Pancreatitis in Dogs: Insights and Nutrition Tips from Experts

Pancreatitis in dogs is a relatively new condition. Before the commercialisation of dog food, you rarely saw a dog at the vet for such a “human” ailment. The prevalence of pancreas-related health issues has risen starkly in the canine world in the last few decades.[1]

Thankfully, simple adjustments to their diet can be incredibly helpful in treating and preventing such issues from affecting our dogs. In this article, we’ll discuss canine pancreatitis, how it affects dogs’ overall health, and what you can do to help.

Definition

Pancreatitis in dogs simply means inflammation of the pancreas. It can occur acutely or be a chronic condition that progresses over time. This happens when the pancreas is damaged, causing the premature release of enzymes and further injuring the delicate organ. The inflammation this causes can radiate to other organs, such as the liver, intestines and abdomen, causing pain and inflammation.

Being responsible for key processes within the endocrine and digestive systems, the pancreas may be a small organ, but it has a huge role. The pancreas is responsible for producing digestive enzymes to assist in food digestion and hormones (e.g.insulin and glucagon) that regulate blood sugar (glucose metabolism).

Any disruption of these processes has the potential to cause widespread imbalances throughout the body, leading to serious health consequences.

Certain breeds, such as Miniature Schnauzers, Miniature Poodles, Yorkshire Terriers, and Cocker Spaniels, are more prone to developing pancreatitis, but any dog can be affected. However, being genetically predisposed doesn’t necessarily mean a dog will develop this condition. Focusing on proactive health measures can help support pancreatic health and reduce the risk of pancreatitis.

For example, a diet that promotes pancreatic health is a crucial foundation. Look for high-quality, wholefood diets such as raw dog food. Species-appropriate foods, easily digestible, can help take some of the burden off the pancreas. Additionally, minimising the use of routine chemical flea and worm treatments can help reduce the toxic load on your dog’s system. Opting for natural approaches to parasite prevention, like natural parasite repellent food supplements such as Prodog’s Repel and essential oils (approved for pet use), can be gentler on the body and support overall health.

While genetics may play a role, the preventative measures I discuss in detail throughout this article can make a significant difference, helping to keep your dog healthy and resilient.

The role of the pancreas in digestion

The pancreas plays a vital role in digestion, as it produces and releases enzymes that break down food within the small intestine. It also releases insulin into the bloodstream, which allows the body to regulate, store and liberate sugars and fat. Lack of insulin or insulin-resistant tissues creates excessively high blood sugar, which can lead to diabetes in dogs.

Canine pancreatitis ‘confuses’ the digestive process, as nutrients can’t be absorbed or assimilated as effectively by the body. The probability of these enzymes damaging abdominal tissues is also high in severe pancreatitis, creating a volatile and destructive internal environment and disrupting digestion.

Importance of recognising early symptoms

With any medical condition, the earlier symptoms are recognised, the better. The same is true for pancreatitis in dogs; in fact, it’s especially crucial for a few reasons. The pancreas is a vital organ and is responsible for various functions. These functions being impaired leads to other health complications.

As acute pancreatitis in dogs can cause shock due to the sudden onset of inflammation, it’s critical to seek medical attention immediately when symptoms appear. Chronic pancreatitis in dogs takes a more gradual approach as inflammation builds over time, but it’s just as important to treat it as early as possible. This can help avoid related issues, including the development of canine diabetes.

Common symptoms

The two forms of pancreatitis in dogs, chronic and acute, each have their own sets of symptoms. Though both require treatment, acute pancreatitis in dogs can be life-threatening, so it’s important to be aware of the signs [3].

Here are the most common pancreatitis symptoms in dogs:

Acute

• Sudden or severe abdominal pain
• Hunched-over posture
• Restlessness after eating
• Loss of appetite
• Fever
• Vomiting
• Diarrhoea, possibly with blood
• Dehydration

Chronic

• Change in appetite (decreased or increased)
• Lip-licking
• Weight loss
• Dull, dry, or smelly coat
• Vomiting
• Yellowish-grey diarrhoea
• Flatulence
• Colitis (inflammation of the colon)
• Eating their excrement

Spotting pancreatitis in dogs

Dr Thompson points out,

“chronic pancreatitis in dogs may progress for years with only subtle signs.”

