Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) should be referred to as more of a syndrome than anything, and it is caused by a specific reaction to the irritation of the intestinal tract.
It is an awful thing for any dog to suffer from, and it presents itself in a similar way to humans who have this illness.
However, we do have a solution that might just help your dog find gastric relief. Their food.
A good and healthy diet is not regarded highly enough in the canine world, and with IBD it really can be as simple as changing what they eat.
The key to success is finding a diet that is kind to their bodies while also giving them the nutrients they need to thrive.
Our guide to the best dog food for inflammatory bowel disease can do just that, and we’re here to help you and your dog.
1. Editors Pick
Royal Canin Gastrointestinal Food
2. Budget Pick
Barking Heads Fat Dog Slim Natural Food
Contents
- Key Things to Look for
- 1. Royal Canin Gastrointestinal Wet Food
- 2. Barking Heads Fat Dog Slim
- 3. AATU Free Run Chicken
- 4. BETA Sensitive Adult
- 5. Lily’s Kitchen Homestyle Chicken and Turkey (Tin)
- 6. Hills Prescription Diet Digestive Care (Wet)
- 7. Hill’s Prescription Diet Canine i/d GI Low Fat
- 8. Burgess Sensitive
- 9. Harringtons Grain-Free Turkey and Sweet Potato
- 10. Taste of the Wild
- FAQs
- Final Thoughts
Key Things to Look for
Before you go ahead and buy food for your dog, there are some things you should be checking for. Below, you will find a concise list of key aspects to be considered when you are thinking about new dog food. This should help you find the perfect one for your pup.
Natural. Try to keep the ingredients as natural as possible, as well as opting for sensitive dog food where you can. This takes some of the pressure off their gut, helping them to feel more comfortable as well as relieving some of the symptoms of their illness.
Grain/Wheat. Since this is one of the most common causes of stomach upsets, bloating, and gas, it makes sense to remove these from your dog’s diet as much as possible when they have IBD.
For many, rice is still fine to eat and digest – its gentle touch is why so many vets recommend chicken and rice for an upset stomach.
Fat Content. Generally speaking, you will want to keep the fat content low so that your dog has less risk of a reaction. It’s good to keep the fat levels at 15% or lower, although with puppies you can push this higher because they need the added nutrients to grow healthily.
Protein Content. Sometimes, the cause of IBD in a dog is an allergy or intolerance to the protein in their food. Most commonly this is beef, but it can also extend to other proteins – including chicken and white fish. If your dog is triggered by all proteins, they will need a specialist diet.
Additives. Without thinking about it, you could be giving your dog food that is loaded with additives and artificial ingredients. These added ingredients can cause stomach upsets as well as bloating and gas, so it is best to avoid these where possible when buying dog food for IBD.
1. Royal Canin Gastrointestinal Wet Food
Editor’s Pick
From a highly recommended and trusted brand for sensitive stomachs, Royal Canin provides a nourishing, grain free meal without the unwanted side effects.
It’s perfect for dogs with IBD, gastritis, and colitis to name a few. It makes digestion an easier and smoother process.
It is also recognised as one of the best foods by vets and pet owners for its very well balanced rotation of different natural proteins for even the most tenacious dogs to eat. Packed with protein (8.5%) as well as low in fat at 6.5% and ash at 2%, it is a perfectly balanced meal.
- Key Ingredients: Meat derivatives, fish derivatives, cereals, derivatives of vegetable origin, oils and fats
- Texture: Wet
- Type: Hypoallergenic, sensitive stomachs
- Life Stage: Adult/Senior
- Suitable For: IBD
Should You Buy it?
Of course. Besides being packed with natural ingredients, vitamins and minerals. It’s ideal for dogs with IBD that need something gentle on their digestive tract.
Sample Buyer Review
— Damien
2. Barking Heads Fat Dog Slim
Budget Pick
This specially formulated brand is keen on dog’s wanting to slim down as well as those that need a gentler diet.
It uses the best quality ingredients to keep your dog comfortable as well as ease digestion. This soft touch on digestion is what makes it so good for dogs with IBD.
In fact, it contains an impressive 20% protein as well as 9% fat and 8% ash. This is a great balance for dogs with IBD. It’s free from artificial nasties, while also promoting strong joints and bones.
There is also a feeding guide on the packet to help you measure dog food correctly to help you avoid irritating their gut with overfeeding.
- Key Ingredients: Brown Rice, Dried Chicken, Potato, Oats, Barley, Chicken
- Texture: Dry
- Type: Gluten-free, low-fat
- Life Stage: Adult
- Suitable For: IBD
Should You Buy it?
Absolutely, this kibble is fantastic and healthy for your adult dogs when they are suffering from digestive issues like IBD. At the same time, it’s kind to your wallet.
Sample Buyer Review
— Sandra Klungreseth
3. AATU Free Run Chicken
For Active Dogs
This gentle small batched kibble, with its fresh and raw pre-cooked proteins, uses an effective low and slow method for dogs when aiding digestion.
