Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency (EPI) in dogs is a very serious condition and early diagnosis and treatment are critical. EPI affects the pancreas and prevents it from producing enough enzymes to properly digest food. This can lead to malnutrition and weight loss, as well as other health problems. EPI can be treated with enzyme powders and supplemented food, but if left untreated, it can be fatal.
If you have a German Shepherd with EPI, you are not alone. According to several studies, German shepherds account for two-thirds of all cases of this disease 1. Because EPI is a relatively common condition in German Shepherds, there are many foods and supplements available to help you manage it. In addition to enzyme supplements with each meal, GSDs with EPI require a specially formulated diet that is easily digestible and nutritionally balanced.
We’ve gathered together our list of the best options, so read on to find out how to keep your furry companion bright-eyed and bushy-tailed for years and years to come.
A Glance to Our Favorites in 2024
The 7 Best Dog Foods for EPI German Shepherds
1. Diamond Naturals Large Breed Chicken & Rice Formula – Best Overall
Caloric Content
397 kcal/cup
Crude Protein
23.0% min
Crude Fat
13.0% min
The Diamond Naturals Large Breed Chicken & Rice Formula is the best overall dog food for EPI German Shepherds. This chicken and rice formula provides all the nutrients your dog needs to stay healthy and active. The chicken and rice are easily digestible and provide the necessary energy for your dog to maintain a healthy weight. This formula also contains adequate levels of omega-3 fatty acids, which are essential for a healthy coat and skin. This food has a good balance of protein and fat and its ingredients are sourced from quality suppliers.
The price point is within range of what most people would consider reasonable, and it has added probiotics to support gut health. One small drawback is that although it does contain healthy omega fats, its ratio of omega fats isn’t as high as some other brands.
Balanced protein and fat intake
Sourced from quality suppliers
Quite affordable
The addition of probiotics
Omega fat content is moderate
2. Pedigree Adult Dry Dog Food, Chicken & Steak Flavor – Best Value
Caloric Content
309 kcal/cup
Crude Protein
21.0% min
Crude Fat
10.0% min
The Pedigree Adult Dry Dog Food Chicken & Steak Flavor is the best value dog food for EPI German Shepherds. This is because the food is well balanced to meet the needs of this breed of dog and the formulation also works for dogs with EPI. The food contains all of the necessary nutrients that these dogs need in order to stay healthy and happy. Additionally, the price of this food is very reasonable, making it a great option for those who are looking to save money on their pet’s food budget.
The protein content of this food is quite high, while still being within the optimal range for GSD dogs with EPI. This food has a mix of chicken and steak that most dogs love, with a higher ratio of omega fats, and lots of digestible fiber. One drawback is that corn is listed as the first ingredient—but it is probably this factor that gives this food its lower price point.
Protein content is quite high
Contains a variety of quality meats
High omega-3 fatty acid content
Quite affordable
Digestible fiber
Corn is the first ingredient
3. Purina Pro Plan Sensitive Skin & Stomach Large Breed Formula – Premium Choice
Caloric Content
373 kcal/cup
Crude Protein
26.0% min
Crude Fat
12.0% min
The Purina Pro Plan Sensitive Skin & Stomach is a premium choice dog food for EPI German Shepherds. This food is designed to be gentle on the stomach and skin, and it is made with high-quality ingredients.
There are no fillers, artificial flavors, or preservatives in this product. This food is also easy to digest and helps to reduce gas and bloating. Featuring easy-to-digest ingredients such as salmon and oatmeal, this food is free of soy, wheat, artificial colors, or flavors that may upset your dog’s digestion.
To help keep your pup healthy, it’s formulated with antioxidants for immune support, glucosamine and EPA for joint health, and prebiotics and probiotics for healthy digestion. You’ll love seeing your big buddy feel and look their best with this delicious salmon food!
