Inflammatory bowel disease is a chronic gastrointestinal (GI) disorder. IBD is the most common cause of chronic diarrhea and vomiting in dogs. It can occur in small and large intestines, frequently affecting multiple bowel segments simultaneously. IBD is linked to imbalances or dysbiosis of the gut microbiome within the intestinal tract.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease Versus Irritable Bowel Syndrome 

Although often thought to be synonymous,  Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) are not the same conditions. While both IBD and IBS in dogs involve chronic gastrointestinal issues, the primary difference lies in the presence of inflammation and tissue damage. IBD is characterized by inflammation and immune-related changes in the gut, while IBS involves functional changes without significant inflammation or tissue damage.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease is characterized by chronic inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract. It involves abnormal immune responses in the lining of the digestive system, leading to inflammation, which can affect the stomach, intestines, and colon. The cause of IBD in dogs is often unclear but is thought to involve an abnormal immune system response to the gut's normal bacteria or dietary components. Clinical signs include chronic diarrhea, vomiting, weight loss, and sometimes blood in the stool. Diagnosis typically involves ruling out other potential causes and might require biopsies or imaging tests.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome is less commonly recognized in dogs than in humans. IBS involves gastrointestinal signs, such as chronic diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain, and changes in stool consistency, but without the presence of significant inflammation or tissue damage typically seen in IBD. The exact cause of IBS in dogs is not entirely understood but may involve abnormalities in gut motility or sensitivity. Diagnosis of IBS often involves ruling out other potential causes of similar clinical signs.

This article will focus on the clinical signs, diagnosis, treatment, and feeding strategies for IBD because it is the more common condition in dogs.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) in dogs can present with a variety of clinical signs related to gastrointestinal distress. These signs may vary in severity and can include:

Chronic Diarrhea: Dogs with IBD often experience ongoing or intermittent diarrhea. The stool may be loose, contain mucus, or occasionally have blood. Diarrhea with mucous and tenesmus (cramping in the rectal area) usually indicates colon involvement.

Vomiting: Persistent or recurrent vomiting is a common symptom. Vomit might contain bile, food, or foam. Chronic vomiting usually indicates that the stomach and duodenum are involved. Monitor the amount and consistency of the vomitus. Vomitus containing a dark black substance resembling coffee grounds can indicate gastric ulcers.

Weight Loss: Despite a normal or increased appetite, dogs with IBD might lose weight over time due to malabsorption of nutrients or decreased appetite related to gastrointestinal discomfort.

Reduced Appetite: Some dogs might exhibit a decreased interest in eating or show signs of being picky about their food.

Abdominal Pain or Discomfort: Dogs may show signs of abdominal discomfort, such as restlessness, pacing, or a hunched posture.

Changes in Stool: Apart from diarrhea, stools might be inconsistent in appearance, ranging from normal to loose or even constipated.

Increased Flatulence: Dogs with IBD might produce excessive gas or a gassy abdomen.

IBD usually occurs in middle age dogs. However, intermittent signs have been seen in puppies less than six months of age.

Many dog breeds are prone to IBD episodes, including Akitas, Boxers, Staffordshire bull terriers,  Bernese Mountain dogs, Cocker spaniels, Dalmatians, West Highland white terriers, English setters, Weimaraners, German shepherds, Jack Russell terriers, Golden retrievers, Basenjis,  Irish setters, Doberman pinschers, German shorthaired pointers, French bulldogs, Rottweilers, Mastiffs, Soft-coated Wheaten terriers, Alaskan malamutes, Labrador retrievers, Shar-peis and Border collies.

Environmental factors such as overcrowding and unsanitary conditions too often seen in sizeable breeding facilities (puppy mills) contribute to episodes of IBD. Untreated Intestinal parasite infestation is also commonly found in dogs with IBD. 

Diet plays a significant role in the health of your dog's GI tract. A study reported in 2021 involving 7,015 dogs demonstrated that when puppies ate a non-processed meat-based diet during the early and late neonatal periods, they were less likely to develop IBD as adult dogs than when puppies ate an ultra-processed carbohydrate-based diet during the same periods. The same study reported that puppies of average weight were less likely to develop IBD as adult dogs than those who were thin or lower than average weight.

Dietary management is needed to prevent malnutrition, a common consequence of IBD due to anorexia, malabsorption of nutrients, and increased nutrient losses from vomiting and diarrhea. The type of food and feeding schedules will need to be adjusted to prevent further IBD complications. 

Some veterinarians will prescribe medications in conjunction with dietary management. Drugs often used include antibiotics (tylosin, tetracycline, enrofloxacin, metronidazole), anthelmintics used to kill worm-like parasites such as flukes, roundworms, and tapeworms (fenbendazole), and immunosuppressive agents such as corticosteroids, budesonide, cyclosporine, azathioprine, or cyclophosphamide. However, the problem with this standard regiment of drug therapy is that it harms the gut microbiome.

