Chronic pancreatitis is a life-threatening disease that if not treated properly can cause significant issues. Many times people are aware that they should feed low-fat food but forget about finding a good treat for their dogs.
Keep reading to learn about 8 healthy and natural low-fat treats that are safe for dogs with chronic pancreatitis and that you probably have in your home now.
When I initially learned that my dog Chi Chi suffered from pancreatitis it took me a while to determine which treats were best for him and that he would actually eat. As it turns out many of them were foods that I already had on hand.
4 Things to remember when feeding your dog with chronic pancreatitis
- One of the main reasons that vets think dogs suffer from pancreatitis is the fat content in their food and treats. Ensure that you are feeding low-fat food.
- Speak with your vet and create a plan for their diet. There are also veterinary nutritionists that can create plans for you as well, you will just need a referral from your vet
- It may take a little trial and error so be patient. This is especially if your pup is not a foodie or used to getting high-fat foods and table foods
- Look for limited-ingredient or mono-ingredient treats. Better yet make your own treats, my dog loved jerky so I would always have sweet potato, apple, and beef jerky on hand. It’s a great option and easy to make. Keep reading for 8 other mono-ingredient treat options.
8 Natural foods for dogs with pancreatitis
1. Apples
Apples are a great nutritious treat for dogs that suffer from chronic pancreatitis as they are low in fat, one medium apple has 0.3 grams of fat. They are also a great source of vitamin A, potassium, vitamin C, and antioxidants.
My dogs can be pretty eaters at times and do not like to eat apples with the skin still attached although if your dog does enjoy the skin it is a great source of fiber.
One thing to avoid when giving your dogs apples is giving them the entire apple to chow down on, avoid feeding them any of the core, stem, or seeds, and also giving them apples as a treat in moderation.
A small slice or two is usually sufficient.
2. Broccoli
Broccoli is another treat that both of my dogs love. Ideally, you would steam broccoli florets for a couple of minutes prior to feeding them to your dog as this helps to get rid of the isothiocyanates which can cause gastric upset in dogs.
However, a couple of raw pieces of broccoli usually don’t cause any gi irritation and my dogs love them.
Broccoli is high in vitamin C and fiber and low in fat.
When feeding your dog broccoli always remember to feed in very small quantities and break the broccoli apart from the large stem for your dog.
3. Blueberries
Not only do blueberries taste great and are high in antioxidants and are just the right size to use as a training treat for dogs with chronic pancreatitis as they are low in calories and fat.
My dogs are not extremely fond of blueberries as many dogs are, but if your dog enjoys them they make a great treat.
As with anything give your dog blueberries in small quantities as they are high in fiber and too many can cause some stomach upset
4. Meats
Dogs are meant to eat meat as a part of their diet and one thing that most dogs like is meat. I make jerky for my dogs and they eat it without a problem. I always remember to feed it to them very sparingly.
Another way to feed your dog meat is by boiling it and chopping it up, this is great to do with chicken. When boiling, make sure there are no salts or seasonings added, and skim any fat that may rise to the top of the pot before serving.
One thing to keep in mind is that if your dog is allergic to a type of meat like chicken or beef you should use another meat.
5. Carrots
Carrots make a great treat for dogs as they are high in beta-carotene which produces vitamin A and fiber.
Avoid giving your dog a whole carrot and chop it into small pieces if you are going to give it to them raw. Also, avoid feeding the stems.
You can always bake or boil the carrots for them also to make them easier to chew and more digestible for your fur baby.
6. Green Beans
A couple of green beans is great to give your dog as a treat if they have chronic pancreatitis
7. Sweet Potato
Avoid giving your dog raw sweet potatoes, make sure you cook the sweet potatoes prior to feeding them to your dog.
8. Pumpkin
Canned pumpkin (only pumpkin without any additives, not pumpkin for pie) is great to give a dog that has had a recent flare-up
To read about 10 of the best treats for dogs with chronic pancreatitis read here.