Fiber content is very low
Salmon is the first ingredient
Multiple sources of glucosamine
Antioxidant-rich
Protein and fat levels are slightly high
Quite expensive
4. Royal Canin German Shepherd Puppy Dry Dog Food – Best for Puppies
Caloric Content
331 kcal/cup
Crude Protein
28.0% min
Crude Fat
14.0% min
While it’s more unusual to receive a diagnosis of EPI for your GSD pup, it’s not impossible. The good news is that if you catch this illness early on, you won’t need to worry as much about the fat content in your German Shepherd’s diet. While Royal Canin Breed Health Nutrition German Shepherd Puppy Dog Food is formulated to be the best possible diet for every German Shepherd, it is also great for GSDs with EPI. It contains all of the nutrients that growing German Shepherds need in order to thrive and is easy on their stomachs.
This food is also great for German Shepherds who are prone to allergies, as it is made with hypoallergenic ingredients. The biggest drawback with this food is its price point. As you can imagine, with this brand a specialized formulation is going to be significantly more expensive than other foods on the market.
Designed for purebred German Shepherd puppies
Kibble is designed to fit the muzzle of a German Shepherd
An exclusive complex of antioxidants
Promotes optimal stool quality
Added glucosamine and chondroitin
Much more expensive than other brands
5. Hill’s Prescription Diet i/d Digestive Care Stress Dry Dog Food – Vet’s Choice
Caloric Content
300 kcal/cup
Crude Protein
21.0% min
Crude Fat
5.0% min
This food is a great match for German Shepherds who suffer from EPI, or exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. The chicken flavor is designed to be palatable and easy to digest, while the added probiotics and antioxidants help support a healthy digestive system. This food can help reduce stress in your dog by providing the nutrients they need to feel their best. The good news for dogs that have other concurrent pancreatic issues (which is extremely common in EPI German Shepherds) is that highly digestible protein is used in this low-fat food.
Diarrhea can often be a major issue for dogs with EPI, and these digestive supports will make this a great choice for many dogs. However, if your dog does not have co-occurring pancreatic issues and does not need to be on a low-fat diet, you will need to supplement with coconut or salmon oil.
Supports your dog’s digestive health
Protein is highly digestible in this low-fat food
A healthy microbiome can be achieved by using ActivBiome+ technology
The prebiotic blend promotes regular bowel movements
Improves stool quality
May be too low in fat for some dogs
You may need to supplement with healthy fats
6. Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Gastrointestinal Low Fat Dry Dog Food
Caloric Content
248 kcal/cup
Crude Protein
20.0% min
Crude Fat
5.5% min
This food is great for German Shepherds with EPI, especially those with additional pancreatic damage. As a result, dogs with EPI may have loose stools, weight loss, and poor appetite. This food is low in fat and easy to digest, which can help dogs with EPI feel better and gain weight. It is more normal for your EPI German Shepherd to be on this food for a short time until their pancreatic issues stabilize. Your vet will advise you on the optimal duration for feeding with this formulation. Highly digestible proteins and prebiotics enhance digestive health and stool quality.
The food Provides sufficient calories to dogs with difficulty digesting or tolerating fat, while containing a low-fat content. For healthy GI transit, this is enriched with soluble and insoluble fiber. Omega-3 fatty acids, EPA, and DHA help manage GI health.
For dogs with long- or short-term digestive sensitivities
Prebiotics and highly digestible proteins
Low in fat
Fiber blend for healthy GI transit
DHA and EPA help manage GI health
Prescription-only
It’s quite expensive
7. IAMS Large Breed Chicken & Whole Grain Recipe
Caloric Content
351 kcal/cup
Crude Protein
22.5% min
Crude Fat
12.0% min
IAMS Large Breed Chicken & Whole Grain Recipe is a food that meets the specific needs of large breed dogs, particularly those that are prone to EPI. The recipe includes chicken as the primary source of protein, as well as whole grains like barley and oats, which provide complex carbohydrates that can help to regulate blood sugar levels in dogs with EPI. This food is also rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which are beneficial for skin and coat health.
