Pancreatitis in dogs is a condition during which the pancreas becomes inflamed, releasing several digestive enzymes. It can range in severity from being very mild, to extremely dangerous.
Acute pancreatitis can cause long-lasting damage to the surrounding organs. Chronic pancreatitis, however, is a recurring condition that occurs as a result of consuming a diet rich in fats, or due to prolonged use of certain medications like corticosteroids.
Other causes include, trauma to the pancreas, middle age, and obesity. Certain dog breeds are considered susceptible to this disorder. Apathy, low or irregular appetite, aggressiveness and vomiting are some symptoms that can be observed in the dogs suffering from pancreatitis.
The best way to avoid or control pancreatitis is following a diet that is low in fats. Pets who have a history of pancreatitis or are vulnerable to developing this condition, should be fed a low-fat diet. Concentrate on weight loss for obese pets.
How should a canine pancreatitis diet be?A canine pancreatitis diet should necessarily be a low-fat diet. The diet should be rich in carbohydrates, as these have little effect on the gastrointestinal hormones, which trigger the pancreatic enzymes.
Rice is highly digestible, rich in carbohydrates and can be fed to the dog in small amounts. Along with rice, you can add low-fat cottage cheese or boiled skinless chicken breast. According to dog nutritionists, a canine pancreatitis diet may include white meat chicken, lean and low-fat ground beef, beef heart, beef kidney, egg whites, non-fat plain yogurt, oatmeal, barley and cottage cheese. Cooked vegetables such as winter squash and sweet potatoes can also be considered, as these foods contain low amounts of phosphorus and fat.
Recipe 1
Ingredients
2 cup rice flour
6 tbsp. low-sodium, low-fat chicken broth
1 cup cooked vegetables
(beans, peas, carrots, squash or sweet potatoes, to name a few)
Directions
Combine all the ingredients and add some water or vegetable broth (if required) to make a slightly moist cookie dough. Roll the dough, until it is half an inch thick, and cut into desired shapes. Bake at 350F for about 20-25 minutes and then allow them to cool.
Recipe 2
Ingredients
1 cup cooked stew meat or cut up lean roast, fat drained
cup cooked barley
cup cooked zucchini
cup low or non-fat cottage cheese
tsp. of Berte's Digestion Blend
Directions
Combine all the ingredients, and it's ready to be served.
Recipe 3
Ingredients
1 cup water
3 oz. ground turkey
cup rice
3 oz. frozen vegetables
Directions
Combine the water, turkey and rice into a pot. Lid it, and set on a high flame until it boils. Once it boils, lower the flame and let it simmer for around 20-25 minutes. Occasionally stir the mixture to check if the ingredients are cooked. Add the frozen veggies and let it cook for another 10 minutes. Let it cool before you serve it.
Recipe 4
Ingredients
1 bowl ground chicken
1 carrot, diced
1 stalk of *broccoli, chopped
1 cup whole wheat pasta, cooked
2 tsp. olive oil
Directions
Heat the olive oil in a wok. Add all the ingredients and stir fry till they are cooked. Cool it before serving.
*While broccoli is a rich source of dietary fiber, refrain from feeding excessive amounts to your dog, as it can be harmful. Also keep in mind the size of your dog; smaller dogs, especially find it hard to digest.
Feeding Tips
- As mentioned before, it is necessary to drastically reduce the fat content in your dog's food when he/she is recovering from pancreatitis.
- Ensure that the meal servings are small, but frequent.
- If you wish to feed beef to your dog, make sure that the excess fat is drained.
- This is what an ideal diet should consist-
- part- low-fat animal proteins
- part- low-glycemic vegetables
- part- food with high starch content
- Finally, you must remember that each of these recipes may or may not be liked by your dog. So try to make changes to these recipes, keeping the meal plan in mind.
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