14-Year Life Span Study in Dogs
You can help veterinarians protect pet health and public health by not insisting on antibiotics for your pet’s diarrhea.
What can be done to manage diarrhea instead of giving antibiotics? Modifying your pet’s diet is the first step in managing your pet’s diarrhea. Your veterinarian may recommend a therapeutic diet that is formulated for gastrointestinal health and may include supplemental fiber and/or prebiotics. They may also recommend a veterinary probiotic.
Key Messages
- Nutritional support plays an important therapeutic role in the management of dogs with acute pancreatitis and usually includes enteral nutrition or parenteral nutrition.7─10
- Acute pancreatitis is associated with substantial catabolism, increased metabolic demands and nutritional requirements, and potential tissue necrosis.11
- Feeding may be complicated by ileus, a commonly encountered complication of acute pancreatitis.11
- Although studies in dogs with pancreatitis are limited, data support a benefit to early enteral nutrition,8,12 which is now strongly recommended over parenteral nutrition or nil per os (NPO; nothing by mouth) for most cases. Nutritional intervention becomes more important with increasing disease severity and should be started even if the patient is still vomiting.8,12,13
- Early enteral nutrition helps stabilize the gut barrier, improve enterocyte health and immune function, improve GI motility, decrease catabolism, minimize protein-energy malnutrition, and minimize bacterial translocation.7,8,12
- Cell biology experiments have shown that pancreatic necrosis and inflammation are associated with inhibition, not excessive stimulation, of secretions. These studies also suggest feeding may help remove prematurely activated enzymes.13
- Fasting is only necessary if a patient has intractable vomiting or is at risk for aspiration pneumonia.13
- Dogs with acute pancreatitis that are not vomiting should generally be fed by mouth. If anorectic, a feeding tube can be placed and used until the dog is voluntarily eating.
- Diet characteristics and key nutrients of concern include water; electrolytes, especially potassium, sodium, and chloride; fat; protein, particularly free essential amino acids; and digestibility.
- Many dogs with pancreatitis present with some degree of dehydration due to ongoing vomiting and/or diarrhea, making water a critical nutrient.
- Dogs with mild fluid deficits (about 5%) may be treated with subcutaneous fluids or, if they are not vomiting, they can be managed with oral water intake.
- Moderately dehydrated dogs should receive appropriate intravenous (IV) fluid and electrolyte replacement. Lactated Ringer’s solution appears to provide better outcomes than 0.9% sodium chloride (saline) solution.5,14
- Severely dehydrated dogs need aggressive IV fluid therapy. Maintaining perfusion of the pancreatic microcirculation is critical to treatment and recovery.6
- The combination of vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia, and fluid therapy can result in abnormal serum potassium, chloride, and sodium concentrations. Abnormal calcium levels also have been reported.
- When indicated by testing, potassium chloride can be added to IV fluids with attention closely paid to rate of fluid therapy.
- The initial dietary therapy should contain levels of potassium, chloride, and sodium above the normal allowances for healthy dogs. These increased levels typically are present in many therapeutic diets indicated for pancreatitis.
- While veterinary studies evaluating different diet types and their effects on the course of pancreatitis are lacking, a highly digestible diet designed for patients with GI disease is generally recommended.
- Dietary fat reduction is a logical consideration in nutritional management of acute pancreatitis,13 although the link between high dietary fat and naturally occurring pancreatitis is not clear.7 Many dogs with pancreatitis are hyperlipidemic, which can be managed with fat reduction.9
- Dogs with hyperlipidemia should be fed a high-quality, balanced, ultra-low-fat diet (fat content ≤ 10% DM or 2 to 3 grams per 100 kilocalories of metabolizable energy [g/100 kcal ME]) to achieve lower serum triglycerides and cholesterol.4,7
- Non-hyperlipidemic dogs can be fed low-fat foods (≤ 15% DM or < 3.5 g/100 kcal ME).4,15 However, if there is no evidence of fat intolerance, an easily digested diet with moderate fat content (4 to 6 g/100 kcal ME) can be fed.7
- Nutritional plans for dogs with pancreatitis should provide sufficient protein for recovery and tissue repair.
- Dogs with acute pancreatitis may fully recover and may not exhibit signs of chronic pancreatitis. If a low-fat diet was fed during hospitalization, the dog can be slowly transitioned to the previous or intended maintenance diet.14 Some dogs may need a low-to-moderate-fat diet for life.
