best dog food for senior dogs with pancreatitis
Best Dog Food for Pancreatitis
Best Dog Food for Pancreatitis
By Karan French
Updated: March 27, 2024
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Whats the best dog food for Pancreatitis?
Pancreatitis is a dangerous condition which can be life threatening for dogs. Yet, the symptoms arent always severe and can often be mistaken for something less serious.
There are two types of pancreatitis acute and chronic which can both be mild or severe. They are both painful and are caused by enzymes which support digestion activating in the pancreas and damaging/inflaming surrounding tissue and organs.
Although there are multiple causes of Pancreatitis, one of the main causes is a high-fat diet. This could be in the form of dog food but most commonly, dogs who suffer from pancreatitis are being fed human food or fatty scraps such as lamb or buttery treats.
If you suspect your dog has Pancreatitis, you should visit your veterinarian immediately who can diagnose and treat your dogs condition. This will include pain management and monitoring for further complications.
To support the treatment prescribed by your vet, you should change your dogs diet and consider a dog food which is:
- Low fat less than 10% DM
- High quality
- Easily digestible
Here are our top recommendations for the best dog food for dogs with Pancreatitis and learn answers to each of the most frequently asked questions we get about dogs with Pancreatitis.
Lean Low Fat Formula is one of 7 dry recipes included in our review of the Annamaet Grain-Free product line.
Annamaet Grain-Free Lean Low Fat Formula derives the bulk of its meat protein from chicken. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 33.3% protein, 7.8% fat and 50.9% estimated carbs resulting in a fat-to-protein ratio of about 23%.
Read our review of the full Annamaet Grain Free Dog Food (Dry) range here
Main Ingredients Chicken meal, field peas, lentils, potato, tapioca Texture Dry Type Grain-Free Protein Percentage 33.3% AAFCO Standards Maintenance Best For Dogs Eagle Pack Reduced Fat Adult is one of 7 dry recipes included in our review of the Eagle Pack product line.
Eagle Pack Reduced Fat Adult derives the bulk of its meat protein from pork. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 26.7% protein, 6.7% fat and 58.7% estimated carbs resulting in a fat-to-protein ratio of about 25%.
Read our review of the full Eagle Pack Dog Food (Dry) range here
Main Ingredients Pork meal, dehulled barley, peas, ground brown rice, oatmeal Texture Dry Type Grain-Free Protein Percentage 26.7% AAFCO Standards Maintenance Best For Dogs Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at chewy.com"About 5 years ago, my then 9 year old dachshund got very ill and was diagnosed with chronic pancreatitis. This food is low in fat enough to keep him from having anymore episodes. I also add it to my two older dogs' kibble to keep their weight down, since they are seniors and less active."
Nulo Freestyle Cod & Lentils Recipe Grain-Free Adult Trim is one of 9 dry recipes including in our review of the Nulo Freestyle product line.
Nulo Freestyle Cod & Lentils Recipe Grain-Free Adult Trim derives the bulk of its protein from cod. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 33.3% protein, 7.8% fat and 50.9% estimated carbs resulting in a fat-to-protein ratio of about 23%.
Read our review of the full Nulo FreeStyle Dog Food (Dry) range here
Main Ingredients Deboned cod, turkey meal, salmon meal, lentils, yellow peas Texture Dry Type Grain-free Protein Percentage 33.3 AAFCO Standards Maintenance Best For Dogs Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at nulo.com"Nulo FreeStyle Adult Trim Dog Cod and Lentils is a hit in my home! My dogs absolutely love it but most of all I love it. I love that it is healthy for them and not filled with by products and grains and fillers. One of my pups can't have those ingredients due to seizures so this food is something he can eat without getting sick. We all love the high meat diet of this dog food! I highly recommend! I received this product for free in exchange for my honest review."
Natural Balance Fat Dogs Chicken & Salmon Formula Low Calorie is one recipein our review of the product line.
Natural Balance Fat Dogs Chicken & Salmon Formula Low Calorie derives the bulk of its meat protein from chicken. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 28.9% protein, 8.3% fat and 54.8% estimated carbs resulting in a fat-to-protein ratio of about 29%.
Read our review of the full Natural Balance Fat Dogs (Dry) range here
Main Ingredients Chicken meal, salmon meal, chickpeas, dried peas, oat groats Texture Dry Type Grain-inclusive Protein Percentage 28.9 AAFCO Standards Maintenance Best For Dogs Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at chewy.com"My dog almost died from pancreatitis and a month after doctor visits, treatments, and getting her stable I spent soo much money trying specialty foods but my dog kept having flare ups so we would have to go back to home-cooked chicken and water to get her stable again. However, after 6 months of this craziness I found this dog food. My dog loved it immediately and this has been the only food to keep my dog healthy and happy. My dog loves the food so much I can even use it as a treat from time to time as well, and the best part is she has been flare up free for 1.5 years now."
6 fresh recipes included in our review of the JustFoodForDogs product line.
JustFoodForDogs Venison & Squash derives the bulk of its meat protein from venison. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 50% protein, 11.1% fat and 30.9% estimated carbs resulting a fat-to-protein ratio of about 22%.
