What to feed a cat with pancreatitis

Pancreatitis in cats is a condition where the pancreas becomes inflamed. The organ helps with digestion and controls blood sugar levels. When inflamed, cats often lose appetite, which can lead to dehydration. Feeding the right food is important to help your cat get enough nutrition without putting extra stress on the pancreas.

Always talk to your veterinarian before changing the cat diet. They will recommend the best diet for your cat, especially if your cat has pancreatitis.

What is a cat pancreatitis diet?

Cats with pancreatitis need a special diet to support the pancreas and encourage appetite. The right food can reduce inflammation and help the pancreas to heal.

It is also important to ensure that your cat continues to eat. If they stop eating, they are at risk for liver lipidosis, a serious condition where fat is built up in the liver and can become life -threatening.

A typical diet for a cat with pancreatitis includes:

Best dry cat food for pancreatitis

Dry cat food is not the best option for cats with pancreatitis because it is very carbohydrates and fat. The proteins in it are not as easily digestible as wet food.

However, some cats may only eat dry kibble. If this is the case, add some water to the dry food to increase the moisture content.

An example of a dry cat food that can be used in cats with pancreatitis is Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets A gastroenterical cat formula dry cat food.

Addition

Supplements can be recommended to support healing in cats with pancreatitis.

A couple of options that can be advantageous:

• A pancreas enzyme concentrate such as pancreplus, which adds pancreatic enzymes to help with digestion

Human foods

Cats with pancreatitis should only eat food recommended by a veterinarian. Never give them human food or table residues, as these can aggravate the condition.

Many human foods – such as turkey skin – are very fat or carbohydrates, which can slow down healing and increase inflammation of the pancreas.

Homemade cat food

It is recommended to feed cats with pancreatitis an association of US feed control officials (AAFCO) approved diet specifically formulated for digestive support, rather than a homemade diet.

Homemade diets can be missing crucial ingredients to support a cat's general health, and if they are nutritionally unbalanced, they can actually aggravate pancreatitis and extend the recovery.

Tips for feeding a cat with pancreatitis

When a cat has pancreatitis, it can be difficult to get them to eat their meals. There are several ways that pet parents can attract their cats to eat, including:

What should you not feed a cat with pancreatitis

Some foods can aggravate pancreatitis and should be avoided, especially if your cat has been diagnosed with the condition:

• Dairy products As cheese or milk are difficult for cats to melt and are often very fat and sugar, which can lead to vomiting or diarrhea

• Very processed sweetslike temptations, is very fat, salt and carbohydrates – all of which make pancreas work harder

• Sugar -containing foods As honey or pastries increase inflammation and delay healing