If your dog has been diagnosed as a diabetic you may be wondering if you have done something wrong. Unfortunately some dogs are just more likely to develop the disease than others. Middle-aged female dogs are most likely to get diabetes but any dog can be affected. Obese dogs are slightly more likely to develop the disease, but there are many obese dogs who do not develop diabetes. In females, the disease often starts within a month or two of a season or 'heat' due to the effects of hormonal changes. It is advisable to have all female dogs neutered if they are not going to have puppies, and most certainly if your dog already has diabetes, as the disease will be more easily controlled.