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Best Dog Food for Pancreatitis 2024
Written by Joe Holyoake
Veterinary reviewed by:
Published: 11/14/2023, edited: 01/22/2024
The Wag! team conducts independent research and consults pet experts to curate our recommendations. This content is supported by our affiliate pet partners and we may receive a commission on the links provided.
What to feed a dog with pancreatitis? This is a question many pet parents will find themselves asking, either because their dog has been diagnosed with the medical condition or they have a breed that’s more susceptible to developing the disease at some point in life (this is especially true of Miniature Schnauzers, Yorkshire Terriers, Dachshunds and Poodles)
Thankfully, there’s lots of food for dogs with pancreatitis to choose from. These recipes will be low in fat and easily digestible, as well as containing top-quality ingredients and all the essential vitamins and minerals.
“For dogs with pancreatitis, feed a low-fat, easily digestible diet such as prescription GI low-fat wet or dry food,” says Dr. Georgia Jeremiah, pet nutrition expert and one of Wag!’s veterinary consultants. “Split meals into smaller, frequent portions, and avoid high-fat treats or scraps. Consult your veterinarian for a tailored diet plan if episodes are frequent.”
Here are our top picks when it comes to dog food for pancreatitis sufferers.
Overview
JustFoodForDogs
Best fresh dog food for pancreatitis
Just because a pet has pancreatitis, it doesn’t mean they can’t eat fresh dog food — parents just have to be a little more careful about which recipe they put in the bowl. This is because fresh dog food tends to use a lot of meats that are naturally higher in fat.
Many of the pre-prepared meals from JustFoodForDogs are on the healthier end of the scale, containing lean, human-grade meats supplemented with vegetables, fruit and essential minerals.
The resulting meals have low levels of crude fat (as low as 2%), are highly digestible and completely absent of artificial flavors, preservatives and other unnecessary chemicals.
This is the closest you can get to homemade dog food for pancreatitis without actually having to do any work in the kitchen — now you can see why we’ve got so many kind words for it.
JustFoodForDogs Dog Food
Why Wag! Loves It
- The ingredients are all human-grade so you can be assured your pet’s eating well
- The recipe is supplemented with Omega fatty acids for great skin and coat health
- The crude fat levels are all under 10%, which is ideal for dogs with pancreatitis
- The wide array of recipes helps add variety to a dog’s diet
Considerations & Concerns
- The crude protein levels aren’t particularly high and are easily beaten by many dry and wet foods
- The high cost will put it out of reach for a lot of parents
- The meals are shipped frozen, so parents will need lots of space in their freezer
What Pet Parents Say About JustFoodForDogs
“After changing our little 9 yr old Maltese's food, we've noticed that his coat looks healthier, gets less of the tear stains, and seems to have more energy these days. He seems to love it! We definitely recommend them! Especially if you have a smaller breed as it could get pricey with larger breeds if you're only feeding them Just Food.”
“This company has truly given more years of life to my little Jayden. No one can believe she is almost 14 years old! She has tons of energy and loves the food so so much. I tell every dog lover about this company. I’m so grateful!”
Read more reviews on Trustpilot.
Product image sourced from Chewy. Copyright JustFoodForDogs.
The Honest Kitchen One Pot Stews
Vet recommended
Pretty much every cuisine has its own version of the humble stew. Now, even dogs can enjoy the dish with The Honest Kitchen’s One Pot Stew range.
Roasted beef, slow-cooked chicken, braised beef and lamb — these recipes may sound decadent, but the crude fat levels are suitable for a low fat diet for Pancreatitis sufferers.
The fact that the brand uses only human-grade meat and whole foods in the ingredient lists means parents can be sure their pet is chowing down on the creme de la creme of dog food.
It shouldn’t be surprising to learn that The Honest Kitchen gets a big thumbs-up from Dr Georgia Jeremiah.
“The Honest Kitchen offers convenient dry, dehydrated, and wet food options that use high protein meat sources and are fortified with fish oils and essential nutrients such as taurine,” she says.
The Honest Kitchen Dog Food
Why Wag! Loves It
- The crude fat levels are low enough for dogs with pancreatitis to enjoy
- The choice of four different recipes is a boon for parents of fussy dogs
- The human-grade ingredients are great for digestibility
- The food is recommended by one of Wag!’s veterinary consultants
- The wet recipe has lots of moisture, so ideal for dogs that need help with hydration
Considerations & Concerns
- The protein levels are low compared to most other wet or dry recipes
- The products are definitely on the pricier side of things
- The company has been subject to recalls in the past (but not since 2013)
What Pet Parents Say About The Honest Kitchen One Pot Stews
“We've used Honest Kitchen for a number of our dogs over the years and all except one really liked it. Our current two pups can't wait for meal time but I give them kibble topped with Honest Chicken dehydrated in order to reap the benefits of both. The preparation takes a bit of getting used to but I make up a decent-sized batch and refrigerate what's left for up to 2 days. Works for us.”
