Pancreatitis is a condition in dogs that is usually caused by them consuming too much fat over a period of time.
It’s not nice for them to suffer through, and a lot of the time its roots can be found in the food they are being given (as well as too many scraps from the table).
When pancreatitis hits, it’s time to look at a new diet for your dog.
Guess what? We have the perfect foods for them. Before that, you will need to have your pup checked out at the vet to ensure it is definitely pancreatitis that they are suffering from.
Then, you can take a look at all of the best dog food for pancreatitis that we have gathered for you in this UK guide. Hopefully, you’ll find something that they absolutely love.
1. Editors Pick
Royal Canin Gastrointestinal Food
2. Budget Pick
IAMS for Vitality Light in Fat Food
Contents
- Key Things to Look for
- 1. Royal Canin Gastrointestinal Wet Food
- 2. IAMS for Vitality Light in Fat
- 3. Chudley’s Lite
- 4. Lily’s Kitchen Homestyle Chicken and Turkey (Tin)
- 5. AATU Free Run Chicken
- 6. Hills Prescription Diet Digestive Care (Wet)
- 7. Purina ProPlan Obesity Management
- 8. Burgess Sensitive
- 9. Harringtons Puppy Turkey and Rice
- 10. Royal Canin Maxi Light Weight Care
- FAQs
- Final Thoughts
Key Things to Look for
Stop! Before you jump into the dog food guide, you might want to check out this quick section. Here, you will find all the key things you should be looking for in dog food for pancreatitis.
It’s a great way to make a mental checklist before any final decisions.
Age. This is really important, especially as so many cases of pancreatitis are down to adult dogs being fed puppy food. The reason this is bad is that puppy food has way more calories and fat than adult dog food. Over time, this can cause both obesity and pancreatitis.
Grain/Wheat. This is the most common cause of allergens in dogs, and when they are already suffering from pancreatitis having an ingredient that causes bloating and wind is not ideal. Try to avoid these ingredients where possible, but remember that rice is a good one to have.
Fat Content. Since fat is one of the leading causes of pancreatitis, you will want to keep this number as low as possible. Anything below 15% is ideal, and 20% at a push.
Foods that contain ingredients like salmon will tend to have a slightly higher fat content, but this is because of the healthy omega 3 and 6 fatty acids. Not all fats are bad fats!
Stop! Before you jump into the food guide, you might want to check out this quick section. Here, you will find all the key things you should be looking for in pancreatitis food for your dog.
It’s a great way to make a mental checklist before any final decisions.
Age. This is really important, especially as so many cases of pancreatitis are down to adult dogs being fed puppy food. The reason this is bad is that puppy food has way more calories and fat than adult dog food. Over time, this can cause both obesity and pancreatitis.
Grain/Wheat. This is the most common cause of allergens in dogs, and when they are already suffering from pancreatitis having an ingredient that causes bloating and wind is not ideal. Try to avoid these ingredients where possible, but remember that rice is a good one to have.
Fat Content. Since fat is one of the leading causes of pancreatitis, you will want to keep this number as low as possible. Anything below 15% is ideal, and 20% at a push.
Foods that contain ingredients like salmon will tend to have a slightly higher fat content, but this is because of the healthy omega 3 and 6 fatty acids. Not all fats are bad fats!
Additives. Artificial ingredients like additives can cause stomach upsets that further aggravate the symptoms of pancreatitis. It’s best to stick with dog food that is as natural as possible, allowing you to benefit from healthy ingredients that won’t hurt them.
Sensitive. A lot of the time, sensitive food is the best choice for your dog. It’s gentle on the digestive system, which does help to ease the symptoms of pancreatitis, and it remains nutritionally balanced. It’s certainly worth considering when changing your dog’s diet.
Artificial ingredients like additives can cause stomach upsets that further aggravate the symptoms of pancreatitis. It’s best to stick with food that is as natural as possible, allowing you to benefit from healthy ingredients that won’t hurt them. Read here to learn more about the best dog food for urinary health.
Sensitive. A lot of the time, sensitive food is the best choice for your dog. It’s gentle on the digestive system, which does help to ease the symptoms of pancreatitis, and it remains nutritionally balanced. It’s certainly worth considering when changing your dog’s diet.
