Pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas that occurs when the digestive enzymes have leaked into the tissues. In dogs, it causes abdominal pain, depression, decreased appetite and often is accompanied by vomiting and diarrhea. Dogs are not given food during a pancreatitis episode, as it will cause the pancreas to secrete and exacerbate the problem. Once the dog is able to tolerate food, it is fed in small meals with certain restrictions.
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Carbohydrates
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Carbohydrates are usually the first type of food reintroduced to a dog suffering from pancreatitis. According to the Dog Health Guide, gastrointestinal hormones trigger pancreatic enzymes and carbohydrates affect these changes less than other foods. Rice is the main source of carbohydrate nutrients added to a dog's diet after pancreatitis. It is easy for dogs to digest when it is fed in small amounts. There is no special type of rice that is better than the other as long as it is thoroughly cooked---the cooking process produces starches that are more easily utilized by canines.
Fat
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Dogs who have suffered from pancreatitis need to have nutrients that are low in fat. In a normal canine diet, fat is a good for a dog's health, but things like greasy and excessively fatty table scraps should be avoided. According to author, D. Caroline Coile, fat provides dogs with energy and assists in the transportation of vitamins in a dog's body. One gram of fat supplies dogs with 2.4 times the energy of one gram of protein or carbohydrates. Regardless of the benefits of fat, in a dog with pancreatitis, the animal's fat intake needs to be monitored.
Protein
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Protein is a nutrient essential for the good health and growth of bones and muscles in dogs. Most canine diets are high in protein, but when an animal suffers from pancreatitis, it is important to introduce small amounts of low-fat protein back into the diet. Many dogs have a low tolerance for dairy products, but cottage cheese has only minute amounts of lactose and is a good source of protein for dogs with pancreatitis. Cooked chicken breasts are also low in fat and provide that is easy to digest and won't upset a dog's stomach like other animal protein might. Donald R. Strombeck, author of "Home Prepared Dog and Cat Diets," suggest feeding dogs suffering from pancreatitis 1 percent fat cottage cheese and boiled chicken breasts, along with long-grain rice.
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