Food & Treats for dogs with Pancreatitis / Pancreas issues
What food and treats can a dog with pancreatitis eat?
Whether ongoing or a 'flare-up', pancreatitis can often be managed through diet.
They key is a diet low in fat and easily digestible food and treats.
Your vet will give you good advice and suggest options. The following tips are a good guide to help you understand how you can help your dog
- Low-Fat : Look for kibble or raw food that has less than 10% fat. Choose the best quality food that you can afford. It doesn't have to be the most expensive option, there are many good quality foods within medium price range
- White Fish: Such as cod or haddock (see our fish treats)
- Scrambled egg, but use the whites only: Egg white is high in protein and low in fat
- Pumpkin/squash: Goof for digestion and high in fibre
- Sweet Potatoes: High in fibre and vitamins (see our sweet potato treats)
- Vegetables: Steamed broccoli, carrots, and green beans (not from your human plate with butter or seasoning!) - see our vege treats
- Cottage Cheese: Low-fat, plain cottage cheese can be a good protein source. Spread on a lickimat for stress and boredom busting!
Low fat food and treat options from Be More Bob
We have an excellent range of low fat treats here at Be More Bob. We only stock the very best quality, natural treats and we hope you agree that our price points are very reasonable too.
In the dog treat world, anything below 10% fat is classed as 'low fat' and anything below 5% fat is classed as 'super low fat'. We have lots of choice in both categories.
White fish is a brilliant choice as not only is it super low in fat, it's also packed with omega oils for healthy joints, bones, skin, eyes and heart.
We stock Goodchaps fish because it's made right here in the UK by a brilliant family run company.
We have a large range of JR pet chews and treats that hit the under 10% fat category. Venison and Ostrich are both very low in fat and packed with good vitamins and minerals. Chewing also helps clean your teeth and lower stress.
Innocent Hound is a brilliant British company based in Yorkshire. There Salmon Bites and Tuna and Crab treats are super quality and super low in fat.
Apawtiser is a small family run company making natural vege treats for dogs. Their own dog, Mac, has severe dietary requirements and all of their treats are made with sensitive tums and allergies in mind.
What is the pancreas?
An essential organ near the stomach and small intestine, the pancreas plays a role in digestion and hormone regulation. It produces enzymes that help break down foods and hormones like insulin.
What foods to avoid
- High-Fat Foods: NO bacon, sausage, and fatty meat
- Dairy Products: NO dairy such as cheese and butter.
- Fried Foods: Any kind of fried or greasy food - please don't feed your dog human fatty and fried food!
- Human Food and Snacks: crisps, nuts, and human peanut butter (especially those with added sugars and fats)
- Sugary treats: why would you? no no no, for any dogs, no sugar, no biscuits - I don't care if you think it is cute or that they love a jammy dodger, dogs should not eat sugar
- Processed Meats: pepperoni, salami, hot dogs, deli meats - all way too salty
- Grains and Legumes: Not bad as such, but are harder to digest so if your dog has poor digestion, we suggest you limit corn, peas, and beans
- Spicy Foods: Anything spicy - save it for your own plate!
- Fatty Fish: Salmon, mackerel, and sardines (but white fish is very good!)
What is pancreatitis in dogs?
An inflammation of the pancreas. The enzymes can be over active and begin the process of digesting the pancreas, leading to inflammation.
Your dog can get pancreatitis at any ages and their symptoms may vary in severity. Although potentially life-threatening, the condition can be managed.
Let's look at the two two types of pancreatitis...
Chronic Pancreatitis:
Chronic pancreatitis can develop slowly over time and the symptoms can be intermittent and therefore not easy to pinpoint.
If your dog shows any of the symptoms, you should seek veterinary advice as soon as you can
Acute Pancreatitis:
Acute pancreatitis can cause a sudden onset of severe symptoms. If this occurs you must seek veterinary assistance immediately.
What are the causes of pancreatitis in dogs?
Several factors can contribute to the development of pancreatitis dogs, from dietary choices to underlying health issues.
- Consumption of fatty foods, scraps, junk food can lead to pancreatitis. We would always advice that you keep human food to humans.
- Being overweight makes your dog more prone to developing pancreatitis.
- Underlying medical issues such as diabetes mellitus and hypothyroidism can contribute.
- The consumption of certain drugs, including corticosteroids and some types of chemotherapy, may trigger pancreatitis - your vet will talk through these risks if you need to administer these drugs
- Accident or injury to the pancreas can result in inflammation.
