How To Test A Dog For Diabetes

Introduction

As a pet owner, you probably want to do everything you can to ensure the health and safety of your beloved animal. Diabetes is one of the most common diseases in dogs, so it’s important to know how to test for it. Luckily, there are many ways to test your dog (or yourself!) for diabetes. That said, only a licensed veterinarian should diagnose your dog with diabetes; don’t try these tests on yourself!

Testing your dog’s blood glucose levels is easy and pain-free.

To test your dog’s blood glucose levels, you will need to do a finger prick. This is painless and easy to do at home. You may also have your veterinarian do it for you. A drop of blood is all that is needed, so this test can be done in the same place each time if you prefer consistency of location when performing tests on your dog.

The best time to check is when your dog first awakens.

First thing in the morning is the best time to test. This is because a dog’s blood sugar level is lowest just after they wake up, and more accurate readings can be taken. If you test your dog when they are relaxed, you will get more accurate results than if your dog has been stressed or stimulated by going for a walk and playing with other dogs.

Some meter kits have video tutorials on how to correctly test your pet.

If you are using a kit that comes with test strips, it’s a good idea to watch the video before you start your first test. Some meter kits have video tutorials on how to correctly test your pet. The videos will walk you through all of the steps needed to get an accurate reading, including how to use the meter and test strips. They may also show you how to take a blood sample from your dog or cat.

You can purchase a monitoring kit from your veterinarian or over the counter at Amazon or Chewy.

When you’re ready to test your dog for diabetes, you can purchase a monitoring kit from your veterinarian or over the counter at Amazon or Chewy. These kits include all of the necessary materials to perform an accurate test, including a urine strip reader with instructions on how to use it. Each kit typically costs between $15 and $25 depending on where you purchase it from.

A glucometer kit will have everything you need including lancets, alcohol pads, a control solution and strips.

For most owners, the best way to know if your dog has diabetes is by testing his blood glucose level. A glucometer kit will have everything you need including lancets, alcohol pads and strips. You can also test his urine for glucose by using a test strip or dipstick that comes in the kit or by taking him to a vet who will do it for you.

Store the kit in a cool, dry place. Keep it out of direct sunlight and extreme temperatures.

Store the kit in a cool, dry place. Keep it out of direct sunlight and extreme temperatures. Also, keep it in a place where it is not likely to be knocked over or exposed to extreme temperatures (like on top of your fridge).

It’s easier to get an accurate reading if you test your dog in the same place each time.

To get the most accurate reading, it’s important to test your dog in the same place each time. This means that you should test your dog at the same time of day, in the same room, using the same person and meter. It also helps if you use a lancet and blood sample that haven’t been used before.

For example: If you test your dog on Monday morning at 8am with Sam using his handy dandy pee-on-a-stick meter, but then fail to perform another test until Wednesday night when it’s dark and gloomy outside (and he’s feeling particularly grumpy), there’s a good chance that his blood sugar levels will be higher than they were two days earlier.

Lift your dog’s fur in the area where you’re going to do the test. Clean off the skin with an alcohol pad so there is no debris.

Before testing, lift your dog’s skin in the area where you’re going to do the test. Clean off the skin with an alcohol pad so there is no debris. Make sure that area is clean and dry before applying any test strips, since any moisture could interfere with results.

Insert a lancet into the device and prick your dog’s skin with it to collect a small blood sample. The lancet is like those used by diabetics to prick their fingers for blood tests.

Insert a lancet into the device and prick your dog’s skin with it to collect a small blood sample. The lancet is like those used by diabetics to prick their fingers for blood tests.
Remove the cap from the test strip and gently place it onto your dog’s paw, rubbing it down his fur so that it adheres well, before removing any excess with cotton wool or tissue paper. This will prevent the strip from sliding around during testing, which may cause inaccurate results or make measuring difficult if too much moisture collects on its surface during measurement (which can happen if you’re using an old-fashioned dropper).3
Wait approximately 10 seconds for enough blood cells to fill up all four wells on each side of the strip before removing them both from your pet’s foot and placing them onto an absorbent material such as cloth, paper towels or blotting paper so that they don’t touch anything else while waiting for results

Use one of the test strips to take a small blood sample that goes right into the strip.

Use one of the test strips to take a small blood sample that goes right into the strip.
The meter uses this blood sample to determine the glucose level in your dog’s body, which it then displays on the screen in front of you. This number is what a veterinarian will use to determine if your dog has diabetes and how well his treatment plan is working.

If you follow these steps, testing your do for diabetes will become second nature and won’t cause much stress for either of you!

To help your dog become accustomed to the process, it’s best to follow these steps when testing:

Test at the same time each day. This will help your dog get used to what “testing time” means and make them more comfortable with their daily routine.
Test when your dog is at rest—not playing or running around, but sitting quietly in one spot.
Test when your dog is not stressed by any other stimuli like excitement from another animal or person, hunger, thirst or illness.

Conclusion

With a little help from your vet and some dog-friendly technoloy, testing your pup for diabetes is just a few easy steps away. After your vet has diagnosed it, the best way to keep your dog healthy is by monitoring their diet and administering insulin shots at home. And if you ever need more information or support, feel free to reach out to us. We’re happy to answer any questions!