HEALTH CENTER
Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Dogs and Cats: A Natural Approach
Understanding the Symptoms and Finding What Actually Helps Your Pet
by Darleen Rudnick, B.S.W., M.H.N., Certified Holistic Nutritionist
IBD affects the digestive tract in dogs and cats and can cause bloating, discomfort, and irregular bowel movements.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is one of the most common gastrointestinal disorders in pets. It is a term that describes a chronic inflammatory disorder of the small and/or large intestine.
In general, the cause of most cases is unknown, but contributing factors that have been identified are poor eating habits, food allergies, overuse of antibiotics, bacterial and viral infections, and parasites.
Common Symptoms of Inflammatory Bowel Disease
- Diarrhea, usually in small volumes, but frequent.
- Abdominal pain that can vary in severity from mild to severe.
- Mucus in the stool.
- Nausea, sometimes vomiting.
- Flatulence (gas).
- Anorexia.
- Intolerances to certain foods.
Is your dog or cat dealing with constipation, diarrhea, or unexplained abdominal pain?
A conversation about your pet is a good place to start.
Book a Consultation
Naturally Treating Inflammatory Bowel Disease
The most important step in treating IBS naturally is to feed the diet that works best for your pet. Some pets with IBD do best on a raw diet, others on a home-cooked diet, while some do better on canned or dry food. Every pet is different, so don't be afraid to experiment until you find the diet that works best for your pet. There isn't one diet that's right for every pet with IBD.
If you are feeding dry food, avoid foods preserved with synthetic preservatives such as BHA, BHT, propyl gallate, propylene glycol, and ethoxyquin. I also recommend avoiding animal fats, high-fat treats, processed foods, spicy foods, sugary foods, and dairy products, as they may trigger digestive upset.
Structure Meal Times
Feed small, frequent meals instead of one large one. Offer all food at room temperature for best digestion.
Recommended Feeding Schedule:
Breakfast: High-quality food
Lunch: High-quality food
Midday: Light snack
Dinner: High-quality food
Before bed: Light snack
Use Filtered Water
Toxic metals such as lead, copper, mercury, and aluminum are often found in drinking water, and some pets are very sensitive to these metals.
Rule Out a Parasite Infestation
Parasites are a common cause of digestive problems in dogs and cats and should always be ruled out. They can cause symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, weight loss, poor nutrient absorption, bad breath, excessive gas, skin problems, chronic ear or yeast infections, foul-smelling stools, and many other health issues.
GIARDIA can mimic Inflammatory Bowel Disease!
Giardia is a gastrointestinal infection caused by a microscopic parasite called Giardia lamblia. This is a common parasite causing gastrointestinal illness. It is found in the stools of many animals, including rodents, dogs, cats, cattle, and wild animals.
A Giardia infection can be acquired when your pet ingests food or water that has been contaminated with the parasite. It then multiplies in the small intestine.
Common symptoms of Giardia include diarrhea, foul-smelling or greasy stools, abdominal cramping, bloating, excessive gas, weakness, and weight loss. Because these symptoms are very similar to IBD, it's important to have your pet tested for Giardia before assuming IBD is the cause. This simple, inexpensive test can save you hundreds of dollars on unnecessary testing and help your pet get the right treatment sooner.
Eliminate Toxins in Your House, Yard, and on Your Pet
Because chronic inflammation can be aggravated by environmental toxins, it is important to reduce your pet's exposure whenever possible.
Food & Diet
- Low-quality pet foods and treats
- Artificial preservatives (BHA, BHT, and ethoxyquin)
- Animal by-products
- Artificial food dyes
- Excess sugar and salt
- Sodium nitrate
- Titanium dioxide
- Artificial additives
Environmental
- Cigarette smoke
- Strong household cleaners
- Air fresheners
- Scented candles
- Paint fumes
- Lawn chemicals, including pesticides and herbicides
- Mold
Supplements
High-quality supplements can be an important part of a holistic program for pets with IBD. The best supplement program depends on the cause of your pet's IBD, blood work results, current medications, diet, age, and overall health. Because every pet is different, I do not recommend giving the same supplements to every dog or cat with IBD. One of the services I provide during a personalized consultation is evaluating your pet’s individual nutritional needs and developing a supplement program specifically designed for your pet.
Exercise Your Pet Daily
Regular exercise is important for every pet. It helps improve digestion, strengthen the immune system, maintain a healthy weight, and keep your pet physically fit. Exercise also burns excess fat and helps increase your pet's metabolism.
Try to give your pet plenty of exercise every day. However, always take your pet's age, health, and the weather into consideration. Don't overexercise senior pets or pets with heart disease, epilepsy, hypoglycemia, diarrhea, or other health problems. Pets can become exhausted just like people.
Final Thoughts
- Feed the diet that works best for your pet.
- During bouts of diarrhea, a bland diet may help.
- Feed small meals throughout the day.
- Have your pet tested for Giardia.
- Eliminate foods that upset your pet's digestive tract.
- Exercise your pet regularly.
- Give the right supplements specific to your pet’s needs.
- Avoid toxins in your house, yard, and on your pet.
- Provide filtered water.
Need Personalized Guidance?
If your dog or cat has been diagnosed with Inflammatory Bowel Disease and you would like a personalized nutritional consultation, contact For Pet Health. My goal is to help you make informed nutritional and lifestyle choices that support your pet's overall health and provide the best possible quality of life.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Inflammatory Bowel Disease in dogs and cats?
IBD is chronic inflammation of the small and/or large intestine that disrupts the normal movement of food and waste. This can lead to mucus and toxin buildup, causing bloating, distension, and constipation.
What causes IBD in dogs?
In most cases, the exact cause is unknown, but contributing factors include poor eating habits, stress, food allergies, overuse of antibiotics, infections, and parasites like Giardia. A physical blockage should also be ruled out, since pets sometimes swallow toys or other objects.
Can cats get IBD, or is it just a dog condition?
Cats can absolutely develop IBD. The symptoms and contributing factors are similar in both species, and each cat needs an approach tailored to their own health history.
What are the symptoms of IBD in dogs and cats?
Common symptoms include alternating constipation and diarrhea, abdominal pain, mucus in the stool, gas, bloating, nausea, and food intolerances. Severity can range from mild discomfort to more serious flare-ups.
How can I prevent or manage IBD in my dog naturally?
Since there's no single diet that works for every pet, it often takes some experimenting; some dogs do best on a simple, limited-ingredient diet, while others need a raw or home-cooked approach. Avoiding synthetic preservatives, feeding smaller frequent meals, ruling out parasites, and reducing household toxin exposure are all good starting points. A personalized consultation can help narrow down what's actually driving your dog's symptoms.
Important Note
The recommendations in this article are general suggestions for treating your pet naturally. It is important to look at each pet individually and determine what works best, and it is highly recommended that you consider a consultation.
A consultation includes a personalized diet and holistic program, all custom-tailored to your pet's personal needs. This is particularly imperative in pets with complicated health issues, or if you've done outside reading and have conflicting information.
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