Should Diabetic Dog Eat Foods that Contain Flours?

Last week, we got a message from a customer asking about the difference between white and whole wheat flour, and whether diabetic dogs should eat either kind.

Since many types of dog food and treats have at least some sort of flour in them, this is a great question!

First, let's talk about how each type of flour is made. During the manufacturing process, white flour is stripped of fiber and other nutrients. This makes white flour very light and fine and great for baking, but it also means that the carbohydrates in flour are digested and absorbed more quickly into the blood stream.

For diabetic dogs, this can cause spikes in their blood sugar levels. That's why white flour has a glycemic index of 70, which places it in the "High" category and should be avoided.

On the other hand, whole wheat flour contains fiber and many other nutrients and vitamins that make it more difficult to digest. Because of this, whole wheat flour has a glycemic index of 51, and is within the "Low" range. This means that food and treats that contain whole wheat flour are much better for your diabetic dog.

In addition to whole wheat flour, there are other whole grain flours that are much better for diabetic dogs. These include barley flour, buckwheat flour, oat flour, quinoa flour, rye flour, spelt flour, amaranth flour, and corn flour.

Also, there are non-grain flours like chickpea, lentil, potato, almond, hazelnut, and coconut flours. This article helps explain all of the flour variations that are safer for dogs than white flour.

Learn more about which foods are healthy for your diabetic dog at our Resources page. As with all dietary choices regarding your dog, please consult with your veterinarian first.