Understanding the connection between pets and diabetes management

If you perform an online search for "pets and diabetes management," you'll likely find a number of dramatic, inspiring accounts of pets helping people living with type 1 diabetes (T1D). In particular, many stories depict Diabetes Alert Dogs (DADs) that help their owners stay on top of their diabetes management by warning them about low and high blood glucose levels.

In fact, after one DAD alerted a mother that her sleeping son had dangerously low blood sugar, she shared the story on Facebook and it got national attention, reported The Washington Post.

There's no doubt that furry, feathered, and even finned friends provide many health benefits to people with T1D. I can personally vouch for that, as I've owned three cats that have boosted my mood and reduced stress during my own diabetes journey.

But at the same time, according to research cited in Diabetes Forecast, pets aren't an adequate substitute for the latest diabetes technologies — like continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) — when managing your diabetes.

To help you separate the facts from the hype about pets and diabetes management, here are answers to some of the most common questions about this subject.

Can pets detect blood sugar highs and lows?

Yes, using their acute sense of smell, properly trained dogs can detect low or high blood sugar levels in their owners, a study published in PLoS One found. It was also determined that they can warn people with T1D — or their caregivers — to take steps to elevate or lower blood glucose.

People who own these dogs typically give them rave reviews. In fact, the majority of DAD owners were "very satisfied" and "largely confident in their dog's ability to detect hypoglycemia [low blood sugar]," according to a study published in the Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology.

But the same study found that the pooches weren't always reliable indicators of low blood sugar. The dogs alerted their owners to only about one-third of the hypoglycemic episodes. And, too often, the dogs' warnings happened when blood sugar levels were normal. Also, CGMs outperformed the dogs when it came to detecting low blood sugars accurately.

Keep in mind that CGMs not only provide warning signals for high and low blood sugars, but, unlike DADs, they also show the overall patterns of blood glucose levels and help in planning insulin dosages and diet.

The bottom line: If you get the right dog and it's been trained by experts, it can be a valuable aid in monitoring blood sugar fluctuations. Just don't rely on it instead of advanced diabetes technology.

To find accredited and reliable organizations that train DADs and learn how to buy one, check out this resource from Diabetes Forecast.

Besides dogs, do other animals detect blood sugar levels?

I've met cat owners with T1D who swear that their feline friends have the same abilities as DADs. One study cited in Diabetes Forecast found that some people reported that cats, rabbits, and even birds could detect changes in blood sugar. But the capacity of pets other than dogs to do that isn't backed up by research.

Don't get me wrong. I'm a big fan of cats. My most recent one, Sammy, was attentive and loving. But he slept like a log through my low blood sugar episodes. It was the alarm from my Dexcom CGM that told me to pop glucose tablets in my mouth — not sweet Sammy!

Do people with T1D get other health benefits from pets?

Whether or not they help you stay on top of your blood sugar levels, pets can help with diabetes management in other ways. For example, according to a study in Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice, owners of DADs have fewer instances of diabetes-related hospitalizations, lower blood sugars on average, and fewer driving accidents. These dogs "serve as a tool for increasing engagement in diabetes self-management and awareness," said one researcher, Linda Gonder-Frederick. "The DAD's presence throughout the day may remind owners to engage in more frequent BG checks."

What's more, pets — and not just dogs — can improve the overall health and well-being of people who live with T1D, as well as those who don't. The American Heart Association reported that pets "relieve stress, lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels, and boost overall happiness ... Pets also provide social support, which is an important factor in helping you stick with new healthy habits."

In addition, regular exercise is highly recommended for people with T1D, and pets can help you stay fit. Walking a dog improves fitness more than walking by yourself or with people, according to a study cited in The New York Times.

Those of us with T1D need all the help we can get to stay healthy, stave off diabetes complications, and enjoy life. In addition to being a lot of fun, a pet is a great addition to the tools you use for diabetes management.

Interested in learning more about tools for diabetes management and monitoring blood glucose? Explore the Edgepark Health Insights blog to discover new developments and access tips.