Blood Glucose Monitors and Test Strips

What a blood glucose meter does

A blood glucose meter measures how much sugar (glucose) is in your dog’s blood at that moment. It’s a quick way to see whether their level is too low, too high, or right where it should be.

You take a tiny drop of blood (usually from the ear, lip, or paw pad), place it on a test strip, and the meter reads it within seconds. Note that each test strip is single use.

This tells you how your dog is responding to food, insulin, and daily routine — helping you keep them safe and balanced.

For example:

• Low reading (hypoglycemia): Your dog may need honey or corn syrup right away.
  
• High reading (hyperglycemia): Their insulin dose or timing might need adjustment. They should also be encouraged to drink lots of water. Your vet will guide you on what numbers are ideal for your dog.
  

Why pet meters are different from human meters

Dog and cat blood isn’t the same as human blood — glucose is distributed differently between plasma and red blood cells.

Human meters are designed for human blood, so they often underestimate a dog’s blood glucose level. Pet-specific meters are calibrated for animals, giving you more accurate readings and safer dosing decisions.

We use the AlphaTrak 3 with our dog, Parker. It’s easy to use, accurate, and widely recommended by veterinarians. 

Choosing a meter and test strips

Here are a few reliable options available in North America:

• AlphaTrak 3 (Zoetis) – The most commonly used pet glucose meter. Starter kits include the meter, test strips, control solution, and lancets.
  
  • Available through your veterinarian, Chewy, 1-800 PetMeds, or other pet suppliers.
  • Replacement test strips and lancets are easy to find online though they are expensive
• Pet Control HQ – Includes two code chips (one for dogs, one for cats) and affordable strip refills.
  
  • Sold at petcontrolhq.com.
• PetTest Meter – Uses small blood samples and individually wrapped strips for freshness.
  
  • Available on Amazon.
• Vet GlucoGauge and GluNEO Pet – Other good options, often available through veterinarians or Covetrus.
  

What about human meters?

Yes, human glucose meters are usually less expensive and readily available, but they are not calibrated for dogs or cats. They often read lower than your dog’s true level, which could lead to incorrect insulin doses and confusion for anyone caring for your dog.

If cost is a concern, talk to your veterinarian — sometimes they can help you find a reliable pet meter within your budget or recommend how to compare readings safely.

Make sure your meter is set properly

Here are a few important things to double check when setting up the meter for first use, after changing the battery, or using a new vial of test strips (with the AlphTrak 3):

Set the time accurately. Diabetic dogs are on a rigid 11-13 hour schedule with the time of injection playing a critical part of their care.

Set the blood glucose scale to your region. Canada, UK, Australia and most of Europe use mmol/L, while the US and Japan use mg/dL. 

Set the meter to show blood glucose readings for dogs. Many meters give readings for other animals, such as cats and horses, so you want to follow the instructions carefully. 

Check the meter using the control solutions (it looks like fake blood and comes with your device) once a month to be sure it stays accurate.

How to use your meter and strips

Each container of test strips for our AlphaTrak comes sealed with a small chip taped to the top. We insert the chip in the meter in the same place as the test strip and it sets the meter for ‘dog.’

1. Wash your hands and have your supplies ready.
2. Insert a new test strip into the meter.
3. Warm the test area with a rice sock or rechargeable mitten warmer.
4. Use a lancing device to get a small drop of blood. We use the PetTest Genteel as it works well and doesn’t require batteries.
5. Touch the strip to the drop and wait for the reading (usually within 5 seconds).
6. Record the result — most meters store readings, or you can note them in a logbook or app.
7. Give your dog a treat as a reward for their patience and to make the whole experience less stressful and more enjoyable.
   

Always store strips in a dry place, keep the lid closed, and check expiry dates before using them.

What we learned
We were surprised to learn that not everyone checks their diabetic dog’s blood glucose before every meal or when they show signs of discomfort or illness. When these pet parents run into an issue, they don’t have the data they need to make an informed decision on their dog’s health and are often panic-stricken. It’s not good for anyone, particularly their dogs.

With everything we’ve been through with Parker since his diabetic diagnosis, we know that checking your dog’s blood glucose is one of the simplest ways to keep them feeling good every day — and a big part of helping them live a long, healthy life with diabetes.