Exercising a diabetic dog requires special considerations to ensure that physical activity helps manage their diabetes and does not make it worse. It might take a bit of experimentation to find a routine that balances the exercise your dog needs without disrupting your lifestyle, but it’s worth it to keep you both healthy physically and mentally. The keys are maintaining consistent and moderate exercise, monitoring the dog’s blood sugar levels, and adjusting their routine when needed. Always consult your vet for personalized advice.
Consistency is Key
Regular Exercise Routine: Establish a consistent exercise routine with the same type, duration, and intensity. This helps maintain stable blood sugar levels and allows for better insulin regulation. Find something you are willing to do every day that fits your dog, your personality, and your lifestyle.
For all dogs, daily walks help them maintain a healthy weight and prevent boredom. Dog parks are another fantastic option if you have access to one. They allow your dog to play freely and burn off energy while making friends.
Experiment with different exercises to discover what your dog enjoys the most. Observe their reactions and energy levels after each activity. As dogs age, their exercise needs change. Older dogs might require gentler activities like slower walks or easier swimming sessions. The right balance of physical and mental exercise will lead to a happier, longer life for your diabetic dog.
Timing of Exercise: Ideally, you should plan your dog’s exercise at the same time each day. Often after a meal is a good time. Blood glucose levels are high enough to give them the energy they need without causing them to get too low.
Brady is a 13-year-old miniature poodle, so he doesn’t need lots of exercise. He gets a 15-20 minute walk right after he eats. I walk him after his breakfast before I leave for work in the mornings. We take a family walk after dinner in the evenings. During the day he gets shorter “do your business” breaks. On the weekends, his morning walk is more like 30 – 45 minutes. He also likes to play with his toys for a few minutes a couple of times a day. Bark Box is a company that provides some new toys and snacks to be delivered each month. Variety will help keep your dog interested and mentally as well as physically stimulated.
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Monitor Blood Sugar Levels
Pre- and Post-Exercise Monitoring: When you start a new exercise routine, it’s a good idea to check your dog’s blood sugar levels before and after exercise. This helps you gauge how their body responds to the activity. Introduce new activities gradually to monitor how they affect your dog.
Consider environmental factors like hot weather, which impacts your dog’s energy levels and blood sugar. Exercise in cooler parts of the day and provide plenty of water.
When we first moved to Thailand from western North Carolina it took us all some time to adjust to the heat and humidity here. Mid-day is not a time to be outside if it can be avoided. The heat intensifies a diabetic dog’s tendency to get dehydrated. We take Brady on longer walks in the morning and after dinner. When we started even longer walks on the weekends, we did a glucose curve to understand how the extra time walking affected him. His sugar did not go as high after his meal on those mornings (a good thing) and didn’t go low enough to cause concern (also good).
Once your routine is established, you don’t need to test as often. We check Brady’s glucose anytime we are concerned about his activity level, but we usually only do a routine check once a month to be sure his blood sugar is under control.
Signs of Hypoglycemia: Be aware of signs of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) during or after exercise, such as weakness, confusion, tremors, or sudden fatigue. Keep a fast-acting glucose source (like honey or glucose gel) handy during walks or playtime.
Also watch for signs of hypoglycemia for several hours after exercise, especially if the activity was more intense than usual. This is not a time to drop your dog at home and go out for a few hours. Be around and pay attention so you can offer a small meal or snack if you see signs of low blood sugar.
Moderate, Not Intense, Exercise
Avoid High-Intensity Workouts: Intense or prolonged exercise can cause a rapid drop in blood sugar levels, which is dangerous for diabetic dogs. Choose moderate activities like walking, light jogging, or gentle play.
On the morning and evening walks, we let Brady set the pace. When he gets lost in a smell for too long, we pull him away, but other than that, we move at his pace. We can tell a lot by how he walks. When he is trotting in front of us with his tail up and looking around, interested in the things we are passing, we know he is feeling good.
Monitor Fatigue: Keep an eye on your dog for signs of fatigue, which could indicate that their blood sugar is dropping too low. Shorten the duration or reduce the intensity of exercise if needed.
When Brady is with us in North Carolina we like to walk up to Twin Lakes (ponds really) above a lake where lots of local friends have houses. We let Brady off-leash here and he loves it. But we have to remember that he’s walking on small legs, and he’s walking at least twice as far as we are with all the running back and forth, and side-to-side on the trail.
Keep Your Dog Hydrated: Diabetic dogs are prone to dehydration because they pee more often. Make sure your dog has access to fresh water before, during, and after exercise.
On days when we take Brady to one of the few dog-friendly parks in Bangkok, we come prepared for a longer walk with water, snacks, honey, and his backpack. When Brady starts to lag behind me, I give him water and a treat. Then, I carry him until he wants down, or until we go home.
Post-Exercise Snack: Provide a small, healthy snack after exercise to help stabilize blood sugar levels, especially if the exercise was more strenuous than usual.
If Brady is still acting tired when we get home, I test his blood sugar and give him more food as needed.
Consult Your Veterinarian
Tailored Exercise Plan: Work with your vet to develop an exercise plan tailored to your dog’s specific needs. One that considers their overall health, age, and fitness level.
Adjusting Insulin: In some cases, your vet may recommend adjusting your dog’s insulin dosage based on their new activity level. Never make changes to insulin without veterinary guidance.
Final Thoughts
By following these special considerations, you can keep your dog healthy and safe while they enjoy beneficial exercise. Diabetic dogs can lead long healthy lives, but they are fragile. Always communicate with your vet about any concerns or changes in your dog’s routine, including their exercise routine.
Feel free to share your favorite ways to exercise your dog in the comments below. Your experiences might inspire other diabetic dog owners, creating a community to support each other in doing what is best for the high-maintenance dogs we love.