It’s perfect for pups with sensitive stomachs, IBD, and those who need a diet that is lower in fat but higher in the good stuff – meat.
This high protein dog food is ready to provide your dog with all the energy they need. It contains a whopping 32% protein, as well as 17% fat and 7% ash. It is completely free from grains, gluten, and white potatoes to minimise reactions and leave your dog full and happy.
- Key Ingredients: Chicken, Sweet Potato, Chickpeas, Peas, Lucerne
- Texture: Dry
- Type: High protein content, grain-free
- Life Stage: Adult
- Suitable For: IBD
Should You Buy it?
Definitely. Please note if your dog has protein sensitivity to be cautious but if your dog has IBD or a sensitive stomach, this handcrafted kibble is natural, gentle on the body, and packed with good nutrients.
Sample Buyer Review
— Rachel Hurford
Have a questions? Ask in the comments below
4. BETA Sensitive Adult
For Those on a Budget
This kibble, like most, is specially formulated, but this one is tailored to nutrition for sensitive stomachs and IBD. It supports good digestion and it has Omega 3&6 fatty acids to ease digestion as well as boost the immune system and keeps coats shiny. All without any additives.
The kibble is dual-shaped, meaning that it is larger and bulkier than your standard kibble. This promotes slower eating to improve digestive health. The dog food itself contains 25% protein as well as 14% fat. The ash level isn’t bad either at 7.5%, and you get a great balance of nutrients.
- Key Ingredients: Salmon Meal, Wheat, Corn, Mica, Carrot, Spinach
- Texture: Dry
- Type: Free from artificial ingredients
- Life Stage: Adults
- Suitable For: IBD
Should You Buy it?
Absolutely, not only is this a healthy and great product, it does wonders with regard to help your dog and while still saving money with it being in a size/ price variety.
Sample Buyer Review
— Kirstie Phillips
5. Lily’s Kitchen Homestyle Chicken and Turkey (Tin)
Best Natural Pick
Here we have a delicious homestyle wet food that’s good alone or with mixed with kibble for a nutritious diet.
Helping with IBD, sensitive stomachs, and picky eaters, it’s kind to the digestive system and won’t inflame it. Additionally, it’s packed with essential fruit, vegetables, vitamins, and minerals.
All of the ingredients are completely natural, and it has a great protein content for wet food at 10% as well as 5% fat and only 2.5% ash.
It’s loaded with essential nutrients that help strengthen joints and muscles, boost the immune system, and give them a soft and shiny coat.
- Key Ingredients: Chicken, Freshly Prepared Turkey, Carrots, Squash, Pearl Barley
- Texture: Wet
- Type: Low-fat, natural
- Life Stage: Adult
- Suitable For: IBD
Should You Buy it?
You should most definitely choose this dog food for inflammatory bowel disease, especially if your dog doesn’t do hard kibble. It’s a wet food that will have your dog glowing with happiness and healthiness.
Sample Buyer Review
— Hazel Peiser
6. Hills Prescription Diet Digestive Care (Wet)
Best Wet Food for Unsettled Stomachs
Here we have a wet food that is supportive of your dog’s digestive health by using gentle ingredients that are proven to soothe and calm their stomach.
Alongside helping with IBD and sensitive stomachs, it’s a delicious diet of wet food recommended by vets with irresistible flavour.
Its fat content is nice and low at just 2.2%, and the protein content of 6% isn’t great, but still acceptable for wet food. It also contains 1% ash, and is loaded with omega 3 and 6 fatty acids for smooth digestion, a healthy coat, and an improved immune system.
Everything your dog needs for a calm stomach and good health.
- Key Ingredients: Meat derivatives, cereals, derivatives of vegetable origin, vegetables, minerals
- Texture: Wet
- Type: Digestive health, low-fat
- Life Stage: Adult
- Suitable For: IBD
Should You Buy it?
You should buy this wet food. It’s fantastic for dogs with IBD that need a gentle diet that won’t inflame their digestive system. On top of that, it is completely recommended by vets.
Sample Buyer Review
— Susan Day
Have a questions? Ask in the comments below
7. Hill’s Prescription Diet Canine i/d GI Low Fat
Vet’s Choice
This food is perfect for sensitive stomachs, IBD, and maintaining a healthy weight. After all, a diet that has too much fat in it will only cause your dog gastric distress when they have IBD.
Each of the included ingredients has been specially chosen to aid digestion and help it go smoothly.
Additionally, they help ensure that all of the nutrients are properly absorbed by the gut, reducing inflammation and helping them to get the most out of their food. The fat levels are nice and low at 7%, with a high protein level of 23%. There is also a very nice 1.6% ash for perfect balance.
- Key Ingredients: Pork, turkey, rice, rice flour, maize
- Texture: Dry
- Type: Low-fat, gastric comfort
- Life Stage: Adult
- Suitable For: IBD
Should You Buy it?
Yes, this is a great dry dog food to buy. Its low-fat content means that dogs with IBD are less at risk of an attack, and yet it also remains nutritionally complete.