1. Royal Canin Gastrointestinal Wet Food
Editor’s Pick
Royal Canin is one of the most trusted brands for gastric health on the market, Royal Canin provides a nourishing meal without any unwanted side effects. It is also great for dogs with IBD, Colitis, Gastritis, amongst others. Vets recognise Royal Canin as one of the best dog foods.
Royal Canin’s Protein content is as high as 8.5%, Which is fantastic for wet food, And the fat content is a mere 6.5%, Even the ash content is as low 2%. Royal Canin is loaded with omega 3 and 6 to provide a healthy coat and joints, it is also classed as a limited ingredient food.
- Key Ingredients: Meat derivatives, fish derivatives, cereals, derivatives of vegetable origin, oils and fats
- Texture: Wet
- Type: Hypoallergenic, sensitive stomachs
- Life Stage: Adult/Senior
- Suitable For: Pancreatitis
Should You Buy it?
Yes, you should buy this low fat dog food. It is perfect for settling stomachs as well as dogs who are suffering from pancreatitis and need less fat in their diets.
Sample Buyer Review
— Elizabeth Rusinowski
2. IAMS for Vitality Light in Fat
Budget Pick
IAMS crunchy goodness comes from one of the most reputable and used brands in the country. Not only is it a sensitive food that’s great for those who suffer from stomach upsets, it’s the ideal kibble for dogs who could stand to lose a little weight and get back in shape.
IAMS Contains a good 20% of protein as well as an impressive 10% fat – Ideal healthy weight watchers and sensitive turns alike. The ash content is as low as 6%, and you have the benefit of ingredients of omega 3 and 6 to improve the immune system and leave a healthier coat.
- Key Ingredients: Maize, Dried Chicken and Turkey, wheat, sorghum, barley, dried beet pulp
- Texture: Dry
- Type: Low-fat
- Life Stage: Adult
- Suitable For: Pancreatitis
Should You Buy it?
Yes, this is a great buy. It comes from a good brand, and the kibble is easy for all breeds to eat and digest. Additionally, it’s packed with all the natural goodness your dog needs for a healthy diet.
Sample Buyer Review
— Sara
3. Chudley’s Lite
Top Low-Calorie Pick
Chudley dry food is one of the more affordable foods here, so you can keep your wallet tight while also ensuring your dog has a better diet. It contains all the key nutrients all your dog needs while leaving them feeling fuller for longer.
Additionally, it also contains carnitine, tapping into the fat reserves for them to burn more energy. Chudley has one of the lowest fat contents we have seen for dry dog food at 5%. Protein is at a fantastic 20%, and the ash contents is pretty good at 6%. It contains loads of prebiotics for good health and to aid digestion.
- Key Ingredients: Whole grain wheat, oats, Chicken meal, maize, barley
- Texture: Dry
- Type: Low-fat, low calorie
- Life Stage: Adult
- Suitable For: Pancreatitis
Should You Buy it?
Yes, this is a great low fat dog food for those on a budget. It’s ideal for dogs that are dieting, and will help them to lose weight so that they can lead a healthier lifestyle.
Sample Buyer Review
— Belinda Quigley
Have a questions? Ask in the comments below
4. Lily’s Kitchen Homestyle Chicken and Turkey (Tin)
Best Natural Pick
This scrumptious wet dog food can be served alone or mixed with dry food for a delicious meal. the good thing about this particular food is that it contains masses of meat and no fibre ingredients – the vegetables are there for added nutrition and to help keep the calories down.
All of the ingredients in this wet food are natural, and it has a great protein content for wet food at 10% and a low 5% of fat and only 2.5% ash. It’s loaded with vitamins and minerals that help strengthen joints and muscles, boost the immune system, and gives them a soft and shiny coat.
- Key Ingredients: Chicken, Freshly Prepared Turkey, Carrots, Squash, Pearl Barley
- Texture: Wet
- Type: Low-fat, natural
- Life Stage: Adults
- Suitable For: Pancreatitis
Should You Buy it?
You should buy this low fat dog food. It is a delicious natural blend full of goodness that will help to ease the symptoms of pancreatitis as well as ensure that they stay in shape.
Sample Buyer Review
— Valerie Jones
5. AATU Free Run Chicken
For Active Dogs
AATU’s gentle kibble is also available as a canned wet food if your dog prefers something a little softer, and is also a great solution for those that have sensitive stomachs. Each of the ingredients, down to the vegetables included, has been carefully chosen for its gentle touch and nutritional value.
