Diabetes mellitus is a common endocrine condition in middle-aged and older dogs, requiring lifelong insulin injections and dietary management. The welfare implications span from the dog's daily experience of disease to the human-animal bond impacts of intensive medical management.
Well-controlled diabetic dogs can maintain excellent quality of life, but the management burden is significant. Insulin injection twice daily requires owner commitment and may cause anxiety in needle-sensitive dogs if poorly administered. Hypoglycaemic episodes — when blood glucose drops too low — cause weakness, trembling, and seizures, and represent an acute welfare emergency. Rapid cataract formation causes visual impairment that can affect a dog's confidence and independence. Owners experiencing management fatigue may reduce monitoring frequency, leading to poor control and suffering. Welfare assessment must consider both the dog's subjective experience and the sustainability of the care relationship.