A Guide to Low Fat

If your dog has had pancreatitis, choosing safe treats can feel scary. You don’t have to cut treats out entirely — used wisely, they’re still helpful for training, enrichment, and giving medication. The goal is to pick options that add virtually no fat to the daily diet and have simple, transparent ingredients. 

This page is intended as advice only and does not replace medical advice from your veterinary surgeon. Please ensure you consult them regarding any nutritional changes you are considering for your pet.

Why “low fat” on the label isn’t enough

• Always read the full ingredient list, not just the front of the pack or the Guaranteed Analysis.
• Be cautious with ingredients like vegetable oils, chicken fat, beef tallow, glycerin, maltodextrin, tapioca or potato starch, and rice flour.
• Look for the actual fat percentage on a dry matter (DM) basis — or enough info to calculate it. “Low fat” without a number can’t be verified.

What the evidence says

• Dogs vary in how much fat they can tolerate after pancreatitis.
• Because there isn’t a single “safe for all” fat number, it’s usually wisest to stay comfortably below the upper limits your vet recommends.

Safe treat principles

• Keep ingredients simple and processing minimal.
• Choose treats that contribute almost no fat, 3-5%.
• Keep portions small and infrequent — many tiny rewards beat one big snack.

Safer treat ideas

Freeze‑dried single‑ingredient fruit

• Strawberry, raspberry, blueberry, pineapple.
• Typically under 0.5% fat (DM), so they add almost no fat overall.

Fresh vegetables (plain, raw)

• Carrot, cucumber, green beans.
• Naturally very low in fat, add fibre, and few calories.

Plain boiled chicken breast

• Skinless, unseasoned, in tiny pieces.
• Works for many dogs if it fits within your vet’s overall fat allowance.

Tip: Even with low‑fat options, portion size matters. Use pea‑sized pieces and count treats toward the day’s intake.

How much fat should treats contain?

• Aim for as little fat as possible from treats; let the main diet provide the daily fat allowance.
• Many dogs post‑pancreatitis do best below 10–15% fat (dry matter), and dogs with recurrent pancreatitis or hyperlipidaemia may need under 10% (DM) long term.
• Every treat should fit within that overall target.

Why dry matter (DM) matters

Labels often show “as fed” values, which include moisture. To compare fairly, use dry matter.

• Step 1: Dry matter (%) = 100 − moisture (%)
• Step 2: DM fat (%) = fat (%) ÷ dry matter (%) × 100
• Example: A wet food with 5% fat and 75% moisture = 20% DM fat (not 5%).

Do all dogs need ultra‑low fat forever?

• Not always. Very low fat is crucial during recovery and may be lifelong for some dogs (e.g. recurrent pancreatitis or hyperlipidaemia).
• Fat is still essential for health (fatty acids, fat‑soluble vitamins, skin/coat, energy).
• The long‑term goal: find the lowest fat level that controls signs while meeting nutrition needs — work with your vet.
• Never introduce new treats or changes during recovery without your veterinary surgeon’s advice.

Quick takeaways

• Don’t trust “low‑fat” marketing alone — read ingredients and numbers.
• Compare fat on a dry matter basis.
• Choose treats that add almost no fat.
• Keep treats tiny and infrequent.
• Individualise the plan with your veterinarian.

Low‑fat treat options

Below are examples of treats that can be used for dogs needing very low fat, that can be prepared at home:

Freeze‑Dried Strawberry

• Ingredients: 100% strawberry
• Typical fat (DM): ~0.3%
• Notes: Light, breakable, great for training.

Freeze‑Dried Blueberry 

• Ingredients: 100% blueberry
• Typical fat (DM): ~0.4%
• Notes: Small size helps with portion control.

Freeze‑Dried Pineapple Chunks

• Ingredients: 100% pineapple
• Typical fat (DM): ~0.2%
• Notes: Naturally sweet; use sparingly for sensitive stomachs.

Crunchy Green Bean Sticks

• Ingredients: 100% green beans (air‑dried)
• Typical fat (DM): ~0.5%
• Notes: Low calorie, chewy crunch.

Carrot Circle Slices (Air‑Dried)

• Ingredients: 100% carrot
• Typical fat (DM): ~0.4%
• Notes: Easy to snap into tiny pieces.

Plain Chicken Breast Titbits

• Ingredients: 100% skinless chicken breast, gently dried
• Typical fat (DM): ~3–5% (varies by batch)
• Notes: Use in very small amounts; count toward daily protein/fat allowance.

Below are examples of treats that can be used for dogs needing very low fat from The Reliable Pet Company (dry matter basis):

• Buffalo Ears with meat - large - DM fat 2.6 %
• Pizzle 12cm - DM fat 3.2 %
• Hairy Cows Ears - DM fat 4.4 %
• Buffalo Ears with meat - small - DM fat 5.2%
• Puffed Chicken Feet - DM fat 5.6 %
• Chicken Feet - DM fat 5.68 %

Always confirm the current analysis on the pack and with your vet for your dog’s specific needs.

Important

• Check batch‑specific analyses — natural products can vary.
• Introduce one new treat at a time and monitor for any gastrointestinal signs.
• Adjust the main meal slightly on days you use more treats to keep overall fat within target.

If you’d like a hand, get in touch and tell us your dog’s current food, target fat (DM) range from your vet, and typical training needs — we can help you map out a daily treat allowance and convert label numbers to dry matter for you.