AATU’s food is considered a high protein dog food, which is perfect for active dogs as it keeps the energy levels up. it contains a very high 32% protein, as well as 17% fat and 7% ash. It is completely free from grains, white potatoes, and gluten to minimise reaction and leave your dogs full and happy.
- Key Ingredients: Chicken, Sweet Potato, Chickpeas, Peas, Lucerne
- Texture: Dry
- Type: High protein content, grain-free
- Life Stage: Adult
- Suitable For: Pancreatitis
Should You Buy it?
Definitely. If your dog does not have a protein sensitivity, suffers from IBD, or pancreatitis, you will find that they massively benefit from this protein-rich kibble.
Sample Buyer Review
— Rachel Hurford
6. Hills Prescription Diet Digestive Care (Wet)
Vet Recommended Pick
This wet food comes from one of the most reputable brands, and its frequent vet recommendation just adds to its reliability. It has been specially designed to be low in fat while also aiding digestion, making it ideal for conditions ranging from pancreatitis to colitis.
It contains settling ingredients like ginger, as well as omega 3 and 6 fatty acids to aid the digestion process as well as provide a healthy coat, joints, bones, and immune system. The protein content is a little low at 6%, but the fat is also low at 2.2% alongside a mere 1% ash.
- Key Ingredients: Meat derivatives, cereals, derivatives of vegetable origin, vegetables, minerals
- Texture: Wet
- Type: Digestive health, low-fat
- Life Stage: Adult
- Suitable For: Pancreatitis
Should You Buy it?
You should definitely buy this low fat dog food. It is gentle on the digestive system as well as low in fat, easing the discomfort of pancreatitis for your pup as well as giving them a balanced diet.
Sample Buyer Review
— Susan Day
Have a questions? Ask in the comments below
7. Purina ProPlan Obesity Management
For the Chunky Pups
This wet food is perfect for those on a budget, as well as chunky pups that need fewer calories and fat in their diets. It’s gentle on the digestive system, promoting a smoother system. At the same time, it also helps to improve lean muscle mass and provide them with the right nutrients.
It contains an excellent protein content of 11% as well as a lovely low-fat content at 3%, and 2% ash. It’s perfect for dogs with pancreatitis both for its gentle design and the fact that it will help keep your dog in good shape. Nutritionally, it is beautifully balanced to meet all of their needs.
- Key Ingredients: chicken, liver, rice, powdered cellulose, soy protein isolate
- Texture: Wet
- Type: Low-fat, low-calorie
- Life Stage: Adult
- Suitable For:Pancreatitis
Should You Buy it?
Yes. Obesity and too much fat can be a major contributing factor to pancreatitis, and so it is important to pick a food that your dog will thrive on and will also help keep their weight down – to keep a healthy weight.
Sample Buyer Review
— Valerie Jones
8. Burgess Sensitive
Top Hypoallergenic Pick
This brilliant kibble has been made for dogs that need food that is both hypoallergenic and kind to the digestive system. The gentle carbs alongside lean meat promise smooth digestion, and the addition of beet pulp brings plenty of fibre to encourage firm stools and less stomach upset.
The protein content is 20% and it also contains a low 10% fat. The ash content is a little high at 10%, but this is overshadowed by the brilliant nutritional value as well as ingredients such as amino acids and omega 3 and 6. It promises food will be easy to digest as well as balanced nutrition.
- Key Ingredients: Rice, Lamb Meal, Unmolassed Beet Pulp, Poultry Fat, Fish Oil
- Texture: Dry
- Type: Hypoallergenic, gluten-free
- Life Stage: Adult
- Suitable For:Pancreatitis
Should You Buy it?
Yes. This is a brilliant brand of low fat dog food, and the fact that it is hypoallergenic means that it’s not just gentle on your dog’s stomach, it also means that you don’t need to worry about reactions.
Sample Buyer Review
— ANKRITT
9. Harringtons Puppy Turkey and Rice
Best Puppy Pick for Diarrhoea
Even puppies can suffer from pancreatitis, and the important thing is that you are able to balance appropriate low fat dog food with necessary nutrition – which Harringtons does perfectly. It is kinder on the digestive system, providing them with a more comfortable mealtime that they can enjoy.
