The best glucose meter for dogs can be a testing partner for your pets too and not just for you. Overfeeding or obesity have been some of the main reasons behind the increasing level of diseases among your dogs or other pets.
One of the most increasing ones among such diseases has to be diabetes and we have been coming up with some of the best in market blood glucose meter for your pets.
Go to the veterinary doctor for regular checkups and if your dog gets diagnosed with diabetes, it will the most effective solution to use a glucose meter at the comfort of your house to keep a track of the sugar levels and take corrective measures for your dog.
Surprisingly, there are many companies that are in the business of manufacturing the best glucose meter for dogs & just for your pets, so that you don’t have to take multiple rounds in getting the tests done at the clinic. This way is more efficient and time-saving.
Best Glucose Meter for Dogs to Buy
Top 10 Best Glucose Meter for Your Dog
You must know the trusted brands in order to buy the best glucose meter for your dog, and therefore, we have prepared a list of 10 best blood glucose meters available in the market for dogs right now and reviewed them as well so that you make an informed decision.
So Let’s start the review for best glucose meter for your dog available to buy in market.
#1. AlphaTRAK 2 Blood Glucose Monitoring System Kit
AlphaTRAK 2 Blood Glucose Monitoring System Kit
- Bit expensive
- Less Blood Requirement
- Clinically Faster and Precised
You can be at the comfort of your home or office or vacation spot and would still be able to carry out a blood sugar test of your pet, with the help of AlphaTrek 2 blood glucose monitoring system kit.
The device mostly works with cats and dogs, and not so much with other type of pets. The device provides accurate results and is quite easy to operate.
It needs a very small amount of blood sample, of about 0.3 micro liters, making it probably one of the only brands for pets to use such small amount of blood for the purpose of testing.
The lancing device has been designed quite smartly to help give your dog or cat a painless experience e while the whole testing process.
The device also features an electronic data master that tracks and reports meter readings, treatments, and other activities for your pet.
Pros
- Provides faster and accurate results in few seconds
- Smallest amount of blood sample needed while testing
- Comes with on/off button for better testing
- Keeps an electronic data master for better track of records
Cons
- Really expensive as compared to similar brands
#2. PetSure Blood Glucose Test Strips
PetSure Blood Glucose Test Strips
- It’s not a glucometer but a test stripe only
- Suitable for testing both! Dogs and Cats
- Pricing is less, it means it is affordable
The PetSure blood glucose strips are efficient replacement strips for the Alphatrek blood glucose monitor.
If you own an Alphatrek glucometer or Alphatrek 2 glucometer, you might face some difficulty in obtaining the test strips for it.
As a saviour knight, the Petsure strips make sure they work with full compatibility with the former device.
These strips are quite affordable in nature and can be used to test sugar levels for both cats and dogs at the luxury of your house.
You will require only a small ounce of blood sample to get results from these test strips and therefore providing a comfortable process to your pets.
These strips are one of the best available options as a replacement in the market right now, in its current price.
Pros
- Suitable for testing for both cats and dogs
- Requires only a small sample of blood for testing purpose
- Compatible with both Alphatrek and Alphatrek 2 glucometers
- Affordable in terms of pricing
Cons
- The owner is required to place the blood sample at the end of the strip, that can prove to be a little tricky
#3. Advocate Pet Test Blood Glucose Monitoring System
Advocate Pet Test Blood Glucose Monitoring System
- Budget Friendly
- Supports testing for both, Cat and Dog
- Extremely Easy to Use – No Coding Required – Accurate & Precise Results
- Smallest Sample Size Needed (0.3µL)
The Advocate Pet Test blood glucose monitoring system is one of the best meters you can buy in the market for your pet.
The machine can be used for both, cats as well as dogs and will provide you accurate results each time you take a test.
Whenever you need to switch between you pets, this machine will adjust itself on the push of one single button, i.e., you can switch between the dog or the cat mode.
This device has versatile usage, as it can be used at personal level or professional level without any worries and will give out fast results in just 5 seconds.
One of the reasons behind the popularity of the device is its ease of handling or operating and the fact that it requires no coding at all to configure.