Without intervention, this condition can lead to long-term issues, highlighting the importance of diet and preventive care.

Identifying signs of pancreatitis in dogs can be challenging, mainly because some symptoms can signify other health concerns. For example, dog vomiting and diarrhoea are common symptoms of digestive upset and can have various causes, whilst fevers and gradual weight loss in dogs can be tricky to recognise.

Subtle symptoms can often go unnoticed until the situation has progressed, which is why it’s so important to be observant of your dog’s unique behaviours.

The aim is to create a picture of what’s going on with your dog so that you can present it to your vet in the most informed way possible. The more you tell them, the better they can interpret the situation and act accordingly. If you’re noticing any of the above-listed symptoms and aren’t absolutely sure what’s causing them, it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Importance of prompt veterinary attention:

The sooner you act on dog pancreatitis symptoms, the better. Especially in cases of acute pancreatitis in dogs, time is of the essence; your quick thinking can literally save your dog’s life. Dr Thompson adds

“Acute pancreatitis in dogs is often severe and can be fatal if left untreated.”

However, even the more gradual, chronic pancreatitis in dogs has the potential to do severe damage over time, so it’s just as important to seek professional help.

Consulting with your vet as early as possible will help them utilise the appropriate diagnostic tools and blood tests, for example, and assess the situation before an emergency occurs [4]. This enables them to learn more about what’s going on with your dog, create an appropriate treatment plan, and get your dog on their way to feeling better quickly.

The truth behind the fat myth

It’s a common misconception that any amount or type of fat in the diet causes pancreatitis in dogs. Whilst it’s true that certain foods should be avoided when dogs are prone to pancreatic issues or have already been diagnosed with pancreatitis, the presence of fat itself is not the problem. In fact, dogs actually require fats in their diet to absorb specific vitamins, maintain hormone balance, and keep the inflammation response in check.

I explain this more in my article: The Truth About Fats for Dogs.

Healthy fats facilitate the absorption and assimilation of nutrients found in fresh, high-quality protein. Whilst a lower-fat diet may be prescribed for dogs with acute or chronic pancreatitis, this is usually a temporary measure to allow the pancreas to normalise. Lower-fat raw dog food, like the meal options ProDog offers, allows dogs to maintain their nutrition intake until they can safely return to their usual diet.

Discover our range of nutritious and delicious lower-fat raw dog food meals  

Healthy fats vs. rancid/oxidised fats

While dogs do require fats in their diet for the above-mentioned functions, not all fats are created equally. The most beneficial fats for dogs’ health are raw, unprocessed animal, poultry and fish fats and specific plant sources such as hemp seed oil, ahiflower and green-lipped mussel oil. These sources contain the appropriate ratios of Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids, which provide various health benefits to dogs’ digestive, metabolic, and brain health.

Cooked fats become oxidised and turn rancid quickly due to the chemical process that occurs during heating. The resulting composition is quite different from that of healthy, raw fats and can be responsible for various health issues, including the onset of pancreatitis in dogs.

The heating process essentially strips all nutrients from fat, making it a volatile substance rather than a beneficial one. This triggers the inflammatory response in dogs, which can become systemic and affect various organs and systems. This is why when dogs consistently raid the bin and consume highly cooked fat leftovers (like pork fat/ crackling), this can result in pancreatitis.

Dive into Dr. Nick’s video to uncover the truth about how kibble and dry pet foods are made.

Dietary considerations

It’s critical to consider diet when dealing with (or trying to prevent) pancreatitis in dogs. Nutrition’s role in canine health is far-reaching; it’s the literal backbone of how a dog’s body functions. Species-appropriate nutrition encourages optimal functioning of all bodily systems, whilst the opposite is true of a diet that dogs aren’t naturally designed to digest.

If you’re new to raw feeding, our Raw Dog Food for Beginners guide is the perfect starting point. For a deeper dive, explore our comprehensive guide on the Benefits of Raw Dog Food to learn more.

