Daily Walks Lower Blood Sugar in Diabetic Dogs

What This Study Found

Researchers monitored blood sugar levels in five dogs with insulin-treated diabetes before and after daily 30-minute walks or jogs. They found that blood sugar dropped significantly at 1.5 and 2 hours after exercise compared to levels measured just before the walk. By 4 hours after exercise, blood sugar had returned to pre-exercise levels.

Why This Matters for Your Dog

Managing diabetes in dogs is a daily challenge. Insulin injections are the cornerstone of treatment, but keeping blood sugar stable between injections can be difficult. This study suggests that a structured daily walk could be a simple, low-cost way to help smooth out blood sugar spikes — right in your own neighborhood.

Think of exercise as a natural helper for insulin. When a dog moves, its muscles use glucose for energy, which pulls sugar out of the bloodstream. This study is the first to show this effect using a continuous flash glucose monitor in real-world, client-owned diabetic dogs — not just lab animals.

What the Dogs Did

Each dog wore a flash glucose monitoring sensor throughout the study. Once a day for 7 days, owners took their dogs for a brisk walk or jog. The distance was adjusted by weight:

• Under 10 kg (22 lbs): 1.5–2 miles
• 10–20 kg (22–44 lbs): 2–2.5 miles
• Over 20 kg (44 lbs): 2.5–3 miles

Dogs only exercised if their blood sugar was safe (at or above 60 mg/dL) in the 12 hours before the walk, which is an important safety step to avoid hypoglycemia (dangerously low blood sugar).

What the Numbers Showed

Before exercise, average blood sugar was about 223 mg/dL. At 1.5 hours after exercise, it dropped to roughly 188 mg/dL. At 2 hours, it was around 185 mg/dL. Both drops were statistically significant, meaning they were unlikely to be due to chance. The effect faded by 4 hours post-exercise.

Important Limitations to Know

This was a preliminary study with only five dogs, so the results should be interpreted cautiously. Larger studies are needed to confirm these findings and work out the best timing of exercise relative to insulin injections and meals. Always talk to your veterinarian before starting or changing an exercise routine for a diabetic dog.

Tracking Your Dog's Glucose at Home

One of the most valuable tools in this study was the flash glucose monitoring system, which allowed owners to check blood sugar levels without painful finger-stick tests. Consistent glucose monitoring is key to keeping a diabetic dog safe during exercise. At mdsdiabetes.com, you'll find trusted glucose monitoring supplies to help you track your dog's levels before and after activity — giving you the confidence to make exercise a safe part of their routine.

Citation: Mampe, Stefanovski, Hess (2025). Aerobic exercise decreases interstitial glucose concentrations up to 2 h after exercise in dogs with insulin-treated diabetes mellitus: a preliminary study. Frontiers in Veterinary Science. PMID: 40612145. DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2025.1595952