Pancreatitis is one of those conditions that creeps in quietly, then suddenly it hits critical mass and you have a sick dog. You may not see it coming, but you’ll know it’s arrived when your dog suddenly turns lethargic, refuses food, or just isn’t quite right. In the worst case you’ll have vomiting, diarrhoea and obvious stomach pain. This is known as acute pancreatitis and can be a medical emergency.
It can also present in chronic cases, and frequently overlaps with stress, dietary imbalance, and unresolved trauma.
So, let’s dive into what this disease is, how Western medicine views it compared to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and how we can help resolve it.
First, what does the Pancreas do?
The pancreas is an organ located behind the small intestine and stomach, and is made up of clusters of cells that produce digestive enzymes and are connected to a series of small ducts. These inactive enzymes are stored in the pancreas, only being activated when they enter the small intestine. These pancreatic enzymes move from the cells and minor ducts into the main pancreatic duct, which leads to the duodenum. The pancreas also contains small hormone-producing cells called Islets of Langerhans, which secrete insulin and glucagon, along with somatostatin, hormones that regulate blood sugar metabolism.
What does Western Veterinary Medicine Say?
In conventional Western veterinary medicine, pancreatitis is described as inflammation of the pancreas, an organ with two primary functions: secreting digestive enzymes and producing insulin. When the pancreas becomes inflamed, those enzymes can start digesting the pancreas itself. Painful, as you can imagine. The condition is believed to be caused by all sorts of things:
- Dietary indiscretion
- Hyper-lipidemia
- Obesity
- Endocrine disorders such as Diabetes Mellitus or Cushing’s disease
- Trauma
- Abdominal surgery
- Certain medications
- Infections
- And lastly, the famous “we don’t really know” diagnosis of ‘idiopathic’.
To diagnose the condition, vets will observe clinical signs, run blood tests to look for elevated pancreatic lipase levels, and perform an abdominal ultrasound.
The condition is categorised into two types: Acute and Chronic.
Acute Pancreatitis comes on suddenly and often severely. Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, fever, lethargy and loss of appetite. In extreme cases, it can be life-threatening.
Chronic Pancreatitis, on the other hand, develops over time, with often milder and recurring symptoms. It is more common in older animals or those who have a history of poor diet, obesity or inflammatory bowel conditions. Symptoms can be vague from ‘fussy’ eating, dull coat, low energy, to digestive irregularities such as intermittent vomiting. For both conditions, the conventional treatment involves fasting, IV fluids, pain relief, anti-nausea medication and sometimes antibiotics if an infection is confirmed. Nutritionally, vets will recommend a low-fat prescription diet as it’s believed that fat contributes to the condition, and certainly should be avoided in any dog diagnosed with pancreatitis. However….. Let’s bust that Myth!
According to Nick Thompson, holistic vet and founder of the Raw Feeding Veterinary Society, “Healthy fats do not cause pancreatitis in an otherwise healthy dog! Those found in raw food (that have not been heated, modified, emulsified and oxidised as they are in kibbles) are a primary fuel source for dogs. “If healthy fats caused damage, generations of Huskies and other mushing dogs in Alaska, Siberia, and other cold climes would have died off years ago. Their diet of whale or seal blubber with a bit of fish would have given each and every one of them raging pancreatitis, but it did not.” So the conclusion is that it’s the emulsified and over-heated fats in processed foods such as kibble that the body is unable to digest and therefore should be avoided.
So that’s the Western veterinary point of view. However, what I found frustrating, both as a practitioner and a caregiver, is that while these methods stabilise the animal, they often don’t address the root causes or support the body’s capacity to heal. That’s where Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine offers a deeper explanation as to what imbalances are occurring in the body and how to solve the root cause of the imbalance to prevent recurring bouts.
What does TCM say?
In TCM, the pancreas isn’t considered a separate organ but is largely associated with the Spleen and Stomach, the core of the digestive and energetic system.
The Spleen governs the transformation and transportation of food and fluids. When the energy within it becomes deficient or obstructed, Dampness and Heat accumulate, stagnation occurs, and inflammation arises.
TCM views acute Pancreatitis as an invasion of Damp-Heat in the digestive system, as with the symptoms mentioned in the Western medicine section above. TCM also highlights symptoms such as sticky stools, red tongue with a greasy yellow coating and rapid pulse. They also consider that emotional triggers can worsen the conditions, as these emotions disrupt the smooth flow of Liver-Qi, which then puts stress on the spleen.
