Choosing Safe and Healthy Treats for Dogs with Pancreatitis

Pancreatitis is a serious condition that can significantly affect a dog’s health and wellbeing. It occurs when the pancreas becomes inflamed, leading to digestive issues and other complications. For dogs with pancreatitis, diet management is crucial and that includes selecting the right treats as well as food for them. While managing this condition requires care, it doesn’t mean your dog has to miss out on tasty treats, it just means you need to be more aware of what should be avoided.

Here’s our guide to help you know how to choose treats that are both safe and satisfying for dogs with pancreatitis.

Understanding Pancreatitis in Dogs

Pancreatitis occurs when the pancreas is overworked or irritated, leading to inflammation, and this can be triggered for various reasons. Common causes include:

• High Fat Diets: Feeding fatty foods or treats can strain the pancreas and trigger inflammation.
• Obesity: Excess weight can increase the likelihood of pancreatic issues.
• Medications: Some drugs, such as corticosteroids, have been linked to pancreatitis. Corticosteroids like prednisone, often used to treat inflammation or autoimmune conditions, can affect the balance of enzymes in the pancreas, leading to inflammation. Other drugs, including certain chemotherapy medications, anticonvulsants, and immunosuppressive drugs, may also increase the risk of pancreatitis.
• Underlying Health Conditions: Diseases like diabetes or hypothyroidism can make dogs more prone to pancreatitis. Dogs with diabetes are at higher risk because the pancreas is responsible for producing insulin and when compromised by diabetes, it may become more susceptible to inflammation. Similarly, hypothyroidism can lead to obesity, which places extra stress on the pancreas. Pancreatitis is the inflammation of the pancreas, an organ responsible for producing enzymes that aid digestion and hormones like insulin.

The pancreas is responsible for producing enzymes that aid digestion and hormones like insulin. When inflamed, the pancreas can’t function properly, leading to symptoms such as:

• Vomiting and diarrhoea.
• Abdominal pain or sensitivity.
• Loss of appetite.
• Lethargy and weakness.

A high fat diet is a common trigger for pancreatitis, as fatty foods increase the workload on the pancreas. This is why managing fat intake is critical for dogs with this condition.

Key Considerations When Choosing Treats (also relevant for choosing food!)

1. Low Fat Content

Choosing low fat treats is essential for dogs with pancreatitis. As a general rule, treats should contain less than 10% fat, although your vet should provide specific recommendations based on your dog’s needs. Make sure to ask them! Even treats marketed as “low fat” should be checked for their actual fat percentage to ensure suitability.

2. Simple, Natural Ingredients

Treats with minimal, natural ingredients are gentler on a sensitive digestive system. Look for single-ingredient options – something like air-dried or dehydrated fish is usually good - to reduce the risk of triggering a flare-up.

3. Easily Digestible

Avoid rich, greasy or overly complex treats. Focus on options that are light and easy to digest, like vegetable-based chews, hypoallergenic treats or lean proteins. These are less likely to stress the pancreas.

4. Treat in Moderation

Treats should only make up a small part of your dog’s daily caloric intake. Offer small, bite-sized pieces and limit the frequency to prevent overloading their digestive system.

The Importance of Reading Labels

Getting into the habit of reading labels is critical when you're managing a dog with pancreatitis. Check the packaging for:

• Fat Percentage: Ensure it aligns with your vet’s recommendations.
• Ingredients: Look for natural, simple, recognisable ingredients and avoid vague terms like “animal fat” or “meat by-products.”
• Additives: Steer clear of treats with artificial preservatives, flavours or colours that could irritate your dog’s digestive system.

If the label on a product doesn’t specify its fat content, it’s better to avoid it and opt for one that does.

Best Treat Options for Dogs with Pancreatitis

Here are some examples of treats that can work well for dogs with pancreatitis:

• Low-Fat Biscuits, Treats and Chews: some of our more popular products are Pooch's Fish Finger biscuits, Venison Sticks, Rice Bones, Strawberry Yak Snacks and all of the Soopa range of treats and dental sticks.
• Vegetable-Based Treats: a bit favourite is dehydrated Sweet Potato
• Dehydrated Proteins: fishy treats like Fish Cubes, Fish Fingers and Goat Sticks
  

Always introduce new treats slowly and monitor your dog for any signs of discomfort.

Treats to Avoid

Some treats and chews can exacerbate pancreatitis and should be avoided:

• High-fat chews, such as pig ears or rawhide - a big no no!
  
• Dairy-based treats, like cheese.
• Rich and processed treats with a high sugar or fat content.
• Bones with visible fat or marrow.

Consult Your Vet

Your vet is the best resource for understanding the management of your dog’s pancreatitis. They can:

• Recommend an appropriate fat percentage for treats and food.
• Suggest suitable treat types and sometimes even specific brands.
• Help you understand how treats fit into your dog’s overall dietary plan.

By combining your vet’s advice with careful label reading, you can ensure your dog has treats that are both safe and enjoyable.

Conclusion

We have done the research on your behalf and created a dedicated section on our website to help dog owners identify low-fat treats suitable for dogs with pancreatitis.

Looking for dog treats containing less than 5% fat? CLICK HERE

Or maybe treats with between 5-10% fat? Then CLICK HERE

Managing pancreatitis doesn’t mean your dog has to miss out on treats. By choosing low-fat, natural, and easily digestible options, you can safely reward your furry friend while supporting their health. Always read labels carefully, consult your vet, and introduce new treats gradually. With the right approach, treat time can remain a happy and stress-free experience for both you and your dog.