Processed foods
One major cause of pancreatitis in dogs is processed foods that contain poor-quality fats, are often allergenic (sensitivity-causing) and induce gut inflammation that can lead to canine pancreatitis.
Processed and ultra-processed foods often rely on grains for energy and fibre. These are not the best food for pancreatitis in dogs.
It is well recognised that high grain-carbohydrate diets promote more elevated triglycerides (fats) in the blood.
A raw diet, counterintuitively, even if it’s high-fat, helps lower blood fats, reducing the risk of your dog developing pancreatitis.
Processed foods often cause gut inflammation, IBD and Leaky Gut problems, all of which can promote CP.
Find out more in our guide “What is kibble?”
Rancid fats
Rancid fats are found in poor quality pet foods and in dry kibbles, especially if the bag has been open for a long time. This is quite common with people who buy large economy bags of food but only have a small dog. These fats are pro-inflammatory as well as being toxic.
Healthy fats do not cause pancreatitis in an otherwise healthy dog. Those found in raw food that have not been heated, modified, emulsified and oxidised as they are in kibbles.
If healthy fats did cause damage, generations of Huskies and the other mushing dogs in Alaska, Siberia and other cold climes would have died off years ago.
Their diet of whale or seal blubber with a bit of fish thrown onto the snow would have given each and every one of them raging pancreatitis, but it did not, obviously.
Find out more about fats for dogs in this guide.
Scavenging
Scavenging is usually fine, but if the dog picks up a particularly rotten morsel, this can really strain the pancreas through inflammation. If the scavenged material contains rancid fats, this can compound the problem.
Genetics
Genetics can play a part. We know this because, as we have seen, certain breeds are predisposed. The most common genetic polymorphism is SPINK1. Just because a dog has the gene, though, doesn’t mean it will be expressed. Toxins, drugs and inflammation influence epigenetics, the mechanisms that control if a gene is switched on or off. A good (raw or lightly-cooked fresh) diet and minimal use of drugs, vaccines and flea and tick products are thought to encourage more healthy gene expression.
Obesity
Obesity in dogs is rife in the UK and Europe among our dogs. Up to 70% of all dogs in this country are overweight or obese. Obesity predisposes to CP by increased pancreatic inflammation and cell death from an increased amount of fat in and around the pancreas.
Pharmaceutical causes of pancreatitis in dogs
120 known drugs can cause canine pancreatitis, including, for example, Potassium bromide and phenobarbitone for epilepsy. Corticosteroids (Prednisolone, Prednidale or Medrone, for example) are high on the list, too. Unfortunately, they are very commonly used daily in veterinary practice.
Cushing’s disease
Cushing’s disease, where the body produces too much of its own natural steroids, can predispose to canine pancreatitis, just as the use of steroids in pill or injection form can.
Infections
Tropical, insect-borne blood parasites such as Babesiosis, or Leishmaniasis have been found to cause pancreatitis in dogs.
Sex
Entire male dogs and neutered females are seen to be more at risk.
Surgery
Some studies suggest that the process of having surgery can also predispose to dogs to pancreatitis. It is not clear if it’s the act of surgery, the drugs or other factors, e.g. stress, at play.
Which Pro dog raw feeds do you advocate for dogs with Pancreatitis?
I have a two year old Cockapoo that had suspected Pancreatitis and using ProDog raw and just wondering which sort would be the best incase I need to change my standing order thanks Lesleu
When it comes to Canine Pancreatitis, a varied, natural raw diet is key. Rabbit is our lowest fat option so you may want to include more of this, but certainly feeding it exclusively is not necessary. Keeping your dog lean and athletic is also recommended. Our blog will help answer some of your questions, a key extract of which you will find below. https://www.prodograw.com/pancreatitis-in-dogs/
“When we look at this daunting list of causes of CP, it’s a wonder that all dogs don’t have clinical disease all of the time. Raw fed dogs are not exposed to ultra-processed foods and rancid fats. They are generally leaner and healthier than conventionally fed dogs and are less likely to get CP. They need fewer drugs and so will be at a sizeable advantage to their poor kibble fed pals.
Every organ in the body needs a plethora of micronutrients always available in a varied fresh raw diet. Every organ suffers when carcinogens are eaten, toxins are ingested, or low-nutrient ultra-processed products are fed. None more so than our hard-working, little-known friend, the pancreas.”
My dog is a bit over weight the vet said that putting a strain on his joints can u recommend anything that will help he is on a raw food diet.
Hi there
You need to look at how much food he is getting currently and how much he should be getting. Using our raw food calculator, you will be able to put his weight etc. in and see how much you should be feeding him in order to lose weight. Once he is at the desired weight, then you can switch to the amount recommended to maintain weight. Please note that treats should be included in the daily amount. https://www.prodograw.com/raw-dog-food-calculator/
Kind Regards
Team ProDog
My dog has been on raw diet since he was 10 weeks old. He will be 6 in November and even though he has been fed premade raw since puppyhood he was just diagnosed with pancreatitis… I have no idea what to feed him now, when he comes back from the hospital, anh ideas? What kind of meats? What fat % is not too much, I do not want him to have another episode ever again!
Hi there
So, the fat content of our meals varies – the below are some examples of the lower fat options.
Rabbit complete – 5.6%
Chicken complete – 6.3%
Turkey complete – 5.6%
Green tripe with chicken complete – 7.6%
Duck – 9%
Lamb, beef & tripe and salmon & turkey have a higher fat content.
We hope this helps
Kind Regards
Team ProDog
My dog got diagnosed with pancreatitis today. The vet has said to feed 5% or lower In fat. Do you have a meat that contains this?