Adjusting Your Dogs Diet
Bothacute and chronic pancreatitis require treatment. Some might be more vigorousthan others depending on how severe the disease is. Without treatment,pancreatitis can lead to life-threatening complications so listen to your vet!
Pancreatitisis difficult to cure longterm if you do not adjust your dogs diet. A dogsdiet is one of the easiest ways to keep them healthy and happy. Once your dogis diagnosed with pancreatitis, remove any fatty foods which means no moretable scraps! It might be hard for you to resist their cute puppy eyes but itis crucial that you do not give in because youre doing what is best for them.
Dietarymanagement for pancreatitis includes choosing foods that are low-fathighly-digestible and taking in plenty of fluids. Its important to choose ahigh-quality dog food with a significant amount of nutrients. Over time, yourdogs pancreas may recover. Here are a few ways you can adjust your dogs dietto help:
Nulo Freestyle Grain Free Adult Trim Dry Dog Food
Our rating: 4.7Top Ingredients: Turkey Meal, Deboned Cod, Salmon Meal, Yellow PeasType: Dry kibble
Some dogs dont do so well on poultry proteins, and Nulo has the perfect solution with their cod and lentils formula.
Not only is this great for dogs with sensitive stomachs, but it is also ideal for constipation due to its high fiber content.
Pros:
- Small pea-sized kibble suitable for all breeds
- Free from chicken and egg proteins
- Formulated with 74% animal-based proteins
- Includes probiotics to support your dogs digestive system
- Fortified with L-Carnitine for muscle mass and fat metabolism
Cons:
Solid Gold Fit & Fabulous Dry Dog Food
Crude Fat Min: 6.5% 330 calories per cup
Solid Golds flagship ultra low-calorie dog food is also one of the lowest fat diets, at 6.5% minimum. The Fit & Fabulous formula is based with fresh caught omega-rich Alaskan pollock, and is free from chicken proteins, making it another favourite for dogs with chicken allergies. It is also loaded with probiotics promoting optimal gut health and a strong immune system.
Solid Gold Fit & Fabulous is a grain-inclusive diet, containing low glycemic, wholesome grains like barley, brown rice, and oatmeal. These nutrient-dense grains are wonderful sources of vitamins, minerals, and dietary fibre. This is an excellent choice for a low fat, limited ingredient, low calorie diet.
Cost per pound: $6.50/4 lb bag, $4.00/ 24 lb bag
Ingredients:
Pollock, Pollock Meal, Pea Fiber, Pearled Barley, Brown Rice, Peas, Oatmeal, Ocean Fish Meal, Chicken Fat , Natural Flavor, Dried Eggs, Carrots, Salt, Pumpkin, Ground Flaxseed, DL-Methionine, Potassium Chloride, Blueberries, Cranberries, Salmon Oil , Choline Chloride, Vitamins , Niacin, Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin A Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Biotin, Folic Acid), Minerals , Dried Chicory Root, Taurine, Rosemary Extract, Dried Lactobacillus Acidophilus Fermentation Product, Dried Enterococcus Faecium Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus Casei Fermentation Product.
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Victor Senior Healthy Weight Older Dog Food
- VPRO blend ingredients for efficient metabolism
- Low carbohydrate diet for weight management
- Premium quality beef, chicken, & pork meal
- With prebiotics and high-quality proteins
- Contains Glucosamine and Chondroitin
- Real & fresh natural ingredients
Victors healthy weight low fat dry dog food is specifically for senior dogs. Composed of high proteins, this meal is the best-flavored super-premium pet food. The recipe of this Victor dry dog food arrives with nutrient-dense made with premium quality beef, fish meal, pork meal, and chicken. A perfect and expert mixture of different meats leaves it highly rich in proteins. 78% of total proteins originate from all those included meat sources. This high protein low carb dog food also contains plants & veggies, and grains that contribute to 5% and 17% of total protein composition. As it comes with Victors unique VPRO blend, our team members got highly impressed. This VPRO blend is an exclusive mix that promotes supreme digestion and healthy immune system function.