Nutritionally, it is both complete and balanced, providing your puppy with everything they need in order to grow into a happy and healthy adult.
It contains excellent protein levels at 28% for giving your pup plenty of energy, as well as a low-fat level of 10% and 8% ash. It’s ideal for sensitive stomachs caused by conditions like pancreatitis.
- Key Ingredients: Maize, Turkey Meal, Rice, Meat Meal, Poultry Fat
- Texture: Dry
- Type: Natural
- Life Stage: Puppy
- Suitable For: Pancreatitis
Should You Buy it?
Yes, you should buy this low fat dog food. It has been made to be easy to digest while also ensuring that they are getting enough energy and nutrition to thrive and grow.
Sample Buyer Review
— Judith Kirk
Have a questions? Ask in the comments below
10. Royal Canin Maxi Light Weight Care
Best Large Breed Pick
This crunchy and delicious kibble is ideal for large breeds of dog, namely because it contains the perfect balance of nutrients to keep them healthy. It’s ideal for helping chunky large breed dogs lose weight, helping them to recover from conditions like pancreatitis.
There is also a wet food option if you want to mix things up a little.
The protein content is fantastic at 27%, and it also contains 11% fat alongside 8% ash. This particular food has also been designed to not only be gentle on the stomach, but also to keep bones and muscles strong as well as boosting the immune system so they can live their best lives.
- Key Ingredients: Poultry protein, maize, barley, rice, vegetable protein
- Texture: Dry
- Type: Low-fat
- Life Stage: Adult
- Suitable For: Pancreatitis
Should You Buy it?
Yes, you should buy this food as its ones of the best dog food for pancreatitis . It is perfect for large breeds of dog that suffer from pancreatitis and need food that is both low in fat and lean.
Sample Buyer Review
— Debby A
FAQs
What is Pancreatitis?
Pancreatitis is, in short, an inflammation of the pancreas (the organ that helps digestion). In a healthy pancreas, the enzymes that are released only become active when they reach the small intestine. However, in a dog with pancreatitis, the enzymes are active when they are released.
This inflames the pancreas and causes damage to it, as well as its surrounding tissues and organs. These enzymes can even start to digest the pancreas itself, causing your dog severe amounts of pain.
Is Pancreatitis Dangerous?
Yes, pancreatitis can be dangerous. If left untreated, this severe illness can result in death. This is why it is important to treat pancreatitis as soon as it is diagnosed – your dog has much better chances of recovery.
What are the Symptoms of Pancreatitis?
There are several symptoms of pancreatitis, but it should be noted that this illness can be hard to spot in its earliest stages. Here are some of the classic signs in dogs:
- Hunched back
- Repeated vomiting
- Pain in the abdomen
- Distension (bloating)
- Diarrhoea
- Dehydration
- Lethargy
- Fatigue/weakness
What Causes Pancreatitis?
There are several different causes of pancreatitis, but one of the most common is a diet that is too high in fat. Much of the time, it comes from owners who have fed adult dogs puppy food for prolonged periods of time, or dogs who have been sneaking cat food.
Here is a full list of causes of pancreatitis:
- High-fat diet
- A history of eating anything and everything (hello, Labradors)
- Obesity
- Hypothyroidism
- Severe blunt trauma
- Diabetes
- Some medications (rarely)
- Genetic predisposition (rarely)
Final Thoughts
Helping our dog to lead a happier and more comfortable life is important, and what better way than providing them with food that they can eat without fear of repercussions? Pancreatitis can take time and work to overcome, but with a good diet, you should find that they recover well.
For this reason, we have ensured that each of the foods listed here suit a wide range of budgets. Not everyone can afford to spend a fortune on special new foods, and this is something we understand.
While Royal Canin remains our top recommendation, every dog food in this guide will help your pup to battle pancreatitis.
What did you think of our guide to the best dog food for pancreatitis UK? Did we help you find the perfect recipe, or are you still on the hunt for food? Your experiences and feedback are important to us, so leave a message in the comment section below.
For over a decade, Adrienne has been a freelance content writer and blogger who’s passion lies in anything related to dogs. Growing up, dogs were a very important part of family life in the Hardwick household. Now, Adrienne is the proud parent to two Swedish Vallhunds called Moose and Pumpkin.