Dog food for IBS, IBD or colitis

IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease (inflammation of the small bowel)), IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome, which is a disruption in the digestive process caused by stress) and Colitis (inflammation of the large bowel) tend to manifest themselves as loose stools & diarrhoea, but can also include vomiting (if the inflammation is in the stomach), flatulence, rumbly tummy, reduced appetite &/or weight loss.

The most common cause of IBD and colitis is either a worm/parasite infection or a bacterial infection, but food is frequently the cause too.  

It’s important to rule out infections first, so a trip to the vet is essential.

In our experience the main food related culprits appear to be:

Grains/cereals in the diet (particularly glutenous grains such as wheat, barley & large amounts of maize).  Opting for a good quality grain free food (& treats) frequently fixes things within a few weeks.

Protein Allergy. Dogs can develop an allergy or intolerance at any stage of their lives.  After wheat & cereals the most common protein triggers are chicken or beef

Too much fat.  Some dogs struggle with poor quality fats or higher fat diets, so opting for a good quality food with less fat than you’re currently feeding often helps – be aware of the fat content of your treats & table scraps too.

An abrupt change in diet.  It’s always sensible to introduce a new food slowly over the course of 1-2 weeks, particularly if your dog is sensitive. 

The foods listed below are free from gluten & most are grain-free too.  They also contain no chicken & beef, but all dogs are different & these may not be the triggers for your dog's sensitivities.  If you have already tried a grain/gluten free diet please feel free to contact us & we'll be happy to discuss what may be the issue.