When your dog is diagnosed with pancreatitis in dogs, providing the right care and comfort becomes a priority. This painful condition, caused by inflammation of the pancreas, can be managed with diet changes and other supportive care. Pancreatitis in dogs can lead to complications if not managed properly. Here’s how you can help your dog feel more comfortable during this difficult time, along with some top product suggestions from Under the Weather to support their health.
How to Comfort a Dog with Pancreatitis with Under the Weather
Bland Diet for Sensitive Stomachs
Under the Weather's Bland Diet is designed specifically to be gentle on a dog’s digestive system, which is essential for pets suffering from acute pancreatitis or chronic pancreatitis. These freeze-dried meals, made from human foods, are gluten-free and free from artificial additives. The meals are easy to prepare—just add water, and they’re ready in minutes. They come in various protein options like rice with chicken, beef, or salmon, ensuring that even the pickiest eaters can find something palatable. These diets are also fortified with electrolytes to keep dogs hydrated, which is vital during bouts of acute pancreatitis when dehydration is a risk due to vomiting or diarrhea.
Bland diets play a crucial role in managing pancreatitis in dogs, particularly because the pancreas is responsible for producing pancreatic enzymes that break down fats. When the pancreas is inflamed, a low-fat, easily digestible diet can ease its workload. Under the Weather's bland diet options, such as rice paired with chicken or turkey, provide gentle, lean proteins that are easier to digest than high-fat foods. Additionally, these meals contain essential electrolytes to prevent dehydration, which is a common issue during pancreatitis flare-ups. The absence of artificial additives, gluten, and preservatives further minimizes digestive irritation, making these meals a perfect choice during recovery.
Ready Cal for Energy Support
When dogs lose their appetite due to illness, Under the Weather's Ready Cal provides a critical source of energy. This high-calorie supplement is packed with essential vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids, helping dogs maintain a healthy weight even when they're not eating properly. It comes in a dial-a-dose gel tube, making it easy to administer and ideal for dogs of all ages. Ready Cal is particularly useful for dogs recovering from chronic pancreatitis, as it delivers the necessary calories without overwhelming their sensitive digestive systems.
Maintaining a healthy weight during illness is essential for recovery. Ready Cal's blend of essential fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals not only provides necessary energy but also supports skin and coat health—factors that can deteriorate during periods of illness. It’s easy-to-administer formula is ideal for dogs of all ages, ensuring they receive the nutrients they need without further aggravating their sensitive systems. The natural fish flavor makes this supplement more appealing to dogs experiencing a loss of appetite, a common symptom of pancreatitis recovery.
Disc and Spine Supplements for Overall Wellness
Keeping your dog’s overall health in check is essential, especially when managing a chronic condition like pancreatitis. Glucosamine and chondroitin, the primary ingredients in Under the Weather's Disc and Spine Chews, are widely recognized for their ability to promote joint health and reduce inflammation. In dogs with pancreatitis, maintaining mobility can be a challenge due to diet restrictions and age-related issues. These chews help reduce stiffness and pain, improving overall quality of life. For older dogs, maintaining spine and joint health is critical to staying active and comfortable during recovery, especially when dealing with severe pancreatitis.
Collagen Chews for Digestive Support
Maintaining healthy digestion is crucial for pancreatitis in dogs. Under the Weather's Collagen Chews offer a two-fold benefit: they support digestive health while promoting skin and coat health. These chews contain collagen peptides and digestive enzymes that help break down food more easily, ensuring that your dog’s pancreas isn’t overworked during digestion. Plus, the added collagen helps maintain healthy skin, coat, and joints, ensuring your dog feels their best inside and out.
Collagen is not just important for skin and joints—it plays a significant role in gut health by promoting the repair of the intestinal walls. For dogs with pancreatitis, collagen peptides found in Under the Weather's Collagen Chews help support a healthy gut, aiding in the digestion of food and reducing inflammation in the digestive tract reducing this painful condition. The added benefit of joint support ensures that dogs with pancreatitis, who may also struggle with mobility issues, are cared for holistically.
Colostrum for Immune Boost
A strong immune system is vital for dogs battling chronic pancreatitis. Under the Weather's Colostrum Supplement is designed to give dogs an immune boost, thanks to its rich supply of antibodies and growth factors. Colostrum supports both gut health and immune function, which are essential for dogs with pancreatitis. By strengthening the immune system, this supplement helps prevent infections and promotes faster recovery from flare-ups.
