As a dog owner, you would know that having diarrhea or vomiting is not something to worry about. It may have been caused by a change in diet, bacterial invasions, or from eating garbage/offensive food materials. However, if this condition continues for several days without any significant reason, it is not normal. In fact, it is an alarming situation as these symptoms indicate a probable risk of developing Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
IBD is a chronic disease caused by the inflammation of the inner lining of the digestive tract. It could lead to the inability of absorbing nutrients properly or complete indigestion. This happens due to inflammations in the entire digestive tract caused by a bacterial invasion. As a result, the dog vomits or suffers from diarrhea. It can even cause a loss of appetite. If you doubt that your dog has IBD, you should immediately go to the vet for medical help. Otherwise, it can even prove to be fatal in some cases, if left untreated.
After a thorough diagnosis, one of the most common treatments for IBD is dietary treatment. Improvement in diet and nutrition intake can be very helpful. For this reason, you will have to buy foods with extra nourishments like extra fiber supplements, probiotics, prebiotics, and steroids. These are essential elements to improve digestion and appetite and grow healthy bacteria. These types of dog foods are specially made to cure IBD conditions.
In a rush? Here are our top picks!
- Pros
- Lamb &oatmeal formula is wholesome and digestible
- Omega-3 fatty acids maintain the activity of joints and bones
- No corn, wheat, or soy to avoid digestive problems
- Omega-6 fatty acids and Vitamin A for a healthy coat
- Prebiotics and probiotics for healthy bowl activity
- Cons
- Expensive
If you want a balanced and nutritious diet for your dog, Purina Pro Plan is the best choice. It especially incorporates natural prebiotic fibers and live probiotics that help to deal with digestive issues and are very gentle for the bowel. Additionally, it promotes the growth of healthy bacteria in the gut to further promote digestion.
Along with it, this feed also takes care of sensitive-skinned animalsby excluding corn, wheat, or soy. Instead of it, healthy elements like Omega-6 fatty acids and Vitamin A are included. They do not only help in maintaining a healthy and shiny coat but also improve bowel activity.
Besides, proper digestive activity, a complete and nutritious diet is also essential. To fulfill nutritional requirements, it incorporates salmon or lamb as the basic ingredients. It is also fortified with oatmeal, which is wholesome and easily digestible.
To obtain healthy growth and activeness in your dog, extra dietary supplements are required; Purina Pro Plan especially incorporates Omega-3 fatty acids. It is good for joints, promotes mobility, and ensures a healthy lifestyle. Overall, this is the best food you can get for your canine companion. It delivers all the essential nutrients and also takes care of your dog’s well-being.
Key Features
- For sensitive skin
- Lamb &oatmeal formula
- Fortified with probiotics
- Natural prebiotic formula
- Without corn, wheat, or soy
- Omega-3 fatty acids
- Omega-6 fatty acids and Vitamin A
Verdict
Purina Pro Plan is a complete package of nutritious substances, which are also gentle on the stomach and promote overall health. If you choose this diet plan, it will be a treat for your dog. However, it is quite expensive. If you consider your dog’s well-being over its price, this could be the best option.
- Pros
- Real meat to fulfill protein requirements
- Enhances muscle growth and digestion
- Omega-3 and 6 fatty acids promote a healthy coat
- No preservatives, artificial ingredients, and fillers
- Available in various flavors to suit your pup’s preference
- Cons
- Grain is difficult to digest
- High in calories
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula is specially formulated to maintain health and growth without flaring up any digestive issues. It features real meat as the primary ingredient. Its high-quality protein content helps to promote muscle growth and provides extra nourishment. If your dog is a meat lover, this is the best food for it. Luckily, it offers various flavors to choose from without compromising on nutrition.
It is also a great source for dietary fibers, thanks to whole grain. Moreover, it prevents diarrhea, especially for dogs suffering from IBD. It is also rich in Omega-3 and 6 fatty acids to promote healthy skin and a shiny coat. Moreover, its protein and carbohydrate content helps to maintain the energy and activeness of your pup.
Blue’s dry dog food is made with antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, and it fulfills all the dietary requirements of your dog while maintaining healthy bowel activity.
It is best for your adult dogs as it promises to deliver the purest nutrition without the addition of any corn, wheat, soy fillers, preservatives, or artificial ingredients. It is highly recommended by veterinarians for dogs with IBD.
