Pancreatitis is a particularly painful and debilitating pathology, caused by acute or chronic inflammation of the pancreas, which, if left untreated, can also lead to the death of the animal.
Unfortunately, this is a common disease, which if left untreated or treated too late, can be life-threatening for dogs.
If your dog has been diagnosed with an inflamed pancreas, you will need a canine pancreatitis diet. That's why we're bringing you Best Dog Foods for Pancreatitis
What causes pancreatitis in dogs?
In most cases, the trigger for the inflammation is not known, but doctors have identified some of the possible causes. In general, there is a disturbance in the metabolism of fats.
A continuous administration of excessively fatty foods can cause an overload at the level of the pancreas, which inevitably swells and becomes inflamed because it is not able to support an excessive workload.
This is because when the dog consumes fats his metabolism forces the organs, especially the pancreas, to do exceptional work to which it is not accustomed.
It can also be caused by
- Trauma or injury
- Obesity
- Medications
- Aging
- Diseases and conditions, such as diabetes
- Pancreatitis tremor
Best food for dogs with pancreatitis
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Healthy Weight Dry Foods
Blue Buffalo is a brand that is known for using high quality ingredients that can help a canine's body.
Its fat content is considerably lower to meet the needs of dogs with pancreatitis, with 9% fat content and no poultry by-product meal, corn, wheat, soy or preservatives.
And it has ingredients like chicken and brown rice that will provide your dog with a healthy dose of vitamins and antioxidants.
Halo is one of the best foods for dogs with pancreatitis.
It has a very small list of ingredients but they are natural ingredients that are GMO free, it uses proteins, carbohydrates and fats that are easy to digest.
Kibble has a relatively low fat content of 12%. When it comes to protein, the meal consists of approximately 27%.
Its nutrients promote liver regeneration.
Wellness Core Grain-Free Reduced Fat Turkey and Chicken Recipe
Its reduced fat formula has 25% less fat than its regular formula. In total, this recipe is made up of only 10 to 12% fat.
However this fat is healthy, it contains salmon oil, which contains beneficial omega fatty acids. And for protein it uses boneless egg and turkey meal, making up 33% of the food.
It also contains fruits and vegetables rich in vitamins and has no grains or fillers that can affect the pancreas.
Although it is not specific for pancreatic problems, it is a good choice, as its fat content is very low, being 7% while its protein content is 22%.
It also has limited fiber content in order to cover the maintenance energy needs despite the fat restriction.
Probiotic for dogs with pancreatitis
Probiotics will be very good for your dog. It is not only necessary to improve their diet with specialized quality feed but also to contribute and balance their diet with other essential components rich in vitamins and minerals.
Dogs with pancreatitis also tend to suffer from stomach aches, diarrhea and lethargy; probiotics will provide balance and improve their intestinal health by promoting the growth of bacteria in the digestive system and controlling inflammation.
Probiotic Safe Guard
Safe Guard is a veterinarian-recommended probiotic that improves intestinal health, inflammation and digestion in dogs with pancreatitis.
Its colony-forming units (CFU) is quite high, being 6 billion, and has Bacillus coagulens and Bacillus subtilius strains promoting the growth of intestinal flora and increasing immune strength.
Safe Guard will start working as soon as it reaches the intestines, however in cases of acute pancreatitis it may take a little longer.
Its formula is in powder form, which you can sprinkle on your dog's food for a better result, especially to combine it with his new diet. You can also offer it during the transition to a new fat-free diet as it will make the process easier for your dog's body.
Homemade foods for a dog with pancreatitis
The recommended diet may also require soft foods, such as:
- Boiled rice
- Chicken
- Turkey
- Lean ground beef
- Egg whites, cooked
- Oatmeal
- Barley
- Sweet potatoes
- Cottage cheese
What foods you should not feed your dog with pancreatitis
- Treats outside of regular food,
- Leftover food
- Fatty foods in general.
Once you start his diet you should observe his progression, if he starts to gain weight, if his curvature has changed, etc. And before changing his diet the best thing to do is a visit with the veterinarian to know better his condition.
This diet is not only mandatory for the acute period of the disease, but once the dog has had an episode of pancreatitis, a strict dietary control must be maintained throughout life to avoid new episodes of pancreatitis.