Diet for Dogs with Diarrhea (Inflammatory Bowel Disease)

Inflammatory bowel disease is the name given to a group of conditions that are characterized by inflammation of the intestinal tract which is associated with (usually chronic and persistent) gastrointestinal signs. The clicnical signs most commonly seen in pets with inflammatory bowel disease often reflect the location of the inflammation. Vomiting, diarrhea, and/or weight loss are usually observed.

Causes of Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Causes of inflammatory bowel disease are numerous and include parasites (whipworms, giardia), fungi (histoplasmosis, protothecosis), bacteria (salmonella, Campylobacter; pathogenic E. coli), food allergy/hypersensitivity and cancer (lymphosarcoma, adenocarcinoma). Most commonly, the idiopathic classification of inflammatory bowel disease is seen in dogs and cats. While there is no known cause of idiopathic inflammatory bowel disease, most doctors suspect some type of allergy as this is an immune disease. The allergy or sensitivity might be due to the diet (many mild cases can respond to dietary manipulations). Allergies to food components usually involve cereal grains (wheat, barley, and oats, all of which contain gluten, a common dietary protein in many cereal grains), meats, and rarely eggs.

Dogs with gastrointestinal disease need diets with highly digestible protein that are also low in fat. Low-fat cottage cheese (0.5 cup) is used to provide protein. Brown or white rice (2 cups) is an easily digestible carbohydrate source (boiled or baked potato can be tried if the dog refuses rice.) Potassium can be added using supplements such as Tumil-K (available through veterinarians) or by adding 1/4-1/2 teaspoon of salt supplement (potassium chloride).

This diet would provide approximately 500 kcal with 27 grams of protein and 2 grams of fat. Two to three bonemeal tablets (10 grain or equivalent) or 3/4 teaspoon of bonemeal powder to supply calcium and phosphorus with a multivitamin mineral supplement is added as the pet improves.

Alternatively, Calcifood Wafers or Calcium Lactate can be used (use one Calcifood Wafer or 2 Calcium Lactate tablets for each 2 bonemeal tablets.

When possible, natural vitamins made from raw whole foods, rather than synthetic vitamins (although both can be used in combination) are preferred, as the natural vitamins also supply plant phytochemicals, enzymes, and other nutrients not found in chemically-synthesized vitamins.

Fresh, raw or slightly steamed vegetable (carrots, broccoli, etc) can be used as a top dressing for the diet for extra nutrition and variety as the pet improves.

Most vegetables provide approximately 25 kcal per cup. In general, the above recipe supplies the daily nutritional and caloric needs for a 12-13 pound dog. The actual amount to feed will vary based upon the pet's weight (feed less if weight gain), more if weight loss.)