TCM views cases of chronic pancreatitis to be caused by Spleen Qi Deficiency with underlying Dampness, and posits that over time, Damp turns into Phlegm or Heat, depending on the animal’s constitution and lifestyle. Chronic cases may involve Liver Qi Stagnation, especially in animals who are anxious, easily stressed, or emotionally repressed. By understanding this energetic picture, it helps us to see pancreatitis not just as an inflammation, but as a pattern of imbalance that needs realignment on physical, emotional, and energetic levels, which brings us to the APA protocol.
How do I look at it?
I am trained in Animal PsychAromatica (APA), which allows me not just to address symptoms but support wellness so the animals can return to health. APA is a natural, multi-layered approach that includes TCM and aromatic botanicals, and is focused on providing a truly holistic support system for animals and their guardians. It is a powerfully effective way to address the whole animal, physical, emotional and energetic. as APA looks at each animal as an individual and provides the tools it needs to heal.
Now that we have a full understanding of the condition and its effect on the body, it’s clear from the APA point of view that we must go deeper than just calming inflammation. We must restore harmony to the digestive fire, soothe emotional tension, and support the microbiome with nourishment that resonates with the element of the individual animal. Here’s how APA approaches it.
The APA Protocol for Pancreatitis
Step 1: Nutrition & Nourishment
Whether it’s acute or chronic, the digestive system needs gentle, anti-inflammatory support. I recommend avoiding dry kibble entirely, as it dehydrates the digestive system and burdens the Spleen. Instead, opt for a lightly cooked home-made meal based on chicken or turkey with pumpkin, carrots, courgette, leafy greens and fresh papaya. Once the symptoms have reduced, you can introduce gentle grains like millet or quinoa for dogs in small amounts. Even though dogs do not need carbohydrates in their diet, provided they have fresh vegetables as a source of antioxidants and phytochemicals, some dogs can benefit from them; it depends on their constitution. Adding bone broth is great for hydration, is extremely nourishing, and helps soothe the gut lining. I suggest avoiding foods such as beef, lamb, oily fish, dairy and corn, as these all exacerbate Damp-heat in the body.
For cats, a fresh diet high in moisture and protein, such as Rabbit and Turkey, is often well-tolerated.
If the animal is showing other signs of an imbalance in their microbiome, adding a soil-based probiotic can be beneficial to help re-populate the gut with healthy bacteria, along with prebiotic herbs such as psyllium husk, burdock and dandelion root to help feed the good bacteria.
Once you have the diet sorted, I recommend feeding two meals a day, allowing a longer fast between dinner and the following breakfast. If your cat or dog is predisposed to the hunger pukes, try feeding later and earlier in the day, between 3-4 times a day. Each animal is different, and it’s important to figure out what suits the individual.
Step 2: Lifestyle Stress Reduction
Chronic stress is often the hidden trigger behind digestive issues like pancreatitis. By the time symptoms appear, the body has been under strain for quite some time.
- A fresh, species-appropriate diet is foundational.
- Create a calm, supportive environment. Avoid forcing animals who don’t get along to live together, and ensure they have safe, quiet spaces to rest and recover.
- Dogs benefit from gentle exercise routines with proper warm-up and cool-down, while therapies like massage, acupressure, and offering choices can restore emotional balance.
- Over-vaccination and chemical overload can add to the burden, so I recommend titre testing in place of routine jabs, using natural flea and tick repellents, and offering detoxifying botanicals. Regular faecal worm counts help reduce the need for chemical wormers—herbs and clays are often enough.
- Ease confinement stress with enriching experiences. Dogs need play, nature, and companionship; cats often need quiet, vertical space and access to nature.
- Predictability helps, but flexibility is key. Introduce change gently and give them time to adjust. Healing starts with feeling safe.
Step 3: Aromatic Botanicals
Essential oils and hydrosols can support the digestive organs, reduce inflammation, and calm the nervous system. But as always, let the animal choose. If your animal is experiencing an acute flare-up of pancreatitis, offer the essential oil for inhalation only. Once the acute phase has passed and only if they continue to show interest, you can allow dogs to lick 1–3 drops of diluted essential oil per session if they want. While fats are rarely the root cause of pancreatitis, excessive fat intake can be problematic in the short term until the animal begins to recover.
Here is a short list of aromatic botanicals that are often selected by animals suffering from pancreatitis:
Essential Oils/Hydrosols
- Angelica root (Angelica archangelica) is a deeply grounding digestive and hepatic tonic, a great choice for animals who carry stress in their gut. Angelica supports the liver and gallbladder function by encouraging bile flow and easing stagnation.
