At Burns Pet Nutrition, we have created unique recipes that are suitable for dogs that have had pancreatitis. As Nutritional Advisors, we understand that they need low-fat diets that are highly digestible and made from high-quality proteins. Take a look at our recommended food recipes for dogs that have had pancreatitis.

Dogs with pancreatitis need low fat diets that are highly digestible and made from high quality proteins.

Burns Original Chicken & Brown Rice is a popular choice for dogs needing a low-fat diet at 7.5%.

Pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas. It is often a result of a diet too high in fat or a large intake of fat at once.

The pancreas is usually responsible for producing enzymes that aid digestion, so during a bout of pancreatitis, it will be difficult for your pet to digest food, especially ones high in fat.

The most common cause of pancreatitis is because the dog is overweight. Another cause of pancreatitis is if the dog has been unwell or has recently had surgery. Eating too many high-fatty foods causes pancreatitis too.

Dogs who are middle-aged and older are most commonly affected by pancreatitis. However, there are certain breeds, like cocker spaniels, miniature schnauzers, and terrier breeds, that are most likely to develop the condition too.

Can a dog survive pancreatitis?

Most dogs with pancreatitis make a full recovery from their diagnosis of pancreatitis after being seen by a vet and put on a diet. There are some severe cases where dogs will need ongoing care. Pancreatitis in dogs can also cause diabetes, although it is very rare.

How long does pancreatitis take to heal in dogs?

It can take up three days for dogs to recover from mild symptoms of pancreatitis. However, if your dog suffers severe symptoms, they may suffer from pancreatitis several times throughout their life. If your dog does suffer from recurring pancreatitis, it’s important to visit a veterinary practice for advice and to keep them on a specialist diet. At Burns, we have a team of Nutritional Advisors and we would be happy to advise on which dog food is most suitable for your dog’s condition.

How do you treat pancreatitis in dogs?

There are a few things you can do to help comfort dogs with pancreatitis and it is important to visit your vet. If your dog has suffered from mild symptoms of pancreatitis, the vet is likely to prescribe them anti-sickness medicine and will order for your dog to get plenty of rest and eat small frequent meals spread throughout the day.

What should I feed a dog that has had pancreatitis?

Once a dog has recovered from pancreatitis, they require ongoing care to lower their risk of getting pancreatitis again. They need to lead a healthy and active lifestyle to keep them slim and fit, as well as a low-fat dog diet of food and treats that are easy to digest to maintain good health.

Follow our experts recommended guidelines for what and how to feed your dog if they have had pancreatitis:

• Feed your dog with food that’s under 10% fat
• We recommend feeding them little and often – feeding amounts will be particularly important to keep the fat as low as possible
• Be careful when feeding a wet food. Many people think they are feeding a low-fat, wet food, but when you take away the moisture content to compare it to a dry food it works out as high in fat (for further information into this please see Wet Vs Dry Foods.
• Even if your dog is underweight, it is important not to try and ‘fatten them up’ as this can overwork the pancreas.

We have a host of dog food that’s specifically made to support this ailment and to help your dog on the road to recovering from pancreatitis.