- For dogs with persistent nausea and vomiting, feeding tube placement may be necessary to help correct their negative energy balance. Enteral feeding is preferred over parenteral feeding because it helps restore intestinal motility, decreases intestinal villi atrophy, and reduces bacterial translocation.
- Feeding tubes (e.g., nasogastric, nasoesophageal, and esophagostomy) are well tolerated, allow convenient delivery of nutrients, and are associated with few complications. However, dogs that continue to vomit can displace their feeding tubes. It is essential that placement be checked before each use.
- An ideal diet for supporting hospitalized dogs with acute pancreatitis is yet to be determined. In most cases, a highly digestible diet that is low in fat, moderate in protein, and low in fiber is recommended.15
Nutritional management approaches to consider
- Nutritional support plays an important therapeutic role in the management of dogs with acute pancreatitis and usually includes enteral nutrition or parenteral nutrition.7─10
- Acute pancreatitis is associated with substantial catabolism, increased metabolic demands and nutritional requirements, and potential tissue necrosis.11
- Feeding may be complicated by ileus, a commonly encountered complication of acute pancreatitis.11
- Although studies in dogs with pancreatitis are limited, data support a benefit to early enteral nutrition,8,12 which is now strongly recommended over parenteral nutrition or nil per os (NPO; nothing by mouth) for most cases. Nutritional intervention becomes more important with increasing disease severity and should be started even if the patient is still vomiting.8,12,13
- Early enteral nutrition helps stabilize the gut barrier, improve enterocyte health and immune function, improve GI motility, decrease catabolism, minimize protein-energy malnutrition, and minimize bacterial translocation.7,8,12
- Cell biology experiments have shown that pancreatic necrosis and inflammation are associated with inhibition, not excessive stimulation, of secretions. These studies also suggest feeding may help remove prematurely activated enzymes.13
- Fasting is only necessary if a patient has intractable vomiting or is at risk for aspiration pneumonia.13
- Dogs with acute pancreatitis that are not vomiting should generally be fed by mouth. If anorectic, a feeding tube can be placed and used until the dog is voluntarily eating.
Diet characteristics and nutrients of concern
- Diet characteristics and key nutrients of concern include water; electrolytes, especially potassium, sodium, and chloride; fat; protein, particularly free essential amino acids; and digestibility.
- Many dogs with pancreatitis present with some degree of dehydration due to ongoing vomiting and/or diarrhea, making water a critical nutrient.
- Dogs with mild fluid deficits (about 5%) may be treated with subcutaneous fluids or, if they are not vomiting, they can be managed with oral water intake.
- Moderately dehydrated dogs should receive appropriate intravenous (IV) fluid and electrolyte replacement. Lactated Ringer’s solution appears to provide better outcomes than 0.9% sodium chloride (saline) solution.5,14
- Severely dehydrated dogs need aggressive IV fluid therapy. Maintaining perfusion of the pancreatic microcirculation is critical to treatment and recovery.6
- The combination of vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia, and fluid therapy can result in abnormal serum potassium, chloride, and sodium concentrations. Abnormal calcium levels also have been reported.
- When indicated by testing, potassium chloride can be added to IV fluids with attention closely paid to rate of fluid therapy.
- The initial dietary therapy should contain levels of potassium, chloride, and sodium above the normal allowances for healthy dogs. These increased levels typically are present in many therapeutic diets indicated for pancreatitis.
- While veterinary studies evaluating different diet types and their effects on the course of pancreatitis are lacking, a highly digestible diet designed for patients with GI disease is generally recommended.
- Dietary fat reduction is a logical consideration in nutritional management of acute pancreatitis,13 although the link between high dietary fat and naturally occurring pancreatitis is not clear.7 Many dogs with pancreatitis are hyperlipidemic, which can be managed with fat reduction.9
- Dogs with hyperlipidemia should be fed a high-quality, balanced, ultra-low-fat diet (fat content ≤ 10% DM or 2 to 3 grams per 100 kilocalories of metabolizable energy [g/100 kcal ME]) to achieve lower serum triglycerides and cholesterol.4,7
- Non-hyperlipidemic dogs can be fed low-fat foods (≤ 15% DM or < 3.5 g/100 kcal ME).4,15 However, if there is no evidence of fat intolerance, an easily digested diet with moderate fat content (4 to 6 g/100 kcal ME) can be fed.7
- Nutritional plans for dogs with pancreatitis should provide sufficient protein for recovery and tissue repair.
- Dogs with acute pancreatitis may fully recover and may not exhibit signs of chronic pancreatitis. If a low-fat diet was fed during hospitalization, the dog can be slowly transitioned to the previous or intended maintenance diet.14 Some dogs may need a low-to-moderate-fat diet for life.
