June 27, 2020 5 min read

Has your dog been diagnosed with pancreatitis?  While this can be a very painful condition for your dog, there are many things that you can do to help them fully recover.  Your dog may have spent a day or two at the vet clinic being treated, or they may now have a lot of medication that they need to take. 

You may be wondering if CBD oil is safe for your dog with pancreatitis. This article will explain what pancreatitis is and is CBD oil safe for your dog who has pancreatitis.


What is Pancreatitis in Dogs?

The pancreas is an organ that lives in your dog’s abdomen very close to the stomach and start of the small intestines.  This organ has two main functions

  1. An exocrine function and is responsible for creating enzymes that allow the body to absorb fats and nutrients from food.  The enzymes are an important part of digestion.
  2. An endocrine function and is responsible for regulating blood sugar. 

Pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas. It occurs when these digestive enzymes are released prematurely. These enzymes can also escape into your dog’s abdominal cavity.  This leakage can cause damage to the pancreas as well as the intestines and stomach. Without treatment, the damage that these enzymes have done can be permanent.

There are two types of pancreatitis

  • Acute: In Acute pancreatitis, symptoms will present very quickly with no warning or build-up.
  • Chronic: In chronic pancreatitis, the conditions build and worsen over a long period of time.  These dogs usually have had pancreatitis a few times before.  They may keep getting pancreatitis and never fully recovering from their first time with pancreatitis. 

No matter what type of pancreatitis your dog has, the symptoms of both types can also be either mild or severe. The worse the signs are in your dog, the quicker you need to see your vet. A dog who suffers from chronic pancreatitis may end up being hospitalized for a few days until they recover from their symptoms. 

Causes of Pancreatitis:

There are many things that can cause your dog to develop pancreatitis. The most common cause of pancreatitis is a high fatty meal. This is why most vets recommended that dogs not eat human food. Most of our foods are higher in fats than most dogs can tolerate. These are some other common causes of pancreatitis.

  • High fatty meal
  • Obesity
  • Diabetes
  •  Hypothyroidism
  • Hypocalcemia
  • Bacterial or viral infections
  • Gastric tract diseases
  • Abdominal trauma
  • Genetic disposition: certain breeds such as spaniels, boxers, collies, and schnauzers, are more prone to developing pancreatitis
  • Toxins
  • Certain prescribed medications

A specific cause sometimes cannot be found, but many of these factors can play a role in your dog developing pancreatitis.


a brown and white dog running through a field

Symptoms of pancreatitis

There are many different symptoms of pancreatitis that your dog can display. Your dog may only show a few of these symptoms, but many shows all of these problems if they have severe pancreatitis. These are the most common symptoms that are associated with a dog with pancreatitis:

  • Fever
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Loss of appetite
  • Weight loss
  • Dehydration
  • Fatigue and sluggishness
  • Abdominal pain
  • Depression and lethargy
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Increased heart rate

Vomiting and abdominal pain are the first signs of pancreatitis. Even symptoms such as lethargy and decreased appetite should be a clear indication that you need to see your veterinarian. The earlier the signs are detected and treated, the better your dog’s prognosis. The more of these symptoms that your dog has, the more severe their disease is. 

Dogs with severe pancreatitis will have to stay at the vet office for a few days receiving care. Once they are healthy enough to go home, you will have to continue their medication and care until they fully recover.


Can CBD Oil help with Dog Pancreatitis?

CBD oil can help aids in inflammation and can help manage pain in both dogs and people. It will help increase appetite and activity levels in dogs that are otherwise lethargic or in pain. As your dog is recovering from pancreatitis, you can give them CBD oil to help stimulate their appetite and ease their pain. 

CBD will help eases the stress that pancreatitis has on your dog. CBD is very safe for dogs with pancreatitis and is actually recommended


The Natural Doggie CBD-Infused Bacon Flavor Soft Chews use only the best ingredients nature has to offer. The perfect treat to promote calmness, reduce inflammation and pain and stimulate appetite in your pet. This is a perfect supplement to add to your dog’s diet. This Colorado-grown, hemp-derived oil is legal in all 50 states and contains no THC. The non-GMO oil in every treat is derived from the finest non-GMO hemp the world has to offer. Your dog will love these bacon-flavored dog chews and you will see a major difference in your animal and if you don’t, your satisfaction is guaranteed.

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Where to get CBD Oil for dogs

There are many places that you can purchase CBD products. You can buy CBD online or most health food stores. Make sure that the products that you buy are tested by third parties that precisely states what is in the product. This helps to make sure you are purchasing products that contain CBD. 

SitStay brand of CBD is CO2 extracted and contains a high purity level.  The old saying holds true for CBD Oil price points get what you pay for.  This means that higher purity extracts will be slightly higher in price.

Dogs who have pancreatitis can be very painful, vomiting, and/or diarrhea.  These signs in your dog should warrant a visit to your vet. They will be able to diagnose pancreatitis with an exam and a blood test.  Depending on the severity of your dog’s signs, they may get to go home with you, but they may have to stay at the vet’s office for a few days.  

Once they are home, consider giving them CBD oils to help them recover. CBD has been shown to help dogs with pain and inflammation. With CBD oil, your dog can quickly get on the road to a full recovery.


Claudia Bensimoun

Claudia Bensimoun author of Is CBD Oil Safe for Dogs with Pancreatitis?

Claudia Bensimoun is a freelance journalist and author, and specializes in veterinary content, and eBooks. She's a long-time feature writer for Animal Wellness magazine, Fido Friendly magazine, and the United States Dog Agility Association. In addition, Bensimoun has written for numerous pet websites, magazines, newspapers and online publications. Her interests include wildlife conservation, animal welfare, disaster/ humanitarian relief, veterinary research, and veganism.



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