“They make great dog food. Switched our 12 year old lab over thanks to a friends recommendation and the skin issues are just about gone.”
Read more reviews on Trustpilot.
Product image sourced from Chewy. Copyright The Honest Kitchen.
Blue Buffalo Natural Veterinary Diet Gastrointestinal Support Wet Food
Vet recommended
The majority of dog foods on this list — and low-fat dog foods in general — will be dry. This is because kibble tends to contain markedly less fat than wet, fresh or raw alternatives (although protein levels are lower).
If your pet finds it difficult to tolerate dry dog food for whatever reason, there are some wet options to be found. Our pick of the bunch is from Blue Buffalo. The fat levels are some of the lowest we’ve found at a maximum of just 4%, but the ingredient list isn’t full of filler ingredients — in fact, whitefish is listed as the very first.
Plus, it gets the seal of approval from Dr Georgia Jeremiah, a pet nutrition expert and one of Wag!’s veterinary consultants.
“Blue Buffalo dog food products cater to different life stages, sizes, and breeds of dogs. They offer formulations containing limited ingredients, which may be beneficial for dogs with certain dietary sensitivities,” she says.
Blue Buffalo Dog Food
Why Wag! Loves It
- The fact it’s a rare wet low fat dog food for pancreatitis is super helpful
- The brand is recommended by Dr Georgia Jeremiah, a veterinary nutrition expert
- The crude fat levels are incredibly low at a maximum of 4%
- The addition of probiotic fibers is great for boosting gastrointestinal health
Considerations & Concerns
- The sole flavor option might be an issue for parents of fussy eaters
- The product needs veterinary authorization to purchase
- The protein levels are particularly low at 8%
What Pet Parents Say About Blue Buffalo Natural Veterinary Diet Gastrointestinal Support
“I ordered this for my 13+ year old Pomeranian who recently suffered an episode of severe pancreatitis which resulted, unfortunately, in kidney failure. As a result of her illness, she is frequently nauseous and quite picky with her food. I ordered this in an attempt to find a low-fat diet she would eat, and while she DID originally show some interest in this food, she now refuses to eat it. My younger male Pomeranian was interested in this, so I think it would work well for an otherwise healthy dog who needs a low-fat prescription diet for gastrointestinal issues. It just didn't work for my dog in my specific situation.”
“My dog loves it. My old girl who is almost 17 years old had basically stopped eating. I purchased this dog food because it is low fat and gastrointestinal for her chronic [pancreatitis].”
“Our boy had pancreatitis in the past & low fat food is suggested. We mix this low fat with the regular Blue GI Natural Diet canned - half and half - along with the Hill's Biome dry... A little costly but worth it!”
Read more reviews on Chewy.
Product image sourced from Chewy. Copyright Blue Buffalo Company Ltd.
Nulo FreeStyle Grain-Free Adult Trim Dry Food
Best dry dog food for all life stages
What is the best low fat dog food for pancreatitis? We think Nulo FreeStyle’s Adult Trim recipe is right up there.
Why so? Well, the fat levels are reassuringly low at a maximum of 9%, but this is matched by an impressive 30% crude protein, too — this will massively help your pet’s muscle growth and repair.
The ingredient list makes for easy reading as it’s mostly full of natural foodstuffs, including cod as the first listed. Probiotics and L-carnitine have also been added to improve immune health and metabolism respectively.
Nulo Dog Food
Why Wag! Loves It
- The first ingredient is deboned cod rather than fish meal or byproducts
- The crude fat level is a maximum of 9%, which is ideal for a dog pancreatitis diet
- The 30% crude protein is good news for your dog’s muscles
- The added probiotic strains help with digestion and immune support
- The recipe is suitable for adult dogs of all sizes
Considerations & Concerns
- The fact there’s only one flavor means there’s inflexibility when it comes to picky pups
- The price is a lot higher than you’ll find for other dry dog food
- The kibble might be difficult to consume for some dogs, say those with bad teeth or breathing difficulties
What Pet Parents Say About Nulo FreeStyle Grain-Free Adult Trim Dry Food
“Happy to find a dog food that states on the label the fat content and is chicken free. Very hard to find. Our 10 pound Bichon had a case of pancreatitis and we needed to change food and treats. She loves the food and her levels are going down. Hopefully no more flare ups. We have had no issues with the food.”
“My 14-year-old teacup poodle terrier mix has pancreatitis and has been on this low-fat prescription diet for almost a year now. He is also toothless, so I hydrate his food and process it for him and mix it with another brand of low-fat canned wet dog food. That being said, the food does have a strong fishy smell but he loves it and has been able to achieve a healthier weight since he was too thin at the time of being diagnosed. I did my research and feel confident that this food has provided adequate nutrition for him at a price I can afford.”