Feeding management
- For dogs with persistent nausea and vomiting, feeding tube placement may be necessary to help correct their negative energy balance. Enteral feeding is preferred over parenteral feeding because it helps restore intestinal motility, decreases intestinal villi atrophy, and reduces bacterial translocation.
- Feeding tubes (e.g., nasogastric, nasoesophageal, and esophagostomy) are well tolerated, allow convenient delivery of nutrients, and are associated with few complications. However, dogs that continue to vomit can displace their feeding tubes. It is essential that placement be checked before each use.
- An ideal diet for supporting hospitalized dogs with acute pancreatitis is yet to be determined. In most cases, a highly digestible diet that is low in fat, moderate in protein, and low in fiber is recommended.15
Learn how Purina’s breakthrough studies, with novel discoveries about the molecular-level impacts of nutrients on pet health, have helped reimagine the ways nutrition can help pets live better, longer lives.
Advancing Brain Health
Learn how nutritional innovations can help protect brain health, manage age-related cognitive changes in dogs and cats, and improve outcomes associated with idiopathic epilepsy in dogs.
Transforming Heart Health
Learn about key nutrients that support heart health in cats and dogs, and discover how Purina’s scientists identified a specific nutrient blend that can help support heart function and slow heart disease progression in dogs with early stage myxomatous mitral valve disease.
Neutralizing Allergens
Learn about an innovative approach to neutralizing Fel d 1, the major cat allergen, at its source in cats’ saliva. As part of a comprehensive allergy management plan, this cat-safe approach can help reduce cat allergens while keeping the cat in its loving home.
Promoting Gastrointestinal Health
Learn about the critical roles of the gut microbiome in pet health and how nutritional interventions including prebiotics, probiotics and synbiotics can improve pet health, boost immunity, and aid in the management of common health conditions.
Extending a Healthy Life
Learn how Purina’s research demonstrated that nutrition plays a key role in extending the healthy life of dogs and cats. Read about the landmark studies that showed how specific nutritional approaches can slow the onset of age-related health issues and add more years to the lives of dogs and cats.
Exploring Molecular Nutrition
Discover how Purina scientists use their ‘omics’ expertise—analyzing DNA, RNA, proteins, metabolites, or gut bacterial populations—to identify new ways that nutrients can help improve health conditions, such as osteoarthritis, and better understand how nutrition can benefit each and every pet.
Managing a Healthy Weight
Learn more about the links between health and body weight in pets, the risks of excess weight in pet health, and discover Purina’s research findings on the role specific nutrients, such as protein and soy isoflavones, can play in successful and sustainable weight loss.
Day 2 Panel Discussion
Day 2 Panel Discussion
Adult Cat
Maintenance Nutrition for Healthy Adult Cats
Cats are obligate carnivores and, as such, have several unique nutrient requirements that must be considered for their optimal health and longevity. Feeding a complete and balanced adult maintenance cat food can meet an individual cat’s nutritional needs.
What Do Cats Need to Thrive?
Giving cats what they need for a long, healthy life starts with nutrition. But if you want your cat to thrive, you will want to provide more than just food and water. As long-time feline fanciers know, many cats are quite social and enjoy daily attention from their owners, no matter how self-reliant they may seem.
Here’s an overview of the essentials — with an emphasis on nutrition — so you can help your cat thrive.
To Share With Pet Owner:
Biological Age and Biological Clocks
Age is not a disease, but it is a risk factor for disease and pets’ aging trajectories will vary by individual. Biological age, measured by biological clocks, can indicate whether a pet is aging in a healthy, or unhealthy, manner.
Speaker:
Gualtiero Gandini, DMV, PhD, DECVN
Date: 12 November 2025
Location: Virtual
Paroxysmal dyskinesia in dogs is often mistaken for idiopathic epilepsy, leading to ineffective treatment with anti-seizure medications. In this lecture, Dr. Gualtiero Gandini explores the evolving understanding of paroxysmal dyskinesia—including its clinical presentation, diagnostic challenges, and the role of diet in management. Learn how gluten-sensitive forms of paroxysmal dyskinesia and gut–brain interactions are reshaping approaches to care.
Watch the full recording to see results from a prospective study showing that a gluten-free, hydrolyzed diet significantly reduced paroxysmal dyskinesia episodes and gastrointestinal signs in affected dogs. Gain practical insights to improve diagnostic accuracy and treatment outcomes for your patients.
Looking for continuing education credit? Complete the quiz after watching this session.