. Place the cookies on a non-greased cookie sheet and bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until crispy.

These treats can be kept in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for 5 days.

3. Refreshing Frozen Canned Food Treat

Try rolling the canned food into small bite-sized balls and place them in the freezer. A few hours later you can serve these frozen treats to your dog, it’s a great refreshing treat to help keep your dog cool in the summer.

Best Homemade Diabetic Dog Treats

If you’re looking for the best diabetic dog treats then homemade is absolute the best way to go.  You’ll be able to keep an eye on the ingredients and ensure that it’s tasty.  The best ones are meat-based treats.  I like, or rather my dog (Lady) likes, homemade dehydrated chicken, beef, or liver.  These are super simple to make, contain NO sugar or carbohydrates, last a long time, and you can make them as soft or as hard as you choose.  I prefer to make them on the harder side so they take a little longer for Lady to eat.  Too soft and it’ll be gone in a second!

These are similar to the very popular jerky treats sold in the store.  But be warned, the store-made ones often have sugar added and frequently come from China and are on any recall lists.  See here for more information – on dangerous dog treats.

4. Dehydrated Jerky Turkey Treats

Ingredients:

• 1lb chopped meat (turkey, chicken, or beef)
• 1 tbsp. pure pumpkin (Pumpkin decreases blood sugar and increases levels of insulin in the blood).
• 1/4 cup Raw Carrots (studies have shown that carrots may be instrumental in the prevention of diabetes – source: University of Minnesota).
• 1/4 teaspoon Cinnamon (Cinnamon helps to regulate blood sugar after meals and increases metabolism).

Method:

1. Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and mix together.
2. Spoon mixture into Jerky gun.
3. Using the jerky gun form rows of stick-like treats directly onto the dehydrator pan.
4. Set dehydrator for 6 hours on 160F or overnight on 125F.

5. Chicken, Green Beans, and Broccoli Bake

Ingredients:

• 1lb Boneless chicken breast (No skin or fat)
• 1 Garlic clove, roughly chopped
• 1 cup raw green beans, cut into 1/2 inch pieces (Green beans are very low in carbohydrates, but they contain a lot of fiber)
• 1 Cup raw broccoli, cut into 1/2 inch pieces
• 2 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley (Parsley is high in fiber and low in sugar)
• 1 cup cooked brown rice
• 1 Tablespoon olive oil

Method:

1. In a large saucepan, combine the garlic, green beans, broccoli, and chicken broth and bring to a boil.
2. Simmer for 1/2 hour or until the vegetables are tender.
3. While you are waiting for the vegetable to cook, cut the chicken breasts into strips.
4. Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat in a skillet and add the chicken strips and parsley. Stir occasionally, until the chicken is cooked through.
5. Add the cooked chicken to the broth mixture and stir in 1 cup of brown rice for a porridge-like consistency. (Add more brown rice if it is too soupy)
6. Mix well and let it cool before serving.

6. Fishermen’s Seafood Treats

Ingredients:

• 1 can of salmon or sardines
• 1 tablespoons ginger (Digestive aid and natural antioxidant)
• 4 eggs
• (Optional) You can add your dog’s favorite vegetable or canned pumpkin into the sardine mixture

Method:

1. Preheat the oven to 375F. Coat an 8″ x 8″ casserole dish with non-stick spray.
2. Drain and chop the sardines, then mix with the fresh parsley and vegetables (optional)
3. Pour the sardine mixture into the casserole dish and spread evenly.
4. Crack each egg onto the top of the sardine mixture.
5. Bake in the oven for 15 minutes or until the eggs are cooked.
6. Cool before serving to your dog. These can be kept in the fridge for up to 3 days or can be frozen in an airtight container for up to 6 months.

7. Cinnamon and Almond Butter Pill Stuffers (No Baking Needed)

Many dogs that suffer from medical problems have to take medication on a daily basis and this can sometimes be a battle for you and your dog. These homemade pill stuffers can easily be made at home, using simple and safe ingredients. Even if your dog doesn’t need to take any medication, you can still make these, but without the holes!

Ingredients:

• 1/3 cup unsweetened natural almond butter
• 1/3 cup rolled oats
• 2 drops of water
• 1 pinch of cinnamon (Antibacterial/anti-fungal can assist with arthritis and muscular inflammation in older dogs)

Method:

1. Add the kelp to the almond butter.
2. Slowly add water to the kelp and almond butter mixture, until you get a thick paste. (Adjust the water if needed)
3. Add the oats into the mixture and stir.
4. Divide the mixture into balls (The size of the balls depends on the size of the tablets and your dog)
5. Using your finger, poke a hole in the center to form a whole.
6. Place them in an airtight container and store them in the fridge.

Best Store-Bought Diabetic Dog Treats

If you don’t have time or just don’t want the hassle of making your own treats, then you can make healthy choices for your dog. Look for a treat that has meat or whole grains as the main ingredients.  Freeze-dried meats are perfect but again, check with your vet if you are unsure.

Other good examples are:

• Bully Sticks
• Dried Beef Tendons
• Chicken Feet and Necks
• Most low-carb treats formulated for dogs

Again, please remember to read the labels and be careful of anything that you don’t know, or at least check with your vet first.

Final Word On Diabetic Dog Treats

I know it may be overwhelming when your dog has been diagnosed with something like diabetes but just remember, diabetes responds pretty well to dietary changes and required medication from your vet.  Luckily you are in total control of your dog’s diet so there’s no chance of them sneaking a crafty candy bar while you’re not looking, or at least there shouldn’t be.

If you have time, making your own meat-based diabetic dog treats is the best and most economical way to go. You can always try making their existing dog more interesting by converting them into treats and remember if you are going to buy commercial dog treats then check the labels carefully and discuss all issues or concerns with your vet.