When your furry friend is diagnosed with pancreatitis, it can feel overwhelming. There’s nothing worse than having to see your dog suffer with abdominal pain, lethargy, vomiting, and diarrhea. Understanding the condition and how to manage it can make all the difference, however.
In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about pancreatitis in dogs. We’ll start by talking about the best dietary options so that you can make an informed decision when picking out a bland diet for your dog. Let’s get started!
The Best Bland Diet Options for Dogs with Pancreatitis
Managing acute pancreatitis and chronic pancreatitis in dogs starts with nutrition. A bland, low-fat diet that’s easily digestible is very important in this case. Below are two recommended bland diet dog food options to help your dog recover from their acute pancreatitis symptoms — like abdominal pain — comfortably:
Chicken & Rice Bland Diet
This bland diet by Under the Weather is an excellent choice for dogs with canine pancreatitis or upset stomachs. It’s vet-recommended and contains only five high-quality, natural ingredients. Your dog will also enjoy the flavor of the freeze-dried chicken breast, which is always a plus!
The combination of white rice and freeze-dried chicken breast provides easily digestible protein and carbohydrates for dogs with pancreatitis. It also includes electrolytes to help your dog stay hydrated during their recovery.
Ingredients: White rice, freeze-dried cage-free chicken breast, glycine, sodium chloride, potassium chloride.
Directions:
1. Shake the bag to mix ingredients.
2. Add the dried mixture to a bowl and pour in an equal amount of boiling water.
3. Stir, cover, and let sit for 15-20 minutes until cooled.
4. Serve for 2-3 days, or as advised by your vet.
5. Gradually transition your dog back to their regular diet.
Turkey, Oatmeal, Sweet Potato, & Slippery Elm Bland Diet
Turkey and oatmeal are gentle on the stomach, which means this bland diet dog food is another great choice for dogs that have received a diagnosis of pancreatitis. It’s fortified with slippery elm, which forms a protective barrier in the stomach and soothes symptoms like nausea and vomiting.
Like the chicken and rice bland diet from Under the Weather, it includes electrolytes (to help maintain your dog’s hydration) and has a long shelf life. This means you can keep this bland diet dog food stocked in case your dog suddenly has an emergency pancreatitis flare-up.
Ingredients: Oats, cage-free turkey breast, sweet potato powder, slippery elm powder, electrolyte blend (glycine, sodium chloride, potassium chloride).
Directions:
1. Add the contents of the pouch to a bowl and mix with 3 1/2 cups of boiling water.
2. Stir well, cover, and let it sit for 10 minutes.
3. Stir again, cover for another 5 minutes, then cool and serve.
4. Continue feeding for 2-3 days or as recommended by your vet.
5. Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 72 hours.
What Is Pancreatitis in Dogs?
The pancreas is an important organ that’s located in the abdominal cavity. One of its main roles is producing digestive enzymes to break down food. When these enzymes activate prematurely within the pancreas, it causes inflammation. This can, unfortunately, lead to a condition called pancreatitis.
Pancreatitis in dogs can present as an acute (sudden) or chronic (long-term) condition. Acute pancreatitis often develops rapidly and can cause severe, uncomfortable symptoms, while chronic pancreatitis is less intense (though, it can lead to periodic flare-ups). Let’s take a closer look at the clinical signs of canine pancreatitis below.
Symptoms of Pancreatitis in Dogs
If you’re able to recognize evidence of pancreatitis in your dog early, you may be able to take them to the veterinary hospital for early intervention. The symptoms and acute pancreatitis vs. chronic pancreatitis may look slightly different. Generally, though, some common clinical signs of pancreatitis include:
Acute Pancreatitis Symptoms
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Severe lethargy
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Persistent vomiting
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Diarrhea
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Abdominal pain (evident in the "praying position," where the dog bows with their hind legs raised)
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Severe dehydration
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Collapse or shock (in severe cases)
Chronic Pancreatitis Symptoms
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Lethargy
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Loss of appetite or refusal to eat
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Weight loss
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Intermittent vomiting
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Mild abdominal discomfort
Dogs with chronic pancreatitis can experience sudden acute episodes. These episodes will often require immediate medical care, so don’t wait to take your dog to the vet if you notice that they're experiencing the aforementioned symptoms.
