Wondering what to feed a dog with pancreatitis? You aren’t alone. It can be daunting to figure out how to pick the best food for dogs with pancreatitis, which is why integrative veterinarian Dr. Julie Buzby wanted to provide these clear and useful guidelines.
As a dog parent, there are few things more stressful than having a sick dog. Especially when your dog goes from being completely fine to having horrific vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain due to pancreatitis. It can be difficult to process and remember all the information your vet is giving you about caring for your dog who is…well…sick as a dog.
Some parts of the care instructions for pancreatitis are pretty straightforward. If you forget how often to give your dog his or her medications, all you have to do is look at the label on the pill bottle. However, other aspects of your dog’s care, such as what to feed a dog with pancreatitis, are less cut and dry. This means you may end up deciding to do some research on your own.
Since the options can feel a bit overwhelming, I want to give you some clear-cut ways to evaluate dog food. That way, you (with the help of your vet) can pick the best dog food for your dog with pancreatitis. But in order to do this, you first need to have a good understanding of what the pancreas does. And you will want to be familiar with the disease condition you are dealing with too.
What does the pancreas do?
Nestled just below the stomach and near the start of the small intestine, the pancreas plays an important role in the digestive system. One of its jobs is to release digestive enzymes into the upper portion of the small intestine (i.e. the duodenum). Normally, the pancreas stores those enzymes in their inactive form (i.e. zymogens). Enzyme inhibitors within the pancreas help ensure that the zymogens remain inactive as long as they are within the pancreas.
Once the pancreas releases the enzymes and they contact the mucosal cells lining the duodenum, they become activated. This allows the enzymes to begin breaking down the carbohydrates, fats, and proteins within food.
What is pancreatitis?
However, in cases of pancreatitis (i.e. inflammation of the pancreas), the enzyme inhibitors become blocked. As a result, zymogens are activated while they are still inside the pancreas. This cascade of events compromises the pancreatic membranes and blood vessels, leading to bleeding and leakage of activated enzymes into the abdomen.
In short, pancreatitis causes the pancreas to start digesting itself—and sometimes other neighboring internal organs. This sort of sounds like a gruesome Halloween movie, but it really does happen like that.
What causes pancreatitis?
Pancreatitis doesn’t seem to be linked to one single cause. Rather, there are a number of factors that can increase the risk of a dog developing pancreatitis. They include:
- Having endocrine disorders such as diabetes mellitus, Cushing’s disease in dogs, and hypothyroidism in dogs
- Being overweight or obese—If you are asking yourself, “Is my dog overweight?”, why not find your dog’s body condition score(BCS)?
- Having high triglycerides in the blood
- Having a history of gastrointestinal disease
- Eating new foods, table scraps, fatty foods, or high fat diets
- Being exposed to certain toxins and parasites
- Taking certain medications (e.g., azathioprine, bromide, diuretics, and phenobarbital)
What are the types of pancreatitis?
The resulting pancreatic inflammation may be subdivided into two types—acute and chronic. Acute pancreatitis occurs when there is a rapid onset of clinical signs. On the other hand, pancreatitis is considered chronic when acute pancreatitis doesn’t fully go away and/or reoccurs sometime down the road.
Clinical signs tend to be more severe in acute cases and milder in chronic cases. But it is often not possible to distinguish acute from chronic when a dog first presents with symptoms.
What are the symptoms of pancreatitis?
The most common symptoms of pancreatitis in dogs are vomiting and abdominal pain. Vomiting occurs in 90% of cases while abdominal pain is present in 58% of cases. Other gastrointestinal signs like diarrhea are also possible. Dogs with pancreatitis may be dehydrated, act like a lethargic dog, and won’t want to eat their food. Pancreatitis can be life-threatening, so if your dog is showing these symptoms, schedule an emergency vet visit ASAP.
How is pancreatitis diagnosed?
The veterinarian will examine your dog and start with some bloodwork. Dogs with pancreatitis may have elevated white blood cells and/or elevated liver and kidney values. To confirm a diagnosis of pancreatitis, the vet may recommend running a canine pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity test or cPLI. Sometimes the vet may also suggest an abdominal ultrasound or other diagnostic tests.
What is the treatment for pancreatitis?
