The Cost of Having a Diabetic Dog
Having a diabetic dog not only increases the amount of care and effort a pet owner must put forth, but also takes an emotional toll on the pet parent. A pet tracker can help relieve some of this stress.
Here, the cost of having a diabetic dog will be discussed.
Insulin
Dogs that are diabetic are unable to regulate their blood sugar after meals, due to insufficient insulin in their bloodstream. Therefore, pet owners must inject insulin into their pets once or twice daily. The amount of insulin required will depend both on a dog’s size, and the severity of his or her diabetes. The monthly cost of insulin for most pet owners ranges $20 - $90.
Syringes
Insulin is injected with a sterile syringe, which cannot be reused. Depending on how much insulin is required by your pet, the monthly syringe cost is $8 - $16. The Actijoy dog tracker app will inform you when it is time for the next injection.
Glucose Meter
Pet owners have one of two options: they can purchase a glucose meter for testing their pets at home, or travel to the veterinarian for low-cost testing. The cost of a glucose machine ranges from $20 - $500, whereas owners will spend $10 - $40 per month (not to mention time spent driving) when performing testing at the veterinarian’s office.
Lancets / Test Strips
There are two methods for testing a dog’s blood sugar at home: via blood or urine. A blood test requires both lancets and testing strips, while a urine test may be more difficult to perform, but is painless. Altogether, pet owners can expect to pay $5 - $15 per month on these supplies.
Diabetic Dog Food
The cost of diabetic dog food is difficult to factor because dogs must eat regardless of whether they are diabetic. However, dog food that is specifically suited for diabetic animals can be more expensive than a regular dog food formula. For instance, Hill’s Prescription Diet for Digestive/ Weight/Glucose Management costs $80 for a 27.5 lb bag. The Actijoy smart bowl can help to ensure your dog is eating the correct amount, keeping costs down.
Veterinary Visits
Diabetic dogs will also cost require more veterinary visits than the average dog. Insulin prescriptions must be written every 3 – 4 months, and dogs with diabetes are more likely to visit a veterinarian for an emergency, such as hypoglycemia. Monthly veterinary bills typically range $0 - $80. The Actijoy pet tracker app will remind you when it is time to go to the veterinarian, as well as provide them with essential information.
Overall, having a diabetic dog can be expensive, but not necessarily cost prohibitive. In a typical month, pet owners can expect to spend anywhere between $43 - $231, not including the price of food, when caring for their pet.
If you are interested in learning more about diabetes in dogs, check out the comprehensive guide on FeedFond.
Do you want to be sure that your doggy is healthy enough? Stop guessing and order the Actijoy Smart dog Bowl and make your buddy's life better!