- German Chamomile (Matricaria recutita) helps calm the gut lining, eases spasms, and reduces digestive tension due to its anti-inflammatory properties. Chamomile brings comfort to animals who are easily agitated or struggle to settle, especially during flare-ups of discomfort.
- Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) is gentle yet effective at easing bloating, gas, and cramping while supporting pancreatic enzyme function. Fennel is often self-selected by animals dealing with sluggish digestion or nausea.
- Ginger (Zingiber officinale) enhances digestion, circulation, and bile flow due to its warming and stimulating action. It’s especially helpful for nausea and cold, stagnant conditions and poor appetite.
- Seaweed (Fucus vesiculosus) is mineral-rich and a demulcent, Seaweed helps soothe the gut lining, balance thyroid function, and support the entire digestive tract. Its natural iodine content helps to assist metabolism, which is often compromised in chronic illness.
- Chaste tree (Vitex agnus-castus) is a powerful endocrine modulator. Chaste Tree gently supports hormonal balance and aids metabolic regulation. Making it useful for animals with chronic inflammation rooted in deeper imbalances.
- Carrot seed (Daucus carota) supports liver detoxification and tissue repair due to its cell-regenerative and hepatoprotective properties. Its bitter nature also gently stimulates digestion, making it a good choice for long-term pancreatic recovery.
Carrier Oils
- Calendula (Calendula officinalis) supports mucosal repair and reduces inflammation throughout the digestive tract. Its gentle energy makes it ideal as a carrier for sensitive animals.
- Olive (Olea europaea) is rich in antioxidants and healthy fats, offering anti-inflammatory support while promoting bile production and nutrient absorption. Research also suggests that olive oil may help inhibit cellular pathways involved in the development of acute pancreatitis.
- Sesame seed (Sesamum indicum) is warming, nourishing, grounding and helps to promote circulation. It’s especially helpful for dryness or cold conditions in the gut, often present in chronic pancreatitis cases.
Herbs
- Burdock Root (Arctium lappa) is a blood purifier and gentle liver tonic, Burdock supports detoxification while nourishing the gut flora. Its prebiotic properties help reestablish healthy microbial balance in stressed digestive systems.
- Dandelion Root (Taraxacum officinale) helps to stimulate bile flow, supports enzyme production, and helps reduce digestive stagnation. Making it ideal for animals with pancreatic or liver congestion.
- Psyllium Husk (Plantago ovata) is a soothing fibre as it forms a gel-like consistency when soaked, helping to ease bowel movements and soothe inflammation in the gut lining. Excellent for regulating elimination and supporting mucosal health.
- Marshmallow Root (Althaea officinalis) coats and calms irritated digestive tissues due to its mucilaginous properties. It is commonly selected by animals with gut inflammation to support recovery in acute or chronic pancreatitis.
One of the most important things to remember is that healing doesn’t come solely from doing, it arises from slowing down, observing, listening, and responding with presence. The APA Protocol isn’t a fixed formula; it’s a rhythm, a way of being in relationship with your animal throughout their healing journey.
Pancreatitis can feel overwhelming, but with patience, understanding, and a deep respect for your animal’s inner wisdom, it can also mark the beginning of profound change not only in their health, but in how we support them as whole beings. I hope this article has offered you comfort, clarity, and practical support. And most of all, I hope you know you are not alone. If you would like to learn more about the APA wellness system, check out our APA Certificate Course, or if you are looking for support for one of your animal companions, you can find our Practitioners listed here and also in the Animal Wellness Premium Community.
Research Sources
Essential Oils for Animals – Nayana Morag
Holistic Vet – Dr Nick Tompson
Raw Pet Medics – Dr Nick Tompson, Dr Brendan Clarke, Dr Conor Brady
My Pet Nutritionist
Kirsty McIvor
Kirsty is the heart behind Hedgerow Healing, where her passion lies in helping animals regain balance, health, and emotional well-being naturally. A certified and insured Complementary Animal Therapist, specialising in Animal PsychAromatica (APA), combining botanical self-selection, natural nutrition, TCM Five Element acupressure, and lifestyle adjustments to support animals holistically. With years of experience, Kirsty creates bespoke wellness plans that honour each animal’s unique needs. Her work is rooted in choice, compassion, and a belief that true healing comes from within.
Email: hedgerowhealingforanimals@gmail.com
Website: https://hedgerowhealing.co.uk
