It is said that around one in ten dogs will suffer from inflammation of the pancreas during their lifetime. You can find out the reasons for this frequency and possible preventive and acute measures by reading our article.
The smell of a meal alone not only triggers salivation, but also stimulates the production of pancreatic juice by the pancreas. This juice is released in small quantities in the duodenum. During the digestion process, as soon as food leaves the stomach and enters the small intestine, the pancreas significantly increases the secretion of its juice. At this point, the pancreatic juice neutralizes stomach acid and produces the necessary digestive enzymes that are responsible for breaking down nutrients from food. When the pancreas no longer functions optimally due to acute inflammation or chronic insufficiency , the digestive system becomes unbalanced.
The pancreas and its important functions:
- Digestion of protein
- Digestion of fats
- Digestion of carbohydrates
- Neutralization of stomach acid
- Breakdown of nutrients
- Regulation of blood sugar levels / formation of insulin
- Controlling the feeling of satiety
In particular, enzymes responsible for digesting proteins are released along with inhibitors that are intended to prevent premature activation in the pancreatic ducts. When these protective mechanisms fail, the pancreatic enzymes do not enter the digestive tract properly and instead remain in the cells of the pancreas for too long. This leads to a painful inflammation of the pancreas known as pancreatitis. It is said that the pancreas "digests itself."
The 3 most important enzymes in the pancreas are:
- Amylase (for carbohydrate digestion)
- Trypsing (for protein digestion)
- Lipase (for fat digestion)
Causes of pancreatitis
- Incorrect feeding, especially too high in fat and/or too high in carbohydrates/grains
- Side effects or interactions of medications (often with epilepsy medications)
- As a result of diabetes, Cushing's disease or hypothyroidism
- Inheritance in certain breeds (boxers, Cavalier King Charles or Cocker Spaniels, collies and small terriers are often affected)
- Overweight / increased blood lipid levels
- Trauma (e.g. after an accident)
- As a result of liver or intestinal inflammation
Common symptoms of pancreatitis
- Vomiting and/or diarrhea
- Lack of appetite
- Undesirable feeding behavior such as eating feces or grass
- Abdominal pain (frequent prayer positions, back curvature)
- Sudden unusual lying position
- Faster exhaustion, fatigue, listlessness
- weight loss
- Yellowing of the skin/mucous membranes
- Fever (in acute inflammation)
If you notice the symptoms described in your dog, we recommend that you visit your veterinarian and have a comprehensive blood count carried out. The vet will most likely recommend a detailed blood count and/or perform a special rapid test known as canine pancreatic lipase (cPLI). This test is particularly sensitive and specific for diagnosing acute pancreatitis in dogs. An ultrasound or abdominal x-ray may also be recommended to help clarify the diagnosis. In some cases, the veterinarian might suggest a pancreas biopsy, which involves taking a sample of tissue from the pancreas under anesthesia and sending it to a laboratory for further analysis.
In addition to infusion therapy to combat dehydration and painkillers for acute inflammation, a crucial measure is correct nutrition, especially a special pancreatic diet.
Proper feeding for pancreatitis
- The diet should be easy to digest in order to protect the organs
- The regeneration of the pancreas should be supported (there are some good nutritional supplements for this)
In general, it is advisable to drastically reduce the protein content in the diet and only feed highly digestible proteins, such as lean muscle meat (preferably chicken or turkey), low-fat fish, cottage cheese, cottage cheese and eggs. Organ meats should be avoided or kept to a minimum, and bones should not be fed.
Why is it so important to feed little but high-quality protein?
The pancreas is responsible, among other things, for digesting protein. To relieve her stress, it is advisable to feed a moderate protein content but of high quality so that she is not overly stressed. Of course, protein should not be completely excluded from the diet, as it has vital functions in the body.
Recommendation: The total protein content should be less than 30% for dry food and less than 13% for wet food in order to relieve the strain on the pancreas.
Less fat, but of good quality, should be fed.
In the case of pancreatitis in dogs, it is particularly important to control fat intake, as high-fat diets can trigger the disease and put a strain on the already inflamed pancreas. When selecting fats for a dog with pancreatitis, it is crucial to use easily digestible, high-quality fats in moderate amounts to minimize stress on the pancreas. Here are some recommendations:
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Omega-3 fatty acids : These are anti-inflammatory and can be obtained from sources such as fish oil or algae oil. Not only do they support pancreatic health, but they also promote skin health and cognitive function.
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Medium-chain triglycerides (MCT) : This type of fat, found in coconut oil, is converted directly into energy and puts less strain on the pancreas than other fats. However, they should only be used in small amounts up to a maximum of 1.5%, as they can also cause problems in some dogs with pancreatitis.
Recommendation: The total fat content should be under 20% for dry food and under 8% for wet food in order to relieve the strain on the pancreas.
It's all about the right composition
A large part of the diet should consist of easily digestible grains and vegetables. This provides your dog with an additional source of energy and increases the fiber content of the meal. The more crude fiber there is in the food, the slower digestion takes place. Opened starches such as potatoes, rice or tapioca are best. These should either be cooked for a long time or used as flakes or flour that are soaked before feeding.
Vegetables and fruits can be finely pureed or added as juice.