Key Features
- Includes real meat
- Whole grains
- Fruits and vegetables
- Omega-3 and 6 Fatty Acids
- Promote shiny skin and coat
- Muscle development
- For adult dogs
- No corn, wheat, soy, or preservatives
- No animal by-products
Verdict
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula is the best product you can buy for your dog. It promises to deliver complete nutrition along with healthy bowel activity. Moreover, you can choose from different flavors according to your dog’s preference. However, it is quite expensive.
- Pros
- Real meat for a rich protein source
- Probiotics for proper digestion
- Antioxidants prevent allergies
- No preservatives or by-products
- Omega-6 and 3 fatty acids to promote a shiny coat
- No grain for easy digestion
- Cons
- No-grain diet can cause fiber deficiency
Most grain-filled products serve no good to the overall health of your dog, except for acting as fillers with a high level of carbs. On top of that,they are hard to digest and can even irritate the walls of the digestive tract. Therefore, Canidae Pure has a special grain-free formula, which has proven to be a great source of nourishment for treating IBD conditions in dogs. It focuses on a low-carb diet and ensures your dog gets complete nutrition.
This food is sufficiently loaded with proteins from rich sources like fish or chicken, along with some extra nutrition like vitamins and antioxidants. They ensure better growth and development and are good for healthy digestion. Moreover, it incorporates Omega-6 & 3 fatty acids to promote a shiny coat.
Canidae Pure’s dry dog food also comes with probiotics, which are essential for optimal bowel activity and help in proper digestion. It is specially formulated for IBD conditions; therefore, it doesn’t include any animal by-products or preservatives, as they cause allergic reactions and may aggravate vomiting or diarrhea.
Key Features
- Contains real meat
- Includes Omega-6 and 3 fatty acids
- 100% grain-free
- No corn, wheat, soy
- No fillers, by-products, and preservatives
- Contains vitamins, antioxidants, and probiotics
- For hypoallergenic dogs
Verdict
This dog food is highly recommended if you want the health and well-being of your dog along with proper nutrition and easy digestion. It is also goodfor controlling IBD symptoms.
- Pros
- High protein levels for muscle growth
- Vitamin E and Omega-6 fatty acids for a shiny coat
- Probiotics for healthy bowel activity
- Specially formulated for adult dogs
- High fiber content for easier stool pick-up
- Cons
- High-grain diet gives a hardtime for digestion
- No Omega-3 fatty acids
Hill’s Science Diet Dry Dog Food is another product that contains high fiber content. It is a great choice to overcome IBD symptoms, as it helps in optimal bowel activity and easier stool pick-up. Additionally, it includes prebiotic fibers. They are highly recommended for the growth of healthy bacteria in the gut to improve digestion.
This product contains a low-fat percentage but provides complete nutrition. It is loaded with Vitamin E and Omega-6 fatty acids that are essential for healthy skin and a shiny, lustrous coat. Protein is very essential for growth and muscle development; Hill’s formula fulfills these requirements by including chicken as the key ingredient.
This product works best for dogs above the age of seven years because it provides extra nutrition required for healthy and longer life.
Key Features
- Prebiotic fibers included
- Highly digestible
- Chicken is the main ingredient
- Vitamin E
- Rich in Omega-6 fatty acids
- Grain and fibers
- Includes soybean
Verdict
If you are looking for food to control IBD, this is the best food you can offer your pup. It maintains proper digestion and healthy bowel activity. Additionally, it is available in different flavors so you can choose your pup’s favorite.
- Pros
- Grain-free formula for easy digestion
- Probiotics for a healthy gut
- Protein content for muscle growth
- Omega-3 and 6 fatty acids for healthy skin
- Gluten-free recipe
- Cons
- No dietary fibers included
Solid Gold uses a 100% grain-free formula, meaning it contains pure protein content, minerals from fresh veggies, and vitamins. It has pasture-raised pure lamb meat as the key ingredient, which is very helpful in muscle growth and improves overall health. Its low grain formula is a great treatment for IBD stricken pups since it is gentle on the stomach and easily digestible.
For the growth of healthy microbes in the gut, it specifically incorporates prebiotics. To cure inflammation caused by IBD, its antioxidant ingredients play a key role. Along with internal health, it also focuses on the healthy appearance of the pup by including Omega-3 and 6 fatty acids and extra vitamins that are essential for a shiny coat and replenished skin.
Moreover, it strictly eliminates gluten-rich products that are a major cause of allergic reactions and also aggravate gastrointestinal problems. It also excludes fillers like soy and wheat and does not use any animal by-products as well.
Key Features
- Antioxidants and prebiotics for gut
- Includes Omega-3 and 6 fatty acids
- Salmon oil which provides EPA & DHA
- Glute-free formula
- Pasture-raised lamb
- 100% grain-free
Verdict
If you want the well-being of your dog along with healthy bowel activity and normal growth, this product is highly recommended. It is free from allergic substances and comes in a variety of flavors.
