A normal blood sugar level for a dog, when measured when the dog has not eaten recently (fasting), is generally between 70 and 120 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL). For a quick look at the key figures, refer to the dog blood sugar chart below.
Gauging the Canine Blood Glucose Range
Keeping track of your dog’s blood sugar is vital for their health. Just like people, dogs need their blood sugar, or glucose, to have a steady level. Glucose is the main fuel for their body cells. Too high or too low is bad news.
What is Blood Sugar in Dogs?
Blood sugar is the amount of sugar (glucose) in your dog’s blood. Insulin, a hormone made in the pancreas, helps move this sugar from the blood into the cells for energy. When this system works well, your dog has healthy dog sugar levels.
Key Measurements for Healthy Dog Sugar Levels
Different times of the day will show different numbers. What matters most is the number when your dog has not eaten.
Normal Dog Fasting Glucose
Fasting means the dog has had no food for several hours, usually 8 to 12 hours. This gives the clearest picture of how the body manages its baseline sugar level.
| State | Normal Range (mg/dL) | Normal Range (mmol/L) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fasting (8-12 hours without food) | 70 – 120 mg/dL | 3.9 – 6.7 mmol/L | This is the baseline reading. |
| Post-Meal (1-2 hours after eating) | Up to 180 mg/dL | Up to 10.0 mmol/L | Sugar will rise slightly after food. |
- mg/dL: This means milligrams per deciliter. This is the common way to measure in the US.
- mmol/L: This means millimoles per liter. This is used more often in other parts of the world.
If your dog’s numbers are often outside this 70–120 mg/dL range when fasting, it needs a vet check.
Recognizing When Sugar Levels Go Wrong
When blood sugar drifts too far from normal, problems start. There are two main issues: high sugar and low sugar.
Fathoming Hyperglycemia in Dogs (High Blood Sugar)
Hyperglycemia means too much sugar in the blood. This is the hallmark sign of diabetes in dogs.
Causes of High Sugar
The main reason for high blood sugar is diabetes mellitus. This happens when the body does not make enough insulin or cannot use the insulin it makes well. Other things can cause temporary high sugar too:
- Stress from illness or surgery.
- Certain drugs, like steroids.
- Other hormone problems.
Dog Diabetes Symptoms Linked to High Sugar
If sugar stays high for too long, you might see clear signs. These are classic dog diabetes symptoms:
- Drinking much more water than normal (polydipsia).
- Peeing a lot (polyuria).
- Losing weight even when eating well.
- Being very hungry.
- Tiredness or weakness.
When sugar is very high, dogs can develop ketoacidosis, which is a life-threatening emergency.
Deciphering Hypoglycemia in Dogs (Low Blood Sugar)
Hypoglycemia means not enough sugar in the blood. This is dangerous because the brain needs glucose to work.
Causes of Low Sugar
This is more common in dogs being treated for diabetes (insulin overdose). It can also happen for other reasons:
- Too much insulin given by mistake.
- Long fasting in very small or very sick dogs.
- Certain rare tumors (insulinoma).
- Too much exercise after an insulin shot.
Signs of Hypoglycemia in Dogs
Low sugar hits fast. Signs can be sudden and scary:
- Weakness or wobbliness, especially in the back legs.
- Acting confused or disoriented.
- Panting heavily.
- Tremors or shaking.
- In severe cases: seizures or collapse.
If you see these signs, quick action is needed. Give a small amount of corn syrup or honey on the gums right away. Then call your vet.
How Dog Blood Sugar Testing Works
Knowing the numbers requires testing. There are a few ways vets check blood sugar.
In-Clinic Testing
Vets use standard lab equipment to get a precise reading. This is usually done on a blood sample drawn directly from a vein. This is the gold standard for accurate diagnosis.
At-Home Monitoring Tools
Modern tools allow owners to check levels more often, especially important for managing dog blood sugar once diabetes is found.
Glucometers (Finger-Prick Devices)
These are similar to human meters. They use a small drop of blood, often taken from the ear flap or a small skin nick.
- Pros: Fast results, easy to use at home.
- Cons: Can sometimes be less accurate than lab tests if not done just right. It can also be hard to get a good sample without stressing the dog.
Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs)
These newer devices place a small sensor under the skin. It sends sugar readings wirelessly to a reader or phone app, giving a 24-hour look at trends.
- Pros: Shows how sugar moves up and down all day. Great for seeing how food or exercise affects levels.
- Cons: Requires minor placement surgery or skill. Readings can sometimes lag behind true blood sugar levels.
Making Sense of the Dog Blood Sugar Chart Readings
When you get a test back, you need to know what it means against the normal range.
Interpreting Results Based on Timing
The time the test was taken matters a lot.
- Fasted Test (8+ hours food-free): A result over 140 mg/dL strongly suggests diabetes. A result under 70 mg/dL needs attention, especially if the dog is showing signs of hypoglycemia in dogs.
- Non-Fasted Test (Random): Readings up to 180 mg/dL are usually fine, even slightly higher. If a random test shows 300 mg/dL, diabetes is likely, but a fasting test is needed for confirmation.
The Role of Other Tests
Your vet will often use other tests along with random glucose checks to confirm diabetes.
- Fructosamine Test: This test shows the average blood sugar over the past 2–3 weeks. It helps see the long-term control, ignoring daily spikes and dips.
- Urine Ketones Test: Checking the urine for ketones is vital. Ketones are a sign that the body is burning fat for fuel instead of sugar. High ketones, along with high glucose, mean a diabetic emergency (ketoacidosis).
