The 10 Best Dog Food Brands for Pancreatitis

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• Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.

If your dog has pancreatitis, the diet often recommended is low in fat, low in fiber, and has an average protein content. Ultimately, dog food for pancreatitis should contain ingredients that help soothe inflammation in the pancreas and reduce uncomfortable symptoms like vomiting and diarrhea.

To help you narrow down the list, we’ve chosen foods that comply with AAFCO guidelines, highlighting why each one might be a good choice for your dog with pancreatitis. We’ve also converted the guaranteed analysis to dry matter so you can better compare the nutritional content of different types of food, from dry to wet.

Once you’ve found a good option for you and your pup, don’t forget to talk to your vet about proposed changes to your dog’s diet—especially where health issues are concerned.

Best All-Around: Solid Gold Holistique Blendz with Oatmeal, Pearled Barley & Ocean Fish

Dogs with pancreatitis are often recommended foods with less than 15% fat and 5% fiber, both measured on a dry matter basis. The protein content should also fall in the average range of 15% to 30%.

This dog food checks all the boxes for a pup dealing with pancreatitis. Its protein content falls within the recommended range. It also has one of the lowest fat and fiber percentages on our list. Healthy whole grains like oatmeal and barley lead the ingredients, along with fish meal, eggs, and chicken fat for protein. Veggies like carrots and pumpkin provide low fiber content while being gentle on sensitive stomachs. Salmon oil also provides omega-3 fatty acids to reduce inflammation.

Key Nutrients:

• 3,265 kcal/kg
• Protein: 20%
• Fat: 6.7%
• Fiber: 4.4%

Best Subscription: JustFoodForDogs Pantry Fresh Balanced Remedy

For busy pet parents managing their dogs’ pancreatitis, JustFoodForDogs’ customizable meals offer the convenience of a subscription plan but with a bit more flexibility. In particular, we like that you can use Autoship to have meals sent regularly, or you can buy food whenever you like through the JustFoodForDog’s site. You can also find recipes at a store near you for pickup or online via Chewy and Petco.

Choose from fresh frozen food, DIY kits, or shelf-stable pantry fresh meals like this Balanced Remedy recipe, which can be stored unopened for up to two years. Made with 100% human-grade ingredients, it features fresh ground turkey as the main source of lean protein. Long-grain white rice and sushi rice offer mineral-dense and easily digestible grains, while sunflower, fish, and flaxseed oil add essential fatty acids to the mix.

Key Nutrients:

• 1,351 kcal/kg
• Protein: 20%
• Fat: 4%
• Fiber: 4%

Best Budget: Canidae All Life Stages Less Active Formula

If your dog with pancreatitis is also a picky eater, a mixed protein recipe might entice them with extra flavor. The variations of amino acids from the different proteins may also help diversify your pup’s gut microbiome for better digestion and reduced inflammation.

This formula combines chicken, turkey, and lamb for a tasty blend that pet parents say their fussy eaters love. It’s also one of the more affordable options on our list, starting at $1.94 a pound for a 27-pound bag. One thing to note, however, is that the fat and protein contents fall into the recommended range, but the fiber is right at the cutoff at 5%.

Key Nutrients:

• 3,336 kcal/kg
• Protein: 26.7%
• Fat: 8.9%
• Fiber: 5%

Best for Large Breeds: Holistic Select Large Breed Chicken Meal & Oatmeal Recipe

Big dogs deserve big bites, even if they’re on a specific diet. This large-breed blend by Holistic is formulated with large and giant breeds in mind, offering big pieces of kibble for a satisfying crunch. Chicken and pork make up the main sources of protein, clocking in at 25%. Rice, oats, veggies, and fruits add to the recommended low-fat and low-fiber content levels.

Large breeds are especially vulnerable to dietary intolerances, but pet parents give this recipe high marks for being gentle on their dog’s digestion. It also contains prebiotics and probiotics for further gut health.

Key Nutrients:

• 3,804 kcal/kg
• Protein: 25%
• Fat: 14.5%
• Fiber: 2.1%

Best for Small Breeds: Hill’s Science Diet Perfect Digestion Small Bites

Some small breeds, like Yorkshire Terriers and Dachshunds, are more prone to developing pancreatitis. Miniature Schnauzers, in particular, are predisposed to pancreatitis because they tend to have too many triglycerides (fats) in their blood.