Read more reviews on Chewy.
Product image sourced from Chewy. Copyright Nulo.
American Journey Senior
Best senior dog food for pancreatitis
Pancreatitis can happen to dogs of any age, but it’s slightly more common in middle-aged and older canines. These pets are more likely to exercise less and become obese, which is a big contributory factor in the development of pancreatitis.
When a pet with pancreatitis is old enough to start eating senior dog food — between six and eight usually — parents should choose a product that’s low in fat.
This is because the crude fat level sits at 10% (minimum) and there are also all sorts of additions that will benefit older canines. This includes glucosamine and chondroitin for improved joint health and coconut oil for brain function.
The food itself is top notch too. American Journey has four recipes formulated for dogs of senior age. There are two grain-free dry food recipes — Chicken & Sweet Potato, and Salmon & Sweet Potato — and two Protein & Grains recipes. These are Salmon, Brown Rice & Vegetables, and Chicken, Brown Rice & Vegetables. All four senior recipes are excellent options.
American Journey Senior Dog Food
Why Wag! Loves It
- The grain-free recipe could be easier for sensitive stomachs to tolerate
- The added glucosamine and chondroitin help aging joints
- The first ingredient is deboned salmon, rather than fish meal or byproducts
- The crude fat level is suitable for dogs with pancreatitis
- The chicken and sweet potato version is also available in case your dog turns their nose up at the salmon
Considerations & Concerns
- The kibble might be hard for old dogs with weaker teeth to eat
- The price is a little higher than other dry dog foods (but arguably for good reason)
- The product is only available to buy on Chewy
What Pet Parents Say About American Journey Senior
“I needed a senior formula for my pup, but I’m super picky. I wanted to keep her on something fish based for her allergies, but low enough in fat so as not to give her pancreatitis a flare up. She has no teeth, so the kibble couldn’t be too big either. This [fits] the bill across all fronts AND she really likes it!”
“My Pug/boxer mix boy is 14, he's been eating this senior food for years and not only does he really like it but his blood work is excellent and his joints are not stiff or painful.”
Read more reviews at Chewy.
Product image sourced from the Chewy website. Copyright Chewy, Inc.
Merrick Grain-Free Healthy Weight
Vet recommended
Merrick tends to score highly on many of our dog food recommendation lists and there’s good reason for that.
“Merrick products are made with high-quality, whole food ingredients, and they use no artificial preservatives, colors, or flavors,” says Dr Jeremiah.
If you’re after pancreatitis food for dogs, Merrick has a suitable option available. The grain-free healthy weight recipe is low in fat but still massively high in protein — much of the latter comes from the inclusion of deboned beef, which sits at the top of the ingredient list.
Along with these digestible ingredients is the addition of glucosamine and chondroitin for improved joints and Omega fatty acids for healthy skin and coat. This is very much a dog food that will keep your pet in prime condition.
Merrick Dog Food
Why Wag! Loves It
- The brand is recommended by one of our veterinary consultants, Dr Georgia Jeremiah
- The first listed ingredient is real deboned beef rather than byproducts or meals
- The crude fat levels sit at 10%, which is good for preventing or treating pancreatitis
- The crude protein level is much higher at 30%, which is great news for muscle growth and repair
- The grain-free recipe will be appreciated by dogs sensitive to these ingredients
Considerations & Concerns
- The sole flavor option could be unhelpful for pets with allergies or discerning palettes
- The kibble might be difficult for some older dogs to consume
- The price is higher than many other dry dog foods (although we can understand why)
What Pet Parents Say About Merrick Grain-Free Healthy Weight
“We have two dogs and one was diagnosed with chronic pancreatitis at two years old. She needed to be switched to a low fat food or she would remain very sick and possibly die. We tried Merrick grain free healthy weight which cut her fat intake by more than half. She's been on this food for two years now and is doing very well. This saves us significant money as we do not have to resort to a prescription low fat food from the vet. Our second dog, who is the same age, is also on this food and doing fine with it so we don't have to buy and store two different kinds”
“Our 10 year old boxer was diagnosed with hypothyroidism and pancreatitis about 5 years ago and was also diagnosed with a heart problem this spring. Because of his health issues, we have a hard time finding dry dog food that is less than $80 a bag and actually meets his dietary needs. He seems to really love this food and is doing better than he has in years. His acid reflux issues are better (heart medication related) and he has a lot more energy. I don’t know if this food is helpful with weight loss or not, as that is not why we bought this food, but our dog seems to love it and is not having any issues with it.”
Read more reviews on Petco.
Product image sourced from the Chewy website. Copyright Merrick Pet Care.
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