{"id":631092,"date":"2025-01-16T10:54:20","date_gmt":"2025-01-16T15:54:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=631092"},"modified":"2025-01-16T10:55:06","modified_gmt":"2025-01-16T15:55:06","slug":"metformin-for-dogs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/metformin-for-dogs\/","title":{"rendered":"Metformin for dogs: Uses and safety"},"content":{"rendered":"

Metformin is not commonly used in veterinary medicine. Though sometimes used in cats and birds, there are no veterinary guidelines for its use in dogs.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In medicine, <\/span>metformin<\/span><\/a> is used to lower blood glucose levels in people with Type 2 diabetes mellitus. In dogs, the standard treatment for diabetes is <\/span>insulin<\/span><\/a>. Veterinarians don\u2019t use oral antidiabetic drugs like metformin in dogs. However, there is limited research suggesting metformin may slow down the progress of heart failure in dogs, so that\u2019s one possible veterinary use of metformin in the future.<\/span><\/p>\n

What is metformin used for in dogs?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Veterinarians do not use metformin in dogs. Doctors use metformin as a first-line drug to reduce blood sugar levels in people with Type 2 diabetes. Veterinarians treat canine diabetes\u2014both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes\u2014almost exclusively with insulin. They do not use oral antihyperglycemic medications like metformin.<\/span><\/p>\n

Metformin\u2019s mechanism of action is unique among antidiabetic drugs. It increases insulin sensitivity by activating an enzyme in the body\u2019s tissues that regulates certain metabolic processes, including glucose uptake. In this way, the body\u2019s cells increase their uptake of blood sugar. It\u2019s a good starter drug for people with insulin resistance. It\u2019s effective and has relatively few side effects. Most importantly, people taking metformin are less likely to experience low blood sugar or lactic acidosis, the most concerning problems associated with antihyperglycemic drugs.<\/span><\/p>\n

Metformin is less useful at treating diabetes in small animals. However, research has shown that metformin may help extend the lives of dogs with heart failure, so that\u2019s one possible use.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

There is research and recommended dosages on using metformin in cats with Type 2 diabetes (also called noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus or NIDDM). The use of metformin in cats is controversial, so veterinarians are more likely <\/span>to use proven, FDA-approved medications<\/span><\/a> like Bexacat (bexagliflozin) or Senvelgo (velagliflozin) in diabetic cats.<\/span><\/p>\n

Veterinarians are free to prescribe human medications to dogs, but a veterinarian will have no clinical research or standardized dosages to help guide treatment metformin treatment in a dog.<\/span><\/p>\n

Is metformin safe for dogs?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Metformin is not used in dogs but has been used in research studies. It did not raise any concerns with safety in the research, but it hasn\u2019t been proven to be safe for clinical use.<\/span><\/p>\n

If a dog accidentally ingests metformin, call an emergency veterinary hospital for advice.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Side effects of metformin in dogs<\/span><\/h3>\n

The only reported side effects<\/span><\/a> are those that occur when dogs accidentally eat metformin intended for people. In nearly every case, the dogs experienced vomiting, so the most common side effect of metformin in dogs is:<\/span><\/p>\n