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Author TB Thompson DVM has been a licensed, practicing veterinarian since 2000.
In my experience as a veterinarian, dealing with a diagnosis of pancreatitis requires dog owners to look at things in a new light. For one thing, they want to know what can dogs with pancreatitis eat without getting sick?
Choosing the right dog food is key: focusing on low-fat, moderate protein, and highly digestible foods is best for pancreatitis. But how do you navigate these choices with just product labels for guidance?
In this article, I’ll share my top food recommendations for dogs with pancreatitis and point out what to steer clear of. Always remember to discuss your dog’s specific needs with your veterinarian for the best advice.
KEY POINTS
- Dog pancreatitis is common and occurs when the pancreas, an organ in the abdomen, becomes inflamed. The cause of pancreatitis is often unknown.
- Veterinarians often recommend a low-fat, highly digestible diet with a moderate protein level.
- It’s important to consult a veterinarian when choosing food for a dog prone to pancreatitis.
Pancreatitis in Dogs
Pancreatitis in dogs is more than just a stomach upset; it’s a serious health condition that needs careful attention. The pancreas, a small but powerful organ nestled near your dog’s stomach, plays a dual role in the body. It not only produces hormones like insulin, which regulates blood sugar, but also creates digestive enzymes essential for breaking down food.
When a dog has pancreatitis, this vital organ becomes inflamed, disrupting its normal functions. This inflammation can cause the digestive enzymes to activate prematurely inside the pancreas instead of in the small intestine. The result? The pancreas starts digesting itself, leading to damage, pain, and potentially severe health complications.
Dogs with pancreatitis often show symptoms like vomiting, loss of appetite, lethargy, abdominal pain and diarrhea.
Acute and Chronic Pancreatitis
This condition can be acute, where symptoms appear suddenly and are severe. In chronic pancreatitis, symptoms are less intense but persist or recur over time.
Both forms require immediate veterinary attention to manage the symptoms and prevent further complications.
Causes & Risk Factors
While these things are known risk factors, they’re not always the culprit. In fact, the exact cause of this condition often remains a mystery.
The classic picture of acute pancreatitis occurs in a dog who has recently eaten a high-fat meal. Perhaps they got into the trash or their owner shared a few rich bites of dinner.
Certain medications, like potassium bromide, and diseases such as diabetes mellitus and Cushing’s disease, can trigger pancreatitis. Physical trauma to the abdomen is another potential cause.
Some breeds are more likely to develop pancreatitis. These include Cocker Spaniels, Miniature Schnauzers, Dachshunds, Poodles, and various Terrier breeds. Obesity and age (over 5 years) also increase the risk of pancreatitis in dogs.
By understanding the critical role of the pancreas and the impact of its inflammation, we can better grasp the importance of dietary management in combating pancreatitis. A well-thought-out diet not only eases the burden on a struggling pancreas but also supports the overall health of your dog.
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What Should a Dog With Pancreatitis Eat?
Since the pancreas is stimulated each time a dog eats, it’s important to choose the right food for a dog with an inflamed pancreas. The wrong food can add to the problem while the right foods can speed healing.
For years, veterinarians have recommended a low-fat diet for dogs with or prone to pancreatitis. Vet nutritionists advise dog owners to feed food that is lower in fat than the food the dog was eating when they developed acute pancreatitis.
Prescription foods we recommend for pancreatitis include Hill’s® i/d and Royal Canin® Low-fat Gastrointestinal dog foods. If you want to feed a non-prescription commercial low-fat dog food, you’ll have to read the label.
What Is Low-Fat Dog Food?
What defines low-fat dog food for pets with pancreatitis? A simple guideline is to choose dry dog food that has 7% fat or less on a dry matter basis, as shown on the label.
While that guideline is good, there are more factors to consider when choosing dog food for pancreatitis.
Based on the advice of veterinary nutritionists, I look for dog food that meets the following criteria:
- FAT 20% or lower for severe/chronic pancreatitis; 30% or lower for moderate/mild cases
- PROTEIN 30% or lower
- FIBER 5% fiber or lower
- Provides complete and balanced nutrition according to AAFCO standards
- Made by a reliable company with a long history of quality
These percentages should be calculated on a calorie basis. Because dog food labels generally give nutrient values on a dry matter basis, you can’t simply look at the label for this information. It requires some calculations that are frankly a pain to do when you’re shopping for dog food.