- Pros
- Probiotics supplement
- Microencapsulation process
- Contains antioxidants
- Live microbes for gut
- Healthy for the immune system
- Cons
- Probiotics for proper digestion
- Antioxidants to boost immunity
- Healthy intestinal microflora for gut
Purina is a well-known brand for producing highly-nutritious dry dog foods. Purina FortiFlora is specially formulated to treat conditions like IBD. Henceforth, it is loaded with probiotics that reside in the gut to promote the growth of healthy bacteria that aid in digestion. Moreover, it helps in the formation of firm stool which prevents diarrhea.
Its antioxidant ingredients are mainly responsible for treating inflammations caused by IBD in the gastrointestinal tract. You can addthe powdered formula into any food supplement to increase probiotic levels.
Its microencapsulation process enables the safe transfer of active microbes through the digestive tract. It creates a healthier environment for the nourishment of intestinal microflora. This addition plays a vital role in boosting the immune system and enhancing the digestive process.
Key Features
- Probiotics supplement
- Microencapsulation process
- Contains antioxidants
- Live microbes for gut
- Healthy for the immune system
Verdict
This is an additional food supplement for dogs suffering from IBD. You can purchase it to maintain proper digestion and growth of healthy microbes in the gut. It is quite expensive but equally essential for health benefits.
How To Choose the Best Dog Food for IBD
Before you proceed with buying the best dog food for IBD, it is best to consider which ingredients and formulae are ideal for curing this condition. Hence, the following points will describe key elements you should consider before your purchase.
Grain or Wheat
Grain and wheat are carbohydrates. They are very filling and heavy. This is why they takea longer time to digest. If your dog is suffering from IBD, stay away from a grain diet. It can aggravate inflammation in the gut or cause vomiting due to indigestion. In some cases, it also causes gas or rumbling in the stomach. No matter how nutritious it is, it’s not the best choice for pupswith IBD.
Probiotics
Probiotics are healthy bacteria present in the gut to promote digestion. You should always go for foods loaded with probiotics because they are essential for healthy bowel activity and digestion.
Protein
Protein is the key element in any nutritious diet. It is not only your dog’s favorite addition but is also vital for proper muscle growth and development. However, some species are allergic to high protein content, especially beef. So, you should commonly go for white meat like chicken or fish. Fortunately, dog foods now come in a variety of flavors so you can choose your dog’s favorite recipe.
Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids
Not many dog food brands incorporate Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids, but it doesn’t take away the importance of these substances. They are very important for the health of your dog. Althoughthey do not directly contribute to digestion, they’re immensely important for the well-being of your pup. They are essential for healthy skin and a shiny coat. Moreover, they promote strengthening and mobility of joints to keep your dog active and lively.
Recommendations
There are many products on the list. Each of them has a healthy and nutritious formula that promotes the well-being of your dog. Despite having so many options,you may still be confused. Therefore, we are keen to reveal our top recommendation. In this case, Purina Pro Plan Focus Sensitive Skin is our top pick.
Purina is the most reliable brand when it comes to the health of your beloved dog. It incorporates all the essential protein content necessary for muscle development and growth. Moreover, it incorporates probiotics that are good for proper digestion. The inclusion of wholesome oatmeal is an important element for a fiber-rich diet and solid stool formation. Most vets prescribe it for controlling IBD symptoms.
However, it comes in with a costly price tag, but once you count its dietary benefits, price won’t be a matter of concern. Nothing is more important than your dog’s health.
Symptoms of IBD in Dogs
IBD symptoms are very evident, and dog owners can easily detect them. Following are some of the most common symptoms of IBD:
- Chronic vomiting
- Chronic diarrhea
- Nausea and loss of appetite
- Burping or extended neck
- Heartburn and acidity
- Rumbling tummy
- Excessive bloating
These symptoms occur due to inflammation of the gut lining or no absorption of food. If these symptoms prevail for more than two weeks, you should immediately call a vet for help. It could be a sign of developing IBD.
Conclusion For The Best Dog Food for IBD
IBD is a serious disease, and the best cure is to improve dietary supplements. Mostly, brands are now producing especially formulated dog foods for treating this disease. Therefore, we have provided you with a list of the best dog food to cure IBD symptoms. Each product has nutritious substances which ensure the well-being and health of your dog. If you are considering an alternative product, remember to consider the points in our buying guide.
Don’t like any dog foods on our list? Try out some homemade dog food for IBD:
