If a dog has inflammatory bowel disease or IBD, then it causes the inflammatory cells to invade its GI mucosa. Many breeds are at an increased risk for IBD including German Shepherds, Basenjis, Soft coated Wheaten Terriers and Chinese Shar Peis. Common symptoms of the disease include lack of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, bloody stools and weight loss. These symptoms may occur on and off for a few months and in extreme cases, may even lead to dehydration due to loss of fluids. In this guide, we will discuss some IBD dog food recipes, best homemade diet for dog with IBD as well as best dog food brands for dogs with colon issues.
Homemade Dog Food for IBD, IBS, and Colitis
Best homemade diet for dogs with IBD or Colitis
For some dogs with IBD or Colitis, a homemade diet of raw meats, fruits and vegetables may be the ticket to improved health. If you are considering a homemade diet for your dog that has inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) or colitis, it is imperative that you speak with your vet before starting on this journey together.
Here are several options you can try:
For many dogs with IBD or colitis, a high-protein diet is an important factor in keeping the condition under control. Dogs with IBD or colitis often do well on homemade diets that use raw meat as their source of protein. Fresh raw meat should be free of growth hormones and antibiotics, and should not contain any preservatives.
The best meats are chicken, turkey, and fish because they are easy to digest. I would avoid beef (because it is more difficult for your dog to digest), pork, and lamb. The white breast meat of the chicken or turkey should be boiled, then cut into bite-size pieces. The meat should not have any skin or fat attached to it as this can cause inflammation of the intestinal tract.
Some commercial brands of dog food also contain high levels of protein, but these products are likely to include preservatives and other additives as well. It is recommended that you check with your veterinarian before feeding your dog any commercial brand of dog food for the first time.
Fruits and vegetables that are safe for dogs include:
Boost your dog’s immune system by feeding broccoli, carrot, peas, sweet potato, pumpkin, bananas, apples, and blueberries. These foods are all high in essential nutrients that will support your dog’s gut health.
It may help to mince the meat you offer and dice fruits and veggies into small pieces to make digestion easier.
Omega-3 fatty acids are anti-inflammatory agents, which means they can help to reduce inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract.
Feeding your dog foods that contain Omega-3 fatty acids such as flaxseed oil (but not cottonseed oil) or fish oils, specifically salmon oil and sardine oil are extremely helpful. You can give these oils to your pet mixed with canned food to help his body better tolerate them.
Eggs boost riboflavin and the shells are high in calcium. Eggs are a great source of protein and healthy fats. They can help keep your dog’s coat shiny, and they are easy to digest.
You can also supplement your dog’s food with probiotics if his dog food is not already fortified with them. Probiotics block the pathogenic effect of other bacteria present in the gut. They also improve immune function, promote cell survival and stimulate protective responses of the bowel.
Probiotics help replenish the good bacteria in your dog’s digestive system. There are many varieties of probiotics, some better than others. Look for one that contains multiple strains of bacteria, as well as prebiotic fiber.
Plantain is another good food to supplement as it has an active component that reduces intestinal inflammation and mucosal tissue damage.
Plantain is a plant that is commonly used for medicinal purposes. It can be used to soothe stomach upset and aid digestion. It can also be used topically on cuts and bug bites to help them heal quickly.
Your veterinarian may suggest Chinese herbal remedies if they are certified in that area. Alternatively, they can suggest suitable home remedies that will not cause irritation to your dog’s bowel during digestion.
Recent evidence supports the beneficial effects of several herbs such as turmeric, clove and cinnamon oil. Turmeric contains a compound called Curcumin which has anti-inflammatory properties, while cloves and cinnamon oil suppresses levels of chemicals and soluble mediators that affect inflammation.
The most important thing to remember is that natural remedies are not always supported by scientific data. Always consult your veterinarian before introducing natural remedies to your dog. You should also only give one at a time to ensure they do not cause any adverse reactions.
Elimination trial – know what your dog is allergic to
Before we move on to discussing the besthomemade diet for dog with IBD, it is essential that you perform a few trialand error runs with his food. It is very important that you closely work with yourvet, especially one who specializes in canine IBD. In such trials, your dog maybe fed a different protein for 3-4 weeks and your vet will ask you to keep atrack of his stools and symptoms. After this period, your pet will be fedanother protein and so on until you know exactly which food is causingsymptoms.
FAQ
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