Unfortunately, there is no specific cure for dogs with pancreatitis. Instead, the vet will use supportive care to relieve symptoms and help the dog feel better. This may include:
- Pain medications to decrease abdominal pain
- Anti-nausea medications to decrease vomiting and nausea
- Blood transfusions for dogs with internal bleeding due to organ damage
- Fluid therapy (e.g., subcutaneous or intravenous fluids) to help prevent hypovolemic shock, a life-threatening type of intense fluid loss
- Any necessary treatment for concurrent illnesses such as diabetes mellitus
- Diet change to support the digestive system and prevent further episodes of pancreatitis
What can I feed my dog with pancreatitis?
This last bullet point above, diet change, has been the subject of debate for years among veterinarians. And understandably it can cause stress and frustration for dog parents who want to do the right thing for their dog. Therefore, I would like to focus on how best to feed dogs recovering from pancreatitis for the rest of the article.
How often should you feed a dog with pancreatitis?
Originally, most veterinarians recommend fasting pancreatitis dogs for a day or two. The idea behind this was to “rest the pancreas” since eating stimulates the pancreas to release digestive enzymes. But recent research shows that withholding food can actually lead to an increased risk of new problems. For example, researchers have documented loss of digestive tract motility, decreased blood flow to the intestinal tract, and dangerously low protein in the blood in fasted pancreatitis dogs.
It makes sense then that many vets will take the middle ground and elect to feed small meals at first. Giving a dog small amounts of food can help keep the intestinal tract happy. And it can be less problematic if the dog does vomit.
Sometimes a dog will be interested in eating on his or her own. But there may be other times where the vet will elect to syringe feed your dog with pancreatitis. Or he or she may feel it is best to place a feeding tube. If your dog with pancreatitis won’t eat, the vet may also consider trying appetite stimulants for dogs or switching foods.
What is the best food to feed a dog with pancreatitis?
Now that we have established that you should feed a dog with pancreatitis, and that small meals seem to be the way to go, the next question is what exactly those meals should consist of. A simple internet search will yield hundreds of different websites and articles. Each one will tell you what they think you should be feeding your dog with pancreatitis.
Based on that, it probably isn’t a surprise that there is no perfect “one size fits all” diet for pancreatitis patients. However, veterinary experts do agree that it is best to use diets that are low in fat and high in digestibility.
Dog food label reading 101
In order to recognize a low fat, high digestibility diet, you have to become good at reading dog food labels. All commercial dog foods (i.e. the ones you purchase from the pet store or through online sources) should have a guaranteed analysis on the back of the bag or can. It’s sort of like the nutritional contents label on food for humans, but the criteria are a bit different.
When looking at the guaranteed analysis, you will find words like “crude fat” with a percentage listed next to it. This percentage represents the amount of the particular element in that diet. It will either be listed on an “as fed” basis (i.e. based on the weight of the actual wet or dry food) or a “dry matter basis” (i.e. based on the weight if all moisture was removed from the food).
If you are comparing the fat content of foods, you want to look at them on a dry matter basis. This is because, on an “as fed” basis, canned food is often 75-78% moisture. But a dry food often only contains 10-12% moisture. This makes it impossible to look at the “as fed” percentage of fat in a canned food and compare it to the “as fed” percentage of fat in a dry food. The dry food, being much more concentrated, will have a higher fat percentage on an “as fed” basis even if both foods are actually the same on a dry matter basis.
For simplicity, I have converted the fat content to a dry matter basis for the foods we will discuss here. But if you want to learn how to make that conversion yourself, check out the FDA pet food label page. It is also full of great information about reading pet food labels in general.
Recommended fat content for pancreatitis dogs
Now that we have waded through the technicalities of reading labels, let’s talk about the ideal fat content for dogs with pancreatitis. Most veterinarians will recommend diets that have low to moderate fat contents. “Low” fat content typically means having a crude fat content of 8% or less. And a “moderate” fat content means the diet may have up to 15% fat on a dry matter basis.
Low fat veterinary prescription diets
Veterinarians often recommend feeding a diet made by a company that uses the latest research in pet nutrition and employs a number of board certified veterinary nutritionists. These veterinary specialists received extra years of training outside of veterinary school, which makes them uniquely qualified to create good quality diets.