Causes of Pancreatitis in Dogs
Pancreatitis can develop for a number of different reasons in dogs, though many cases are idiopathic (which means they’re no known cause). Some of the most common risk factors include:
Dietary Factors
Eating high-fat meals (e.g. human food) or getting into garbage can trigger pancreatitis in dogs. Try to avoid feeding your dog table scraps, especially if they suffer from pancreatitis. Double-check the ingredients label on your dog’s food to make sure it’s not high in fat or riddled with additives. Unfortunately, many commercial dog foods are.
Breed Predisposition
Miniature Schnauzers and English Cocker Spaniels are more susceptible to pancreatitis due to genetic tendencies for high blood triglyceride levels or immune-mediated diseases. If you have one of these dog breeds, make sure to keep a close eye out for pancreatitis symptoms.
Medications
Certain antibiotics and chemotherapy drugs can increase the risk of pancreatitis as well. If you’re worried that a medication prescribed for your vet is causing issues, let them know right away — they should be able to come up with alternative treatment options for your dog.
How to Choose the Right Diet for Dogs with Pancreatitis
Selecting the right diet for your dog’s recovery is super important. This process will involve making sure that your dog’s diet is low in fat, contains easily digestible ingredients, and enough hydration.
Avoid dog foods that contain excessive oils, allergens, or additives. Bland diets (like those mentioned above) are mainly ideal for short-term recovery. For long-term management of canine pancreatitis, you should consult with your vet.
What Are the Benefits of a Low-Fat Diet for Dogs with Pancreatitis?
If your dog eats a lot of fatty foods, their pancreatic enzymes and digestive enzymes will have to work a lot harder. A low-fat diet reduces the workload on your dog’s pancreas. This allows it to heal and prevents further inflammation as well.
Maintaining such a diet long-term for dogs with severe pancreatitis significantly lowers the risk of flare-ups and supports their overall digestive health — however — you should ask your vet before putting your dog on a low-fat bland diet long-term.
Managing Pancreatitis at Home
While severe cases of acute or chronic pancreatitis require veterinary intervention, mild cases can be managed at home — just as long as you’re following guidance from your vet. Here are a few things you can do to help manage your dog’s pancreatitis at home:
Hydration
Keep your dog hydrated to counteract the dehydration that’s caused by vomiting or diarrhea. Electrolyte-enhanced diets (like the bland diets from Under the Weather we mentioned above) can help with this.
Rest
Minimize your dog’s activity if possible. This will help them conserve energy so that they can heal properly. Chances are, your dog will be somewhat lethargic if they’re going through a pancreatitis episode.
If your dog seems nervous or is very energetic (perhaps they're suffering from a mild form of pancreatitis), you might consider giving them these Calming Soft Chews for Dogs. Just make sure to ask your vet, first!
Diet
Stick to bland, low-fat meals for the duration recommended by your vet. Then, transition gradually back to a regular diet. If being on a bland diet doesn’t seem to be helping your dog’s digestive issues, let your vet know as soon as possible.
Monitor Symptoms
Watch for worsening signs of pancreatitis — such as refusal to eat, severe lethargy, or increased vomiting. Seek veterinary care immediately if these common symptoms occur. The earlier you’re able to intervene, the better.
When Should You Seek Veterinary Care?
The development of pancreatitis can escalate quickly, so it’s important that you’re able to recognize when professional treatment by a vet is necessary. Contact your vet if your dog shows severe symptoms (like extreme lethargy, collapse, or continuous vomiting).
Severe cases may require hospitalization for intravenous fluids, blood tests, pain management, and close monitoring. Hopefully, it won’t come to this, but if your dog doesn’t seem to be getting better while on a bland diet, veterinary intervention may be necessary.
Conclusion
Pancreatitis in dogs is a serious condition, but with proper care, diet, and monitoring, most dogs can recover fully or manage the condition long-term. Now that you understand more about canine pancreatitis and its symptoms, you’ll be able to help manage your dog’s pancreatitis more effectively.
Bland diet dog foods (like Under the Weather’s Chicken & Rice and Turkey & Oatmeal options) will provide your dog with the low-fat nutrition they need while they’re recovering from their pancreatitis.
Want to learn more about managing pancreatitis in dogs? We have plenty of information on our blog, as well as several different bland diet dog foods available on our website.