Microbiome restorative therapy, better known as Fecal Microbiota Transplantation  (FMT), is a newer therapy that has succeeded in treating IBD. This therapy has been used in veterinary medicine with cows and pigs for over four decades but has recently become available for dogs. Donor fecal material can be introduced to the patient orally in capsules or within raw meat or placed into the colon via an enema. The therapy aims to restore your dog's gut microbiome and help prevent bouts of IBD.

Dehydration is a concern in dogs with IBD due to the excessive fluid losses caused by vomiting and diarrhea and the reduced water intake. It is best to maintain fluid balance by oral consumption. However, if your dog becomes severely dehydrated, administering fluids by your veterinarian may be necessary.

The goal of food adjustments for your dog with IBD is to reduce the amount of work placed on the digestive system. The food chosen should reduce intestinal irritation and inflammation and normalize intestinal motility. Selecting low-residue foods that are easily digested and with minimal fiber is the best way to reduce the stress on the GI tract. 

Low-residue dog food contains easily digestible ingredients and leaves minimal residue in the gastrointestinal tract. To give your dog's digestive system a temporary rest, low-residue diets are formulated to be highly digestible. This will minimize the amount of undigested food passing through the gastrointestinal tract. The foods in the low-residue diet are almost completely digested, leaving very little waste in the system.

Diets with novel protein sources like duck or venison can benefit dogs with sensitive digestive systems. Foods containing highly digestible proteins, such as hydrolyzed protein diets, can also help reduce the workload on the digestive tract. 

Hydrolyzed proteins are proteins that have undergone a process called hydrolysis, which breaks down the protein into smaller components called peptides or amino acids. This process involves enzymatic or chemical treatment that breaks the bonds between the protein molecules, resulting in smaller, more easily digestible fragments. The diets should be low-fat because fat can be harder to digest and might exacerbate gastrointestinal issues.

Hydrolyzed protein diets are often recommended as a part of a long-term management plan for dogs with specific health issues, such as food allergies, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), or other gastrointestinal sensitivities. However, using fresh food, including lean and high-quality proteins and soluble fibers, dogs can be transitioned off the hydrolyzed diet. 

While low-residue diets aim to reduce fiber content, adding some soluble fibers like psyllium husk or pectin might be needed to support digestive health without increasing bulk.

To create a homemade fresh food diet , start with lean meats. Although vegetables must be cooked to optimize digestibility, meats can be served cooked or raw. Adding fish to the diet provides Omega-3 fatty acids to aid nutrient absorption and decrease intestinal tract inflammation.

A low-residue diet should focus on high-quality animal protein, such as meats, fish, and eggs, that are low-fiber and highly digestible. Vegetables like green beans, yellow squash, or pumpkin, and fruits like ripe bananas and melons are low-residue foods. Avoid feeding any fibrous skins or seeds. 

Meals should be in small portions and provided frequently, 5-6 times daily when food is initially reintroduced to your dog. Monitoring your dog's tolerance of each food introduced back into her diet is crucial in determining the right foods to feed, portion sizes, and meal frequency. You can increase portions and reduce the frequency of meals after the clinical signs have been successfully managed for several weeks.

The prognosis for IBD is dependent on compliance by the pet parent. You must advise all household members of your dog's dietary restrictions. In most cases, nutritional regimens will control the disease, and your dog can return to a regular diet, preferably a non-processed meat-based diet, within 3-6 months. However, some cases require the dog to remain on the low-residue food for life.

There are many predisposing conditions for IBD: breed, age, and environmental conditions such as overcrowded living quarters, unsanitary conditions, and parasitic infections.

Dogs with IBD need to be monitored for the clinical signs of vomiting, diarrhea, and poor appetite, as they can lead to malnutrition and dehydration. 

Long-term management of IBD requires cooperation from all household members.

"Inflammatory Bowel Disease" in Small Animal Clinical Nutrition

Treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in dogs and cats 

Humoral immune responses against gut bacteria in dogs with inflammatory bowel disease

Early Life Modifiable Exposures and Their Association With Owner Reported Inflammatory Bowel Disease Symptoms in Adult Dogs 

Ozone therapy used instead of antibiotics for microbiome restorative therapy yields successful outcomes for dogs and cats with fecal transplants 

Inflammatory bowel disease is a <a href="https://feedreal.com/glossary/chronic">chronic</a> gastrointestinal (GI) disorder. IBD is the most common cause of chronic diarrhea and vomiting in dogs. It can occur in small and large intestines, frequently affecting multiple bowel segments simultaneously. IBD is linked to imbalances or dysbiosis of <a href="https://www.feedreal.com/articles/learning-about-the-gut-microbiome">the gut microbiome</a> within the intestinal tract.

How To Feed A Dog That Has IBD

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