Managing Dog Blood Sugar with Veterinary Guidance
If your dog is diagnosed with diabetes, the goal shifts from just knowing the normal range to keeping the dog within a safe range every day. This involves medication, diet, and routine. Always follow veterinarian advice dog blood sugar protocols closely.
Insulin Therapy
For most dogs with diabetes, insulin injections are necessary.
- Types of Insulin: Vets choose specific types of insulin based on how long they work (short-acting vs. intermediate-acting).
- Dosing: Getting the dose right is an art. Too little insulin means high sugar; too much means dangerous lows (hypoglycemia in dogs).
Diet Adjustments
Diet plays a huge role in stabilizing levels.
- Fiber and Complex Carbs: Diets high in complex carbohydrates and fiber help slow down sugar absorption. This prevents fast, sharp spikes after meals.
- Consistent Feeding: Feeding at the same time every day is crucial, usually right before or right after the insulin injection. This matches the insulin action with food absorption.
The Importance of Routine
Consistency is key to managing dog blood sugar. Dogs thrive on routine.
- Walk Times: Keep exercise routines steady. Sudden long walks without adjusting insulin can cause a dangerous dip in sugar.
- Testing Schedule: Work with your vet to set a schedule for dog blood sugar testing. This might mean testing before meals and sometimes at the peak time of insulin action.
Factors Affecting Blood Sugar Readings
It is important to know that not every reading tells the whole story. Many things can move the number away from the normal dog fasting glucose range temporarily.
Stress and Excitement
A trip to the vet is stressful! Stress hormones (like adrenaline) cause the liver to dump stored sugar into the blood. This is called the “stress hyperglycemia.” A dog might test at 250 mg/dL at the clinic but be perfectly fine at home.
Exercise
Physical activity makes cells more sensitive to insulin.
- Benefit: Exercise helps lower blood sugar, which is good for diabetics if managed.
- Risk: If a diabetic dog exercises too hard after insulin, sugar can drop too low (hypoglycemia in dogs).
Other Illnesses
Any infection, injury, or concurrent disease (like Cushing’s disease or pancreatitis) will raise the body’s demand for insulin, pushing blood sugar levels up, even in a dog that was previously well-controlled.
When to Seek Immediate Veterinarian Advice Dog Blood Sugar Issues
If you suspect an emergency, do not wait for an appointment.
Emergency Signs of High Sugar (Dog Diabetes Symptoms)
If your dog is lethargic, refusing to eat or drink, vomiting, or breathing heavily (acidotic breathing), they may have diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). This is life-threatening and needs immediate hospital care.
Emergency Signs of Low Sugar (Hypoglycemia in Dogs)
If your dog becomes suddenly weak, seems drunk, is shaking uncontrollably, or collapses, treat the low sugar immediately (as described above) and call the vet while you do so. They may need IV dextrose if the dog cannot swallow.
Comprehending the Long-Term View
For a dog with diabetes, the goal is not always to hit exactly 100 mg/dL every single time. The aim is to keep the dog feeling great, active, and free of the signs of hyperglycemia in dogs or hypoglycemia in dogs.
Target Ranges for Treated Dogs
Once on insulin, the target range might shift slightly. Your vet might aim for a tighter control:
- Fasting Target: 100–180 mg/dL.
- Peak Insulin Time Target: Aiming to keep it above 80 mg/dL to prevent lows.
This means that while the ideal baseline is 70–120 mg/dL, a well-managed diabetic dog might safely operate in a slightly wider band.
Summary of Key Figures
To keep things simple, always refer back to these core numbers when monitoring your pet.
| Measurement Type | Normal Range (mg/dL) | Action Level |
|---|---|---|
| Normal Fasting | 70 – 120 | Below 70 needs attention; Above 140 needs investigation. |
| Diabetic Goal (Fasting) | 100 – 180 | Avoid levels below 80 mg/dL consistently. |
| Post-Meal Spike | Up to 180 | Sustained highs over 250 mg/dL are concerning. |
Remember, regular communication with your veterinary team is the best way to ensure your dog maintains stable and healthy dog sugar levels. They are your best resource for specific veterinarian advice dog blood sugar protocols tailored to your pet’s needs.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: How often should I test my dog’s blood sugar at home?
A: If your dog is newly diagnosed, your vet might suggest testing 2–4 times a day for a week to establish patterns. Once stable, testing may reduce to once a day, often before the first meal, or as advised by your vet to monitor managing dog blood sugar.
Q: Can a dog’s blood sugar level ever go back to normal without medication?
A: In rare cases, usually secondary to temporary causes like severe stress or certain medications, high blood sugar might resolve when the trigger is gone. However, true canine diabetes (Type 1 diabetes, where the pancreas stops making insulin) is permanent and requires lifelong insulin therapy to keep glucose in the canine blood glucose range.
Q: Is it normal for my dog’s blood sugar to be high after a meal?
A: Yes, a temporary rise after eating is normal. Healthy dog sugar levels usually peak around 140–180 mg/dL one to two hours after a meal and then start to come back down. If the rise is consistently over 200 mg/dL, discuss it with your vet.
Q: What is the difference between a glucometer reading and a fructosamine test?
A: A glucometer gives you an exact snapshot of the blood sugar level at that very moment. The fructosamine test gives you an average of the blood sugar over the last 2–3 weeks. Both are essential tools for a complete picture of managing dog blood sugar.
Q: My dog is showing signs of dog diabetes symptoms, but the test was borderline. What next?
A: If symptoms like excessive drinking and urinating are present, your vet will likely recommend a normal dog fasting glucose test the next morning, or they may run the fructosamine test to confirm chronic high sugar, rather than just a temporary spike.