Diets for Dogs With Pancreatitis

If your dog has been diagnosed with pancreatitis, a condition in which the pancreas becomes inflamed, it’s likely that a veterinarian has recommended he be put on a special diet. Understanding how to meet your pooch’s special dietary needs will help you keep this potentially fatal condition controlled so that your dog can live as long and healthy a life as possible.

Royal Canin Digestive LF 20

This prescription-only dog food is specifically made for dogs with pancreatitis and other chronic gastrointestinal conditions. It’s a low-fat food that comes in both canned and dry versions. A low-fiber content ensures high digestibility. It’s made of rice, chicken meal, wheat, corn gluten meal, died beet pulp and natural flavors. This food comes in dry kibbled and canned varieties.

Hill’s Prescription Diet i/d

Like the previous dog food, Hill’s Prescription Diet i/d comes in both dry kibble and canned forms. It’s formulated to be highly digestible and low in fat. It also has added antioxidants to limit oxidation and ensure a healthy immune system. It’s made with ground corn, brewer’s rice, dried egg product, chicken by-product meal and corn gluten.

Homemade Diet

When your dog eats proteins, the stomach releases certain enzymes that in dogs with pancreatitis can make the inflammation of the pancreas even worse. These enzymes are gastrin, secretin and cholecystokinin, according to the Dog Health Guide’s website. Owners should avoid feeding dogs with pancreatitis foods with fatty acids and amino acids. Instead, they should focus on carbohydrates, which do not induce further inflammation.




A homemade diet with a rice base works well. You can add some low-fat proteins such as cottage cheese and skinless chicken breast. No more than 18 percent of the energy your dog gets from food should come from fat. Owners should keep this in mind if they will be preparing homemade food for a pet.