Pancreatitis in felines needs immediate attention, or it can be life-threatening when left unchecked for long. Your pet’s diet plays an important role in deciding whether or not they will be affected by this condition. If they are already suffering from pancreatitis, managing the condition with a good diet is important.
Before we get to the part where you know more about the best cat food for pancreatitis, let us learn about this disease in cats.
| Image | Brand | Price | Prime | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Top | Iams | PrimeEligible | Buy Now | |
 Top | Hill's Science Diet | PrimeEligible | Buy Now | |
 Top | Nutro | PrimeEligible | Buy Now | |
 Top | Blue Buffalo | PrimeEligible | Buy Now |
For sensitive fur kids, we have listed the best grain free cat food which you can trust and surely will not result in any allergy issue to your feline.
What is Pancreatitis in Felines?
Pancreatitis is a disease that ails your cat when its pancreas experiences an inflammation. This leads to a leakage of digestive enzymes from the pancreatic tissue. In a normal and healthy pancreas, the enzymes get activated only when they are in your cat’s small intestine.
On the contrary, inflamed pancreatitis causes the enzyme to get activated prematurely. This happens when the enzyme is still within the pancreas. Cats that suffer from pancreatitis can also be affected by issues in the kidneys, liver, & intestines due to their proximity to the organ.
Undiagnosed pancreatitis issues in cats can eventually cause bleeding, shock, & even death.
What are the Triggers of Cats Pancreatitis?
While the exact cause of pancreatitis hasn’t been determined, several triggers lead to the inflammation issue. The common triggers of pancreatitis in cats include:
- Diabetes
- Medications
- Infections
- Metabolic Disorders
- Abdominal Surgery
- Triaditis (Inflammatory Liver/Intestinal Disease)
- Abdominal Area Trauma
It has also been seen that feeding a diet loaded with fat can lead to pancreatitis in cats. This is why it is important to feed the cats a nutritious and healthy diet.
What Should You Feed a Cat With Pancreatitis?
Cats should always be fed the best cat food, which helps them avoid health issues such as pancreatitis. For felines, either a wet or dry diet is perfect, depending on what they like. You can also opt to provide a combination of the two. However, older cats tend to do well when fed a wet diet.
Additionally, the cat diet can be supplemented with some fruits & veggies that are safe for felines. You can also include some bits of cooked chicken/turkey or some tuna to make the food delicious and nutritious at the same time.
Your cat might also love treats. However, you need to understand that commercially manufactured cat treats might pack in a lot of sugar and fat. With time, these ingredients could lead to obesity or other health issues such as joint issues or heart diseases.
A couple of treats are ideal for your cat. However, it would help if you refrained from overfeeding the cat with treats.
Apart from a good diet, you need to ensure that your cat must exercise as well. Felines are hunters by nature. So, they need to have an ideal body shape to stay healthy. With some daily activities, you can help your pet maintain its overall health and weight.
You can try to indulge your cat in some activities by playing some interactive games. Get some safe toys or select catnip-filled balls to play around with.
If nothing works, you can converse with your veterinarian to get advice on your cat’s weight loss needs.
Cat Pancreatitis: Understanding the Symptoms
Pancreatitis can take a toll on your cat’s health regardless of the age or breed they belong to. However, as mentioned above, cats predisposed to certain health conditions can be vulnerable to pancreatitis. There are several clinical signs of cat pancreatitis like:
- Vomiting
- Fever
- Appetite Loss
- Dehydration
- Fatigue
- Increased Heart Rate
- Depression
- Jaundice
- Breathing Issues
- Abdomen Swelling & Tenderness
How is Pancreatitis in Cats Diagnosed?
When you visit your veterinarian, they will likely ask for information related to the cat’s medical record. The veterinarian would also perform a body examination, blood test, & ultrasound. It might not be easier to detect pancreatitis from X-rays.
However, it is usually done to ensure your cat doesn’t suffer from other health issues.
What Should You Feed a Cat Recovering From Pancreatitis?
Once your cat has been treated for pancreatitis, dietary management post the hospital visit is critical. Most veterinarians recommend that you feed the pet at the earliest post-treatment. However, this should be done only if they don’t vomit and have an appetite.
If the cat is frequently vomiting yet isn’t risked from a fatty liver issue, your veterinarian might provide you with an alternative dietary plan to be introduced over a couple of days.
Cats that suffer from fatty liver issues would need immediate nutrition support to prevent any dangerous liver issues. Therefore, you must feed the cat with a diet that is easy to digest and flavorful during the recovery period.