What Should A Dog With Pancreatitis Eat

There arent very many dog foods that meet the strictest criteria for feeding dogs with pancreatic inflammation. I looked for food that has 20% fat on a caloric basis , 30% protein on a caloric basis , and a low to average fiber level of 5% on the guaranteed analysis label. The only low-fat dog food I found that has low protein and low-ish fiber is a prescription food.
All of the dog foods listed here can be used to promote a healthy weight and may help an overweight dog with weight loss.
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The Importance Of Fat In A Dogs Diet
Like all living things, dogs require a balance of the three macronutrients in their diet protein, fat, and carbohydrate. Protein is the most essential nutrient for dogs because it contains the amino acids that are needed to build healthy muscles and tissue it also provides healthy energy for your dog. What many dog owners do not realize, however, is that fat is actually a more concentrated form of energy than protein. Protein and carbohydrates contain 4 calories per gram while fat contains 9 calories per gram. Calories are a unit of energy, so this is a big deal. When measured by weight, fats contain 2.25 times more energy than an equal weight of protein or carbohydrates.
When it comes to choosing specific fats for your dog, it is always best to stick with animal-based fats like chicken fat or salmon oil. Animal-based fats are more biologically valuable for your dog which means that he will have an easier time digesting them and absorbing the nutrients they provide. Many pet foods use plant-based fats like flaxseed oil or coconut oil. While many plant-based fats offer good nutritional value and are not inherently harmful for dogs, they will still be less biologically valuable than an animal fat. For this reason, it is best to find a dog food product that uses an animal-based source as the primary source of fat it is okay if it is supplemented with a plant-based fat as a secondary source.
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Whole Earth Farms Healthy Weight Dog Food
Crude Fat Min: 8% 323 calories per cup
Made by Texas-based Merrick, the Whole Earth Farms line focuses on creating natural, nutritious food at an affordable price. This ultra-low calorie recipe contains only 8% fat, which is among the lowest fat super-premium dog foods on the Canadian market.
Whole Earth Farms is an economical health food that does not compromise on quality. At as little as $2.88 per cup, Whole Earth Farms Healthy Weight dog food is among the most affordable diets in its class.
This grain-free recipe features chicken as a singular animal protein, and contains a limited number of ingredients. This is a wonderful choice for dogs with sensitive digestive systems, grain allergies, and more. There are no by-products, no artificial colours or preservatives, and no corn, wheat, or soy.
Healthy plant-based ingredients like peas, sweet potatoes, apples, and organic dried alfalfa meal provide a nutritional boost without breaking the bank.
Cost per pound: $4.25/ 4 lb bag, $3.66/ 12 lb bag, $2.88/ 25 lb bag
Ingredients:
Chicken Meal, Potatoes, Peas, Sweet Potatoes, Pea Fiber, Chicken Fat , Chicken, Natural Flavor, Chicken Liver, Apples, Salt, Organic Dried Alfalfa Meal, Potassium Chloride, Choline Chloride, Minerals , Yucca Schidigera Extract, Vitamins , Dried Lactobacillus Plantarum Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus Casei Fermentation Product, Dried Enterococcus Faecium Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus Acidophilus Fermentation Product.
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What Causes Pancreatitis
Pancreatitis is often caused by eating an overly fatty meal. This is most commonly seen after a well-meaning owner feeds their dog leftovers, however some dogs may find their way to a fatty meal after getting into garbage.
Which foods can cause pancreatitis? The usual culprits include barbeque meat, cheese, leftover fatty offcuts, or marrow bones. The high fat content of these foods is simply too much for the pancreas to handle and causes it to go into overdrive. The pancreas starts to produce excessive digestive enzymes and becomes painfully inflamed.
Unsurprisngly, pancreatitis is often associated with family events or ‘feast’ holidays. For instance, every year on Christmas Day, veterinarians see huge spikes in pancreatitis patients. Just because your body can handle a collosal mountain of ham and retire into a food coma, doesn’t mean your dog’s can!
