Pancreatitis in Dogs

Pancreatitis in Dogs: Painful, Dangerous, and Often Misunderstood

Pancreatitis is one of the most painful and life-threatening conditions a dog can experience. At Marin Raw, we’ve worked with countless dogs recovering from this condition and know how critical the right diet and support can be.

This post draws on research, including findings from a comprehensive review in Integrative Veterinary Care Journal (Managing Pancreatitis in Small Animals), to break down the causes, dangers, and holistic solutions to this all-too-common disease.

🔥 What Is Pancreatitis?

Pancreatitis is the inflammation of the pancreas, the organ responsible for producing digestive enzymes and insulin. In pancreatitis, those enzymes activate prematurely—essentially causing the pancreas to digest itself.

This leads to:

• Severe abdominal pain

• Vomiting and diarrhea

• Loss of appetite

• Lethargy and dehydration

• Potential multi-organ failure or death if left untreated

According to IVC Journal, acute pancreatitis has a mortality rate of up to 40% in severe cases, especially if not managed quickly and appropriately.

🧪 What Triggers It?

Common causes include:

• Diets high in processed carbohydrates

• Overconsumption of fatty table scraps (especially cooked fats)

• Sudden dietary changes

• Chronic exposure to low-grade inflammation from processed kibble

• Certain drugs or toxins

• Endocrine disorders (e.g., hypothyroidism, diabetes)

“Diets high in starches and processed foods are particularly hard on the pancreas,” notes Dr. Steve Marsden, DVM, ND, in the IVC Journal article.

🍞 The Role of Carbs: Why Kibble Contributes to Pancreatitis

Dogs have zero dietary requirement for carbohydrates—yet most kibble contains 40–60% starch, even in grain-free varieties. These carbs:

• Spike blood sugar

• Trigger chronic insulin demand

• Cause oxidative stress in the pancreas

• Feed inflammation and increase fat deposition in organs

Long-term, this creates the perfect storm for pancreatic overload, dysfunction, and disease.

🧈 Why Low-Fat Diets Can Do More Harm Than Good

While conventional advice often promotes low-fat diets, the reality is:

• Dogs thrive on fat as their primary energy source

• Fat supports skin, hormones, brain, and immune function

• Fat from whole raw meat is not the same as oxidized, cooked fat in scraps or poor-quality kibble

Low-fat diets often replace fat with more carbs, further stressing the pancreas. The solution isn’t to remove fat—it’s to remove the inflammatory inputs and feed the pancreas what it can digest easily.

🥩 The Ideal Diet for Dogs with Pancreatitis

Based on clinical insights and published research, the ideal diet should be:

✅ Low in starch/carbohydrates
✅ Rich in high-quality animal protein
✅ Contains digestible fat from raw or gently cooked meat
✅ Free of inflammatory ingredients (corn, soy, by-products, etc.)
✅ Supported with herbs that regulate enzyme activity and bile flow

At Marin Raw, we craft custom meal plans using light proteins like turkey, rabbit, or beef, and slowly introduce bone and organ as tolerated.

🌿 Adoptrex: Herbal Support for the Pancreas

Adoptrex is a professional-grade herbal blend designed to support liver and pancreas function. Created by Dr. Steve Marsden, who is also cited in the IVC Journal article, Adoptrex helps:

• Reduce gut inflammation

• Improve bile flow

• Support enzyme regulation

• Relieve nausea, vomiting, and gastric upset

For dogs with pancreatitis, it’s a gentle and effective way to ease symptoms and support healing alongside a fresh diet.

🐾 How to Get Started

1. Start Adoptrex a few days before dietary changes

2. Begin with a gently cooked or raw protein (turkey or beef)

3. Add our whole-food nutrient premix for balance

4. Slowly transition to complete grinds (meat, bone, organ) as tolerated

5. Use carrot fiber or other natural binders if stool softens during the shift

🤝 You're Not Alone

We’ve helped many dogs with pancreatitis recover vitality and joy through proper nutrition. With the right tools—fresh food, targeted herbs, and expert guidance—healing is possible.

👉 Book a free consultation at Marin Raw and let us help you rebuild your dog’s health naturally.

🧠 Want to Learn More?

Read the full IVC article:
📚 Managing Pancreatitis in Small Animals – IVC Journal