If you have a small dog with pancreatitis, this Hills Diet Perfect Digestion recipe offers a blend of whole grains, pumpkin, and prebiotics to support your pint-size pup’s microbiome and promote a healthy digestive system. Chicken is the primary source of protein, offering an average range of 25%. The fat content is a bit on the higher end at 14% but still falls under the recommended levels for pancreatitis. The fiber content is also the lowest on our list at 2%. This kibble also offers small bites for better digestibility.

Key Nutrients:

• 3620 kcal/kg
• Protein: 25%
• Fat: 14%
• Fiber: 2%

Best Plant-Based: Gather Endless Valley Vegan Dry Dog Food

Vegetarian and vegan dog foods are often lower in fat content. This plant-based formula by Gather is no exception, with 12% fat. It’s also a great alternative for dogs with food allergies or sensitivities to animal protein. Instead of meat, this food gets its 24% protein and essential amino acids from sustainably grown peas, oats, barley, and lentils.

Flaxseed and sunflower oil offer omega-3 and -6 fatty acids to help reduce inflammation, and quinoa adds healthy but low levels of fiber for digestive support. Blueberries and cranberries provide antioxidants for immune function, and nutritional yeast (also known as vegan fairy dust!) adds a tasty, “cheesy” flavor to the recipe.

Key Nutrients:

• 3502 kcal/kg
• Protein: 24.4%
• Fat: 12.2%
• Fiber: 4.4%

Best Prescription Dry: Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Adult Gastrointestinal Low Fat Dry Dog Food

This prescription dry dog food by Royal Canin is low in fat, making it easier to digest. A blend of prebiotics and dietary fibers also helps promote healthy gut bacteria and digestion. Plus, fish oil provides omega-3 fatty acids to soothe the gastrointestinal tract.

The protein is on the lower side and consists of chicken meal, chicken fat, and pork digest. Brewer’s yeast, pea fiber, and barley also add to the protein’s 22%.

At 248 calories per cup, it offers one of the lowest calorie options on our list.

Key Nutrients:

• 3,227 kcal/kg
• Protein: 22%
• Fat: 6.1% (min) – 9.4% (max)
• Fiber: 4.3%

Best Prescription Wet: Hill’s Prescription Diet i/d Low Fat Rice, Vegetable and Chicken Stew

For dogs who prefer wet food to kibble, this prescription canned food meets all the criteria for a pancreatitis diet. It’s low in fat and fiber and has a protein content of 23%.

Bite-sized chunks of chicken in gravy with pork liver, egg whites, and chicken liver flavor provide palatability while still being low fat. Flaxseed provides fatty acids, while a prebiotic blend and ginger help with upset stomachs.

Key Nutrients:

• 279 kcal/12.5 oz
• Protein: 23%
• Fat: 8.7%
• Fiber: 1.9%

Best Grain-Free: Annamaet Lean Reduced Fat Formula

If your vet has recommended that your dog follow a grain-free diet (perhaps due to allergies), this formulation by Annamaet offers a reduced-fat option. In fact, it has half the fat of the brand’s other grain-free formulas.

Lentils, field peas, and potatoes take the place of grains while offering substance and fiber. Along with animal proteins like chicken meal, the lentils add to the higher protein content of 33%, just above the set recommendations. Added prebiotics and probiotics provide GI support, while herring meal offers omega-3 fatty acids.

Key Nutrients:

• 3,242 kcal/kg
• Protein: 33%
• Fiber: 4%
• Fat: 8%–10%

Best Chicken-Free: Wellness CORE Digestive Health Whitefish and Brown Rice

Chicken is often a leading ingredient in dog food (just look at our list!), making it sometimes difficult to find a pancreatitis recipe for dogs allergic to this popular protein. This chicken-free formula by Wellness offers an alternative with whitefish, menhaden fish meal, and herring for a protein content of 33%.

Along with the omega-3 fatty acids the fish provides, this recipe features superfoods like pumpkin and papaya, which are known to be easy on the gut. Brown rice, oat groats, and barley provide filling, nutrient-rich grains in this low-fiber formula.

Key Nutrients:

• 3,649 kcal/kg
• Protein: 33%
• Fat: 13%
• Fiber: 4%

How We Chose

The products featured here were selected based on a combination of our own hands-on testing, a comprehensive look at customer reviews across a wide variety of retail platforms, and interviews with veterinary experts. We’re also guided by the experience of living and playing alongside our own much-loved and strongly opinionated pets, who are never stingy with their feedback.

Further Reading

• The Best Hypoallergenic Dog Foods for Pups with Food Allergies
• Is Grain-Free Dog Food Better for Dogs?
• What Is Dog Food Made Of and Where Does It Come From?
• Is Homemade Dog Food Safe? What To Know About Cooking for Your Pet