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What’s the best dog food for Pancreatitis?
Pancreatitis is a dangerous condition that can be life-threatening for dogs. Yet, the symptoms aren’t 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 that 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 dog’s condition. This will include pain management and monitoring for further complications.
To support the treatment prescribed by your vet, you should change your dog’s 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.
Best Dog Food for Pancreatitis November 2024
Here are The Dog Food Advisor's best dog food brands for Pancreatitis for November 2024.
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Best Dry Food For Dogs With Pancreatitis
Annamaet Grain-Free Lean Reduced Fat Formula
Containing 7.8% fat, Annamaet Lean Low Fat Formula hits the less-than-10% fat amount recommended for dogs suffering from Pancreatitis.
This food is one of seven dry recipes included in our review of the Annamaet Grain-Free product line. It 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
Things we like
- 7.8% fat
- Chicken-based protein
- Contains prebiotics and probiotics
Main Ingredients Chicken meal, field peas, lentils, potato, tapioca Texture Dry Type Grain-Free Protein Percentage 33.3% AAFCO Standards Maintenance Best For Adult dogs Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at chewy.com"My basset hound has recovered from pancreatitis and needs to remain on a low fat diet forever. This food is in the fat range our vet likes and so does Petunia!"
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Best Fresh Food For Dogs With Pancreatitis
JustFoodForDogs Venison & Squash Recipe
Containing 11.1% fat, the JustFoodForDogs Venison & Squash recipe is a good fresh dog food choice for dogs with Pancreatitis, due to its low fat and high protein levels.
This formula is one of nine fresh recipes included in our review of the JustFoodForDogs product line. It derives the bulk of its meat protein from venison. Dry matter label analysis reveals it contains 50% protein, 11.1% fat and 30.9% estimated carbs, resulting in a fat-to-protein ratio of about 22%.
Read our review of the full Just Food for Dogs (Frozen Fresh) range here
Things we like
- 11.1% fat
- Venison-based protein
- Fresh ingredients
Main Ingredients Ground venison, butternut squash, sweet potatoes, brussels sprouts, cranberries Texture Fresh Type Grain-free Protein Percentage 50% AAFCO Standards Maintenance Best For Adults 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 that’s 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 I’m hoping that feeding him a healthier and more balanced diet will give him a longer and happy life. Well worth the cost!!"
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Best Low Fat Food For Dogs With Pancreatitis
Eagle Pack Reduced Fat Adult
At just 6.7% fat, Eagle Pack Reduced Fat Adult is an extremely low-fat and lean option to feed a dog with Pancreatitis
It is one of four dry recipes included in our review of the Eagle Pack product line and 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
Things we like
- Super-low fat
- Pork-based protein
- Helps keep weight down
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 Adult 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."
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Best Wet Food For Dogs With Pancreatitis
The Honest Kitchen Limited Ingredient Grain-Free Beef Recipe
The Honest Kitchen Limited Ingredient Grain-Free Beef Recipe contains well under the recommended 10% fat amount for dogs with Pancreatitis.
It’s is made with real, human-grade ingredients, and no artificial preservatives, helping your dog get the nutrients it need when suffering from this health condition.
The Honest Kitchen Limited Ingredient Grain-Free Beef Recipe gets the majority of its meat protein from beef. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 27.2% protein, 7.8% fat and 57% estimated carbs, resulting in a fat-to-protein ratio of about 29%.
Things we like
- Low 7.8% fat
- Beef-based protein
- Human-grade ingredients
Main Ingredients Dehydrated beef, dried chickpeas, dehydrated sweet potatoes, dehydrated parsnips, dehydrated celery, dried parsley Texture Wet Type Grain-free Protein Percentage 27.2% AAFCO Standards Maintenance Best For Adult dogs Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at Thehonestkitchen.com"My 11 year old dog (behaves as if he's 2 years) suffers from bouts of pancreatis and has signs of arthritis. The vet put him on a low fat prescription canned diet. He loved it but it's very expensive. I contacted Honest Kitchen a few weeks ago and with their help I chose to switch him to the Limited Ingredient Beef Recipe. He's been eating it exclusively for about 1 1/2 weeks and seems to enjoy it just as much as the other food. Yay for both of us. And, many thanks to those at Honest Kitchen. They have been VERY patient answering all my questions."
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Best Food For Senior Dogs With Pancreatitis
Nulo Freestyle Grain-Free Adult Trim Cod & Lentils Recipe
Nulo Freestyle Cod & Lentils Recipe Grain-Free Adult Trim is one of nine dry recipes included in our review of the Nulo Freestyle product line. It’s recommended for senior dogs with Pancreatitis as it is low-fat, grain-free and contains L-carnitine to support the metabolism of fats, which can help older dogs as their metabolism slows.
This particular recipe 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
Things we like
- Low fat level of 7.8%
- High quality protein
- L-carnitine to boost metabolism
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 Adult dogs (including senior dogs) Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at Chewy.com"Our 17 year old Min Pin had a rough bout of pancreatitis in the spring. The vet put her on low-fat Rx food but she hated it so much she stopped eating altogether. As a Hail Mary we tried this low-fat food, and she’s back to being the spunky, spry old gal we know and love. "
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Best Grain-Free Food For Dogs With Pancreatitis
Raised Right Pancreatic Support Turkey Recipe
Pancreatic Support Turkey Recipe is one of two foods made by Raised Right, specifically for dogs with this health condition.
This particular formula derives the majority of its protein from turkey. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 45.5% protein, 13.6% fat and 32.9% estimated carbs, resulting in a fat-to-protein ratio of about 30%.
The protein level in this recipe is extremely high, combined with a low fat content, making it a good choice for dogs with Pancreatitis who need to control their fat intake.
Things we like
- Very high protein from turkey
- Human-grade ingredients
- Low fat
Main Ingredients Turkey thigh, turkey heart, carrots, turkey liver, zucchini, blueberries, cranberries, psyllium seed husk powder Texture Wet Type Grain-free Protein Percentage 45.5% AAFCO Standards Maintenance Best For Adult dogs Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at Raisedright.com"I had been using gently cooked foods for a while when I came across Raised Right. I was astonished at how much higher it was in protein over all the other foods. I switched over and noticed right away why. It has absolutely no fillers in. I'd never go back to anything else."
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 won’t 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 dog’s stomach, heart, gums
- Take your dog’s temperature
- Analyze your dog’s medical history
- Conduct a radiograph or ultrasound
A combination of the above methods will help to build a bigger picture of your dog’s 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 it’s best to avoid giving your dog table scraps and seek advice from your veterinarian about which dog food might be best.
Final word
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