Sample Buyer Review
— Marjorie35
8. Burgess Sensitive
Best Hypoallergenic Food
This hypoallergenic kibble is perfect for pups who have intolerances to certain foods, like gluten and beef. At the same time, it is very gentle on the stomach and digestive system, providing gentle carbs and lean meat for excellent digestion as well as amino acids for nutrition.
Each of the included ingredients serves a purpose in this food, whether it’s to promote firmer stools or to give your pup a shiny coat and boost the immune system. It contains 20% protein and is low in fat at a mere 10%.
The ash content is a little high at 10%, but this can be forgiven when looking at how nutritionally balanced and complete this kibble is.
- Key Ingredients: Rice, Lamb Meal, Unmolassed Beet Pulp, Poultry Fat, Fish Oil
- Texture: Dry
- Type: Hypoallergenic, gluten-free
- Life Stage: Adult
- Suitable For: IBD
Should You Buy it?
Absolutely. This fantastic dry dog food is completely hypoallergenic to help prevent potential reactions and also reduce the symptoms of conditions like IBD.
Sample Buyer Review
— Samantha Beazer
9. Harringtons Grain-Free Turkey and Sweet Potato
Top All-Rounder Pick
This kibble is fantastic and completely free from grain, making it a hypoallergenic choice that is free from common allergens that might otherwise upset your dog’s digestive system.
It’s lean as well, ensuring that dogs who suffer from IBD won’t find their gut inflamed by high-fat content.
It contains 23% protein as well as 13% fat. The ash content is a little higher than we like to see at 9%, but this is beautifully balanced by how nutritionally complete this dry dog food is. Loaded with omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, your pup will also benefit from a shiny coat and a healthy immune system.
- Key Ingredients: Turkey Meal, Potato Flakes, Peas, Sweet Potato, Poultry Fat
- Texture: Dry
- Type: Grain-free, sensitive
- Life Stage: Adults
- Suitable For: IBD
Should You Buy it?
Yes, you should buy this dry dog food. It is free from common allergens and gentle on the stomach to provide a balanced meal that your dog will absolutely love without their IBD being triggered.
Sample Buyer Review
— Trusted Customer
Have a questions? Ask in the comments below
10. Taste of the Wild
For the Little Predator
For puppies, IBD can be really hard to cope with and they will need a lot of extra patience. However, finding good food that they can thrive on is really important.
Taste of the wild is perfect, with a recipe that is gentle on the stomach while also providing nutritional balance.
It contains 28% protein and 17% fat, which might seem high but is actually good for puppy food. They need these extra quantities so that they grow strong. The quality of the meat used is fantastic, and it is loaded with nutrient-rich blueberries to help their immune system and coat.
- Key Ingredients: Bison, lamb meal, sweet potatoes, eggs, peas
- Texture: Dry
- Type: Grain-free
- Life Stage: Puppy
- Suitable For: IBD
Should You Buy it?
Definitely. This is a brilliant food that your puppy is sure to love – all without their stomach becoming upset from it.
Sample Buyer Review
— Annette Macleod
FAQs
What are the Symptoms of IBD?
The symptoms of IBD can depend on where your dog is most severely impacted by the condition. If the stomach is the main point of concern, your dog will suffer from chronic vomiting.
If the intestines are the key area, they will have chronic diarrhoea instead. However, as it impacts both the intestines and the stomach, it could also be a combination of both.
Is There a Cure for IBD in Dogs?
No, there is no cure for IBD in dogs. However, it can be treated with medications as well as a change in diet. Some dogs may only need medication for a short period of time, and others may need to take them for the rest of their life.
Is Canine IBD Fatal?
No, canine IBD is not usually fatal.Most of the time, treatment means that your dog can lead a happy and healthy life. However, there have been cases where IBD leads to intestinal cancer – an occurrence well-documented in humans, and now in dogs.
How Do I Move My Dog onto a New Food?
Moving your dog onto new food should be a slow transition. You should start with 25% new food and 75% old food, slowly increasing the amount of new and decreasing the old over the course of a week or so. This will reduce the risk of an upset stomach for a smooth change.
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Final Thoughts
IBD is difficult for dogs to live with in the beginning, especially when they are getting used to new treatments and food. However, perseverance is the key to success and once you get them on a new food that agrees with them the struggle is worth it.
To help make things easier on you, we have gathered some of the best options we could find – each of which varies in terms of price and age range.
No matter how old your dog, or how small your budget, we have got something that will perfectly suit your needs.
What did you think of our guide to the Smart Vacuums best dog food for IBD? Were we able to help your pup on the road to gastric comfort, or are you left wondering which route to take? No matter your thoughts, your experiences are important to us so leave us a comment below.
For over a decade, Adrienne has been a freelance content writer and blogger who’s passion lies in anything related to dogs. Growing up, dogs were a very important part of family life in the Hardwick household. Now, Adrienne is the proud parent to two Swedish Vallhunds called Moose and Pumpkin.