Diets for dogs with pancreatitis

What is Pancreatitis?

The pancreas helps dogs digest their food by producing enzymes that break down sugars, fats, starches and proteins. When your dog has pancreatitis then the pancreas has become inflamed.

What should you feed dogs with pancreatitis?

The aim of nutrition for dogs with pancreatitis is to give the pancreas a rest, allowing it time to recover.

In order to digest fat and protein the pancreas needs to produce digestive enzymes. So, reducing the levels of fat and protein in the diet allows the pancreas to rest.

The recommended fat level is 10% - 15% fat on a dry matter basis. However more severe cases, especially those with associated risk factors like hyperlipidaemia, an even lower fat content at below 10% of dry matter basis is recommended. What we mean by “dry matter basis” is the percentage of a nutrient ignoring the moisture content – so what the percentage would be with all of the moisture removed.

The recommended protein level for dogs with pancreatitis is 15% - 30% on a dry matter basis.

Because they will be getting less protein, it is important that the protein they get is high quality and easily digestible and with the right balance of amino acids, like that found in fish.

Pancreatitis can create a cycle of inflammation. EPA and DHA omega-3 fatty acids from marine sources can help with this inflammation by supporting the body’s natural anti-inflammatory process.

Concurrent conditions

Sometimes dogs with have both pancreatitis and another condition. This will have an effect on their nutritional needs.

CONCURRENT CONDITION	ADDITIONAL NUTRITIONAL REQUIREMENTS IN ADDITION TO LOW OR MODERATE FAT
Hyperlipidaemia	Even lower dietary fat level at under 10% DM and/or high level of omega-3 fatty acids
Obesity	Also need low energy density to help control weight
Diabetes mellitus	Also need low carbohydrate or high-fibre diet with complex carbohydrates
Exocrine pancreas insufficiency	Also needs highly digestible diets
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)	Also needs highly digestible, hypoallergenic diets, preferably with increased levels of omega-3 fatty acids
Food sensitivity	Also needs hypoallergenic diet

SPECIFIC is the range of nutrition from Dechra Veterinary Products and has a range of diets, available through your vet, designed to provide the right nutritional profile to support dogs and cats with medical conditions. The diets available for the support of dogs with pancreatitis are these

DIETS FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF PANCREATITIS
	Dry Diet	Wet Diet	Characteristics
Adult	CID-LF Digestive Support Low Fat CDD-HY Food Allergen Management	CIW-LF Digestive Support Low Fat COW-HY - Allergen Management Plus	Fat levels: 10% - 15% (dry matter) and below 10% dry matter for CID-LF and CIW-LF Protein levels: 15% - 30% (dry matter)
Puppy	CPD-XL – Puppy Large & Giant Breed CDD-HY – Food Allergen Management	COW-HY - Allergen Management Plus

If your dog has pancreatitis and another condition at the same time then their dietary needs may be different and these are the diets that can help

DIETS FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF BOTH PANCREATITIS AND CONCURRENT CONDITIONS IN DOGS
	Dry Diet	Wet Diet	Characteristics
Hyperlipidaemia	CID-LF Digestive Support Low Fat, * CRD-2 Weight Control* CGD - Senior**	CIW-LF Digestive Support Low Fat, * COW-HY - Allergen Management Plus**	Fat level below 10% dry matter * High omega-3 fatty acid levels
Obesity	CID-LF Digestive Support Low Fat CRD-2 Weight Control	CIW-LF Digestive Support Low Fat	Fat level below 10% dry matter Reduced energy content
Diabetes Mellitus	CED-DM – Endocrine Support* CRD-2** Weight Control		Protein level above 30% but low fat and carbohydrate levels make this suitable for dogs with pancreatitis and concurrent diabetes mellitus *fat level below 10% dry matter
Exocrine pancreas insufficiency	CID-LF Digestive Support Low Fat* CDD - Food Allergen Management CDD-HY – Food Allergen Management	CIW-LF Digestive Support Low Fat* COW-HY - Allergen Management Plus	High digestibility * Fat level below 10% dry matter
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)	COD-HY - Allergen Management Plus* CID-LF Digestive Support Low Fat , *	COW-HY - Allergen Management Plus* CIW-LF Digestive Low Fat , *	Highly digestible, hypoallergenic diet with high levels of omega-3 fatty acids * Fat level below 10% dry matter
Food sensitivity	CDD - Food Allergen Management* CDD-HY – Food Allergen Management* CID-LF Digestive Support Low Fat , *	COW-HY - Allergen Management Plus* CIW-LF Digestive Low Fat , *	* Highly digestible, hypoallergenic diet ** Fat level below 10% dry matter