OUR DOG HAS PANCREATITIS: WHAT WE DID WRONG

Pancreatitis in dogs is a painful inflammation of the pancreas that affects digestion and can cause vomiting, abdominal pain, and loss of appetite. It can be acute (sudden) or chronic (long-term).

When your dog gets sick, your world stops. That’s exactly what happened when our food-loving pup, Robin, was diagnosed with pancreatitis.

Finding the Right Dog Food: A Minefield of Choices

There are thousands of dog food brands, each claiming to be the healthiest choice. But how do you really know what’s best for your dog?

When we first got Robin, we relied on word-of-mouth recommendations. A colleague with nine healthy dogs swore by Smack dog food. If it worked for her dogs, surely it would be good for ours too, right?

So, for over a year, we fed Robin Smack, but it wasn’t as simple as pouring kibble into a bowl. She wasn’t a big eater, and to encourage her, we started adding toppings like bacon bits, freeze-dried cheese, anything to make her food more appealing.

💡 And here’s where we went wrong: We never checked the fat content.

The Warning Signs of Pancreatitis in Dogs

Robin was a picky eater, so at first, we brushed off her food-related struggles. But then:

🚨 She started eating less and less.

🚨 She would throw up after meals.

🚨 She had diarrhea for two days straight.

When the vomiting and diarrhea happened at the same time, we knew something was wrong.

We rushed her to the vet, thinking it might be a simple stomach bug. Instead, we got a diagnosis that completely changed our approach to feeding her.

Diagnosis: Pancreatitis in Dogs

Pancreatitis in dogs occurs when the pancreas becomes inflamed, making it difficult for the body to digest fat properly.

It can be mild or life-threatening, and once a dog has pancreatitis, they’re more likely to experience future flare-ups.

The vet asked about Robin’s diet, and we confidently said:

“Oh, she eats high-quality dog food!”

Then came the wake-up call:

“Did you check the fat content?”

We hadn’t. And that’s when we realized how common high-fat dog foods really are.

What We Did Wrong (So You Can Avoid It!)

If you’re feeding your dog without checking fat content, you might be making the same mistakes we did.

❌ 1. We Assumed “High-Quality” Meant “Healthy”

• Smack is a premium, raw dehydrated food, but it turns out it was too high in fat for Robin.

• Just because a food is organic or grain-free doesn’t mean it’s low-fat.

• On the packaging, it’s labeled as a “superfood”, and maybe it is for some dogs, but for ours, it was anything but super.
  

❌ 2. We Added High-Fat Toppings Without Thinking

• To encourage her to eat, we sprinkled bacon bits, cheese, and other fatty toppings on her food.

• We thought, A little bit won’t hurt. But a little here and there adds up fast.

❌ 3. We Never Checked the Fat Content in Treats

• We assumed all dog treats were safe, but some had over 20% fat!

• We gave her whatever looked “healthy” without reading labels.

Choosing the Right Dog Food

For me, low fat isn’t the only thing I consider when choosing food for Robin. Before buying anything new, I always ask myself these questions:

🔹 Is it raw or cooked?

Sometimes, you’ll see labels that say “gently cooked.” Let me warn you; cooked meat often appears higher in fat than raw meat due to moisture loss, making the fat content more concentrated.

Some brands add extra fats or oils during cooking, increasing the overall fat percentage. So if you’re choosing a cooked option, always double-check the fat content to make sure it’s suitable for your dog.

🔹 What other ingredients are in it?

Some brands load their products with vitamins, supplements, and ingredients you’ve never even heard of. We prefer to stick with simple, organic ingredients that we actually recognize.

🔹 Can I make it at home?

If I can make it at home, why not? Homemade dog treats can be healthier, cheaper, and safer because you control exactly what goes into them.

How to Prevent Pancreatitis in Dogs

Now that we know better, we’ve made major changes to Robin’s lifestyle.

✅ 1. Choose Low-Fat Dog Food

✔️ Stick to foods under 10% fat

✔️ Ask your vet for recommendations

✅ 2. Keep Hydration a Priority

Dogs with pancreatitis are prone to dehydration, so we always make sure Robin has fresh water available. If your pup isn’t drinking enough, here’s a little trick—whenever Robin chews on a bone, she naturally drinks more water. Try it out and see if it works for your dog too! 😊

✅ 3. No More High-Fat Treats

We completely overhauled her treats:

✔️ Only low-fat treats

✔️ Making homemade dog treats with low-fat ingredients

✔️ NO table scraps—ever!

✅ 4. Knowing the Symptoms of Pancreatitis in Dogs

We now watch her closely for any returning symptoms, including:

🚨 Vomiting or diarrhea

🚨 Lethargy or restlessness

🚨 Loss of appetite

🚨 Abdominal pain (hunching, whining)

🚨 Bloated stomach

If you’re a dog parent, please learn from our experience. Prevention is so much easier than dealing with a pancreatitis diagnosis.

Robin’s journey isn’t over, but she’s improving. And that’s what matters most. 💛

Let’s Chat!

Has your dog ever had pancreatitis? What worked for you? Drop your experiences in the comments, I’d love to hear your stories and learn from each other!

FAQ: Pancreatitis in Dogs

• Can dogs recover from pancreatitis?

✅ Yes! But it requires a strict low-fat diet and close monitoring to prevent flare-ups.

• What foods should dogs with pancreatitis avoid?

❌ Fatty meats, dairy, fried foods, and rich table scraps.

❌ High-fat kibble, peanut butter, cheese, or anything processed.

• How is pancreatitis in dogs treated?

Treatment depends on severity, but common vet recommendations include:

✅ Fasting for 12-24 hours to let the pancreas rest

✅ IV fluids & electrolyte therapy if the dog is dehydrated

✅ Anti-nausea & pain medication

✅ Strict low-fat diet long-term

• Can pancreatitis in dogs come back?

⚠️ Yes, it can become chronic if not managed properly. That’s why long-term diet changes are key.

• What is the survival rate for dogs with pancreatitis?

Most dogs recover well with early treatment, but severe cases can be dangerous. The survival rate depends on:

✅ How quickly treatment is started

✅ Whether there are complications (organ damage, infections, etc.)

✅ Strict diet changes & prevention after recovery