AAHA releases new diabetes management guidelines for dogs

The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) has released its 2026 Diabetes Management Guidelines for Dogs, an update covering diagnosis, treatment initiation, ongoing monitoring, troubleshooting, and dietary management for canine patients.¹

New tools driving the update

Much of the update responds to tools that have become increasingly accessible in recent years. Continuous glucose monitors, once a more specialized option, are increasingly affordable and can provide a more detailed picture of glycemic control than intermittent glucose measurements. The guidelines also incorporate newer long-acting insulins, including degludec and glargine U-300, which may allow some dogs with diabetes to be managed with once-daily dosing instead of the twice-daily regimens that have long been standard.¹

"The care of our doggy diabetics has changed dramatically over the last few years, with the advent of inexpensive continuous glucose monitors and a new understanding of how to leverage long-acting insulins," said Audrey K. Cook, BVM&S, MSc Vet Ed, FRCVS, DACVIM, DECVIM, DABVP (Feline Practice), a member of the AAHA Diabetes Management Guidelines Task Force.¹ "Practitioners will be better positioned to optimize care for diabetic dogs and support the wellbeing of both pets and their caretakers."

The guidelines include charts and algorithms for insulin selection, dosing, and management of hypoglycemia. Dogs typically develop absolute insulin deficiency from permanent loss of insulin-producing beta cells, meaning all dogs with diabetes require lifelong insulin therapy; with appropriate management, the guidelines note, most tolerate that therapy well and carry a good long-term prognosis.¹

A guideline built around canine physiology

For the first time, AAHA has divided its diabetes guidance into separate canine and feline documents rather than a single combined guideline, reflecting how differently the disease behaves in each species.

"We are thrilled to provide this highly requested update for the Diabetes Guidelines," said Jessica Vogelsang, DVM, AAHA chief medical officer.¹ "We are especially excited to announce that, for the first time, we have divided these into separate canine and feline guidelines in recognition of the unique nature of the disease process in each species."

The 2026 Diabetes Management Guidelines for Dogs were developed with support from Adapet Medical, Boehringer Ingelheim, Dechra, and Merck Animal Health and are available at aaha.org/diabetes-management-dogs.¹

Reference

1. AAHA releases 2026 diabetes management guidelines for dogs. News release. American Animal Hospital Association. September 1, 2026. Accessed September 1, 2026. https://world.einnews.com/pr_news/938489577/aaha-releases-2026-diabetes-management-guidelines-for-dogs