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🐾 Health Matters: Pancreatitis in Dogs

Pancreatitis is a painful and sometimes serious condition that affects many dogs.

Sophie avatar
Written by Sophie
Updated over a week ago

Pancreatitis is a painful and sometimes serious condition that affects many dogs. It can come on suddenly, often without warning. But with the right care, recovery is usually complete and diet plays a key role in keeping your dog well long term.

Contents

  1. What is the pancreas?

  2. What is pancreatitis?

  3. What causes it?

  4. What are the symptoms?

  5. How is it treated?

  6. The role of raw feeding

  7. Where to get help

  8. Top 5 Takeouts

1. What is the pancreas?

The pancreas sits near the stomach and plays two important roles:

  • Endocrine: It produces hormones like insulin and glucagon to regulate blood sugar

  • Exocrine: It produces digestive enzymes that break down food in the small intestine

When the pancreas is working well, we barely notice it. But when it becomes inflamed, it can cause severe discomfort and serious illness, a condition known as pancreatitis.

2. What is pancreatitis?

Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas. It’s not an infection, but it’s still serious. When inflammation sets in, the digestive enzymes are activated too early — inside the pancreas instead of the intestine. This causes the pancreas to effectively start digesting itself.

Pancreatitis can range from mild to life-threatening. It may be a one-off episode or become a chronic, recurring problem. In rare cases, the damage affects other functions too, leading to conditions like:

  • Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) - where the pancreas no longer produces enough enzymes

  • Diabetes mellitus - where the pancreas stops producing insulin

Thankfully, most dogs recover well from a first episode, especially with the right support.

3. What causes it?

The most common trigger is a sudden intake of fatty food. It might be:

  • Table scraps over Christmas or Easter

  • Fatty gravy or roast trimmings

  • A high-fat prescription diet for another condition

Other, less common causes include:

  • Trauma or abdominal surgery

  • Certain medications

  • Viral or bacterial infections

Breed can also play a role. German Shepherds, for example, are more prone to EPI.

4. What are the symptoms?

Symptoms vary depending on severity, but may include:

  • Vomiting

  • Loss of appetite

  • Lethargy

  • Tummy pain (often shown by the “prayer position” - front legs stretched out, bum in the air)

  • Diarrhoea (in some cases)

If you suspect pancreatitis, contact your vet right away. It’s not something to manage at home. Diagnosis is often confirmed through a blood test that checks for pancreatic enzymes.

5. How is it treated?

There is no specific cure, treatment is supportive and focuses on keeping your dog comfortable:

  • Intravenous fluids to stay hydrated

  • Strong pain relief

  • Medication to control nausea and vomiting

  • Starvation for 24 hours to rest the pancreas

  • A very low-fat, highly digestible diet during recovery

Most dogs bounce back within a few days, but some may go on to develop chronic pancreatitis. If your dog has recurring episodes, you might want to explore long-term dietary changes and holistic support.

Homeopathy and acupuncture have both been found helpful in reducing chronic inflammation and the frequency of flare-ups.

6. The role of raw feeding

Diet plays a crucial role in both recovery and prevention. Once your dog is stable, a carefully planned low-fat raw diet can support healing and reduce the chance of recurrence. Here’s how we approach it:

  • Start with low-fat meats like turkey or white fish

  • Add steamed veg for gentle fibre (courgette, kale, squash)

  • Keep fat levels under 5% for the first month

  • Gradually increase to a maximum of 10% if no further flare-ups occur

  • Avoid fatty treats, marrow bones, or human food scraps

💡 Poppy’s Tip: Our LIGHT & GENTLE raw meals are naturally low in fat and easy to digest, ideal for dogs recovering from pancreatitis.

7. Where to get help

At Poppy’s Picnic, we’ve supported many dogs with digestive conditions, including pancreatitis. We’ll help you:

  • Create a custom feeding plan

  • Keep fat levels low without compromising on nutrients

Working closely with your vet, we can support your dog’s recovery and keep them feeling their best long term.

Top 5 Takeouts

  1. Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas, often triggered by fatty food or sudden diet changes.

  2. The main symptoms are vomiting, pain and loss of appetite, and the condition can be serious.

  3. Treatment is supportive, focusing on rest, hydration, pain relief and a low-fat diet.

  4. A carefully managed raw diet can help support recovery and reduce future risk.

  5. Holistic support like acupuncture and homeopathy may reduce inflammation and prevent flare-ups.

Let us know if your dog has had pancreatitis and you'd like help designing a suitable raw diet. We’re here with gentle, expert advice, and meals that soothe from bowl to belly.

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