Low fat dog biscuit recipe (2024)

Ideal for dogs suffering from pancreatitis or on a diet

By Bev Cobley for BDWS

A pancreatic diet is first and foremost very low fat but also with no added processed sugars, so as an example in this recipe the only fat is what is in banana and the only sugars are the natural simple ones already in the ingredients, hence no butter, no oil, no honey, no malt and no fats.

Inflammation of the pancreas is generally referred to as pancreatitis. It is very painful for dogs and humans. The pancreas is the organ that produces enzymes that assist with the processing of sugars in the body.

Feeding a dog that has been diagnosed with this is condition can be a bit mind-blowing …but…all is not lost and it doesn’t mean you cannot feed natural or give treats. I like homemade as I know 100% what’s in them.

It is scary, frightening even, when you see that huge pool of blood filled diarrhea and your heart sinks into your gut and your shaking from head to toe then yep, all sorts goes through the brain.

I have had clumber rescues over the years, generally old boys that have had this condition, and I have had to learn and manage food-wise.

But when my youngest girlie, that I have had from pup started, and when I was then feeding low fat but she still was getting outbreaks, I had to start the what causes? What works … without denying her the yummy stuff.

Please, do not self diagnose this possible condition, if you not sure and there is poo looking like unset blackcurrant jam or jelly, then vets asap.

For this recipe we are using Pinhead oats, but you can use rolled oats found everywhere. Pinhead oats can be bought on Amazon here. Also using bone-shaped biscuit cutters you can get here.

INGREDIENTS

1 medium ripe banana
2 large carrots
28ml/2 fl oz apple or cranberry or vegetable juice (no citrus juice) mixed with equal amount of water.
340g/12 oz of polenta (or wholemeal flour or semolina)
226g/8oz of rolled oats (I’m using pinhead oatmeal)

METHOD

1. Our ingredients.

2. Add a medium sized banana to a large bowl.

3. Mash

4. Grate two large carrots.

5. Add carrots to bowl.

6. Weigh out 226g (8oz) of rolled oats or pinhead oats.

7. Add oats to bowl.

8. Weigh out 340g (12oz) of polenta (you can use wholemeal flour or semolina instead).

9. Add polenta to mixing bowl

10. Add 56ml (2 fl oz) of apple juice to measuring jug ( or use cranberry or vegetable juice (but no citrus juice).

11. Add the same amount again of water.

12. Add your liquid to the mixing bowl.

13. Give the ingredients a mix.

How to store

As a general guideif meat protein is present in recipe then it will last around 3 to 5 days stored in a cool place. If it has second class protein in it eg. cheese, lentils, eggs, etc, then they will store for about 10 days in a cool place. You can use cake tins lined with baking paper – greaseproof. If there is no meat or second class proteins present then it will last around 3 weeks before they go soft like human biscuits.