To support strong joints, glucosamine and chondroitin are present in adequate amounts. This food is quite high in protein, which is something to be aware of as you trial different foods on your EPI GSD. Not all dogs react well to such high protein levels—as always, be sure to consult your vet about their read on the suitability of this food, before switching to this product. This formulation is also slightly higher in fiber than many others reviewed on our list.
Whole chicken is used in this recipe
Digestible fiber and added probiotics
Combines glucosamine and chondroitin
High in protein—may not be optimal for all dogs
Higher in fiber than some others reviewed
Buyers Guide: How to Select the Best Dog Foods for EPI German Shepherds
The following buyer’s guide is designed specifically for German Shepherds with EPI. When choosing food for your dog, it is important to consider their individual nutritional needs. The most important thing is the quality of the ingredients. Make sure to look for food that has high-quality protein sources and no filler ingredients. You also want to make sure the food is designed specifically for large breeds. Large breed dogs have different nutritional needs than small breed dogs, so it’s important to choose a food that meets those needs. This guide will help you choose a food that is tailored to your dog’s specific dietary requirements.
Should I Feed My German Shepherd with EPI Special Food?
The short answer is yes, you should definitely feed your German shepherd with EPI special food. But the most important thing to know about EPI is that it requires supplementation with enzymes. Enzyme supplements are important for German Shepherds with EPI because they help the dog break down food properly. Without enzymes, the dog would not be able to absorb all of the nutrients from their food and could become malnourished. Additionally, enzyme supplements help to reduce the amount of gas and bloating that can occur when a dog has EPI.
What Balance of Nutrition Should I Be Feeding My EPI GSD?
Enzyme supplements will do most of the work, so you should already be giving your dog one. Choosing easy-to-digest dog foods can help things along, however. Therefore, you should avoid dog foods that contain excessive amounts of protein (over 26% is probably not a good idea) since protein is relatively hard to digest. Fiber should also be low (ideally below 4%). It is recommended that fat should be 10% less than protein in order to ensure that these nutrients are balanced properly.
How Much Fiber Should They Eat?
The actions of fiber on the gut contribute to good digestion. Fiber isn’t a great nutritional source on its own, but it can help your dog get more nutrients from other sources. Dogs with EPI benefit greatly from this because they are able to control the growth of bad bacteria while feeding the good bacteria. This is especially important since it breaks down into fatty acids during digestion. Fiber, however, tends to sit in the gut for a long time and can cause problems. Consequently, these dogs have difficulty digesting fiber. Certain sources of fiber are more digestible than others, which is why some dog foods are more digestible. Softer fibers are easier to digest.
It is common for commercial dog foods to contain fiber ranging from 1%–10%, but you should stay on the lower end of the spectrum. It is definitely advisable to avoid anything higher than 4%. It is also important to get fiber from food sources that are natural and unprocessed. Fiber should also be obtained from softer sources, such as whole fruit rather than vegetables with tough stalks.
Image Credit: Tyler Olson, Shutterstock
Conclusion
In conclusion, the best dog foods for German Shepherds with Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency are those that are lower in fiber. These types of foods will help to keep your dog’s digestive system functioning properly and will also provide the necessary nutrients for a healthy diet. The most important thing is that you add prescribed enzymes to your dog’s food—this will help to prevent any further damage to the pancreas and keep your dog healthy.
Our top choice is Diamond Naturals Large Breed Chicken & Rice Formula which will nourish your dog without upsetting their digestive system. For a great value option, we recommend Pedigree Adult Dry Dog Food, Chicken & Steak Flavor which is well-balanced at a better price point. On the other end of the scale, we love Purina Pro Plan Sensitive Skin & Stomach Salmon Adult Large Breed Formula Dry Dog Food because it contains everything a GSD needs to thrive, although the cost is far higher than some other brands we reviewed.
Whatever you choose, remember that EPI is a tricky diagnosis and you need to partner with your vet every step of the way to maximize your dog’s health.
Featured Image Credit: Snezhana_G, Shutterstock
