Homemade Diabetic Dog Food: The Best Recipe for Your Pup

Okay, here's my attempt at a blog post about making homemade diabetic dog food, based on your instructions.

My DIY Diabetic Dog Food Adventure

So, like, my old pal Sparky got diagnosed with diabetes a few months back. The vet gave us the whole spiel about insulin shots and special food. The problem? That special food was gonna cost a fortune. I’m talking serious dough. I figured, "Hey, I can cook. Why not try making my own?". Turns out, it's been a whole learning experience.

First thing I did was hit the internet, hard. I spent hours reading up on what diabetic dogs can and can't eat. Lean protein? Good. Simple carbs? Bad. Fiber? Apparently a must-have. I was basically getting a crash course in canine nutrition.

Then came the recipe hunt. I found a bunch of different options, but most of them were kinda vague. So, I took bits and pieces from everything and came up with my own Frankenstein concoction.

Here’s what I started with:

• Cooked chicken breast (I just boil a bunch at once and shred it)
• Brown rice (Gotta cook it first, duh)
• Green beans (Frozen ones are fine, just thaw 'em)
• Broccoli (Again, frozen works great)
• A little bit of sweet potato (Not too much, it's still a carb)

The first batch was… well, let's just say Sparky wasn't thrilled. It was kinda bland and mushy. He sniffed at it, gave me the stink eye, and then walked away. Ouch.

Back to the drawing board.

I realized I needed to add some flavor and maybe a little more moisture. So, I tweaked the recipe. This time, I:

• Added a tablespoon of olive oil (For healthy fats and yumminess)
• Used low-sodium chicken broth instead of water to cook the rice
• Chopped the veggies a bit smaller

Much better! Sparky actually ate it this time, although he wasn't exactly doing backflips. Progress, not perfection, right?

Over the next few weeks, I kept experimenting. I tried different veggies, like spinach and carrots. I even added a little bit of plain, unsweetened yogurt for probiotics.

Now, here's the super important part: I always checked with the vet before making any major changes. You don't want to mess around with your dog's diet, especially when they have diabetes.

I also kept a close eye on Sparky's blood sugar levels. I tracked his readings every day and shared them with the vet. It took a little while to get the right balance, but we eventually figured out a recipe that works for him.

Here’s my current go-to recipe:

• 2 cups cooked chicken breast
• 1 cup cooked brown rice
• 1 cup green beans
• 1/2 cup broccoli
• 1/4 cup sweet potato
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/4 cup low-sodium chicken broth

I mix it all together in a big bowl and store it in the fridge. It lasts for about 3-4 days.

Making my own diabetic dog food has been a lot of work, I won't lie. But it's also been really rewarding. I know exactly what's going into Sparky's food, and I'm saving a ton of money. Plus, he seems to be doing really well on it.

It is so important to emphasize again, this process involved constant communication with my vet to ensure Sparky’s health and stability.

It’s not just about saving money but making sure you are doing it right!

If you're thinking about making your own dog food, do your research, talk to your vet, and be prepared to experiment. It might take some time to find the perfect recipe, but it's worth it in the end. Good luck!