So I’ve looked at dozens of non-prescription dog foods for you. Below are a handful of products to consider if your dog has mild to moderate pancreatitis. Dogs with severe disease often need to eat prescription dog food. Consult your veterinarian before choosing one of these products.
My Top 3 Non-Prescription Dog Foods for Pancreatitis (+Treats)
Solid Gold®, Natural Balance® and Wellness® brands offer lower-fat commercial dog foods you can buy without a prescription. Please discuss them with your vet before changing your dog’s diet.
Pancreas-Friendly Dog Treats
Be very careful about giving treats and tidbits to a dog with a sensitive pancreas. A snack with high fat content or a large meal with a lot of protein or fiber could trigger pancreatitis.
Low-fat dog treats are tolerated by most dogs with mild pancreatitis. My canine patients love these low-fat, soft Lean Treats:
AVOID high-fat dog treats. These include pig ears, some types of jerky treats and regular Pup-peroni®.
Rawhide chews and bully sticks are usually low in fat, but are hard to digest, so I don’t recommend these for sensitive dogs. Greenies® Original chews are low in fat so they might be OK, but proceed with caution.
When in doubt, ask your vet before giving your dog any new food or treat!
More from NPHQ Veterinarian
Homemade Dog Food
A homemade diet is a viable option for dogs with pancreatitis. But you can’t just mix chicken and rice and think that’s good enough!
I always recommend consulting the veterinary nutritionists at BalanceIT.com to get a complete and balanced recipe for homemade pancreas-friendly dog food. They can set you up with a simple recipe that is perfectly safe and vet-approved for long-term feeding.
Ask your vet for help in choosing ingredients appropriate to your dog’s specific needs. Most vets in the US are familiar with the Balance IT recipe creation services but don’t offer the option to clients since so many prefer pre-made commercial dog food.
Foods to Avoid
Every dog has different sensitivities, but many dogs with sensitive pancreases do best avoiding
- Foods high in fat or fiber
- Large portions of protein
- Any food dog is not used to
- Food that is toxic to all dogs (grapes, xylitol, macadamia nuts)
Human Food for Dogs with Pancreatitis
Table food and treats should make up no more than 10% of your dog’s caloric intake. That means you should only give a bite or two of these each day!
Below is a list of some low-fat and higher-fat human foods. The list is not all-inclusive. And remember that feeding a high-fat item all by itself is more likely to cause pancreas problems than feeding it with a full meal without a lot of fat. Every dog has different tolerances, so start very slowly with any new food and watch for adverse reactions.
| OK (Low Fat) | CAUTION (Higher Fat) |
|---|---|
| Dairy: non-fat yogurt, low-fat cottage cheese, low-fat cream cheese | Dairy: cheese, full-fat yogurt, full-fat cottage cheese, butter |
| Egg whites | Egg yolks |
| Fruit: banana, blueberries, apple | Fatty meat: fatty hamburger, chicken skin, salmon, bacon |
| Grain/legumes: plain corn/popcorn, oats, wheat, rice, peas, beans, lentils | Oils/fats: coconut oil, olive oil, canola oil (all oils) |
| LEAN meat: chicken breast, low-fat beef, turkey breast, white fish | Nut butter: peanut butter, almond butter, cashew butter (all nut butters) |
| Vegetables: carrots, pumpkin, potatoes, |
Practical Tips for Feeding a Dog with Pancreatitis
You should be cautious when introducing new foods or changing the diet of a dog prone to pancreatitis.
A dog’s GI tract becomes accustomed to digesting one particular kind of food every day, it can be thrown into chaos if the diet is abruptly changed. By making a gradual transition to new foods, the digestive tract will have time to adapt. Plan to make the transition over a period of 7-14 days, each day adding a bit more of the new food and removing a bit of the old food.
Watch for poor appetite, diarrhea and vomiting. If you notice any of these symptoms, contact your vet for advice on how to proceed. You may need to change more gradually, return to the previous food, choose a different food or have more diagnostic testing done.
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