Companies like Royal Canin, Hill’s Science Diet, Purina, Iams, and Eukanuba all fit that bill. They have boarded veterinary nutritionists on their staff, make sound recommendations for their formulas, and implement excellent quality control measures. The first three companies carry a line of prescription diets that are excellent for dogs with pancreatitis. They include:
- Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets EN Gastroenteric Low Fat Canine Formula (6.8% crude fat on a dry matter basis)
- Hill’s Prescription Diet Digestive Care i/d Low Fat Dry Dog Food (7.5% crude fat on a dry matter basis)
- Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Gastrointestinal Low Fat Dry Dog Food (7.1% crude fat on a dry matter basis)
These three diets have the lowest amounts of fat across all prescription diets available.
However, in some cases, your vet may recommend a diet with a more moderate fat content instead. Purina Pro Plan’s HA diet and Royal Canin’s Selected Protein diets can fit this description and may be a good choice for dogs with food allergies. There may also be situations, such as when a dog has kidney disease in dogs and pancreatitis, where the vet might recommend feeding your dog a different diet than what I have listed.
Moderate fat over-the-counter diets for dogs
I know that sometimes prescription diets can be cost-prohibitive for dog parents. Or you may find yourself in a situation where a diet has gone on backorder. The good news is that some over-the-counter diets may be ok for dogs with mild pancreatitis. Examples of such diets are:
- Purina Pro Plan Adult Weight Management Large Breed Chicken and Rice
- Hill’s Science Diet Adult Perfect Weight small & mini dog food
- Royal Canin Small Indoor Adult dry dog food
However, it is best to consult with your vet before using these diets in place of a veterinary prescription diet. While they work in some situations, they are not the right choice for all dogs. Sometimes your vet may recommend either sticking with one of the low fat prescription diets or cooking a low fat diet for your dog instead.
Homecooked low fat diets
Some dog parents may also elect to use a low fat homecooked diet rather than commercial dog food. This may be because their dog has allergies to ingredients in the commercial diets, because a commercial diet isn’t available to fit their dog’s needs, or simply because they feel it is the best choice for their dog.
Most people know that I am a big proponent of homecooked diets. But I do always want to warn dog parents that it isn’t as simple as feeding some skinless chicken with sweet potatoes. Feeding nothing but two or three ingredients can seriously deprive dogs of important nutrients.
That’s why homecooked meals should come from recipes that are created by boarded veterinary nutritionists. These nutrition specialist can tell you the exact blend and amount of ingredients needed to create a complete and balanced diet that is suited to your dog’s condition. Thankfully, there are several ways you can get good quality veterinary nutrition advice.
By going to ACVN.org, you can find a list of veterinary nutritionists in your area. Also, websites like BalanceIT.com can provide you with balanced recipes using specific ingredients. And there is lots of information available at the OSU Nutrition Support Service website.
Pre-made homecooked low fat diets
As you have probably gathered, it can take a lot of time and experience to do homecooked meals properly. So you might be relieved to learn that you don’t always have to cook the meal yourself in order to feed your dog a homecooked meal.
It is also possible to purchase pre-made low fat homecooked diets from companies like Nom Nom and Just Food for Dogs. These companies employ boarded veterinary nutritionists so you can feel confident in their diet formulations. However, before you make a purchase, it is still best to talk to your vet or one of the company’s veterinary consultants. That way you can ensure they are able to deliver a meal with the appropriate fat content.
How long should my dog stay on this diet?
Now that you know how to pick a good low fat dog food, the last piece of the puzzle is to figure out how long you should plan to feed your dog that food. The answer to this varies from case to case. A dog who has recovered from acute pancreatitis may be able to safely transition back to his or her original food after a week or two. However, you should ensure that the original diet has a moderate fat content or switch to one that does.
Alternatively, sometimes the vet may recommend keeping your dog on the low fat, highly digestible diet long term. This may especially be the case if your dog has one or more of the pancreatitis risk factors. Also, dogs with chronic pancreatitis should stick with their new food and avoid eating other diets. This strategy can help decrease the risk of a relapse.
What should I not feed a dog with pancreatitis?
We have spent all this time talking about what to feed your dog with pancreatitis. So it only seems right that I would also remind you of what not to feed a dog with pancreatitis.
