Diet for dogs with IBD

Nutrition plays a huge role in keeping the gastrointestinal tracts healthy, both for us and our dogs. In fact, no other part of the body is as quickly affected by what we eat as the GI tract.

It’s, therefore, no surprise that when it comes to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), diet is often the first line of defence.

Given the complexity of IBD, this blog is longer than usual because I want to provide you with a thorough understanding of this challenging disease. That way, you can make better decisions about your dog’s health and nutrition.

While our primary focus will be on food, we will also dive into other important aspects, such as:

• What is IBD
• Why did my dog get IBD
• The role of supplements

Hopefully, I’ve kept it engaging without overwhelming you.

Let’s begin with the basics.

What is IBD?

Inflammatory Bowel Disease, or IBD, is a chronic condition that causes inflammation (swelling) in your dog’s digestive tract. It can affect any part of the digestive tract, from the stomach to the intestines. To better understand how IBD affects your dog, let’s explore the basics of a healthy digestive process:

1. Digestion starts in the oral cavity, where food is crushed and swallowed.
2. It then travels down the oesophagus into the stomach, where it’s mixed with acids and enzymes.
3. In the small intestine, digestion continues, and most nutrients and water are absorbed.
4. The large intestine processes the remaining waste into stools, which are stored in the rectum until excreted.

! In dogs with IBD, inflammation disrupts this process, making it harder for your dog to digest food, absorb nutrients, and maintain normal movement through the digestive system.

Endoscopic images (albeit cat) show the difference between a healthy, smooth intestinal tract versus the raised, inflamed tract typical of IBD.

Signs and symptoms of IBD

The symptoms of IBD in dogs vary depending on which part of the GI tract is affected and the type of inflammatory cells involved. The most common signs to look out for include:

• Vomiting
• Diarrhoea
• Weight loss
• Abdominal discomfort
• Poor appetite
• Increased gut sounds

If your dog is showing any of these symptoms, especially if they occur weekly, it’s important to see your vet for an evaluation.

Why did my dog develop IBD?

Firstly, it’s important to know that it’s not your fault, and it’s not caused by feeding the ‘wrong’ food.

Your dog’s immune system has different cells, each with a specific role. Some attack harmful invaders like bacteria or viruses. Others, called APCs (antigen-presenting cells), act as ‘sentinels’ or ‘patrol cells’. They monitor your dog’s body and decide whether something is a friend or a foe.

The exact cause of IBD is unknown, but it’s thought that these “sentinel” cells make a mistake. They wrongly identify harmless things, like proteins from food or healthy gut bacteria, as threats. This confusion triggers an unnecessary immune attack, causing the inflammation that we see in IBD. Essentially, the immune system is at work when it doesn’t need to be.

Histology showing how increased immune cells cause the long, slender, absorptive villi (finger-like projections) in the small intestine to lose structure and become blunt.

Diagnosing IBD

Diagnosing IBD is challenging. It involves a process of elimination to rule out other potential causes of gut inflammation, such as parasites or infections.

This process typically includes:

• A detailed history and examination to identify patterns and signs of gastrointestinal distress.
• Blood tests, stool samples, and urine analysis to rule out other conditions.
• Ultrasound or X-rays to assess the structure of the intestines.
• Endoscopic examination of the intestines and biopsy samples to identify the specific type of inflammation and cell infiltration.

This exclusion progress is vital because if we don’t identify and eliminate other known causes of gut inflammation, your dog might not respond well to treatment.

My dog has IBD, what’s next?

Managing IBD can be challenging, but our goal is clear:

• Reduce inflammation
• Control symptoms
• Improve nutrient absorption
• Keep your dog at a healthy weight

How we achieve these goals varies from dog to dog. Key management strategies include:

• Diet
• Medication
• Supplements

Nutritional management of IBD

Diet plays a key role in managing IBD, but finding the right food for each dog can be tricky. The two main dietary approaches used are a hydrolysed diet or a home-cooked diet. Both are designed to help your dog get the most nutrients with the least strain on their digestive system.

Hydrolysed diets

In most cases, your vet will likely recommend beginning with a hydrolysed diet. This type of diet contains protein that has been broken down into tiny fragments, making it less likely to trigger your dog’s immune system.

Hydrolysed diets sometimes get a bad rap, but they can be incredibly helpful, especially in severe IBD cases. Even if it’s just a temporary solution, they can make a big difference. You can read more about them here:

Facts on hydrolysed (or hydrolyzed) protein diets for dogs

Of course, some dogs might refuse to eat a hydrolysed diet, or they could have other health concerns that need prioritising as well. You might also prefer to try a different dietary approach. In these cases, a home-cooked diet is the best option.

IBD and the home-prepared diet

Home-prepared diets can be real game-changers because they let us control exactly what goes into your dog’s food while also making meals more palatable. Let’s look at some of the key nutritional adjustments to focus on.

Fat restriction

A fat-restricted diet is key in the management of not just IBD but any gastrointestinal diseases that include loose stools and malabsorption.

Why?

It all comes down to how your dog’s body processes and absorbs fat. It can be a little complex, but let me try and simplify it.

Fats are more complex and harder to break down than other nutrients. So, when your dog eats fatty foods, the digestive system slows down the process of emptying the stomach into the intestines. This might sound like a bad thing, but it’s actually a clever way for the digestive tract to give the small intestine enough time to prepare for the fat and, in return, ensure proper absorption.

When fat isn’t properly absorbed (which can occur when inflammation is present), bacteria in the intestines and colon alter the unabsorbed fat into substances that prompt the colon to release more water, leading to diarrhoea and fluid loss.

In addition, poor fat absorption interferes with bile acids (substances released by the body in response to fat intake to aid digestion). When bile acids aren’t properly absorbed, they irritate the gut lining. This irritation causes the intestinal lining to leak more fluids, leading to (you guessed it) even more diarrhoea.

Of course, this prompts the question: how low should a low-fat diet be?

There’s no single answer because tolerance levels vary from dog to dog. In most cases, I usually start with 1.5 to 2 grams of fat per 100 kcal and gradually increase as the dog shows tolerance.

Novel foods

As mentioned earlier, a suspected cause of IBD in dogs is the immune system mistakenly identifying certain foods as threats. A novel food diet – meaning one made entirely of ingredients your dog hasn’t eaten before, can help manage IBD by reducing the risk of triggering an immune response.

This, in turn, helps reduce inflammation in the gut, leading to better digestion and nutrient absorption.

Ideally, you should change both the carbohydrate and protein sources. However, protein is the key focus, as it is more likely to trigger an immune reaction.

Remember to choose a low-fat protein source. For example, while lamb might be new to your dog, it’s high in fat and may not be well tolerated.

Kezie Foods offers a great selection of protein sources that aren’t commonly found in dog food, making them more likely to be novel options for your dog.

Kezie Foods – UK’s #1 Exotic Meat Brand

I should point out that there are no strict rules about exclusively using a novel protein diet. The best approach depends on your dog’s individual needs. For example, if you’ve found that your dog does well on rice and chicken – though these aren’t novel ingredients – there’s no need to change what’s working.

Keep it simple!

By keeping your dog’s diet simple, you not only lower the chance of a negative reaction but also make it easier to pinpoint the culprit if something goes wrong. For example, if you introduce three or four new ingredients at once and your dog reacts, it’s hard to know which one caused the issue.

Start with one novel protein and one carbohydrate, and feed these exclusively for 2 to 4 weeks. During this period, monitor for any adverse reactions before introducing supplements.

This initial diet isn’t nutritionally balanced and is only meant to help figure out what works. Once you know which foods are safe, adjust the diet to meet NRC guidelines to ensure your dog gets a complete and balanced diet.

Fibre

Fibre is a type of carbohydrate that passes through your dog’s digestive tract largely intact. It plays a crucial role in gut health. For example, some types of fibre (e.g., soluble fibre) are fermented by gut bacteria in the colon, producing beneficial short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) that nourish and strengthen the cells lining the large intestine.

Most dogs with IBD respond to dietary fibre. Some benefit from added fibre, while others do better with a low-fibre diet.

For large intestine IBD (colitis), a moderate to high-fibre diet with soluble fibre (such as psyllium) can help firm stools, absorb excess water, and reduce inflammation. This is useful for managing diarrhoea and stools with mucus.

Some dogs with IBD (particularly during flare-ups) may not tolerate too much fibre at first, so a gradual introduction is key. My approach is always case-by-case dependent, but for most dogs, I start with 1 tsp of psyllium husk per 10 kg weight, adjusting the amount slowly to find the optimal amount for each individual dog without causing adverse effects.

For small intestinal IBD, a low-fibre diet is usually best. This approach helps ease digestion and reduces gut irritation.

Vitamins and minerals

Dogs with IBD are more prone to deficiencies in essential vitamins and minerals for a few key reasons:

• They may not be eating enough.
• They may struggle to absorb nutrients or lose them through their digestive system.
• Their bodies may not use nutrients effectively or may need more due to inflammation or other complications.

Even if your dog appears healthy and eats well, nutrient deficiencies can still occur if their diet doesn’t meet their nutritional needs. This is especially true for home-prepared diets, so make sure any home-prepared meals are created by someone with extensive experience in managing IBD cases and formulating balanced diets

B Vitamins

B vitamins are particularly important for those dealing with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

1. First off, B vitamins are key players in converting food into energy. This is especially crucial for parts of the body that have high energy demands, such as the gastrointestinal tract.
2. When these vitamins are lacking, which is common in dogs with IBD, it can worsen intestinal malabsorption. This creates a vicious cycle where poor nutrient absorption leads to further depletion of B vitamins.
3. B vitamins are essential for producing healthy red blood cells (which transport oxygen throughout the body). A deficiency can lead to anaemia, weight loss, and poor appetite.

Most research to date has been focused on the deficiencies of vitamins B9 (folate) and B12 (cobalamin) in dogs with IBD. This is why your vet will likely recommend a B12 and folate supplement, such as Cobalaplex, to support your dog’s health.

Supplements

One of the challenges in managing dogs with IBD is that the very supplements that might be able to help them aren’t always well-tolerated. For that reason, I typically introduce supplements only after the dog has been stable for a while.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Omega-3 fatty acids, particularly eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) found in fish oil, are known to have anti-inflammatory properties. In dogs with IBD, these fatty acids can help calm inflammation by reducing the production of certain chemicals that the immune system releases in response to triggers.

While there isn’t a one-size-fits-all recommendation, if dietary fat doesn’t need to be heavily restricted, a dose of 300 mg of EPA and DHA combined per 10 kg of body weight is a good starting point.

When choosing a fish oil supplement, pay attention to the amounts of EPA and DHA listed on the label. For more tips on selecting the best fish oil for your dog, click here.

I usually recommend Wiley’s Fish Oil Mini’s and Nordic Naturals Omega-3 Pet for smaller dogs (up to 10kg), and Lamberts Fish Oil for larger dogs (over 10kg).

Probiotics

Probiotics are gaining popularity, but what exactly are probiotics, and what does the science say about their use in IBD in dogs?

Probiotics are live bacteria that help maintain a healthy gut microbiome, i.e. the community of microbes living in your dog’s digestive tract. A healthy microbiome is crucial because it aids digestion, enhances nutrient absorption, and strengthens the immune system.

In dogs with IBD, the gut microbiome often becomes imbalanced (knowns as dysbiosis), leading to inflammation, diarrhoea, vomiting, and other gut issues. It’s logical to assume that by giving a probiotic supplement, we can help restore this balance and, in turn, help reduce inflammation and improve overall gut health.

What does science say?

The good news

A 2014 study involving the probiotic VSL#3, showed significant improvements in both clinical symptoms and overall gut health in treated dogs. Not only did the dogs experience less inflammation, but the presence of beneficial bacteria in their guts also increased. This is particularly important because, as we discussed earlier, a healthier gut microbiome leads to better digestion, improved nutrient absorption, and a stronger immune system.