However, some dogs can still develop pancreatitis in the abscence of a fatty meal. Risk factors that can make your dog more likely to develop pancreatitis include obesity, endocrine disorders such as hypothyroidism, and some medications. Many breeds are also prone to pancreatitis, including schnauzers, poodles, and cocker spaniels. Females and overweight dogs are also at a higher risk.
Why Do Dogs Need A Low
Generally, our fur-mates with frequent gastrointestinal issues, a history of pancreatitis, or high-fat levels in their blood may benefit from lower fat foods. This Low-fat diets for our best friend are significant contributors that help in reducing any occurrence of ill conditions such as heart disease and obesity. Moreover, various breeds of dogs require low-calorie meals for weight loss so that they could be free from chronic obesity and extra weight. For dogs suffering from pancreatitis and gastrointestinal issues, low fat diets are beneficial. These best dog food for pancreatitis diets function identically to a low carbohydrate diet since macronutrient food components do not primarily decrease weight.
Best low fat dog foods are also important and beneficial to dogs suffering from Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Even moderate fat meals may cause harm or cause disease to build up in such diseased conditions. However, animals with certain medical conditions like a sensitive stomach, pancreatitis, and obesity require such meals to consume in order to lead a happy life. Dog diet that are too low in fat generally fail to provide adequate amounts of soluble vitamins. Certain fats are vital as a dog needs to have a healthy coat and skin.
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Purina Pro Plan Weight Management
Rating:
Purina Pro Plan Weight Management is specially designed to promote controlled weight loss. Its low fat content makes it a healthy option for dogs predisposed to pancreatitis and other gastrointestinal disorders.
The classic, grain-inclusive recipe gets the largest part of its meat protein from fresh chicken and poultry by-product meal. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 31% protein, 10% fat and 51% estimated carbs yielding a fat-to-protein ratio of about 33%.
Pro Plan Weight Management offers a highly digestible formula containing no artificial flavors or coloring agents. A nutrient-rich, balanced recipe flush with potent antioxidants to support a healthy immune system.
- First 5 ingredients: Chicken, rice, whole grain corn, poultry by-product meal, corn germ meal
- Type: Grain-inclusive
- Fat:10%
- Calories: 330 kcal/cup
- Price: $
Actual buyer reviewI have 2 chihuahuas around 1.5 years old and a jack russell mix around 11 years old. I was feeding them the Pro Plan EN Vet formula due to some health issues last year with my old guy. I switched to this formula recently. I was impressed with the large chunks of chicken which is the first item in the ingredients. As far as the taste test, all three of my dogs love this brand. They eat it with no hesitation, so this was a good choice.
Hills Prescription Diet Gastrointestinal Biome Dog Food
When your dogs digestive system gets upset, it turns into a highly unpleasant experience for you. Hills Prescription diet will take care of the matter right away.
Nutritional value and quality: This formula nurtures the microbiome in your dogs gut.
- The formula contains activbiome+ which is a blend of active fibers that nourish gut flora.
- Activbiome plus formula makes sure the digestive tract remains healthy.
- Has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compounds
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Natural Balance Fat Dogs Chicken & Salmon Formula Low Calorie Dry Food
If youre looking for a low-calorie, low-fat dog food to combat your dogs obesity, consider this Natural Balance Fat Dogs Chicken & Salmon Formula Low Calorie Dry Food. This formula is uniquely designed for overweight adult dogs and features low-calorie protein options like chicken meal and salmon meal. It contains digestible whole-grain carbohydrates as well as grain-free options and there are plenty of fresh and dried fruits and veggies to provide nutritional support. This recipe contains a blend of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids for healthy skin and coat with chelated minerals to ensure optimal nutrient absorption. It is low in fat with just 7.5% and rich in protein with 26%. It may be a little too high in fiber for some dogs with pancreatitis, but it is a great option for weight loss.