Since table scraps and fatty foods are known to trigger pancreatitis, you should avoid giving these to your dog, especially if he or she already has pancreatitis. Foods like bacon and ham can be particularly problematic, as can grease and oils. Also, while you may have heard that coconut oil can help a dog’s skin, keep in mind that this is still an oil. This means you should usually avoid giving it to dogs with a history of pancreatitis.
Feel confident that you can feed your dog with pancreatitis
I know that it can feel overwhelming when faced with a sick dog and lots of choices for how best to feed him or her. However, remember that you have the tools and resources to figure it out. You can always ask your veterinarian for help and advice. Or you can call up the manufacturer of a dog food you may be considering and ask them to give you the average fat content of that particular food on a dry matter basis.
Also, remember that you just have to start somewhere. If your dog doesn’t like the food you pick or isn’t doing well on it, you can always switch to another. Keep in contact with your vet, keep the guidelines I shared with you in mind, and you should be good to go! Every meal and every day will bring your dog one paw closer to recovery.
What food did you feed your dog with pancreatitis?
Please comment below.
Hello my 15 year old toy poodle has been sick for 4 days he had vomiting first then diarrhea he want eat or drink we have been to the vet twice in 3 days he was very dehydrated both times they gave ivfor that took blood said he did have a enlarged liver he has gone from a black jelly like poop to a yellow poop very loose told blood results were pretty level they gave him cough and nausea medicine he does have collapsed trachea along with other nausea medicine and gabapentin for pain he was throwing up and even had a seizure at one time but he want drink water or food I don’t know what to do I know he is sick very but I can’t get a clear opinion can you help me very depressed he just lays and want move thanks Precious’’ mom
Dear Penny,
I understand why you are concerned for your senior boy with all these issues he is facing. Unfortunately, without examining him myself, I can’t make specific recommendations. If there are certain questions or information you need clarified, please don’t hesitate to ask your vet. They may not realize you don’t have all the answers you need to feel comfortable with how things are proceeding. And don’t forget you can always ask for a consultation with a specialist if needed. How is your sweet boy feeling today? Hoping all is well and he has made a full recovery. Praying for a positive outcome and wishing you both the best.
My 10 year old rescue – possible chi/terrier has been having issues. He did the butt up in the air thing and we had him checked but his enzymes came back good so we chalked it up to just a tummy issue. Then about 4 weeks later he seemed agitated and was stomach breathing really badly and gagging. Plus he turned red. Stomach bright red, ears bright red, gums bright red. So back we went and he stayed several days but we did not come up with a cause. Heart and lungs were good. Teeth are good, all blood work was good, enzymes were good. Put him on an antibiotic and some pain meds and he came around great. Then this weekend he started drooling. Not like a little but non stop hanging drool. He also seems to be like chattering his teeth. So back we went. His teeth and gums seemed fine. No obstructions. Blood work was all good again except for his red platelets are low. Skin color did not change this time stayed his normal pink. He has been in the hospital for 4 days now and drooling is reduced but still there. X-rays did not show anything. We are just at a loss. Not sure if pancreatic or not as it seemed to start that way. The vet is recommending a bland diet, some nausea medication and wait a few days and retest his CBC. No fever on any of the incidents. Any thoughts on what I should feed him to get him on the road to recovery with no more relapses. We are not sure the 3 incidents are related but I feel they must be.
Hi Caryn,
What you describe is very puzzling. I am sorry your senior guy is dealing with these ongoing mystery issues. Without examining him myself, it is hard to know what to recommend. This may be a good time to consider a consultation with an internal medicine specialist. I know you mentioned there has been lots of lab work done and x-rays, but has your pup had an abdominal ultrasound? Just trying to think of what the next step could be in getting a diagnosis. I am not sure what food is best since we don’t really know what we are treating at this point. Hoping you can find the answers you need to get things back on track. Wishing you and your sweet boy the best of luck!
Hello, I am having the hardest time finding a good quality food with low fat content for my dog. I settled on an organic raw frozen food and in the guaranteed analyses is says the fat is 7.1%. I dont know if there is ‘dry matter’ for raw frozen food. Is this the correct fat content?
