Dogs with pancreatitis, or inflammation of the pancreas, do best on low-fat diets. Whether you already feed your dog fresh foods or you're switching from kibble to a fresh diet or you simply want to supplement with a few whole foods, take your dog’s calorie needs into account, and pay special attention to the fat content of the foods you intend to feed.
Low-Fat Diets
Pancreatitis can result from a number of factors, but a consistent cause of the disease in dogs is an abundance of rich, fatty food in their diets. Low-fat diets such as grains, veggies, meats, eggs and dairy can prevent pancreatitis and can keep it from recurring in dogs who are prone to it. Avoid the mistake of confusing fresh food with raw food when crafting your pet’s diet, however. Debate continues, but most authorities are saying dogs do not usually do well on raw-food-only diets.
Food Choices
Dogs can digest a wide variety of fresh foods, but you must cook most of them to obtain the maximum nutritional value for your dogs. You can feed a wide variety of vegetables, as long as they are cooked, but research any you're considering, and get your vet's advice. Some foods are toxic to dogs. You can add dairy such as kefir, cottage cheese or yogurt to a pancreatitis-affected dog's diet, meanwhile. Eggs are great raw or cooked, but if you feed your dog only egg whites to reduce fat, you must cook them to prevent them from depleting his biotin. That risk does not exist if you feed yolks as well. Dogs handle a wide variety of meats, but some cuts are much fattier than others. Choose the lean ones.
Calorie Calculations
One of the challenges of making dog food fresh for your dog instead of feeding a commercial product is determining how much to feed. You don’t want to over- or underfeed your dog, which means you must calculate their calorie requirements. Calculate a dog’s resting energy requirements or RER by raising the dog’s weight in kilograms to the ¾ power, then multiplying the results by 70. A 22-pound dog for example, wand his RER would be 400 calories a day. After you determine the appropriate daily caloric intake based on weight, you're not done. Factors such as age, metabolic rate, amount of exercise, and the dog's class -- working, sporting, or other -- will require you feed more or less than the RER figure you determined. You'll need to count the calories as you prepare the food, and then ration out the proper caloric amount each feeding from the batch. Preparing, for instance, 4,000 calories in a batch allows for 10 400-calorie servings.
Fat Percentage
If your dog’s pancreatitis is severe, you should keep a careful eye on his fat intake even when feeding fresh, healthy foods. Dogs with pancreatitis should receive diets composed of 8 percent to 10 percent fat calories. For a dog who eats 1,000 calories, this is between 25 and 30 grams of fat. Figure out the number of grams of fat per food item -- an egg, for instance, has 5 grams -- and keep the numbers down.
FAQs
Rice is a commonly used ingredient in both commercial and homemade diets for pancreatic patients. Boiled chicken, low fat beef, egg whites, yogurt, barley and cooked vegetables are also considered safe foods for pancreatitis patients.
What is the best dog food for dogs with pancreas problems? ›
Best Foods for Dogs with Pancreatitis
- Hill's® Digestive Care i/d Low Fat.
- Royal Canin® Gastrointestinal Low Fat.
- Purina® Pro Plan® Enteric (EN) Low Fat.
- Blue Buffalo™ Veterinary Diet GI Low Fat.
- Square Pet® VFS Digestive Support Low Fat Formula.
For pets that have pancreatic problems or compromised renal function (i.e. kidney), high protein diets made from meat and fish should be avoided. If your pet suffers from these conditions, consult your veterinarian to determine if Freshpet is appropriate.
What vegetables are good for dogs with pancreatitis? ›
Safe Fruits and Veggies for Dogs With Pancreatitis
- Radishes.
- Pumpkin.
- Butternut squash.
- Apples (remove seeds and core)
- Peaches.
- Plums.
- Sweet potato.
- Bell peppers.
What foods should you avoid giving a dog with pancreatitis? High-fat diets like red meat, organ meat, potato and starchy foods, sugary goods, table scraps, and dairy fats are all to be avoided when your dog is diagnosed with pancreatitis.