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44 Comments

Melissa Dubejon March 24, 2024 at 10:11 pm
My standard with pancreatitis LOVED these – thank you! Wasn’t sure I would ever be able to make them treats again since her diagnosis. Do you have any frozen treats that are good for the same diagnosis on hot summer days?
Reply
Janelon March 10, 2024 at 7:01 pm
Do you think coconut flour would be ok instead? My house has to be gluten free and corn free.
Reply
Judyon February 23, 2024 at 2:56 pm
My miniature Schnauzer has both chronic pancreatitis and is diabetic. He’s on medication daily to control his triglycerides and of course insulin for his diabetes. I’ve been looking for a recipe I could make so he can have a treat oce in a while. Would this one be okay for him?
Reply
Ronda Wollastonon August 7, 2023 at 1:33 pm
Hi my mums little dog just been diagnosed with pancreatitis would this biscuit recipe be ok for her
Reply
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- Steven Eon December 31, 2023 at 8:01 am
  My dog is literally one fussy bitch. But with pancreatitis cutting out most of the treats she loved, finding replacements that are as enticing as them has been difficult. So many in the market say low fat and are actually over 10%! She’d be dead by now!! These are perfect. I already assumed she would hate them and give me “that” look, but was gladly mistaken!! Woofed them up and demanded the lot! I only give her one or two a day and actually keep them in the freezer and take out daily as needed. Thanks
Elaineon January 19, 2023 at 12:42 am
Hi was making these for my dog – German short hair/lab. Been diagnosed with pancreatitis. She is 12. Very good shape weight wise. I live in the US and maybe I messed up the measuring!!? But it is very moist and can not roll out. So I made dropped treats out of them. But would like to roll and make a shape. Any ideas why it would do this ?
Thank you Elaine.
Reply
- Kathleen Pankhurston July 23, 2023 at 2:45 pm
  Hi my little Chihuahua / terrier ( 5kg ) has just been diagnosed with pancreatitis, she’s 7yo on prescription diet from vet , but want some safe biscuits / treats to give her
- Claire hazellon November 22, 2023 at 1:19 pm
  Recipe say 28 ml = 2 fl oz , method says 56ml= 2fl oz. Then same of water…, i ended up using considerably more.
  Also its fats not sugars that cause the problem in pancreatitis.
  However my ill old dog and sons very healthy young labrador both love these snacks . I have made repeatedly.
- Melissaon March 24, 2024 at 10:09 pm
  My standard with pancreatitis LOVED these – thank you! Wasn’t sure I would ever be able to make them treats again since her diagnosis. Do you have any frozen treats that are good for the same diagnosis on hot summer days?
Karen Waltonon November 21, 2022 at 11:23 am
hi my dog doesn’t like banana can i use sweet potato or apple instead.
Reply
Heidion September 15, 2022 at 12:21 am
Hi! My 10 year old snorkie was diagnosed with Cushings. On top of it, she is having a second pancreatitis attack. She has been on a prescription low fat diet for 5 years (when she had the first attack). Would these be ok for her to eat? I don’t trust anything from store’s. Thank you!
Reply
Lottyon December 4, 2021 at 11:10 am
Hi. I’m making these for the first time ☺️
Can I freeze the dough mixture until later ?
Or do I have to cook them, then freeze ????
Thank you ????
Reply
- Jamie Shankson December 5, 2021 at 5:02 pm
  Id cook then freeze
- Jennifer Whiteon September 14, 2023 at 1:39 am
  Haha they don’t last long enough for my two cavaliers 💗
Jackieon November 10, 2021 at 12:09 pm
I made these a week ago and my dog loves them, but they have started to mold. Made with whole wheat flour and followed all directions. Any ideas why they might have molded – cooled and stored in air-tight container.
Reply
- Jamie Shankson November 14, 2021 at 6:05 pm
  Hmm, not sure, maybe it was warm. Put them in the freezer next time and take out one when you need it.
Isabelon October 13, 2021 at 12:53 pm
My little toy poodle X Maltese has her second attack and now I’m cooking everything for her. I want to try this recipe but I’m confused about the juice. Ive been told no sugar…
Reply
- Catherine Blundellon October 14, 2021 at 8:39 pm
  I am using vegetable stock
Kathyon September 20, 2021 at 11:50 am
Hi Jamie
My Jack Russel has just been diagnosed with pancreatitis and I have been looking for a recipe to make home-made biscuits with which to feed her, since i cannot afford those sold by the vet. Would these suffice as main meal biscuits or are they simply treats? Please advise. many thanks . Kathy
Reply
- Emilyon February 19, 2022 at 7:06 am
  These are just treats!
Bev Cobleyon May 26, 2021 at 7:35 pm
Hi
Well sweetie how long is a piece of string bless ???? as he a lab he could probably vacuum up a tray full ????…I need much more info on his current diet to be accurate and if you are
using treats as a training reward.
Is he on a weight loss diet? He sounds rather over weight which in itself will cause / aggravate pancreatic problems and these biscuits are not ideal in your circ*mstances…Ask Jamie for my email and send me some pics and I will advise you gladly.
Bev
Reply
Bev Cobleyon May 26, 2021 at 7:26 pm
Hi
Am sorry to hear this ..hugs
