- The 2026 AAHA Diabetes Management Guidelines for Dogs provide updated recommendations for diagnosing, treating and monitoring canine diabetes mellitus.
- AAHA has separated its canine and feline diabetes guidelines for the first time to reflect differences in disease processes between the species.
- The canine guidelines address the growing use of continuous glucose monitors and long-acting insulin formulations.
- Clinical resources include algorithms and charts covering insulin selection and dosing, treatment adjustments, hypoglycemia and difficult-to-regulate patients.
- The guidelines also cover diabetic ketoacidosis, nutrition, monitoring and client communication.
The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) has released its 2026 Diabetes Management Guidelines for Dogs, providing veterinary professionals with updated recommendations for the diagnosis, treatment and monitoring of canine diabetes mellitus.
For the first time, AAHA has divided its diabetes recommendations into separate canine and feline guidelines, reflecting differences in how the disease develops and is managed in the two species.
Dogs with diabetes mellitus develop an absolute insulin deficiency associated with permanent beta cell loss and require insulin therapy. AAHA notes that most diabetic dogs can tolerate lifelong treatment well and have a good prognosis when appropriately treated and monitored.
Continuous glucose monitoring and long-acting insulin
The updated guidelines reflect changes in diabetes management driven in part by greater availability of continuous glucose monitors and newer long-acting insulin options.
AAHA specifically discusses long-acting, relatively peakless insulin formulations such as insulin degludec and glargine U-300, which the organization says may allow once-daily dosing in some patients.
“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 guidelines task force.
Practical guidance for veterinary teams
The guidelines provide step-by-step information on diagnosing canine diabetes, selecting and monitoring insulin therapy, dietary management and treating diabetic ketoacidosis.
They also include guidance for troubleshooting common management challenges and recommendations for tests used to monitor glycemic status.
Charts and clinical algorithms address insulin types and starting dosages, treatment monitoring and adjustment, hypoglycemia, and management of dogs receiving high insulin doses that remain poorly regulated.
AAHA also emphasizes communication with pet owners about expectations, monitoring and the long-term commitment involved in managing a diabetic dog. Establishing an effective initial treatment regimen may require more frequent follow-up visits and adjustments before the disease is well controlled.
Veterinary professionals can access the complete 2026 AAHA Diabetes Management Guidelines for Dogs on AAHA’s website.
The guidelines are supported by Adapet Medical, Boehringer Ingelheim, Dechra and Merck Animal Health.
Information sourced from the American Animal Hospital Association’s press release.