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Inferior and difficult-to-digest feed components : Poorly digestible or low-quality fats and proteins as well as poorly digestible fibers can put a strain on the pancreas. According to the Dietary Feed Act, the requirements for an EPI are strictly specified. Excerpt from REGULATION (EU) 2020/354 on "Feed for special nutritional purposes": Easily digestible nutrition: Obvious digestibility of —Feed with a low fiber content (crude fiber ≤ 44 g per kg of complete feed with a moisture content of 12%) (2)): Crude protein ≥ 85% Crude fat ≥ 90% or — fiber-reinforced feed (crude fiber > 44 g per kg of complete feed with a moisture content of 12% (2)): Crude protein ≥ 80% Crude fat ≥ 80% |
Our 10 Golden Rules for a Pancreas Diet
1. Highly digestible and high-quality ingredients for intestinal stabilization
The key to healthy digestion is choosing the right ingredients. The use of highly digestible and high-quality feed components is essential to ensure a stable intestinal flora. Inferior ingredients are often difficult to digest and can contain harmful substances that disrupt the balance of intestinal bacteria. This can lead to indigestion, which not only causes visible symptoms like diarrhea or bloating, but also weakens your dog's immune system.
2. Offer your dog small, but several meals per day.
To ease the burden on digestion, it is recommended to divide your dog's daily ration into several small meals (preferably 3-4 feedings per day).
3. Reduce the protein content in the diet.
Reduce the amount of protein with high meat content and instead increase the amount of carbohydrates and vegetables and fruit ingredients to relieve the strain on the pancreas.
4. Only use highly digestible proteins.
Give your dog high-quality muscle meat from chicken, turkey, lamb or insects. Dairy products such as cottage cheese, cottage cheese, eggs and yogurt (preferably goat yogurt) are also good sources of protein.
5. Focus primarily on easily digestible carbohydrates.
Gluten-free sources such as potatoes or tapioca, but also gluten-containing sources such as whole grain rice and millet are particularly suitable.
6. Supplement your dog's diet with pancreatic-supporting supplements.
Some effective nutritional supplements such as dandelion, milk thistle, probiotics and special intestinal stabilizers may be helpful.
7. Use little but high-quality fat as a source of energy.
It is important to feed your dog high-quality fat so that he can optimally get his energy from it. However, care should be taken to ensure that the pancreas is relieved by ensuring that the fat content is not too high. Examples of high-quality fats are: Algae oil, coconut oil, linseed oil or salmon oil.
8. Reduce your dog's weight if he is overweight.
Obesity is a common cause of pancreatic disease. Too much weight increases the risk of inflammation not only of the pancreas, but also of the liver. Diabetes and osteoarthritis can also result.
9. Avoid stress for your dog.
Stress and pain can lead to illness and inflammation. Therefore, make sure that your dog gets enough rest and is not exposed to excessively stressful situations.
10. Have blood work and stool tests done regularly.
To ensure that the diet and any medications administered are working, it is important to have your dog's blood values and stool checked regularly. For chronic problems, this should be done every three months.
Recommended dietary supplements for pancreatitis
Pancreatitis can range from mild to severe and often requires adjusted diet and medical treatment if necessary. Dietary supplements can have a supportive effect. Here are ten supplements that can potentially be helpful:
Probiotics : Probiotic bacteria such as Bacillus subtilis and Enterococcus faecium can support gut health by promoting the growth of beneficial gut bacteria and suppressing pathogenic bacteria.
Prebiotics: Prebiotics such as MOS (mannan-oligosaccharides) and FOS (fructo-oligosaccharides) are natural substances and serve as food for the good bacteria in the intestine. They promote a healthy balance of intestinal flora by helping to build and maintain a healthy microbiome.
Omega-3 fatty acids : Fish oil or algae oil as a source of omega-3 fatty acids can have an anti-inflammatory effect and thus help reduce pancreatic inflammation.
Medium-chain triglycerides (MCT) : This type of fat, found in coconut oil, is converted directly into energy and puts less strain on the pancreas than other fats.
Antioxidants : Vitamins such as vitamin E and C can help reduce inflammation and strengthen the immune system.
Turmeric (Curcumin) : Known for its anti-inflammatory properties, turmeric can help reduce inflammation.
Milk Thistle : May support the liver and has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Dandelion : Both the root and leaves can support liver function and aid the kidneys in detoxification.
Chamomile : Known for its calming properties, chamomile can help soothe the stomach and reduce inflammation.
Fennel : May help soothe digestion and support healing of the digestive tract.
Slippery Elm : May help with digestive discomfort by forming a soothing layer in the intestines.
Hence BugBell
For many products we do not declare ourselves as diet food, although we very often comply with the requirements. This is also the case with feed for “exocrine pancreatic insufficiency”. Why don’t we do that? Quite simply and honestly: so that we don’t end up even more in the niche than we already are. Nevertheless, we adhere to all the requirements in order to be able to feed an easily digestible diet for life in the event of chronic pancreatic insufficiency.
All of our insect-based products are fiber-reinforced feeds with a crude fiber content of > 44 g per kg of complete feed with a moisture content of 12%. Digestibility of crude protein ≥ 80% & crude fat ≥ 80% are required here. The black soldier fly larvae adhere to these values and are therefore easy to digest.
Our recommendation is to combine our complete food with the stomach and intestine biscuits . Our purple strain is specifically designed to strengthen the immune and digestive systems.
During our violet detoxification We use important ingredients for healthy intestinal flora and digestion such as pumpkin seeds, blueberries and psyllium husks, turmeric, pre- and probiotics and much more.