Hi Brennen,
Since the food is raw frozen there will not be “dry matter” for the fat content. You are correct that the fat content of your food is the 7.1% listed in the analysis.
hello brennen
i had been feeding my dog with”( just food for dog”) they make it fresh everydaybut you can get it frozen
usually my dog is pretty healthy
they have beef , chicken , lamb, fish, venison and they have one for dog the have liver and kidney problem excellent for dogs with pancreatic problem
Hi, Our sweet boy has pancreatitis. He has been on a lamb and rice dry and salmon and potato can. We started this diet to trying to figure out if he has food allergies and we were supposed to do this for 3 months. Then gradually add things back one at a time to see if he’s allergic to certain foods like chicken for example. Our vet suggested we not change the current diet yet but gradually change to just the lamb and rice dry. However, we’ve read repeatedly that lamb is high fat and should be avoided. We are leaning to stopping the lamb, but are so confused. And it’s upsetting to know he’s hungry but he isn’t wanting to eat much of the current diet and if lamb is bad we don’t want to continue giving him something that’s hurting him instead of helping him. Suggestions welcomed please.
Hi Michelle,
I understand your concern with finding the right food for your boy. I am not aware of diets containing lamb being too high in fat. This may in fact be the case, but I usually just focus on the fat content when trying to choose a diet for patients with pancreatitis. I know you were in the middle of an elimination diet trial to narrow down the cause of a possible food allergy. Unfortunately, you may have to pick a prescription low fat food to get the pancreatitis under control and then consider restarting the food trial at a later date. Without playing a personal role in your pup’s medical care, I can’t make specific recommendations on diet. I am hopeful you can partner with your vet to find the best way to get your sweet boy feeling good again. Praying all is well and things are back on track. Best wishes to you both.
My 15 year old Spoodle Molly has suffered from Pancreatitis for a long time but is doing really well. I feed her boiled chicken breast, Hills ID Chicken stew, an evening meal of rice, pumpkin, peas & chicken mixed with the Royal Canin Gastrointestinal dry biscuits. She will eat some biscuits with her lunch some days but I add a little boiling water to soften slightly as her teeth are not that brilliant. Sometimes she has some boiled kidney with her chicken and she also loves a scrambled egg once a week. No fat or milk just the egg.
As a little treat after her early morning amble I give a few tiny pieces of ‘Air fried dried liver’ not the hard bits just the bits that break easily. I hope this is helpful.
Hi Jacqueline,
Molly sounds like a lucky pup to have you cooking such wonderful meals for her. Thank you for sharing your experience with us!
Hi my 9 year old yorkie has had a attack of pancreatitis she has now lost weight and I’m maintaining her weight with a low fat kibble and white steamed cod she has gone off chicken is this ok ???
Hi Beverley,
I am sorry your little pup is dealing with this difficult disease. Since I haven’t examined her myself, I can’t make specific dietary recommendations. It would be best to discuss this concern with your vet and get their expert opinion since they are more familiar with your dog’s medical details.
Kobe was on Just FoodForDogs Veterinary Hepatic frozen fresh food – the food is low fat – but he was refusing to eat all of it right befits his pancreatic episode this week. The food did contain a lot of rice & sweet potato cubes so thinking he wasn’t a fan of the rice all of a sudden. This was his first pancreatitis issue & it was mild & he recovered quickly. He ate Royal Canin veterinary GI low fat canned food while in the hospital & since his discharge on Thursday I have continued with the diet upon his internist’s recommendation. He refused to eat his JustFoodForDog Hepatic food & preferred the Royal Canin. I prefer him to be on fresh food & there was another JustFoodForDogs option on the internist’s recommended food list – Metabolic Support. The fat content is a bit higher than the Royal Canin. Royal Canin is 1.8 fat grams per 100 calories & Metsboliv Support is 3.6 fat grams per 100 calories, so not sure if they will be a viable option for him. I plan on discussing it with his internist on his monthly recheck. Meanwhile I will continue with the Royal Canin.
Hi Linda,
Thank you for sharing your story with us. I am sorry you are having trouble finding a dog food you are happy with, but glad that Kobe likes the food recommended by the specialist. I’d call that a win! Hoping the recheck brought you good news and your sweet boy is doing well. Best wishes to you both.