The canine digestive system does not metabolise processed foods high in starches and grains very well. Though humans like to think that our dogs have “adapted” to process such foods, the increasing prevalence of human-like health disorders, like obesity and diabetes, in the pet community is not coincidental[5].

Dr Thompson, a champion of raw food diets for dogs, says

“Processed foods and high-carbohydrate diets can elevate blood fats, increasing pancreatitis risk. Raw diets, on the other hand, provide balanced nutrition that aligns with your dog’s natural needs.”

Discover more reasons why Dr Nick advocates not feeding dry kibble-based diets in this video.

Food and supplemental support

The correct nutritional support is essential when dealing with canine pancreatitis, or better yet, to prevent it. Dogs are naturally inclined to eat fresh, whole foods that are easily absorbed by their digestive systems and provide essential nutrients for their overall well-being. Raw, meat-based diets with adequate amounts of lean protein, healthy fats, organ meats, and plant fibre provide these crucial elements of nutrition in their most natural form.

For an established diagnosis of pancreatitis in dogs, nutritional supplements and natural remedies are also helpful. Some that I recommend include:

• Bone broth for dogs, is excellent for its hydration and gut health, anti-inflammatory properties
• Slippery elm for soothing inflammation
• Milk thistle for detoxifying the liver and aiding in its regeneration
• Probiotics for restoring dog gut health and balancing bacteria
• Digestive enzymes to help take the strain off the pancreas and food digestion
• Antioxidants, especially vitamin E, and astaxanthin [6] for calming inflammation and maintaining tissue health
• L Glutamine – to support gut integrity and reduce inflammation of the pancreas
• ProDog’s Digest, which contains several of the above ingredients in one convenient, natural supplement, and proven to support and help prevent pancreas issues.

Discover ProDog Digest

Importance of balanced/targeted nutrition

As with anything health-related, balance is critical when it comes to nutrition, especially when dealing with delicate issues such as canine pancreatitis. Giving too much of one nutrient or too little of another can disrupt this crucial balance and cause pancreatic flare-ups or, worse, the onset of acute pancreatitis.

Depending on your dog’s individual condition, their diet will require tweaks that can benefit them in the safest, most natural way. Consulting with a holistic vet or canine nutritionist can be especially helpful here. These professionals are well-versed in the correct foods and supplements to ease the inflammation within your dog’s pancreas and get them on the path to healing.

Integrating holistic/conventional healthcare

Whilst acute pancreatitis in dogs requires immediate veterinary attention, there is value in integrating holistic and conventional veterinary care for long-term pancreatic health support. This dual approach provides your dog with the best of both worlds regarding their medical care: the diagnostic tools of the conventional vet and the whole-dog considerations of the holistic practitioner.

Holistic veterinary role and benefits

Holistic means “relating to or concerned with the whole,” which is precisely how the holistic treatment process works: evaluating everything about the dog rather than simply treating the symptoms on the surface. In most cases, the causes of health concerns are rooted far deeper than they appear, and holistic veterinarians are experts at getting to the bottom of these issues.

Holistic vets are more inclined to offer nutritional support and natural remedies for pancreatitis in dogs while working towards uncovering the root of the issue to provide a lasting resolution. Whilst some conventional vets are well informed on nutritional topics, it’s more likely that a holistic vet will recommend the best options in this regard.

Specialist Canine Nutritionists are also experts on the best nutrients for helping pancreatitis in dogs and can be a complement to your holistic vet’s treatment plan. ProDog’s nutritionist team is always available for free nutritional advice and guidance as well, contact us today.

Healing pancreatitis in dogs

Pancreatitis in dogs can be very painful and result in various complications. However, it’s entirely manageable in the majority of cases and even preventable with a little concentrated effort.

Although a diagnosis of canine pancreatitis can be scary, dogs are naturally capable of healing when given the proper support. Natural remedies, species-appropriate nutrition, and targeted nutritional dog supplements can help support your dog’s pancreas, allowing it to function the way it’s designed to.