It can also support up to 400 test results in the internal memory, which will help you to keep a proper track of your pet’s health and nutrition.
The required blood sample is also very small, of about 0.3 micro liters and the lancing device works quite painlessly, making it very comfortable for your pet to take the test.
Pros
- The device has good memory and can hold up to 400 test results
- Has a 4 daily alarm system to help you be on time
- This device is quite budget friendly and won’t burn a hole in your pocket
- Switch mode between cat and dog
Cons
- Limited number of test strips
- Irritating beeping sounds
#4. Cera-Pet Blood Glucose Monitor
Cera-Pet Blood Glucose Monitor
- High Memory Capacity
- Comes with Guide and Easy to Follow instructions to operate the monitor
- 25 x Blood Glucose Test Strips and 25 x Lancets included in the starter pack
The Cera Pet blood glucose glucometer is your perfect partner for testing blood sugar levels in your pet.
This starter pack comes equipped with all the necessary equipment required for testing, including, 25 strips, glucometer, 25 lances and a lancing device.
For the purpose of providing a painless experience for your dog while procuring a blood sample, the lancing device has been designed in such a way that utmost comfort for your pet always comes first.
The device has great memory capabilities, as it can keep a record of around 1000 test results and you can happily maintain a log of major things that should be taken care of.
Also Read: Best Glucometer for Cats
A unique feature that can be noticed here is the conversion of mg/dL to mmol/L units, making it easier for you to avoid any last-minute hassle of converting the units.
This whole kit can be contained in an easy to carry and handle travel case which can be further used for mobility as per your desires and the whims of your pet dog.
Pros
- Easily portable due to compact carrying case
- Comes with a whole package of needed devices
- Can record results up to 1000 entries
- Easy to handle and operate
Cons
- Only works for pet dogs and no other pet
#5. EverPaw Gluco HT111
EverPaw Gluco HT111
- With EverPaw Gluco HT111 Blood Glucose Monitoring System (Not collaborated with other EverPaw Glucometer models).
- Requires just a tiny 0.7µL blood sample. Uses premium GDH enzyme collaborating test strips, packaged in a temperature controlled vial providing more consistent and accurate test results. For home or professional use (NOT to use on humans).
The EverPaw Gluco HT111 diabetes monitoring system is a really decent choice which will give you astonishing and accurate results all the time.
The machine is quite simple to operate and handle.
The display is quite clear and large in nature, making it easier to read even if you are a little far away.
Not just this, the monitor is easy to set up and collaborate as per your pet preference.
With each test it uses a premium GDH enzyme collaborating test strip, packaged in a temperature-controlled vial, enabling in getting accurate and consistent test results, in around 3-5 seconds.
The sample size of blood needed to be drawn is also small, of about 0.7 micro liters.
In addition, you get features like pre/post meal recognition and daily 4 alarm reminders.
The device gives you a versatile usage in terms of usage, as in it can be used personally as well as professionally and category of pets, as in it can be used for dogs, cats and even horses.
Pros
- Easy to operate and handle
- Large and clear readings on display
- Enables pre/post meal recognition
- Comes with a hygiene strip ejector in a simple push button
Cons
- The device might require pre coding before using
Things to Consider Before Buying Best Glucose Meter for Dogs
Even if it is a blood glucose meter for pets, you must always look into certain things before going all in and buying something that is durable and has great performance.
These points will help you make a better and informed decision about the best option available in the market.
Blood Sample
You must always consider the amount of blood sample you will require for testing purposes.
Make sure the glucose meter uses a really small amount of blood sample to be used on the test strips to get the results.
The most apt size is 0.5 micro liters of blood of sample to be required by the machine.
Every machine has a different setting and might, therefore, use a different sample size, so you must read the product description or our reviews to understand the exact amount needed by the machine.
Lanced Device
Procuring a blood sample can be a painful process for your pet as it cannot express anything in words unlike us, humans.
Therefore, to make the process easier for your dog or any other pet, knowing about the lancing device strength becomes of utmost importance before buying a glucose meter.
A good lancing device will make it painless and comfortable for your dog through the whole extraction of blood and the whole testing device.
Look at the reviews and grasp the knowledge and then select the best machine.
