Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a digestive problem in dogs and cats. To explain IBS simply, the muscles in the digestive tract squeeze food through the body in slow, steady waves. But when a pet gets anxious, stressed, or overly excited, the brain and the gut miscommunicate. The brain sends panic signals to the stomach, causing the gut muscles to spasm and cramp up.

Symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Common symptoms of IBS include:

• Diarrhea which may start out normal in the morning, then become looser and more frequent throughout the day. Some pets alternate between diarrhea and constipation. 
• Abdominal pain which my be mild or severe. 
• Mucus in the stool 
• Nausea, sometimes vomiting 
• Excessive gas 
• Bloating 
• Loss of appetite 
• Food sensitivities or intolerances

Feed What is Right for Your Pet

The most important thing to remember is to feed the diet that works best for your pet, not what someone else says is best. Raw diets are excellent for some pets, and home-cooked diets work well for others. But if your pet doesn't do well on those diets, don't feel guilty.‍

Some pets with IBS 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 IBS.‍

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. To learn more about what I recommend avoiding in foods, read my article, "Pet Food Ingredients Explained."‍

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 pet food, raw or homemade food
Lunch: High-quality pet food, raw or homemade food
Midday: Light snack
Dinner: High-quality pet food, raw or homemade 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 Cause Irritable Bowel Syndrome!

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. The infection can also be spread person-to-person when hands, which are contaminated with an infected person's stool, are brought in contact with the mouth.‍

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 IBS, it's important to have your pet tested for Giardia before assuming IBS is the cause. This simple, inexpensive test can save you hundreds of dollars in unnecessary testing and help your pet get the right treatment sooner.‍

Eliminate Toxins in the House, Yard and on your Pet

Because ‍‍‍IBS can be triggered by stress, it is important to put as little stress on the body as possible by avoiding toxins that may deplete the immune system.  ‍

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

Lifestyle

• Stress 
• Sudden changes in routine 
• Lack of exercise 
• Anxiety or separation anxiety‍

Medical

• Parasites 
• Giardia 
• Intestinal infections 
• Recent antibiotic use‍

Supplements

Diet alone is often not enough to control IBS. In many cases, the right nutritional supplements can make a tremendous difference. The key is choosing the supplements that are right for your pet because giving the wrong supplements may actually make the symptoms worse.‍

During a consultation, I can help you determine which supplements are appropriate for your pet and how they fit into the overall nutritional program. ‍

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. In some cases, Pedialyte, plain yogurt, baby food, or rice may also be beneficial. 
• Feed small meals throughout the day. 
• Have your pet tested for Giardia. 
• Rule out an intestinal blockage. 
• Eliminate foods or supplements 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 home, yard, and on your pet. 
• Provide filtered water. 
• Keep stress to a minimum. Your stress can affect your pet, so staying calm and maintaining a positive attitude may help your pet feel more relaxed. 

Need Personalized Guidance?

If your dog or cat has been diagnosed with Irritable Bowel Syndrome, figuring out what to feed and which supplements to use can be difficult. What works for one pet with IBS may not work for another.

Before the consultation, I review your pet's health records, current diet, medications, supplements, symptoms, and the information you provide on the evaluation form. I use this information to research your pet's digestive problems and develop a nutritional and holistic program.

During the consultation, we go through my recommendations together. I explain what to feed, how often to feed, which supplements I recommend, and other changes that may help your pet. I also explain why I am recommending each change and answer your questions.

After the consultation, you will receive a detailed nutritional and holistic program developed for your pet. This includes an evaluation of the current diet, food recommendations, homemade recipes, supplements, treats, feeding instructions, and other changes that may help with your pet's IBS.

If you would like nutritional and natural support for your dog or cat with IBS, contact For Pet Health to schedule a holistic pet nutrition consultation.