Have you ever wondered if coconut oil can cause pancreatitis in pets? You're not alone! It's a question we're often asked by concerned pet owners with animals that suffer from the condition. In today's post, we'll take a look at what pancreatitis is and the symptoms it causes in pets. We'll also explore how diet can help manage pancreatitis, and whether or not coconut oil is beneficial for pets with the condition.
What Is Pancreatitis?
The pancreas is a gland organ located in the abdomen that performs a number of vital functions in your pet's body. Two of the most important of these are production of digestive enzymes and hormones such as insulin. Pancreatitis is a condition that develops when the pancreas becomes inflamed. When this happens, digestive enzymes can leak into the abdominal cavity causing dangerous and potentially life-threatening symptoms.
Some of the most common symptoms of pancreatitis in pets include abdominal inflammation and swelling, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and lethargy. Pets with the condition may also suffer from loss of appetite. Pancreatitis can occur in dogs and cats of all ages, sizes, and breeds. The condition may also be acute or chronic.
Acute pancreatitis is characterized by the abrupt onset of symptoms. It can cause extreme pain, and may be life-threatening if the inflammation spreads throughout the body. By comparison, chronic pancreatitis refers to ongoing inflammation of the pancreas. It is often less severe than acute pancreatitis, but the condition can result in serious health complications over the long term.
There is some debate on the causes of pancreatitis in pets, but high-fat diets are often singled out as a contributing factor for older, overweight, or inactive animals. Low-protein diets, certain medications, trauma to the pancreas, and underlying health conditions such as diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have also been linked with the condition.
Pancreatitis and Diet
Pets with pancreatitis lack sufficient pancreatic enzymes to break down fats, and cannot absorb them efficiently. For this reason, most types of fats should be strictly limited in their diet. Fasting is a mainstay of acute pancreatitis treatment as it allows the pancreas to rest. However, growing evidence suggests that feeding early in the recovery process reduces recovery time and increases survival rates in pets with severe acute pancreatitis. If your pet is suffering from the condition, it's vital to work closely with your veterinarian to ensure that your pet receives appropriate nutritional support.
Pets with chronic pancreatitis should be fed a diet that's species-appropriate, nutritionally balanced, and free from dangerous chemicals and low-quality filler ingredients. It's also important to make sure the treats you feed are healthy and nutritionally balanced. Take care to avoid treats with additives such as artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives. Other ingredients to steer clear of include trans fats, added sugar, and low-quality fillers such as meat by-products and corn solids.
Pancreatitis and Coconut Oil
About two-thirds of the fats in coconut oil are medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs). The MCTS in coconut oil are smaller than the long-chain triglycerides (LCTs) in most fats and oils. This means that they are digested far more rapidly. It's also important to note that MCTs do not require pancreatic enzymes for digestion. Coconut oil does not cause undue stress to the pancreas that can lead to pancreatitis. Instead, the oil is absorbed through the portal vein and travels straight to the liver where it is converted into ketones and energy.
MCTs are a useful source of calories, and can provide energy for pets on a low-fat diet. Feeding coconut oil to pets with pancreatitis helps regulate their blood sugar levels and can enhance the absorption and bioavailability of fat-soluble foods, medications, and vitamins. This is especially beneficial for pets that cannot tolerate other forms of fat in their diet.
Hyperlipidemia is a common condition characterized by elevated levels of lipids (fats) in the blood. The most important types of lipids are cholesterol and triglycerides. Abnormal levels of these lipids in the bloodstream can lead to health complications for your pet. Pancreatitis is one condition that can be caused by hyperlipidemia. And since MCTs can help reduce triglyceride levels in the blood, coconut oil can reduce the risk of pancreatitis developing.
CocoTherapy co-founder Carmina’s cat, Oliver, is 18 and has chronic idiopathic pancreatitis. She feeds him a high protein, low-fat diet, and coconut oil for lipid energy. Coconut oil provides calories needed for Oliver's body to produce energy. It also helps him absorb fat-soluble vitamins. This means that although Oliver needs to be on a low-fat diet, he can safely eat coconut oil because it does not need pancreatic lipase for digestion.
Supplementing your pet's diet with coconut oil is a fantastic way to support their overall health and protect them from illness throughout their lifetime. Just be sure to choose a high-quality oil such as CocoTherapy Virgin Coconut Oil. Our oil contains high levels of MCTs that are responsible for the health benefits we've outlined in this post. It's a natural, healthy product that's backed by science and has been successfully used to improve human and animal health for centuries.
Any questions? Feel free to email us at info@cocotherapy.com, or reach out to us in the comments section below and we'll get right back to you!
