{"id":2125,"date":"2025-11-25T17:31:11","date_gmt":"2025-11-26T01:31:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.beverlyhillsvets.com\/blog\/?p=2125"},"modified":"2025-11-14T17:35:56","modified_gmt":"2025-11-15T01:35:56","slug":"pancreatitis-in-pets-the-holiday-condition-youve-never-heard-of","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beverlyhillsvets.com\/blog\/pancreatitis-in-pets-the-holiday-condition-youve-never-heard-of\/","title":{"rendered":"Pancreatitis in Pets: The Holiday Condition You\u2019ve Never Heard Of"},"content":{"rendered":"
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It\u2019s common to overindulge around the holidays. We might even be tempted to share our fall feasts with our pets. Sure, you might suffer a stomachache or two this time of year, and you could think the same would be safe and normal for your dog or cat. But you should be aware of a gastrointestinal issue that\u2019s more than just tummy trouble: pancreatitis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

What Is Pancreatitis?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The pancreas is the insulin-producing organ. When everything is working as it should, the pancreas produces digestive enzymes<\/a> that only start to work once they reach the intestines. In pets with pancreatitis, however, the enzymes are activated while they\u2019re still inside the pancreas. This means the enzymes break down the organ and essentially digest it and all the tissue around it. As you can imagine, this is both painful and dangerous. In fact, this condition can be fatal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Domestic dogs and cats fare best with a stable diet. This means safe pet food (and the occasional safe treat). That certainly does not include turkey, gravy, stuffing, or pie! Unfortunately for our pets, just one indulgence of fatty food could cause a pancreatitis flare-up. So pancreatitis in pets can occur if just one person sneaks some table scraps to a four-legged family member<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Signs of a Holiday Pet Emergency<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Keep an eye on your dog or cat during holiday festivities. Signs such as vomiting or lethargy in pets may indicate that they have eaten something too rich or unsafe, which could lead to pancreatitis. Other signs of this emergency situation<\/a> are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n