What should you feed 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 becomes 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.

Eating high levels of fat and protein will cause the pancreas to start working to produce digestive enzymes. So to allow the pancreas to rest you need to feed less fat and protein.

The general recommendation is for a diet with 10% - 15% fat on a dry matter basis, but for more severe cases , especially with associated risk factors as hyperlipidaemia, an even lower fat content below 10% of dry matter basis is recommended.   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 in a diet 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

SPECIFICTM diets is only available at selected vets (Who really love cats)

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