One of the key findings from the study was that VSL#3 helped increase the number of regulatory immune cells. These are special cells that help keep the immune system in check, preventing it from overreacting and causing unnecessary inflammation.

These findings suggest that probiotics might offer a unique advantage in managing IBD by addressing not just the symptoms but also the underlying immune response that contributes to the condition.

However

While this study is encouraging, its small size and open-label design mean that more research is needed to provide a clearer picture.

Lastly, before you go out and buy a probiotic, it’s important to remember that not all probiotics are the same; different strains of bacteria have varying effects on gut health, and the specific benefits can depend on factors like the strain used, the dosage, and the individual needs of the dog.

Implementing a dietary plan

Now that we’ve covered the key nutritional strategies for managing IBD, let’s discuss how to implement a dietary plan. Remember, every dog is unique, so these steps are guidelines only.

The first four steps are straightforward and can be done without professional help. Steps 5 to 7, however, need the help of a qualified nutritionist. If your dog has multiple health concerns, it’s best to consult a nutritionist from the start.

1. Choose a low-fat novel protein and carbohydrate. Feed in a ratio of 1/3 protein to 2/3 carbohydrate.
2. Gradually introduce the new diet over 7 days to avoid further gastrointestinal upset.
3. Feed small, frequent meals. You can adjust this based on your dog’s response to the diet. For example, if your dog is doing well, you can slowly reduce the number of feedings.
4. For the next 2 to 4 weeks, feed only this diet and avoid any treats or table scraps that could interfere with the dietary trial. If your dog doesn’t do well with the two novel foods, you’ll need to go back to the first step and try two new foods.
5. Once your dog is stable, we need to add calcium to provide the correct calcium-to-phosphorus balance.
6. The next step is adding vitamins and minerals to balance the diet to NRC requirements.
7. Lastly, consider adding a probiotic, followed by an omega-3 fatty acid supplement.

The full transition to a new diet is often a slow process. Be patient – persistence pays off. Once you see improvements in your dog’s symptoms, you’ll know you’ve succeeded, and your dog can stay on this plan long-term.

Other relevant information

Raw vs cooked: What is best for dogs with IBD?

Raw feeding has become popular in recent years. While I usually don’t try to sway anyone toward a particular type of diet, when it comes to dogs with IBD, a raw diet might not be the best option. Here’s why:

Firstly, raw diets carry the risk of harmful bacteria. For a healthy dog, the risk might be relatively low. However, for a dog with IBD, the risk is much higher because the inflammation has weakened the digestive tract, leaving the dog more vulnerable to infections.

Secondly, raw diets tend to be high in fat. When food is cooked, some of this fat can be skimmed off, making it easier on the digestive system and less likely to trigger a flare-up in dogs with IBD.

Water

Dogs with IBD often suffer from diarrhoea and vomiting, which can lead to dehydration quite rapidly. This loss of fluid can decrease essential electrolytes – such as sodium, potassium, and chloride – causing your dog to feel weak, lethargic, and unwell.

You can read more about water intake here, including tips and ideas for encouraging your dog to drink more.

Conclusion

Managing IBD in dogs can be a challenging journey for everyone involved. In my experience, dogs either respond well to dietary changes or don’t. You can usually figure this out by following the plan above. Keep in mind that there’s no way to predict how a dog will react to a new food.

If you’re lucky, you’ll find the right food on the first try. However, sometimes it takes several attempts with different novel ingredients to find the one that works for your dog.

Always work closely with your dog’s healthcare team. With patience and persistence, you can help your dog live a happier and healthier life, even with an IBD diagnosis.

We have reached the end of the blog, and I hope the information has helped you better understand the necessary changes to manage your dog. If you have any questions or need further help, don’t hesitate to get in touch. You can reach me at kristina@elmoskitchen.com. Your feedback and suggestions are always welcome.

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