Read our review of the full Just Food for Dogs (Fresh) range here
Main Ingredients Ground venison, butternut squash, sweet potatoes, brussels sprouts, cranberries Type Grain-free, fresh Protein Percentage 50 AAFCO Standards Maintenance Best For Dogs Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at justfoodfordogs.com"Since I started feeding my pets this food they refuse to eat anything else (and thats sayin something). They have more energy and, not to be gross, but their poops are healthier too! I have a big dog with an expected life span of 8 years, and Im hoping that feeding him a healthier and more balanced diet will give him a longer and happy life. Well worth the cost!!"
More Top Picks
To view more top dog foods by category click the link below that best meets your personal feeding needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the symptoms of pancreatitis in dogs?
Symptoms of pancreatitis in dogs are varied, and can be mild enough that you wont suspect anything is wrong. If your dog displays any of the below symptoms, keep a close eye on them, but if they display more than one, call the vet immediately:
- Diarrhoea
- Loss of appetite
- Dehydration
- Hunched back
- Repeated vomiting
- Bloated abdomen
- Fever
- Weakness
- Lethargy
How is pancreatitis in dogs diagnosed?
Diagnosing pancreatitis can be difficult and multiple tests will need to be run. A veterinarian or hospital will:
- Take a blood test to measure pancreatic enzymes
- Look at your dogs stomach, heart, gums
- Take your dogs temperature
- Analyze your dogs medical history
- Conduct a radiograph or ultrasound
A combination of the above methods will help to build a bigger picture of your dogs health and evaluate whether there are any other conditions affecting them.
How is pancreatitis in dogs treated?
As pancreatitis in dogs has many causes and symptoms, the treatment is also varied and depends on which type of pancreatitis has been diagnosed.
Most treatments focus on pain management and preventing the condition from advancing. The sooner you can get your dog treated for pancreatitis, the better. Your veterinarian may suggest:
- IV fluid therapy
- Pain relief medication
- No food or water for 24 hours
- Antiemetic or anti-inflammatory medication
- Change of diet
- Smaller meals
- Regular monitoring
Which human foods can cause pancreatitis in dogs?
Fatty foods are a common cause of pancreatitis in dogs, as they can trigger the release of pancreatic enzymes to break down and digest the fat.
A dog with underlying pancreas issues may already be struggling with enzymes not being released correctly or enzymes reacting in the pancreas and inflaming surrounding tissue. So fatty foods will worsen symptoms.
The most common types of human foods for your dog to avoid are:
- Fatty meat e.g lamb, pork, turkey, bacon, steak
- Chicken wings or ribs
- Animal skin
- Gravy made with meat juices
- Butter and dairy fats
This list is not exclusive so its best to avoid giving your dog table scraps and seek advice from your veterinarian about which dog food might be best.
10 Best Dog Food for Pancreatitis (UK Brands)
Key Things to Look for
Stop! Before you jump into the dog food guide, you might want to check out this quick section. Here, you will find all the key things you should be looking for in dog food for pancreatitis.
Its a great way to make a mental checklist before any final decisions.
Age. This is really important, especially as so many cases of pancreatitis are down to adult dogs being fed puppy food. The reason this is bad is that puppy food has way more calories and fat than adult dog food. Over time, this can cause both obesity and pancreatitis.
Grain/Wheat. This is the most common cause of allergens in dogs, and when they are already suffering from pancreatitis having an ingredient that causes bloating and wind is not ideal. Try to avoid these ingredients where possible, but remember that rice is a good one to have.
Fat Content. Since fat is one of the leading causes of pancreatitis, you will want to keep this number as low as possible. Anything below 15% is ideal, and 20% at a push.
Foods that contain ingredients like salmon will tend to have a slightly higher fat content, but this is because of the healthy omega 3 and 6 fatty acids. Not all fats are bad fats!
Stop! Before you jump into the food guide, you might want to check out this quick section. Here, you will find all the key things you should be looking for in pancreatitis food for your dog.
Its a great way to make a mental checklist before any final decisions.
Age. This is really important, especially as so many cases of pancreatitis are down to adult dogs being fed puppy food. The reason this is bad is that puppy food has way more calories and fat than adult dog food. Over time, this can cause both obesity and pancreatitis.
Grain/Wheat. This is the most common cause of allergens in dogs, and when they are already suffering from pancreatitis having an ingredient that causes bloating and wind is not ideal. Try to avoid these ingredients where possible, but remember that rice is a good one to have.
Fat Content. Since fat is one of the leading causes of pancreatitis, you will want to keep this number as low as possible. Anything below 15% is ideal, and 20% at a push.
Foods that contain ingredients like salmon will tend to have a slightly higher fat content, but this is because of the healthy omega 3 and 6 fatty acids. Not all fats are bad fats!
Additives. Artificial ingredients like additives can cause stomach upsets that further aggravate the symptoms of pancreatitis. Its best to stick with dog food that is as natural as possible, allowing you to benefit from healthy ingredients that wont hurt them.
Sensitive. A lot of the time, sensitive food is the best choice for your dog. Its gentle on the digestive system, which does help to ease the symptoms of pancreatitis, and it remains nutritionally balanced. Its certainly worth considering when changing your dogs diet.
Artificial ingredients like additives can cause stomach upsets that further aggravate the symptoms of pancreatitis. Its best to stick with food that is as natural as possible, allowing you to benefit from healthy ingredients that wont hurt them. Read here to learn more about the best dog food for urinary health.
Sensitive. A lot of the time, sensitive food is the best choice for your dog. Its gentle on the digestive system, which does help to ease the symptoms of pancreatitis, and it remains nutritionally balanced. Its certainly worth considering when changing your dogs diet.