While colostrum is often associated with newborn puppies, its immune-boosting properties are beneficial for dogs of all ages. Under the Weather's Colostrum Supplement provides a concentrated source of immunoglobulins, which help strengthen the immune system, making it easier for dogs to fight off infections during pancreatitis recovery. Lactoferrin, a bioactive component of colostrum, has antimicrobial properties that support gut health, while growth factors like IGF-1 aid in tissue repair, helping dogs recover more quickly from symptoms of pancreatitis and pain management.
How to Choose the Right Dog Food for Pancreatitis
Choosing the best dog food for pancreatitis can be overwhelming. The key is to look for low-fat, highly digestible options that are easy on your dog’s digestive system. Foods that are rich in proteins like chicken or fish, but low in fat, are ideal. Additionally, incorporating omega-3 fatty acids can help reduce inflammation in the pancreas that dogs with pancreatitis may be dealing with. Prebiotic fibers and probiotics also play a significant role in maintaining healthy digestion and gut health, ensuring the food is processed more efficiently and also reducing the common signs of pancreatitis.
Benefits of a Low-Fat Diet
A low-fat diet is one of the most important factors in managing pancreatitis. Fat stimulates the pancreas to release digestive enzymes, which can exacerbate the inflammation. By reducing fat in your dog’s diet, you help ease the workload on the pancreas and reduce the chances of another flare-up. Products like Under the Weather's Bland Diet are formulated specifically to meet these needs, offering a balanced, low-fat option that still provides the necessary nutrients for recovery and overall well-being and reducing pancreatitis symptoms.
Ingredients to Look for in Dog Food for Pancreatitis
When selecting food for a dog with pancreatitis, you should look for lean protein sources such as chicken, turkey, or fish. Avoid high-fat meats like lamb or beef. Additionally, foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, like those found in salmon oil or flaxseed, can help reduce inflammation. Carbohydrates should come from easily digestible sources like rice or sweet potatoes, which are gentle on the stomach. Be sure to avoid ingredients like corn, wheat, and soy, which can be hard to digest and may trigger a flare-up.
How to Feed a Dog with Pancreatitis
Feeding a dog with pancreatitis requires a delicate balance of nutrition, portion control, and consistency. One of the most effective strategies is to provide smaller, more frequent meals throughout the day, which helps reduce the burden on the pancreas. Large meals, especially high-fat diets or table scraps, can overstimulate the organ, leading to excessive levels of pancreatic enzymes and further inflammation. By offering smaller portions, you minimize stress on the pancreas, allowing it to recover more efficiently.
For dogs with pancreatitis, fat intake should be kept to a minimum. Fat stimulates the pancreas to release pancreatic enzymes, which can aggravate the inflammation. Low-fat foods, such as Under the Weather's Bland Diet, are ideal because they provide essential nutrients without overworking the pancreas. These meals include easily digestible ingredients like rice, chicken, and pumpkin, all designed to soothe the digestive tract while still offering vital nutrition. Severe pain and abdominal pain are often associated with pancreatitis, so managing meals carefully can help to minimize discomfort.
In addition to feeding smaller meals, it's important to monitor your dog's hydration levels closely when working through the treatment for pancreatitis. Dehydration is a common concern in dogs with pancreatitis, especially if they experience vomiting or diarrhea. Fluid therapy, such as intravenous fluids may be needed in cases of severe pancreatitis during treatment. Make sure fresh water is always available, and consider incorporating electrolyte supplements or adding water to your dog's food to help maintain hydration.
Veterinary care is essential in severe cases, where dogs may require hospitalization. Proper treatment of pancreatitis includes a combination of dietary management, medications, and in severe cases, intravenous fluids. Additionally, avoiding high-fat treats and fatty food is critical for preventing a bout of pancreatitis. Elevated blood sugar levels may also occur during episodes, requiring careful monitoring.
If your dog isn’t eating well, using supplements like Under the Weather's Ready Cal can provide the extra calories and nutrients needed without stressing the digestive system. Ready Cal is a high-calorie gel packed with essential vitamins and minerals, designed to be gentle on the stomach. Administering this supplement alongside smaller meals helps maintain your dog’s energy levels and prevents weight loss during recovery.
It's crucial to stick to a regular feeding schedule. Dogs thrive on routine, and consistency can help regulate their digestion. By feeding your dog at the same times each day, you allow their body to anticipate and prepare for food, further reducing the strain on their pancreas.
Final Thoughts
Managing pancreatitis in dogs requires a thoughtful approach to diet and care. Under the Weather offers a range of products specifically designed to support dogs with sensitive stomachs and chronic conditions like pancreatitis. From bland diets to energy supplements and immune boosters, these products can help ensure your dog remains healthy and comfortable. Providing the right food and care can make a significant difference in your dog’s quality of life. Help your pet by exploring the full range of Under the Weather products today.
