Extra-lean turkey mince with plain pumpkin, white rice and gentle vegetables. Designed specifically for dogs managing pancreatitis — low enough in fat to be safe, nutritious enough to be a long-term diet.
This recipe is designed for dogs with chronic or recovering pancreatitis who have been cleared by a vet to eat at home. If your dog has just had an acute pancreatitis episode, they may need 24–48 hours of fasting and veterinary fluids before reintroducing food. Always confirm with your vet before changing the diet of a dog with pancreatitis. This recipe is a tool — not a replacement for professional care.
Extra-lean turkey mince (99% fat-free) provides complete protein with virtually no fat — the exact combination a pancreatitis dog needs.
Plain pumpkin puree is one of the most gentle, digestive-supportive foods for dogs. It's naturally low in fat and high in soluble fibre that regulates gut movement.
White rice is one of the most digestible carbohydrates available. For pancreatitis dogs, easy digestion matters more than whole-grain nutrition.
Zucchini and green beans are both extremely low in fat and calories, while providing vitamins C and K, fibre and potassium with zero burden on the pancreas.
A small amount of salmon oil provides anti-inflammatory omega-3 — helpful for pancreatitis management — without exceeding the low-fat threshold.
Eggshell calcium corrects the natural calcium-phosphorus imbalance in meat-based meals, keeping bones and joints supported long-term.
Feed smaller, more frequent meals rather than one or two large ones. Most pancreatitis dogs do best on three to four small meals per day — it reduces the demand on the pancreas at any one time. The amounts below are per serving.
| Ingredient | Per Serving | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Small dog (up to 10kg) — 3–4 small meals per day | ||
| Extra-lean turkey mince | 60g | ultra-low fat |
| Plain pumpkin puree | 40g | Not pie filling — plain only |
| Cooked white rice | 40g | Cooked weight, plain |
| Zucchini, diced | 25g | Cooked until soft |
| Green beans, chopped | 25g | Cooked until soft |
| Added cold after cooling | ||
| Eggshell calcium powder | ¼ tsp | add cold |
| Salmon oil | ¼ tsp | add cold — small amount only |
| Ingredient | Per Serving | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Medium dog (10–25kg) — 3 meals per day | ||
| Extra-lean turkey mince | 130g | ultra-low fat |
| Plain pumpkin puree | 80g | Not pie filling — plain only |
| Cooked white rice | 80g | Cooked weight, plain |
| Zucchini, diced | 50g | Cooked until soft |
| Green beans, chopped | 50g | Cooked until soft |
| Added cold after cooling | ||
| Eggshell calcium powder | ¼ tsp | add cold |
| Salmon oil | ¼ tsp | add cold — small amount only |
| Ingredient | Per Serving | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Large dog (25–40kg) — 3 meals per day | ||
| Extra-lean turkey mince | 220g | ultra-low fat |
| Plain pumpkin puree | 120g | Not pie filling — plain only |
| Cooked white rice | 120g | Cooked weight, plain |
| Zucchini, diced | 70g | Cooked until soft |
| Green beans, chopped | 70g | Cooked until soft |
| Added cold after cooling | ||
| Eggshell calcium powder | ½ tsp | add cold |
| Salmon oil | ½ tsp | add cold — small amount only |
| Ingredient | Per Serving | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Giant dog (40kg+) — 3 meals per day | ||
| Extra-lean turkey mince | 300g | ultra-low fat |
| Plain pumpkin puree | 150g | Not pie filling — plain only |
| Cooked white rice | 150g | Cooked weight, plain |
| Zucchini, diced | 90g | Cooked until soft |
| Green beans, chopped | 90g | Cooked until soft |
| Added cold after cooling | ||
| Eggshell calcium powder | ¾ tsp | add cold |
| Salmon oil | ½ tsp | add cold — small amount only |
Place turkey mince in a non-stick pan with a splash of water rather than oil. Cook over medium heat, breaking it into small pieces, until fully cooked through — about 8 minutes. The goal is poached rather than browned. No oil, no butter, no cooking fat of any kind at this stage.
Steam or boil zucchini and green beans until very soft — softer than you'd normally cook them. Pancreatitis dogs often have sensitive digestion and find finely cooked vegetables easier to process than firm ones. Drain well and allow to cool slightly.
💡 Dice everything small — smaller pieces are easier on a recovering digestive system.In a bowl, gently mix together the cooked turkey, pumpkin puree, cooked white rice and vegetables. The pumpkin acts as a gentle binder and helps everything hold together loosely. The mixture should be moist but not wet.
This step matters more for pancreatitis dogs than most. Do not serve warm food — the digestive response to food begins with smell, and a warm bowl triggers stronger enzyme production from the pancreas than a room-temperature one. Allow to cool fully before portioning.
Once fully cooled, stir in eggshell calcium powder and the small amount of salmon oil. Both must go in cold. The fish oil is reduced to a quarter teaspoon (rather than the usual half to one teaspoon) to keep total fat within the therapeutic range. Do not be tempted to add more — even healthy fat is too much for a pancreatitis dog in larger quantities.
The single most important feeding change for pancreatitis dogs is meal frequency. Three to four small meals spread throughout the day places far less demand on the pancreas than one or two large ones. Use the per-serving amounts above and divide daily food into smaller portions. Set phone reminders if needed — consistency matters here.
Extra-lean turkey (99% fat-free) provides complete protein with all essential amino acids at virtually zero fat. It's one of the only protein sources appropriate for dogs in active pancreatitis management. Look for it specifically labelled as extra-lean or 99% fat-free — regular turkey mince is not lean enough.
Plain pumpkin is one of the most recommended foods for digestive upset in dogs. The soluble fibre helps regulate bowel movements in both directions — it firms loose stools and helps constipated dogs. It's also extremely low in fat and calories, making it ideal for therapeutic diets. Always use plain puree, never pumpkin pie filling which contains sugar and spices.
For pancreatitis management, white rice is preferable to brown. While brown rice has more fibre and nutrients, white rice is more quickly and easily digested — which is exactly what a stressed pancreas needs. Cooked plain with no salt or oil, it provides gentle, steady energy with minimal digestive burden.
Zucchini is one of the lowest-fat vegetables available. It adds volume to the bowl without fat or excess calories, provides vitamins C and B6, and contributes to the moisture content which keeps the food easy to eat for dogs with reduced appetite during recovery.
Green beans are practically fat-free and provide useful fibre, vitamin K and manganese. They're one of the safest vegetables for pancreatitis dogs. Cook them very soft rather than al dente — a sensitive digestive system handles soft vegetables far more comfortably than firm ones.
Omega-3 fatty acids have documented anti-inflammatory effects that are actually beneficial for pancreatitis management over the long term. However, the total fat allowance is tight, so the amount is reduced to a quarter teaspoon. This provides the anti-inflammatory benefit without pushing total dietary fat beyond the therapeutic limit. Do not increase the amount.
Pancreatitis can affect any dog, but certain breeds are significantly more predisposed. If your dog is one of these breeds, a low-fat diet is worth considering as a preventive measure — not just after a diagnosis.
Understanding why fat triggers pancreatitis — and what to do during a flare-up versus long-term management — makes a real difference to how you care for your dog.
Read the Guide →