First published in 2019. Rewritten in October 2026 with current veterinary guidance and added safety information.
Ketogenic diets are high in fat, and fat matters a great deal for dogs who are prone to pancreatitis. If your dog has ever had pancreatitis, or you're thinking about a higher-fat diet, this is worth reading first.
Please talk to your veterinarian before starting any high-fat or ketogenic diet if your dog:
- has had pancreatitis before
- has high triglycerides (fats in the blood)
- is a Miniature Schnauzer or another breed prone to pancreatitis
- has diabetes, Cushing's disease or an underactive thyroid
- takes medicines linked to pancreatitis, which include some used for seizures and cancer
What is pancreatitis?
The pancreas makes enzymes that digest food, and hormones, including insulin, that control blood sugar. In pancreatitis it becomes inflamed, and its digestive enzymes start to damage the pancreas itself and the tissue around it. It can be mild or very serious, and it can come back.
What causes it?
Often no single cause is found. Things known to raise the risk include:
- a sudden high-fat meal, such as fatty table scraps or raiding the trash
- being overweight
- high triglycerides, which are common in Miniature Schnauzers
- some hormone conditions, such as diabetes, Cushing's disease and an underactive thyroid
- some medicines
Signs to watch for
Vomiting, loss of appetite, a painful belly (some dogs stand hunched or stretch with their front legs down), tiredness, diarrhea or dehydration. If you see these signs, call your veterinarian the same day. Pancreatitis can become serious quickly.
How it's diagnosed and treated
Your veterinarian will usually use a blood test for pancreatic lipase, often with an ultrasound scan. Treatment depends on how severe it is, and may include fluids, pain relief and anti-nausea medicine. Long fasts are no longer standard care: most dogs are encouraged to eat again soon, usually a low-fat food chosen by the veterinarian.
What this means for a low-carbohydrate diet
Low carbohydrate and high fat are not the same thing. For most dogs, KetoPet suggests a low-carbohydrate diet that is high in protein and moderate in fat. A stricter, high-fat ketogenic diet is usually kept for dogs with cancer or seizures, and only with their veterinarian's guidance.
For a dog with a history of pancreatitis, your veterinarian may recommend a low-fat diet. Some dogs can still eat less carbohydrate by getting more of their calories from lean protein, but work that out with your veterinarian, not on your own.
For any dog, change diets gradually over a week or two, and keep fatty scraps off the menu.
Our free guide, What's Really in the Bowl, explains what goes into dog food and how to choose well. If you have questions, the KetoPet community on Facebook is a good place to ask, or you can write to us.
This article is general information, not veterinary advice.