Are scrambled eggs good for dogs with pancreatitis? ›
Dogs with pancreatitis can eat eggs so long as the eggs are not cooked with butter, oils, or whole milk. Eggs yolks can be challenging for the body to digest when it has pancreatitis as they're high in fats. So, if your dog has pancreatitis, you'll want to skip the egg yolks and feed them egg whites.
Is wet or dry food better for dogs with pancreatitis? ›
What should I feed a dog that has had pancreatitis? A low fat dog diet which is easy to digest is recommended. We recommend feeding a diet that contains 10% fat or under (dry food/dry matter basis – see below) or 2.5% fat or under (wet food/as fed – see below).
Is pumpkin good for dogs with pancreatitis? ›
Pumpkin is good to have on hand and to feed daily during flare-ups. It naturally helps to bind loose stools and is soothing to the digestive system. Canned pumpkin with no spices or pulped raw pumpkin is best. Digestive enzymes are a must for all pets dealing with pancreatic disease.
Is salmon ok for dogs with pancreatitis? ›
Keep your dog's diet simple, clean, and healthy and avoid high fat foods like marrow, tripe, lamb, and sometimes duck and salmon; many grain-free dry dog diets are also high in fat. Avoid rawhide chews and abrupt food changes as well. Our lowest fat recipes include the rockfish, venison, and chicken (all under 5%).
Is white rice good for dogs with pancreatitis? ›
Rice can be a healthy, hearty, gluten-free grain to feed your dog at any point in their life, but it can be especially great following a bout of pancreatitis or other digestive issues. This is because rice can bind loose stool in cases of diarrhea and can help produce regular bowel movements.
This is especially important if changing to a veterinary low fat diet is not possible for your pet as it will reduce the amount of fat per meal. Using some low-fat, low-fibre foods as toppers or mixers (e.g., cottage cheese; cooked, skinless chicken breast) can also help with improving your dog's appetite.
Is ground turkey good for dogs with pancreatitis? ›
For a dog with pancreatitis, it is best to avoid high fat diets. Protein sources such as lamb and beef are usually too high in fat and may cause problems for dogs with chronic pancreatitis. Instead, look for low fat proteins like chicken or turkey, non-oily fish, or even lean game meat.
Is peanut butter good for dogs with pancreatitis? ›
For pups with chronic pancreatitis or those at risk for developing pancreatitis such as Yorkshire Terriers and Miniature Schnauzers - even a small amount of high-fat treat like peanut butter can be enough to cause or worsen their condition, so it should be avoided altogether.
How can I soothe my dogs pancreatitis? ›
Treatment for Pancreatitis
These cases typically require fluid therapy to maintain hydration at appropriate levels. If your dog is not vomiting, your vet will provide low-fat food that is highly digestible. They may also give your pooch pain medication to help control the pain.
Can a dog with pancreatitis have chicken broth? ›
Dogs recovering from pancreatitis need to have a good quality bland diet. Bone Broth is a good choice to start, little and often. Once the appetite improves, feeding small amounts of cooked chicken breast helps to encourage eating again.
What is a friendly meal for pancreatitis? ›
Eat a variety of vegetables and fruits. These are high in nutrition and low in fat. Eat whole grain cereals, breads, crackers, rice, or pasta. Avoid breads that have been fried or deep-fried, like bannock or doughnuts, or breads that have a high fat content, like croissants.
Is boiled chicken and rice good for dogs with pancreatitis? ›
A short-term alternative is to feed a mixture of boiled white meat chicken and white rice, but if a home cooked diet is needed for more than just a few days, a veterinary nutritionist should design a nutritionally complete diet that will meet all of the dog's needs.
What are good snacks for dogs with pancreatitis? ›
Lean Meats: Treats for dogs with pancreatitis should prioritize lean protein sources. Opt for cooked chicken, turkey, or lean beef, removing all visible fat and skin before offering them to your furry friend. These meats provide essential nutrients without overloading the pancreas with excess fat.
Is chicken broth good for dogs with pancreatitis? ›
Chicken or bone broth for dogs with pancreatitis might sound like a good idea. When they're recommended by your vet, they may be helpful in keeping your pup's fluid levels balanced and getting them some extra electrolytes.
