We often have pet parents come in who are concerned about their dog that has recently been diagnosed with Pancreatitis. Most of the time, their veterinarian has advised them to switch their dog to a prescription low fat kibble made by Hills, Science Diet or Purina. While we would never advise anyone to not follow their vets advice, many of these pet parents are looking at the ingredient list of the prescription food, (or their dog won’t eat the new food), and they wonder if there is something else they can feed their pup that will meet the low fat requirements.
Many holistic veterinarians believe that specialized prescription foods are not the solution – that in fact, highly processed kibble actually contributes to pancreatitis. Dr. Karen Becker, a highly respected holistic veterinarian, says that, “Raw fat (even very high fat) diets don’t cause pancreatitis, but cooked (oxidized) fat does induce pancreatitis in some patients, even when fed in small amounts. So the question I think we should be asking is, are the highly processed, poor quality fats (heated repeatedly, up to four times during the manufacturing process) used to create pet food contributing to the epidemic of chronic, low-grade pancreatitis occurring worldwide in pets?”
She goes on to say that, “Cooked fats should be avoided, across the board, especially foods that have been re-heated multiple times (kibble). In addition, processed pet food is devoid of the natural food-based enzymes that help reduce pancreatic stress, which is why I suspect the pancreas of many pets exists in a state of chronic, low-grade inflammation. Food that doesn't contain natural enzymes stresses the pancreas, which then tries to make up the difference.”
Dr. Conor Brady, an international speaker on canine nutrition and health, emphasizes that, “the causes of pancreatitis in dogs is from carbohydrates, NOT fat. Now more than ever, your dog needs you to move away from that bag of ultra-processed dry kibble and feed your dog what their body needs – fresh, real food.”
Here are 2 articles that go into more detail on this topic.
https://www.dogsfirst.ie/diet-for-pancreatitis-in-dogs/
https://www.barkandwhiskers.com/2023-11-29-canine-pancreatitis-demystified/
Do not go against what your vet is telling you to do, but depending on the severity of the pancreatitis and other factors, you may want to ask your vet about other options.
Information in this article is not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure your pet and is not a substitute for veterinary care provided by a licensed veterinarian.