What is diabetes in dogs?

Almost all of the cells in a dog’s body need glucose to be able to perform properly. When a dog's food is digested, the carbohydrates are converted into sugars including glucose which then goes into the bloodstream. To be able to get into the cells the glucose needs some help from a hormone called insulin which is produced by the pancreas.

When a dog is diabetic their pancreas isn’t able to produce enough insulin or sometimes the body cells become less responsive to the insulin that is being made which means it is more difficult for the cells to get the glucose they need. This also has a knock-on effect of leaving excess of glucose in the blood because it can’t get into the cells where it’s meant to be.

Most dogs are not born with the condition though but it can happen occasionally. Usually
dogs develop the condition from around the age of 5.

A condition called chronic pancreatitis can cause diabetes in dogs if it’s left untreated.

Dog diabetes guide.