Hi Robin, My pom is 14 years of age with stage 4 Kidney Disease. He had a bad attack of Pancreatitis this past Saturday and He has been eating small amounts of chicken and The Hills prescription ID Chicken stew. He was in pain Saturday and now pain free today Tuesday. is it too soon to give the Royal Canine ageing senior dog food ( comes in a pouch) He loves it. I did give it to him today along with the Hills ID and some small amounts of chicken . He does have a high potassium, ,Phosphorus Level so he can’t eat the Low fat Hills dog food. Is there anything in the pouch royal canine aging dog food ( High fat, potassium, phosphorus ) I have to worry about maybe that his pancreatitis might return? Thank you. Diane F.
Hi Diane,
I understand your concern for your senior guy, and these are all great questions. Unfortunately, without playing a personal role in your dog’s health care, I can’t make specific dietary recommendations. It would be a good idea to talk to your vet and discuss these options. They can let you know if the Royal Canin food is a good choice for your dog’s specific needs and when it is best to start switching his diet. Some dogs have to stay on a prescription diet for life to keep pancreatitis at bay. I hope this is not the case for your sweet boy. Hoping all is well and wishing you both many happy days ahead.
Hello Dr. Buzby
My 7 year old German Shepherd mix was diagnosed with chronic pancreatitis in January. Since that time he has lost 15 pounds and will not eat much. He is on nausea medication, famotidine and ursidol.
I have tried many different, low, fat foods, both dry, wet, and homemade but he is uninterested. Any thoughts?? I need to get him to start eating. He will eat low fat treats though. I am at wits end. Any suggestions?
Gina
Hi Gina,
I am sorry your Shepherd is dealing with pancreatitis and is not interested in his food. It may be time to schedule a consultation with a specialist. An internal medicine specialist or veterinary nutritionist might have ideas about other food options to try. You can also talk to your vet about adding in an appetite stimulant or probiotic to see if that helps a bit. I am hopeful you can find the right combination of things to get your pup back on the right track. Wishing you both the best of luck!
My 6 yrs old 17lb mixed breed is on her second pancreatic flare-up, a year a part. Her diagnosis was derived through bloodwork. Her symptoms have been not being to sit on her bottom, constipation, anti social, shaking,nausea, painful to move or to touch her back or stomach , and fever. Is constipation and the other symptoms normal? Both times she has had IV fluid x2 and meds…Thank you.
Hi Laura,
I am so sorry your little pup is dealing with another pancreatitis flare up. Since I haven’t examined your dog myself, it is hard to make specific conclusions. There are just too many variables to say what is “normal”. If you have any questions about your dog’s medical treatment, I highly recommend you discuss your concerns with your vet. They can let you know what to expect and if her symptoms are all related to the pancreatitis or if there are other issues that need to be addressed. Hoping your sweet girl will feel better soon and praying for a full recovery.
My 6 year old GSD was diagnosed with pancreatitis almost a year ago. I went with a frozen raw diet. We take precautions while thawing and preparing the food. She gets raw in the morning and supper with kibble for lunch. The kibble formula is being changed so I am looking for another kibble. I have found one with an ocean fish meal at 6% crude fat. Her old kibble was turkey at 8% crude fat. My concerns are with the fish meal, some say no fish others say fish is ok for dogs with pancreatitis. Just wondering your opinion. I have not found a Vet who can give me information on diet they say I am wrong in feeding raw and want me to change to a prescription diet. Note: she has not had any symptoms since being on raw and her blood work confirms it. I just want to keep some kibble in her diet for when we travel.
Hi Randy,
I am glad your Shepherd has been doing so well since her pancreatitis diagnosis a year ago. I do not usually advise my clients to avoid fish-based diets, but rather focus on the total percentage of fat in the diet. You could always ask your vet to consult with a veterinary nutritionist to see if they think this new kibble will be ok with your pup’s specific needs. I can understand why you are having a tough time finding a vet that recommends a raw diet. I myself am not a fan. I do think home cooked fresh food diets are wonderful, but the raw factor gives me cause for worry. I am glad you are taking precautions when thawing and prepping food. Just know that even if your dog doesn’t get sick, it doesn’t mean she isn’t shedding salmonella in her feces that can last for 4-6 weeks after she is exposed. Also, Listeria is another pathogen that has been found in many tested samples of raw dog food diets. I am glad it works for you and as long as you are informed, I say keep up the good work.