Recipe: Homemade Dog Food for IBD, IBS and Colitis (2024)

FAQs

What natural food for IBD dogs? ›

The best dog food for IBD is going to be a novel protein diet, with a single protein source and no unnecessary fillers. Novel protein diets may include duck, rabbit, pork, or lamb depending on what the dog has been exposed to in his lifetime.

Some diets that your veterinarian may suggest include Rayne Clinical Nutrition™ Low Fat Kangaroo-MAINT™, Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets HA Hydrolyzed®, Royal Canin® Canine Selected Protein KO or Royal Canin® Canine Gastrointestinal Fiber Response™, or Hill's® Prescription Diet® i/d® Canine or Hill's® Prescription ...

Proteins in dairy, chicken, wheat, and beef can sometimes lead to an immune system reaction in dogs. Part of the approach to treating your dog's inflammatory bowel disease may be choosing foods without common food allergens that could aggravate the condition.

Yes, a bland chicken and rice diet can be perfect for dogs suffering from IBS symptoms. If you're looking to introduce some other foods into your dog's diet, stick to dog food with limited ingredients (no sneaky additives or artificial preservatives), such as the KOHA Minimal Ingredient Chicken Stew for Dogs.

Finding a diet that is easy on the GI tract is vital. Other therapies include adding probiotics, enzymes, glutamine, and herbs such as marshmallow root to the dog's diet. Detoxification with homeopathics and herbs, such as milk thistle, further assist in healing.

Your vet may prescribe a short-term fast for your dog, followed by a diet of bland, easily digestible foods, such as plain white chicken and white rice. Sometimes, anti-inflammatories are given to decrease inflammation in the gut and help alleviate your pup's abdominal pain.

Opting for digestible carbohydrates such as sweet potatoes, rice, or oats ensures that the dog receives essential energy and nutrients in a form that is gentler on the stomach and intestines.

Also, some animals with IBD find wet food easier to digest than dry food. Because food allergies are an important component of IBD in dogs and cats, your vet will probably recommend an exclusion diet trial as part both of the diagnosis and treatment of IBD.

Prescription foods that veterinarians might recommend specifically for dogs with gastrointestinal problems such as pancreatitis are: Hill's Prescription Diet i/d or Royal Canin Gastrointestinal Low Fat. It is generally recommended that the food for pancreatitis patients should contain less than 18% fat.

Medication. Many dogs can be successfully treated through diet alone, however, in more severe cases medications may be required. Antibiotics are commonly prescribed by vets to help treat IBD in dogs. Antibiotics may help to reduce inflammation and restore the normal balance of microbiome in your dog's GI tract.

Are carrots good for dogs with IBD? ›

Offer highly digestible ingredients.

Many dog parents who have dogs with Inflammatory Bowel Disease like to make their own diets for their dogs. These diets are typically made with high-protein meats like fish, turkey or chicken. They also include vegetables like carrots, sweet potatoes and green beans.

Digestive upsets can have a number of different causes and their treatments should be considered accordingly. What works for one may not work for another. (i.e., simple stress induced colitis may be treated with a few days of feeding rice and ground beef whereas a dog with serious IBD shouldn't be fed rice at all.)

In fact, they are one of the vegetables with the highest amounts of fiber. Fiber can help your dog's digestive system function more effectively. If your dog is struggling with constipation or diarrhea, some cooked sweet potato added to their food or as a treat can help regulate their bowel movements.

Irritable bowel syndrome in dogs causes two main symptoms: diarrhea and constipation. Typically, the diarrhea is very watery with some form to no form. The diarrhea or constipation can be chronic, or it can resolve with repeated episodes.

Try adding digestive enzymes and probiotics to your dog's food. Digestive enzymes, yogurt and probiotics can help to improve digestion, alleviate symptoms and enhance absorption of key nutrients required for optimum gut and general health.

Coconut oil is also believed to beneficial for pets with inflammatory bowel disease and cognitive dysfunction. Caution should be used, however, for the same reasons stated above. If you are considering using coconut oil for your pet, it is best to consult your veterinarian first.

It also promotes digestive and heart health. If your dog suffers from inflammatory bowel disease, adding turmeric to their diet can help relieve symptoms like diarrhea. Turmeric also contains anti-coagulating properties that help prevent blood clots and heart disease.

Pets suffering from inflammatory bowel disease or other digestive issues may find that the fiber in oats helps alleviate these issues. If your pet struggles with any of these issues, consider trying a diet which includes oats as a primary ingredient.