Understanding and Addressing Pancreatitis in Dogs: A Holistic Approach to Health
After the festive Christmas period, many dogs may face a potential health challenge in the form of pancreatitis, an inflammation of the pancreas. This period is often marked by generous servings of rich and flavorful Christmas food, where some might end up in the dog's bowl. Dogs, known for their enthusiastic approach to delicacies, can easily encounter problematic dietary situations during this celebratory time.
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Pancreatitis, or inflammation of the pancreas, poses a significant threat to a dog's well-being. Although it can be a one-time occurrence, often triggered by the ingestion of inappropriate food, it can also become a recurring issue. In such cases, addressing the dog's diet becomes paramount.
Consulting a veterinarian is essential for diagnosing and managing pancreatitis, providing necessary pain relief, and ruling out any serious conditions. However, a key aspect of the solution lies in providing the dog with a carefully tailored, natural diet that eliminates processed food and unnatural nutrients.
The animal content in the diet should be capped at 50%, ensuring it is of high quality with an exceptionally low fat content (absolute maximum of 5% fat). Organic options are preferred whenever possible.
Rotation between different recipes is recommended. As the inflammation subsides, the diet can be expanded with new recipes and ingredients. However, maintaining a focus on lean animal protein is crucial, and the ratio should not exceed 50% even after the inflammation has subsided.
Highly concentrated and ultra-processed feeds, along with excessive consumption of fatty animal products, contribute to pancreas overload.
To address these issues, a thorough review of the diet is necessary. The foremost priority is, of course, to steer clear of the food that made the dog ill. It is seldom a good idea to switch dry food for another dry food.
But what should a dog suffering from recurrent pancreatitis eat?
Although carbohydrates are not necessary for dogs, some vegetables can offer benefits, such as providing energy to the brain and nervous system, nourishing the intestinal bacterial flora with fibers, and offering vitamins and minerals found in vegetables.
Carbohydrates provide energy to the brain and nervous system.
Fibers nourish the intestinal bacterial flora.
Vegetables add volume to the food and satiety to the dog.
Vegetables contain vitamins, minerals, and trace elements.
Cottage cheese and quark contain lactose (milk sugar), which is a carbohydrate. If you want to avoid lactose, choose lactose-free dairy products. Most dogs, however, digest lactose in moderate amounts without any issues. Cottage cheese and quark have low fat content but are rich in protein and are excellent as a variation to meat.
Portion Sizes:
The table shows an approximate daily feeding amount. Divide the food amount into the desired number of meals (1 – 4). Remember that all dogs are unique, and the food amount must be adjusted for the individual. The dog may need more or less food; you simply have to experiment.
Supplementation:
Before each serving, add the following feed supplements according to the dosage instructions on the packaging:
Nurture Flora 30 ml
Organic Calcium & Minerals (Unfortunately, I haven't found a good alternative to our Swedish version, but when you're looking, keep in mind that it must be organically bound minerals in a bioavailable form.)
Other supplementation that can help with pancreatitis:
Add 2 crushed anise seeds to each meal.
Digestive enzymes
Fermented vegetables
For snacks, treats, and toppings:
Banana
Apple
Pineapple
Papaya
Melon
Fish Treats (dried fish, 1 pc/10kg body weight/day)
All fruit should be ripe, peeled, and preferably organic.
It is crucial to be mindful of the connection between diet and pancreatitis in dogs, particularly following periods of extravagant food consumption like the Christmas holiday. Deliberating and adjusting the dog's diet to a balanced and nutritious one is vital to avoid burdening the pancreas. Steering clear of highly concentrated and ultra-processed feed options with an excessive amount of fatty animal products is a significant step toward ensuring the long-term health and well-being of our canine companions. Awareness of these connections empowers dog owners to make informed decisions for their four-legged friends and promote a lifestyle that fosters good health and happiness. For recipes of different alternatives to vary between, click here to access our completely free membership site where you can download a continuously growing library of PDF files.
/Mirabelle Wesden
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