With time, your veterinarian would recommend food that helps reduce the after-effects of pancreatitis. In addition, for cats that tend to vomit or have trouble consuming food, your veterinarian would recommend medications such as antiemetics to decrease nausea, vomiting and increase the appetite slowly.
Cats that suffer from pancreatitis lacking an appetite might need to be fed via the feeding tube method. While the tube feeding process might seem painful or intimidating, it is gentle on the cat and simple to deliver nutrients and calories during the recovery process.
Now that you know the basics of cat pancreatitis let us look at the top 3 food options you can provide your ailing cat for better health.
Top 3 Cat Foods for Pancreatitis
1. The Best Cat Food For Pancreatitis
Cats that suffer from pancreatitis tend to have sensitive digestion. To ensure better health for your pet, the IAMS Proactive pet food is an ideal choice. This turkey-flavored kibble helps maintain a strong muscle mass for your feline friend.
The formula makes use of high-quality real turkey as a protein source to support your ailing pet’s digestive health. Loaded with a blend of top-quality fiber content, IAMS Proactive helps reduce any possibilities of inflammation in pancreatitis or stomach.
Additionally, this adult pet food also contains a unique blend of prebiotics & beet pulp that aids proper nutrient absorption. It also helps support nourished and healthy skin while maintaining shiny fur with its omega-3 & 6 fatty acids.
Pros:
- It helps promote a better immune system for your cat
- It contains a mix of antioxidants and prebiotics for better digestion
- It contains real turkey protein
- It doesn’t contain any filler ingredients
- It doesn’t contain soy or wheat for sensitive cats
Cons:
- It might cause nasal allergies in certain cats
- Pricing is a bit too high as compared to the competitors
2. Hill’s Science Grain-Free Cat Food for Sensitive Stomach
Available in two distinctive flavors, Hill’s Science grain-free cat food is perfect for felines that suffer from pancreatitis. Depending on what your cat loves, you can choose from the chicken & rice option or the salmon & yellow pea option.
It is a rich source of high-quality prebiotic fiber that helps fuel the beneficial bacteria in your cat’s gut. It helps support an adult cat’s microbiome. This formula is easy to digest and ideal for top-notch nutrient absorption.
In short, the stool pickup becomes easier as the poop becomes less sticky. No doubt it is the best cat food for pancreatitis.
Additionally, cat food helps nourish your cat’s skin given its combination of Omega-6 and vitamin E. Formulated with all-natural ingredients, the brand comes from the USA and is decked with trustworthy ingredients.
Pros:
- It doesn’t contain any artificial preservatives, synthetic color, or artificial flavoring
- It contains prebiotic fiber to nourish your pet’s stomach
- Easy to digest food that is light on the cat’s stomach
- It contains ingredients that help keep your pet’s skin & fur nourished
- It doesn’t contain any chicken by-product meal
- The best cat food for pancreatitis
Cons:
- The cats don’t like the recent change in the formula
- It might lead to weight gain among some cats
3. Nutro Wholesome Essentials Cat Food
The Nutro Wholesome Essentials cat food comes with all-real chicken as the primary source of protein for cats that suffer from pancreatitis. This chicken plus brown rice recipe contains natural ingredients along with minerals, vitamins, & other nutrients.
If your cat is a fussy eater, this cat food is loaded with taste without any harmful ingredients. Instead, this wholesome dry cat kibble features all-natural fiber that ensures healthy digestion.
Created from non-GMO ingredients, the formula includes items from trusted suppliers and farmers to avoid any contamination.
Nutro Wholesome doesn’t contain any fillers such as corn. Additionally, it doesn’t contain soy, wheat, artificial flavors, preservatives, or colors that could harm your pet in any way.
Pros:
- Rich in natural fat and omega-6 for a healthy coat and skin
- Ideal for indoor cats that aren’t as active
- It contains a balance of minerals, vitamins, & other nutrients
- Helps maintain healthy body weight with wholesome ingredients
- It doesn’t contain any by-product meals
Cons:
- Urinary crystals might develop in cats that don’t drink enough water
- The smell of the cat food isn’t good
We recommend you to learn how to give liquid medicine to your cat in food, and also read the fact and detail about how much raw food to feed a cat while on the other side our experts also publish a detailed guide on when to switch from kitten food to cat food for a safe transition.
Conclusion
Pancreatitis can make your cat agitated at times. As a result, they might not want to eat anything, leading to further deterioration of their health.
Therefore, it is important to ensure that you get in touch with your veterinarian as soon as you see the signs of the problem manifesting.
In addition, a balanced diet with low-fat content is important for cats that suffer from pancreatitis. Hopefully, our list and review help you to find the best cat food for pancreatitis which can become a cure and prevention.