Is wet food better for dogs with pancreatitis
What Can a Dog with Pancreatitis Eat? Dog Food, Treats & Human Food
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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, Ill share my top food recommendations for dogs with pancreatitis and point out what to steer clear of. Always remember to discuss your dogs 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.
- Its 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; its a serious health condition that needs careful attention. The pancreas, a small but powerful organ nestled near your dogs 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, theyre 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 Cushings 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, its 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 Hills i/d and Royal Canin Low-fat Gastrointestinal dog foods. If you want to feed a non-prescription commercial low-fat dog food, youll 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 cant simply look at the label for this information. It requires some calculations that are frankly a pain to do when youre shopping for dog food.
So Ive 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 dogs diet.
Solid Gold Fit & Fabulous-Alaskan Pollock Dry Dog FoodVery low fat content (22% of calories, moderate protein (29% of calories), grain-free for owners who prefer this, added probiotics may help pancreatitis, the protein source is fish and turkey which are good for sensitive dogs, good level of omega 3 fatty acids.
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 dont 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!
Homemade Dog Food
A homemade diet is a viable option for dogs with pancreatitis. But you cant just mix chicken and rice and think thats 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 dogs specific needs. Most vets in the US are familiar with the Balance IT recipe creation services but dont 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 dogs 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 dogs 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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What You Need to Know About Dog Food for Pancreatitis
The pancreas is not an organ that many pet parents have reason to think aboutthat is, until something goes wrong with it. Pancreatitis is the most common disease of the pancreas in dogs. Lets investigate the causes and symptoms of pancreatitis in dogs and what can be done to prevent and treat this serious condition, including the role that a low-fat dog food can play.
Causes of Pancreatitis in Dogs
Dogs can develop pancreatitis for a number of reasons, including:
Eating something with a high-fat content, particularly if it is not part of their regular diet
Being overweight
Pancreatic infections
Having other medical conditions like Cushings disease, diabetes mellitus, or abnormally high levels of fat in the blood
Exposure to some types of medications or toxins, including organophosphates, L-asparaginase, azathioprine, corticosteroids, sulphonamides, potassium bromide, phenobarbital, and zinc
Abdominal trauma that affects the pancreas
A genetic or breed predisposition (Miniature Schnauzers, Yorkshire Terriers, Silky Terriers, Miniature Poodles)
A history of pancreatitis
In many cases, no specific underlying cause can be identified.
Symptoms of Pancreatitis in Dogs
The pancreas has several functions in the body, one of which is making digestive enzymes. In good health, these enzymes remain inactive until they are secreted into the intestinal tract in response to a recent meal.
While the exact mechanisms are unclear, pancreatitis develops when these digestive enzymes start working prematurely, while they are still within the pancreas, leading to pancreatic inflammation and sometimes infection and/or tissue death.
Pancreatitis may be mild or severe. It can develop suddenly or over a long period of time. It may happen once or become a recurrent or chronic problem. All of this explains why the symptoms of pancreatitis in dogs can vary tremendously. Dogs with pancreatitis typically have some combination of the following symptoms:
None of these symptoms are specific for pancreatitis in dogs. To make a definitive diagnosis, a veterinarian will have to run some tests, starting with a blood chemistry panel, complete blood cell count, fecal examination, urinalysis, and possibly some abdominal X-rays to rule out other diseases that cause similar symptoms.
This initial workup may point to pancreatitis, but additional testing (e.g., cPLI or SPEC-CPL blood tests) is usually also necessary. Sometimes abdominal ultrasounds, exploratory surgery, or other diagnostic procedures are needed to reach a definitive diagnosis of pancreatitis in dogs.
Treatment for Pancreatitis in Dogs
Treatment for pancreatitis will depend on a dogs symptoms and any abnormalities that were detected on his blood work and urinalysis. The goal is to keep the patient comfortable and support his physiological needs while giving the pancreas time to heal.
Fluid therapy and dog medicationsto control nausea and pain are often necessary. Your veterinarian may prescribe dog antibioticsto treat or prevent infection. Severely affected dogs may need to be hospitalized for an extended period of time and require more aggressive treatment with feeding tubes, plasma transfusion, or surgery.
Research has found that dogs with pancreatitis who quickly start eating dog food again have an improved prognosis. Therefore, veterinarians aggressively use anti-nausea drugs to treat vomiting in attempt to get food into dogs with pancreatitis as soon as possible.
Dog Food for Pancreatitis
Most veterinarians recommend that dogs eat a highly digestible, low-fat dog food as they are recovering from pancreatitis. Dietary fat is thought to be a major stimulus for the pancreas to secrete digestive enzymes, which may worsen pancreatic inflammation.
A low-fat dog food can promote pancreatic healing while still providing all the nutrition dogs need to heal. If your dog has a history of repeated bouts of pancreatitis, your veterinarian may recommend that you continue to feed a low-fat dog food to prevent flare-ups.
Several well-respected pet food companies make dog foodformulas that are specifically designed to help dogs recover from pancreatitis. Hills dog foods include Hill's Prescription Diet i/d Low Fat Canned Dog Foodand Hill's Prescription Diet i/d Low Fat Dry Dog Food, both of which are supplemented with omega-3 fatty acids that have been shown to reduce inflammation.
Talk to your veterinarian for help in picking the best dog food for pancreatitis based on the specifics of your dogs case.
Image via Jaromir Chalabala/Shutterstock
WRITTEN BY
Jennifer Coates, DVMVeterinarian
Dr. Jennifer Coates is an accomplished veterinarian, writer, editor, and consultant with years of experience in the fields of veterinary...
