Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Inflammatory Bowel Disease are two distinct bowel (part of the digestive system) disorders, yet the two titles are frequently misused. Some of the external indications resemble one another, which can be perplexing.
IBS and IBD in dogs: What are they?
IBS, often known as sensitive stomach, might appear to come and go. A change in diet or routine can cause bouts of IBS; symptoms like intermittent diarrhea may last a few days before going away, but they frequently come back if the trigger isn’t removed.
IBD, on the other hand, is a persistent, chronic (long-term) disorder, therefore signs and symptoms that continue are more likely to be IBD.
What are the causes of dog IBS and IBD?
IBS and IBD are often identified after all other possible causes of digestive difficulties, such as worms, gastroenteritis, colitis, pancreatitis, etc., are ruled out, even though no one truly knows the specific cause. Some dogs have food sensitivities or intolerances, which means their digestive systems don’t react well to particular meals. Additionally, dogs can develop food allergies to certain proteins in their diets. For dogs, the most common food allergens are beef, poultry, wheat, maize, milk, and eggs.
Itching and maybe noticeable soreness of the skin on your dog’s face, feet, and ears are common symptoms of an allergic reaction. Even though they are less often, diarrhea, vomiting, and flatulence can all be signs of a food allergy. Additionally, certain dogs’ digestive systems may become irritated by certain artificial ingredients, including colorings and preservatives.
IBS and IBD symptoms may also be triggered by stress and a lack of dietary fiber. Sometimes the gut’s regular processes just go awry, making it overly or underactive.
IBS anh IBD Symptoms and Signs in Dogs
IBS may be present in your dog if they frequently pass mucus-filled poop in little volumes or experience intermittent diarrhea or constipation. Bloating, abdominal pain, appetite loss, vomiting, and a general decrease in energy level are other symptoms of a flare-up.
Once other gut-related illnesses (worms, gastroenteritis, colitis, pancreatitis, etc.) have been ruled out, a veterinarian will typically diagnose IBS. On the other side, your dog might have IBD if the same symptoms appear frequently. This is an inflammatory disorder of the gut that can interfere with how well it uses nutrition and behaves something like a persistent allergic reaction.
It will be much easier to diagnose the issue and get your dog on the path to recovery if you take note of their typical behaviors and pay attention to the consistency of their feces. If you suspect a problem, consult your veterinarian. You are the expert on your dog.
How to care for dogs with IBS and IBD
Diet is where you should start initially. A natural, easily digestible meal with few ingredients can be beneficial for a dog with IBS or IBD symptoms. Avoiding snacks, table scraps, highly processed pet foods, and foods with artificial flavors and colors can all be beneficial. Check the label for natural sources of fiber because it’s crucial to get the proper kind and amount of dietary fiber.
Our diets at Pure Pet Food are all natural, and the lists of ingredients are condensed and straightforward. Our foods are ideal for delicate stomachs because they are overflowing with unadulterated goodness (and we hear they taste good too). To give things a chance to settle down, try one of our diets for at least a week.
If stress is a potential cause of your dog’s rumbling stomach, take action to determine the underlying issue and how the effect might be reduced. Have you recently relocated? Has anyone recently entered or departed the house—human or otherwise? Has your dog ever been around thunder or fireworks or other loud noises? These are but a few of the more typical causes of stress in pets, which may be to blame for some of the IBS or IBD symptoms. Ensure that your dog is given uninterrupted time to relax and that any visitors or members of your home respect your dog’s desire for privacy. Make sure your dog is getting adequate mental and physical exercise. Make sure your dog has a favorite blanket or article of clothing with your fragrance if you plan to leave them at home alone for an extended amount of time. Treat-release toys are also a good idea.
Keep in mind that IBS and IBD can be chronic diseases. Keep a close look out for any recurrences after the symptoms have been brought under control.
What dog food is recommended for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and irritable bowel disease (IBD)?
The finest dog food for IBD and IBS will stay away from typical allergens and irritations that could be the source of the ailment and producing an unfavorable immune reaction. Simple sensitivities exist in some dogs to typical proteins like beef and chicken. In these situations, switching to a different protein source can benefit a dog who has IBD or IBS. Try switching to a recipe that employs a novel protein source, such as fish or duck, if your dog has been eating traditional protein sources like beef, lamb, and chicken.
Because canines have a shorter digestive track and so have difficulty digesting grains, which can also lead to inflammation, gluten and grains can also aggravate IBS in humans.
Because kibble (dry dog food) contains a lot of cereal as fillers, it has a bad reputation for causing IBS and IBD. In order to give the meal flavor and a lengthy shelf life, kibble sometimes uses artificial flavors and preservatives, however these substances are also frequently irritating. In order to reduce the likelihood that the meal will contain anything that could trigger a flare-up, the best dog food for IBD will therefore stay away from fillers and artificial additives.
According to Dr. Andrew Miller, MRCVS: “It might be challenging to handle dogs whose stomachs are sensitive. Therefore, it’s crucial to maintain your dog’s diet’s regularity while removing variation through leftovers in order to prevent upsets. The recipes from Pure’s collection are easy on the stomach and employ the fewest fresh ingredients possible, which reduces the risk of an allergic reaction.”
This suggests that the ideal dog food for IBS is one that contains a small number of all-natural components that are unlikely to worsen the condition of a dog. In addition to keeping the gut active and not overworked, fresh, digestible food will give it time to repair.
For dogs with irritable bowel syndrome and irritable bowel illness, Pure creates paw-some dishes. In order to avoid irritation, only a small number of fresh, natural components are used in our meals, which are very digestible. It implies that our meal is paw-fect for calming sensitive tummies and equally delicious and nourishing.
Numerous sensitive-tummy dogs have tried Pure and are doing well. Spaniel Alfie previously experienced digestive troubles with grain-free food, but since switching to Pure, he has had no such issues. In fact, many dogs who switched to Pure food reported a resolution of their gastrointestinal issues.
For your dog, we’ll develop a nutritious, individualized plan that takes into account their preferences, allergies, and sensitivities. Waggy tails and content stomachs are the new normal; say goodbye to filler foods and synthetic horrors!