Result Timing
Getting a blood glucose meter can be tiring if it doesn’t offer a quick and accurate result.
A quick result is a blessing if you have to go through with the testing process twice or thrice in a day.
It will be on another level when you have an impatient pet that can go gobble in seconds.
The faster you know the results, the faster you can be able to take the corrective actions and keep a track of the sugar levels.
Look for a glucometer that can give you results within 5-6 seconds or less to get faster results every time.
Accuracy
A good blood glucose meter should provide you with an accuracy that would otherwise have been nearly possible with a third party or clinic results.
If your meter does not give you accurate results, you must never go with the machine as you would not be able to make a list of records and a checklist of dos and don’ts for your pet in any way.
Their healthy lifestyle depends on accurate test results every time you take one.
Go through the reviews we have described above or go with a trusted brand to get a quality machine.
Ease of Use
A good machine must be easy to set up and very easy to operate.
A user-friendly interface and the ease must always be top priority for you while choosing a blood glucose meter.
When a machine becomes difficult to set up or works in a tricky manner every time your pet needs to take a test, it might become difficult because your pet doesn’t have the same patience level as you.
Also, getting a consistent and accurate result while using such a machine can become a bit difficult and therefore, check the reviews before you buy a machine.
FAQs About Best Glucose Meter for dogs to Buy
Why should I use a glucometer for my dog?
To some extent, it might make sense to use a human glucometer kit on your pets as the test is done in a similar way for both humans and some animals.
The most important thing you need to remember in cases with animals is that, the balance of glucose found in human bodies and animal bodies differs substantially.
Also, the glucometers need to be specifically calibrated for use with a cat or dog or you might get inaccurate results.
How do I monitor ketones and glucose in my dog?
Keeping a check of your diabetic dog becomes very important in order to keep them healthy.
There are majorly 2 ways in which you can keep a proper check on their blood sugar level and ketone levels.
One is via urine test and the other one is blood test.
Through urine test you can roughly check up on both the things and remember to extract a sample right before their meals.
Blood test on the other hand will give you a more accurate result than urine test.
Make sure to collect these samples and take them to your vet to get them tested.
What optimum level of glucose is in a dog?
It is really important to regularly monitor your dog’s glucose levels in short intervals, whenever needed or as prescribed.
To keep a proper track of the levels and to see whether those levels need precautionary measures or not, you must know the optimum levels of sugar levels in your dog.
A healthy dog should have around 100–250 mg/dL in general, but this can also differ throughout the day.
The changes in levels can be caused due to many factors that include stress, weight gain or weight loss, a change in an exercise regime, medication, disease, and progesterone.
If we talk about a diabetic dog, the levels will become different, around 90-216 mg/dl in a 24-hour period.
What is the best place to extract blood from?
Extracting a blood sample from your pet can be a terrifying process for you as well for your pet.
A slight discomfort and your pet might get all panicky and you with it.
For extra measures to take while doing the process, you must consult your veterinarian before you take any samples and share any concerns that you may have.
Not just this, they will be able to talk you through the process and even show you how to take a sample, without causing any stress or discomfort to your dog.
Normally, the best places to take samples are usually inside the ear, the pisiform pad, hairless calluses on their elbows (mostly in older dogs).
How many times should you fees a diabetic dog?
If you have a diabetic dog, special care must be taken between its diet and intervals regarding the same.
A normal dog’s body produces blood and insulin between the meals and the dog should get 2-3 meals a day for the same.
So, as per this, meals must be divided as per the schedule and then the injection should be given every 12 hours to maintain the blood sugar levels.
Conclusion
You must always keep a tab on your pet’s blood glucose level. A high level can generally lead to higher risks of stroke, vision or dental problems, heart disease and more.
Therefore, a regular human glucometer won’t be enough, as they aren’t designed for pets.
This is why we have comprised the above list for your benefit so that you do not get confused between the required brand glucometers.
We have also reviewed them so that whenever you need to buy a good meter to check your pet’s blood sugar levels, you are convinced about the quality and performance of the meter.
Do not avoid going to the veterinarian completely after getting yourself one of these meters, as he or she can give you some valuable inputs to help keep diabetes in control.