- Infection such as bacterial, viral, or parasitic
- A high fat diet can trigger acute symptoms
- Ingesting toxic substances
- Stress can contribute
- Abrupt dietary changes - always gradually change a dog's diet if you need to
What can be the symptoms of pancreatitis in dogs?
Pancreatitis can lead to a range of symptoms (some of which are also symptoms for various other issues - so you must get a veterinary appointment). Early recognition of these symptoms is crucial for timely treatment and intervention.
- Vomiting: One of the most frequent signs
- Diarrhoea: Often accompanies vomiting
- Abdominal Pain: Dogs may show discomfort or pain in the abdomen, if they won't let you or don't like you touching their tummy
- Lethargy: Reduced activity levels and reluctance to move, not being themselves, not enjoying life
- Loss of Appetite: Dogs may not eat or show disinterest in food
- Dehydration: Due to vomiting and diarrhoea.
- Fever: Elevated temperature
- Distended Abdomen: Swelling or bloating of the abdomen, a dog's tummy should be soft to the touch
- Jaundice: in severe cases
- Weight Loss: Weight loss if your dog normally carries a healthy weight can be a sign of many issues and should always be explored with your vet
How do I tell the difference between acute and chronic pancreatitis
Your vet will help you to understanding the difference in symptoms between as this can help you both to manage the condition effectively
Acute Pancreatitis:
- Sudden Onset: Symptoms appear abruptly and can be severe
- Intense Abdominal Pain: Crying when touched or not letting you touch
- Severe Vomiting: More frequent and intense than in chronic cases
- Diarrhoea: Often severe and may contain blood
- Lethargy: Profound and sudden; the dog may be unable to stand or walk
- Rapid Dehydration: Due to the sickness and diarrhoea
- Fever: Can often be higher than in chronic cases
Chronic Pancreatitis:
- Gradual Onset: Symptoms develop slowly over time and not be as noticeable
- Intermittent Abdominal Pain: Episodes of pain that come and go
- Mild to Moderate Vomiting: Less severe and less frequent than in acute cases
- Intermittent Diarrhoea: May be less frequent but persistent. If your dog is ever sick with diarrhoea for more than a couple of days, you should seek a vet's appointment
- Mild Lethargy: Periodic and less intense than in acute cases but you can tell that they aren't themselves
- Weight Loss: Due to ongoing digestive issues and loss of appetite. Any ongoing weight loss should be explored with your vet
- Dehydration: Mild to moderate, often managed with fluids at the vet
- Poor Coat Condition: Due to malabsorption of nutrients - a dog's coat is an overall indication of its health
- Increased Appetite: If your dog is suddenly hungrier than usual it can be the body compensating for poor nutrient absorption
How is pancreatitis diagnosed in dogs?
The vet will talk to you about symptoms such as vomiting, abdominal pain and lethargy.
Your vet will look for clinical signs, conduct blood tests, and possibly imaging like an ultrasound.
Inflammation and changes to the behaviour of the pancreas can be established by blood tests, including a serum biochemistry and a complete blood count.
If your vet suspects pancreatitis they may suggest a specific test like the canine pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity test. They may also conduct an ultrasound which can help visualise the inflamed pancreas and rule out other conditions.
How long will it take my dog to recover from pancreatitis?
It depends on how severe the condition is. If it's mild and has been caught early and medication has been administered, your dog may start to feel better after a few days to a week.
However, in more serious cases it might take several weeks to fully recover, along with care and dietary adjustments to avoid flare ups.
Can I prevent pancreatitis in my dog?
Some dogs will get pancreatitis even when every care is taken. However, with some simple lifestyle choices you can reduce the likelihood of your dog developing pancreatitis
- Eating a balanced, low-fat diet is always good for all dogs
- Please refrain from giving your dog human food. We know you do it out of love, but really, a dog doesn't need it and it won't be good for them. Human food is fatty, salty, starchy and all things that aren't great for dogs
- Provide a good diet routine
- Keep your dog at a healthy weight to reduce the risk of pancreatitis and many other conditions, an overweight dog is an unhappy dog
- Regular physical exercise is A MUST for all dogs of all shapes, sizes and ages.
- Be vigilant about signs of issues and seek veterinary care sooner rather than later
- Properly manage conditions like diabetes or hypothyroidism - your vet will help you with this
Does your dog have pancreatitis? Can you offer any hints on how you manage the condition or offer your experience in the comments?