As a dog owner, it can be scary to know that your furry friend has pancreatitis. While pancreatitis is a nasty and serious inflammatory disease, there are some things, such as your dog’s diet, which can help to prevent it.
In this case, you might be wondering ‘what is the best dog food for pancreatitis?’ Luckily for you, here at Green Pantry, we have a variety of nutritious and delicious recipes such as our dog food for pancreatitis that includes easy-to-digest ingredients that help to minimise digestive upset.
At our pantry, we genuinely care about your dog’s health. That’s why we have an impressive range of 100% natural dog food, available for you to browse through today!
What is Pancreatitis in Dogs?
Before we tell you about the best dog food for pancreatitis, it might be helpful to understand what pancreatitis in dogs actually is.
Pancreatitis in dogs is essentially a disease that affects the pancreas of your furry friend. The pancreas is an important organ that is found in the abdominal cavity and produces some of the enzymes that assist in food digestion and produce hormones such as insulin which regulates blood sugar or glucose metabolism.
In dogs specifically, pancreatitis is an inflammatory disease, where the pancreas becomes inflamed which causes pain, loss of appetite, and vomiting, symptoms which we, as dog owners, would hate to see. Unfortunately, pancreatitis quite commonly occurs in dogs and there is no age, sex, or breed that it targets.
According to studies, the prevalence of pancreatitis in dogs has been estimated at 0.8%, with some diagnoses of pancreatitis leading to further health issues such as diabetes if left untreated.
Pancreatitis may either be acute or chronic, and dogs who recover from an acute episode of pancreatitis may continue to have recurrent bouts of the disease, which is then called chronic or relapsing pancreatitis.
What Causes Pancreatitis in Dogs?
What we do understand is that with pancreatitis, enzymes are activated prematurely in the pancreas instead of later in the small intestine, meaning that the pancreatic enzymes start to digest before they should.
Unfortunately, there is no exact cause when it comes to dog pancreatitis. However, experts suggest that it could be caused by a mixture of the following things:
- Fatty meals
- Corticosteroid administration
- Underlying conditions
- Overfeeding
- Stress
Sometimes, pancreatitis can occur spontaneously with no known cause. Dogs of any breed, sex, or age can be affected, but some breeds and mixes seem to be more prone than others, including Miniature Schnauzers, Yorkshire Terriers, and Cocker Spaniels.
How Can I Tell if My Dog Has Pancreatitis?
While pancreatitis can sound pretty scary, there are things that you can look out for to prevent your dog from being in pain.
Common signs of pancreatitis include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Fever
- Lethargy
- Abdominal pain
- Diarrhoea
- Decreased appetite
During a pancreatitis attack, your dog might take a praying position, with their rear end up in the air and their front legs and head lowered onto the floor. If an attack is really severe, then acute shock, severe depression, or death may occur.
Please remember: It is extremely important to take your dog to the vet if you start to notice any of these signs.
Best Dog Food for Pancreatitis
While pancreatitis can sound pretty scary, there are things that you can do to help prevent a flare-up. Because fatty foods are linked to pancreatitis development, it is best to feed your pooch the best possible food you can, one which is packed full of high-quality ingredients.
In general, pancreatitis-friendly food for dogs should be:
- Low in fat – overly fatty foods put a huge strain on the pancreas and could cause your dog to become very sick.
- Highly digestible – digestible foods that are easy on the organs avoid the pancreas having to overwork.
- Made with high-quality protein sources – fatty proteins such as lamb or beef should be approached with caution or ideally replaced with lean, digestible proteins such as chicken or turkey.
- Made of limited ingredients – the fewer ingredients the better. Keep it simple with whole, nourishing foods that reduce the risk of sensitivities and nasty symptoms being triggered.
At Green Pantry, we specialise in natural nutrition that targets specific health conditions, whether that is poor digestion or weight control. With our natural dry dog food, you can sit in comfort knowing that your dog is munching away on the best quality ingredients that are sure to promote a happier and healthier life.
To specifically target pancreatitis, try out our White Fish with Kale and Beetroot natural dog food. This dry kibble includes ingredients that are easily digestible and easy on the stomach, such as white fish and brown rice. Kale offers a powerhouse of nutrients, and we include oats as a gentle grain known to help your pooch’s digestive system.
We’re not biased, but we genuinely believe that this is the best dog food for pancreatitis!
For a waggier tail and prep in their step, why not indulge your dog with our White Fish with Kale and Beetroot natural dog treats?
Tackle Pancreatitis With Green Pantry!
Hopefully, you’ve realised that Green Pantry is the place to go for the best dog food for pancreatitis. Pancreatitis isn’t something to be taken lightly, and we understand the issues that it can cause. But hopefully, with Green Pantry, you can expose your furry friend to a more fulfilled and healthier life.
It’s no surprise that we genuinely care about your dog’s health and well-being. That’s why we have many happy and satisfied customers and pooches who have given us an Excellent 4.9/5 Trustpilot rating.
Want to take the plunge? Then try out our Subscribe & Save service, saving you 15% on all future orders.
If you have any pup-related questions, please get in touch with a member of our team. Or, alternatively, you can give us a call on 01553 811320. We’d be more than happy to chat with you!
Dog Pancreatitis FAQ’s:
How does a dog get pancreatitis?
The exact cause of pancreatitis is unknown, however, many experts think it may be triggered by a fatty meal or corticosteroid administration. However, in a lot of cases, it seems to occur spontaneously.
Can pancreatitis in dogs be cured?
If you do think that your dog has pancreatitis, it is important to take them to the vet straight away. Dogs with mild cases of pancreatitis have a good chance to recover, but dogs with more severe cases may experience attacks, acute shock, severe depression, and even death.
What foods trigger pancreatitis in dogs?
High-fat foods such as bacon, fat trimmed off meat and bones, ham or ham drippings, turkey or chicken skin, or meat that has been seasoned, are things that you should keep your dog away from. It is believed that fatty meals are one of the triggers for pancreatitis in dogs.
Feeding your dog highly nutritious and healthy dog food, such as our Trout with Salmon, Lentils & Spinach, is a great place to start.
