Pancreatitis in Dogs

What is Pancreatitis, you ask?

Great question. Pancreatitis is quite simply an inflammation of the pancreas. Your dog’s pancreas serves two main functions: it produces enzymes to help digest food and it produces insulin to help regulate blood sugar levels. When the pancreas is inflamed, these two main jobs are inhibited and in the case of Pancreatitis, enzymes actually start to attack the pancreas and can cause significant harm.

This disease is very serious and can be life threatening, and at the very least, could cause lifelong complications such as subsequent diabetes (in fact, pancreatitis often runs concurrent with diabetes, or vice versa).

If your dog has been diagnosed with Pancreatitis, a reduced-fat diet is recommended. We have an ideal option available in the NOW FRESH Senior Recipe.

Not only does NOW FRESH Senior Recipe have a lower fat level, it also uses Coconut Oil as a fat source. Coconut Oil is a unique oil that is highly palatable and is an exceptional ingredient for dogs with pancreatitis because it is one of the only oils that is easily broken down by dogs and converted into energy without the use of the pancreas.

Diabetic dogs are often incorrectly encouraged to switch to a food that is low in carbohydrates; however, low carb foods are also often higher in protein and fat. Because estimates for dogs with diabetes and pancreatitis occurring concurrently run as high as 40%, an increased fat diet may be contraindicated.

Pancreatitis is easily preventable by ensuring your dog is fed a high quality, nutritious diet and that fatty “treats” (i.e. left-over chicken dinner with gravy) are avoided. Try to side-step the temptation to slide the leftovers off your plate and treat your dog to some nice GO! Solutions or NOW Fresh food instead; we know they’ll love it!

Here are some lower fat options: