A Guide To Canine Diabetes, Just In Time For Pet Diabetes Awareness Month

Is your dog draining the water bowl like they’ve just run a marathon, even after a lazy afternoon? While it’s easy to chalk up that extra thirst to getting older or warmer weather, diabetes could be behind the change.

As a common endocrine condition in dogs, diabetes mellitus (DM) is often compared to Type 1 diabetes in people because affected dogs require lifelong insulin therapy to regulate their blood sugar levels.

Dr. Andrew Bugbee, a clinical professor at the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences who contributed to the 2026 AAHA Diabetes Management Guidelines for Dogs with VMBS colleague Dr. Audrey Cook, shares tips for recognizing diabetes and caring for a dog after diagnosis.

Clues To Catch

Like with humans, canine DM develops when a dog does not produce enough insulin, a hormone that helps sugar, or glucose, move from the bloodstream into cells to use for energy. Without enough insulin, glucose builds up in the blood, which can lead to significant complications.

Because early signs of diabetes may be mistaken for aging or weather-induced changes, owners should watch out for symptoms that may include:

●      Increased water intake

●      Increased urination frequency and/or volume

●      Weight loss despite increased hunger

●      Cloudy eyes

Changes in a dog’s eating and drinking habits can offer clues that it’s time for a veterinary visit.

“There are not a lot of conditions that cause dogs to lose weight in the face of a good or increased appetite, so that should be a clue something is wrong,” Bugbee said.

Fetching A Diagnosis

Veterinarians diagnose diabetes by considering a dog’s clinical signs alongside blood and urine test results; without prompt diagnosis and treatment, a dog’s health can deteriorate, and a serious complication called diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) can develop.

DKA occurs when a dog’s body cannot use glucose properly for energy and begins breaking down fat instead. This process produces ketones, which can build up in the blood and make the blood too acidic. DKA is a medical emergency requiring immediate veterinary care.

In addition to signs of diabetes, DKA warning signs include vomiting, extreme lethargy, heavy breathing, and fruity or sweet-smelling breath.

“It is important for owners to seek veterinary assistance when they notice any concerning changes in their dog at home; the earlier diabetes is diagnosed, the better,” Bugbee said.

Insulin To The Rescue

Dogs with diabetes require insulin therapy, commonly provided through twice-daily injections, given at the time of meals.

“Owners should follow their veterinarian’s instructions for the prescribed insulin,” Bugbee said. “While injections do not have to always be perfectly 12 hours apart, consistency is important for diabetic dogs.”

Some longer-acting insulins may allow once-daily injections, offering more flexibility for certain dogs and their owners.

Researchers are also investigating longer-acting insulin injections that could reduce injection frequency as well as other treatments that might eventually replace insulin injections completely. These treatments are still being studied, but they could expand the options available to veterinary endocrinologists — specialists in hormone-related conditions such as diabetes.

“Endocrinologists are excited to see what the future holds for diabetes management in dogs as ideas for new therapies and new information are coming out all of the time,” Bugbee said.

As insulin therapy begins, owners should seek immediate veterinary care if the dog develops weakness, collapses, or has a seizure. These signs may indicate dangerously low blood sugar and require prompt evaluation. A veterinarian can determine whether the dog’s insulin dose needs adjustment.

Managing Diabetes At Home

Once a dog begins treatment, most diabetic dogs can live a long, happy life, Bugbee said.

Management of the condition should include lab work at least twice a year to monitor a dog’s health and to identify other potential problems early. These tests complement regular diabetes checkups, with more frequent monitoring needed when starting or adjusting insulin treatment.

Pet Diabetes Awareness Month is a good reminder that knowing what’s normal for your dog — and recognizing when something changes — can make a difference in their long-term health.

“While it may be scary to hear about your dog getting this diagnosis, diabetes can be managed and most dogs often have a normal lifespan and good quality of life,” Bugbee said.

Pet Talk is a service of the College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University. Stories can be viewed on the web at vetmed.tamu.edu/news/pet-talk. Suggestions for future topics may be directed to vmbs-editor@tamu.edu.