My generic answer would be yes but in all honestly I need much more information to give you a specific answer.
Please ask Jamie for my email so we can discuss further and I will help you ( free of charge )
Bev xx on nose to the wee one
Reply
Sarah Jefferieson May 22, 2021 at 10:13 pm
Hi, my. Border Terrier potentially had Gallbladder Mucolele, he’s currently on a low fat diet and early indications show this is having a positive effect.
However, I’m now terrified of giving him anything that may jeopardise this! Do you think these biscuits would be suitable for him?
Reply
Natalia Kon May 21, 2021 at 7:46 pm
Hi Jamie!
My Dog is a Lab 3 years old & 100 pounds!
2 months ago he had his first Pancreatic attack!!
How many treats can I give him a day????
Reply
Bevon May 10, 2021 at 12:35 pm
Hi Lesley
That fat content in bananas is actually very low but they are high in fibre and an excellent source of antioxidants.
Pancreatic attacks are helped by upping fibre and the gut flora needs help getting back to normality. As bananas are a good pre biotic, especially when combined with oats, they are an ideal food to add to a diet for dogs with liver and pancreatic problems.
After an attack I always give banana with low fat yogurt and a sprinkling of raw oats; followed by 3 or 4 days of a detox diet of good quality protein and mashed sweet potato.
I don’t know what your daughter is feeding the wee whiskery one, but good diets are pricey so if you both need any help in putting to a natural diet let me know.
Kisses on nose xx Bev
Reply
- Melissa MacLeanon May 14, 2022 at 9:50 pm
  Hi there,
  What a wonderful forum – thanks for doing this.
  I have a dog that has acute pancreatitis and on top of that Addison’s Disease so I have to watch her intake of everything!!!
  I see this has banana in this (high in potassium) would this be ok for a dog with double trouble of pancreatitis and Addison’s Disease?
  Please let me know
  Many thanks in advance
  Mel
Lesley Broadmoreon May 8, 2021 at 10:06 am
My daughter has a 3 year old mini schnauzer and has been diagnosed with pancreatitis and has
Flair ups I am making these biscuits for her instead of veg oil can I use olive oil also wouldn’t
The banana cause it to flair up as it is fat.?Thank you.
EDIT: Sorry didn’t read properly its veg juice instead oil, but still like to know about the banana.
Reply
catherine clarkon May 3, 2021 at 7:17 pm
why does my biscuits go soft even when kept in a sealed container
Reply
- Jamie Shankson May 7, 2021 at 7:18 pm
  How long does it take to go soft? You could freeze for longer life.
Angela Kayon March 24, 2021 at 1:59 pm
Can I use apple sauce instead of a banana?
Reply
- Jamie Shankson March 26, 2021 at 1:10 pm
  Yip!
Jacqueline Pennon March 23, 2021 at 12:31 pm
Can they be frozen?
Reply
- Jamie Shankson March 26, 2021 at 1:10 pm
  Yes
Alec Reedon March 19, 2021 at 10:19 am
Hi I made a batch of your recipe for biscuits for pancreatitis, they turned out fine except my dog don’t seem to like the tast.I wondered if you know if it would be ok to mix in half of a bovril cube next time for flavour. Thankyou Alec Reed.
Reply
- Jamie Shankson March 19, 2021 at 11:53 am
  Hi, no cubes are too high in salt and dogs don’t do salt well. I’ll ask my dietitian and get back to you…
- Bev Cobleyon March 20, 2021 at 1:34 pm
  Hi Alec
  I agree with Jamie re the stock cube. This condition puts a strain on the kidneys and there is too much salt in them for dogs in general so definitely no for a dog with pancreatic problems.
  I suggest you replace the banana and fruit juice with a skinless and fatless small chicken breast poached in water
  While it is still warm liquidise to a puree …including the cooking water. The shelf life will only be 3 days but you can freeze them.
  If you wish to contact me about your dog, I happy to provide more recipes and advice…please email Jamie giving me details of current health and the diet you are feeding him/her
  at the moment.
  Wishing your furry friend well
  Bev
- Tamara Lesnaron June 1, 2022 at 11:54 pm
  Hi from America. The Bovril cube has a high amount of salt and should be avoided. Too much salt has horrible side effects that include vomiting, seizures and can lead to death. I’m enclosing a couple link for you and others. It is from WEBMD.
  https://pets.webmd.com/dogs/ss/slideshow-foods-your-dog-should-never-eat
- Amanda Bryanton September 11, 2023 at 9:32 pm
  You could buy special doggie broth/broth powder and use that.
Sally stoneon February 3, 2021 at 11:52 am
Hi I’ve made these a few times but are always very hard on top & brittle /rough on top as well , inside is perfect 🙂 please help as really want to master them for my little woofer 🙂
Reply
- Jamie Shankson February 4, 2021 at 6:36 pm
  Sounds like they are a little thick, try rolling them a bit thinner or cooking at a lower heat.
Kayteon January 22, 2021 at 5:43 am
How many does it make?
Reply
- Jamie Shankson January 22, 2021 at 5:50 pm
  I think I got about 40 or so.
- Kayteon January 23, 2021 at 5:42 pm
  Mine isn’t a dough. It’s shredded carrots with stuff in it that just falls apart. But it’s very moist. Idk what I did wrong or how to fix it
- Jamie Shankson January 24, 2021 at 12:59 pm
  add a pic to the comments. maybe not enough liquid or… I’d have to see.