- Pros: Concentrated source of animal protein, digestible carbohydrates, blend of omega fatty acids, fresh fruits and vegetables, chelated minerals, complete and nutritionally balanced
- Cons: May be too high in fiber for dogs with pancreatitis, not a grain-free recipe
What Makes A Good Commercial Dog Food For Pancreatitis

I came up with two categories of dog food for pancreatitis: foods for severe pancreatitis and foods for mild to moderate pancreatitis. All nutrients were evaluated on a caloric basis.
I calculated the cost per calorie since your dog might need to eat one cup of food A, but only a half cup of food B. That way, you can compare the foods based on how much it will take to meet your dogs caloric needs.
The criteria I used to choose the best dog foods are:
- 20% fat or lower for severe/chronic pancreatitis
- 30% fat or lower for moderate cases
- 30% protein or lower
- 5% fiber or lower
- Ingredients list with mostly real food items rather than highly processed ingredients
- Affordable products that are readily available in most areas of the United States
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Rachael Ray Nutrish Real Chicken & Veggies Recipe Dry Dog Food
- No poultry by-product meal, fillers, or wheat gluten
- Real chicken meal & veggies for high-proteins
- Added vitamins and chelated minerals
- No artificial preservatives or flavors
- Globally best ingredients are used
- Natural prebiotics
Whole recipe is full of real chicken and veggies, with absolutely no fillers, whole-wheat, nor wheat gluten. Rachael Rays super-premium adult dog food is a complete version of all nutrients that ensure sound body health. By this, healthy digestion is not only a perk, and every dog will also be free from other gastrointestinal issues. It has US farm-raised chicken as its first ingredient, which is an excellent source of high-quality protein. Food is entirely natural with added vitamins and chelated minerals.
Rachael Rays food arrives prepared entirely in the USA with all the excellent ingredients in the world to ensure purity and safety. These wholesome ingredients are natural, fresh, and offer great taste. As made in Rachaels kitchen with a purpose for deliciousness and making mealtime fun, no canine resists itself from munching on it. We also found that it contains no artificial flavors or artificial preservatives. Moreover, chicken infused in it supports leaned muscles, and fibers with veggies support healthy digestion. So, if you are looking for a low fat diet for dogs that is nutritious, consider this Rachael Ray low carb dry dog food for any aged dogs.
Is A High Fat Diet Bad For Dogs
Any nutrient in excess is harmful to dogs and fat is no different. If your dog is ingesting more fat than he can burn, then hes in danger of becoming obese and contracting diseases like pancreatitis. The risk is especially high if your dog gets little-to-no exercise or enjoys regular high-carb meals.
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Blue Buffalo Homestyle Recipe Chicken Dinner
One of the main advantages of wet canned food is that it doesn’t need fillers such as grain or rice to complement the meal. But, in this case, you will want the added whole grain and oaths as they will significantly help with the bowel movements and better digestion, as well as reduce the amount of crude fat in the food without lowering the volume.
Blue Buffalo is a recognizable brand of high-quality dog food, and this product is made specifically for dogs with pancreatitis, or with overweight dogs that need more energy without becoming chubby. Importantly, the pet food doesn’t include any wheat, soy, or corn, as well as any chicken byproducts that could be allergens, and is safe for your dog to consume while recovering from pancreatitis.
PROS
- Has a good mix of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants
- check No corn, wheat, or soy
- check Has only 4% of crude fat
CONS
- Wet food is not the most economical for larger dogs
- ban
Old Mother Hubbard Crunchy Classic Natural Dog Treats
They are a very popular form of dog treat that are used by owners of all types of dog. This has lead to a large number of independent treat reviews being posted online by third-party dog owners sharing their thoughts on them. The image below shows the full ingredient and nutritional breakdown of Old Mother Hubbard Crunchy Classic Natural Dog Treats. As you can see they are around seven percent fat making them ideal for a dog with pancreatitis.
As you can see, they do contain wheat flour, oatmeal, and bran meaning they may cause some digestive upset in some dogs with issues with grains. At the time of writing they are available in eighteen different flavors to make it as easy as possible for you to find something that your dog will enjoy.
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