Inflammation in the pancreas triggers the early release of digestive enzymes that break down the organ itself, leading to further inflammation.

Vomiting, diarrhoea, fever, lethargy and loss of appetite are common signs of this disease.

There are two types of pancreatitis: acute and chronic. Acute pancreatitis can happen at any time. One bout of acute pancreatitis can lead to chronic pancreatitis, which can create other serious health issues.

Managing pancreatitis with nutrition requires low-fat, highly digestible dog food that doesn’t overstimulate your pup’s digestive enzymes and is good for sensitive stomachs.

Each Lyka meal goes above and beyond nutritional standards and is made from 100% real ingredients. The ultra-low-fat, high-protein Kangaroo Bowl is perfect for inflammation and pancreatitis-prone pups.

Lyka's meals are also rich in natural anti-inflammatory ingredients to help address the root cause of your dog’s pancreatitis.

Lyka’s ultra-low-fat Kangaroo Bowl is designed for dogs with gastrointestinal issues, including pancreatitis.

The low-fat Chicken Bowl could also be a healthy choice for dogs with mild pancreatitis, along with Lyka’s Turkey and Fish Bowls which are considered low-moderate fat and may also be appropriate. Lyka’s Beef and Lamb Bowls are our richest meals and are not suitable for pancreatitis.

Speak to your vet about whether Lyka is a good fit for your pup and which meals are most suitable.

When transitioning your dog to Lyka, take a very slow approach. Your pup may make the switch easily, but it’s hard to predict how individual dogs will respond as this is based on their unique gut microbiome profile.

There is some risk of a pancreatic relapse when changing diets – try starting with one teaspoon of Lyka with your dog’s usual food for 1-2 days. If your pup doesn’t show any adverse reactions, increase the Lyka portion to 25% of their diet. Gradually build up their Lyka portions over the next 1-2 weeks until their food is 100% Lyka.

Before making any changes to your dog’s diet, speak to your vet first.

A nutritious, low-fat diet can help with pancreatitis flare-ups.

Dietary fat is a crucial part of your dog’s diet and is not typically dangerous, but a fatty diet can trigger the pancreas, especially if it’s already struggling. Not all fats are bad for the pancreas but they need to be fed in moderation and gradually increased over time.

Avoid feeding your pup scraps from the table and keep them on a carefully monitored, calorie-controlled diet.

High-GI food causes blood sugar spikes that increase the demand for the pancreas to release insulin. Kibble has a high proportion of high-GI refined carbohydrates which may put your dog’s pancreas under significant stress. Instead, feed your dog a real food diet containing low-GI carbohydrates like butternut squash that releases energy slowly.

Omega-3 can have a protective effect on the pancreas, so make sure your dog’s diet is also rich in this essential fatty acid.

Yes, dogs with EPI require lifelong digestive enzymes and some may require an ultra-low-fat diet with higher levels of B12 than minimum requirements.

EPI is characterised by the inability to produce sufficient digestive enzymes to break down protein, carbohydrates and digestive fat. It can be genetic or caused by chronic pancreatitis and affects the absorption of nutrients in your pup’s digestive system.

Consider a more calorie-dense diet with a bigger pouch size to counteract malabsorption or maldigestion, and make sure to monitor your pup’s body shape closely.

If your dog is unable to digest fat effectively, or if they have pancreatitis or other gastrointestinal issues as well as EPI, a low-fat diet may be the best option.

Lyka's Kangaroo, Chicken and Turkey meals have low or low-moderate fat content and are made of highly digestible ingredients.