Treats for dogs with diabetes
A dog with diabetes can still have treats. The aim is choosing ones that will not cause a sharp spike in blood sugar and keeping the timing and amount consistent, both of which matter as much as the ingredients themselves. Any change to a diabetic dog's routine should go through your vet rather than being managed by trial and error.
Why treat choice matters for a diabetic dog
Blood sugar management for a diabetic dog relies heavily on consistency, in meal timing, insulin timing where prescribed, and what else the dog eats through the day. A sugary or highly refined treat can undo careful work done through diet and insulin timing without the owner realising why control has slipped.
This does not mean no treats at all. It means being more deliberate about which treats are offered and when, rather than treating a diabetic dog exactly as you would any other dog.
What to look for on the label
Lower sugar and refined carbohydrate content is the main thing to look for, with protein-based treats often a sensible category to reach for instead of anything biscuit-like or syrupy. Checking the actual ingredient list, rather than a front-of-pack claim, is the only reliable way to judge a specific product.
Consistent portion size and timing relative to meals and any prescribed insulin matters more than the specific brand chosen, so building treats into the same routine each day is worth more than hunting for a perfect product. A small, predictable treat given at the same point in the day is easier to account for than an occasional larger one.
What to avoid
Steer clear of anything marketed as a chewy, high-sugar treat, and check dental chews too, since some contain added sugars that work against the point of managing blood sugar carefully. A long ingredient list with several sweeteners near the top is usually a sign to put a treat back on the shelf.
Be cautious with any human food shared casually, since many contain hidden sugar, and watch out specifically for xylitol in anything intended for people. It is genuinely toxic to dogs in its own right, quite separately from any question of diabetes management, and it appears in some sugar-free products that owners might otherwise assume are a safer swap.
Working with your vet
Never adjust a diabetic dog's insulin or treat routine based on what treats you happen to be giving. If you are keeping a diary alongside blood glucose monitoring, note treats in it the same as meals, including the time they were given.
Ask your vet directly for treat types or brands suited to your individual dog's management plan, rather than guessing from general advice, since diabetic dogs can vary considerably in what they tolerate well. What works for one diabetic dog is not guaranteed to suit another, even at a similar weight and dose.
Foods formulated for this
Everything below is in stock with us, priced with delivery worked out, and packed and posted by hand in the UK.
One Purina One Kitten Chicken
Chicken kitten food with added DHA, and a feeding guide from 6 weeks to a year
From£6.65
Go Cat Herring with Vegetables Dry Cat Food
A dry cat food where herring makes up 3.2% of the recipe, in fish-shaped kibbles
From£1.35
Mr Johnson S Supreme Junior Dwarf Rabbit Mix
A complementary mix for junior and dwarf rabbits, fed alongside unlimited hay
From£2.64
Applaws Natural Wet Cat Food Fish Selection Multipack in Broth
Applaws fish broth selection with four recipes across two pack options
From£13.99
Wildthings Swan & Duck
A cardboard-boxed floating food for garden swans and ducks, made in the UK
£1.90
Mr Johnson's Wild Life Swan Duck Food
Complementary floating dry food for swans, ducks and geese, with 17.5% protein
£4.16
Suet to Go Suet Pellets Mealworm (Reusable Suet Tub)
Mealworm suet pellets for garden birds, in a reusable 3kg tub, sold with no added colour
£10.49
Suet to Go Suet Log Feeder
A recycled wood and plastic feeder built to hold six Suet To Go suet logs
£5.19
Suet to Go High Energy Berry Suet Cakes - 10 Pack Value
High-energy suet cakes with berries, in a 10-pack value box
£12.29
Love Wildlife Bird Butter Filled Feeder (Mealworm & Insect)
A reusable bird feeder built for jar-style suet bird butter, mealworm and insect blend
£5.00
Common questions
- Can a diabetic dog have any treats at all?
- Yes, in most cases, treats do not need to be eliminated entirely. The focus is on choosing lower-sugar, lower-carbohydrate options and keeping the amount and timing consistent, ideally with guidance from your vet on what fits your dog's individual management plan.
- What ingredients should I avoid in treats for a diabetic dog?
- Added sugars, syrups and highly refined carbohydrates are the main ones to steer away from. Checking the ingredient list rather than relying on marketing claims like natural is the most reliable way to judge a specific treat.
- Should treat timing matter for a diabetic dog?
- Yes, keeping treats at a consistent time relative to meals and any insulin your vet has prescribed helps avoid unpredictable blood sugar swings. Your vet can advise on the best timing for your dog's specific routine.
- Can I give my diabetic dog fruit or vegetables as treats?
- Some vets suggest certain low-sugar vegetables as an alternative to commercial treats, but this should be discussed with your vet first, since what suits one diabetic dog's management plan may not suit another's.
- My dog's blood sugar seems unstable since I started a new treat, what should I do?
- Stop the new treat and contact your vet promptly. Any unexplained change in a diabetic dog's blood sugar control is worth investigating properly rather than adjusting the diet yourself.
Sources
Written against guidance published by UK veterinary and welfare organisations. Always confirm specifics with your own vet.
Written by Matt Garnett, who runs Giddy Pets and is a lifelong pet owner — not a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your animal. How we write these guides.