The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) has released its 2026 Diabetes Management Guidelines for Dogs, updating recommendations for veterinary teams managing canine diabetes mellitus (DM). The guidelines provide step-by-step guidance covering canine DM pathophysiology and diagnosis, insulin treatment and monitoring, dietary management, glycemic testing, diabetic ketoacidosis, and troubleshooting common management challenges. They also include charts and algorithms addressing insulin types and starting dosages, treatment monitoring and adjustment, hypoglycemia, and dogs receiving high insulin doses that become unregulated. Bigstock The update reflects advances in diabetes management, including the increasing availability of continuous glucose monitors and use of long-acting insulin formulations such as insulin degludec and glargine U-300, which may permit once-daily dosing. “We are thrilled to provide this highly requested update for the Diabetes Guidelines,” says Jessica Vogelsang, DVM, AAHA Chief Medical Officer. “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 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,” says Audrey K. Cook, BVM&S, MSc Vet Ed, FRCVS, DACVIM, DECVIM, DABVP (Feline Practice), a member of the task force. “Practitioners will be better positioned to optimize care for diabetic dogs and support the wellbeing of both pets and their caretakers.” The guidelines also emphasize client communication, including expectations for monitoring, treatment adjustments, follow-up, and the long-term commitment involved in diabetes management. View the complete guidelines at the AAHA website.
