Top 10 Best Dog Food for IBD

Top 10 Best Dog Food for IBD

As a dog owner, you would know that having diarrhea or vomiting is not something to worry about. It may have been caused by a change in diet, bacterial invasions, or from eating garbage/offensive food materials. However, if this condition continues for several days without any significant reason, it is not normal. In fact, it is an alarming situation as these symptoms indicate a probable risk of developing Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

IBD is a chronic disease caused by the inflammation of the inner lining of the digestive tract. It could lead to the inability of absorbing nutrients properly or complete indigestion. This happens due to inflammations in the entire digestive tract caused by a bacterial invasion. As a result, the dog vomits or suffers from diarrhea. It can even cause a loss of appetite. If you doubt that your dog has IBD, you should immediately go to the vet for medical help. Otherwise, it can even prove to be fatal in some cases, if left untreated.

After a thorough diagnosis, one of the most common treatments for IBD is dietary treatment. Improvement in diet and nutrition intake can be very helpful. For this reason, you will have to buy foods with extra nourishments like extra fiber supplements, probiotics, prebiotics, and steroids. These are essential elements to improve digestion and appetite and grow healthy bacteria. These types of dog foods are specially made to cure IBD conditions.

The 10 Best Dog Foods for IBD

Blackwood 22288 Dog Food – Best Value

Blackwood Pet Food

We selected Blackwood dog food as the best dog food for IBD for the money. Blackwood is a family-owned company, which expresses that it takes great pride in offering your dog top-quality products. At an affordable price, this dog food promotes healthy digestion by incorporating prebiotics and probiotics into its formula.

Nutritionally complete, Blackwood dog food has slow-cooked, protein-rich ingredients such as high-quality chicken, whole grains, vegetables, and fruit. Even better, this product does not contain corn, wheat, soy, or artificial flavors or colors.

We found that many dogs see improvements with their digestive health with this dry dog food. The only complaint may be a few instances of lingering minor IBD symptoms. Also, some dogs do not care for the flavor. Overall, we think this is the best dog food for IBD for the money this year.

Cons
  • May not stop minor IBD symptoms
  • Some dogs do not care for the flavor
Pros
  • Nutritionally complete
  • No corn, wheat, soy, or artificial flavors or colors
  • Best value
  • Company takes pride in offering top-quality dog food
  • Prebiotics and probiotics for healthy digestion
  • Many dogs saw digestive improvement

Ollie Fresh Lamb Dog Food – Best Overall

Ollie Subscription Lamb Recipe

If your dog has been diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), the right diet is critical for them which is why our top pick for best dog food for dogs with IBD is Ollie Fresh Dog Food Lamb recipe.

Dogs with IBD have a much harder time digesting food and their food should be helping to reduce inflammation, not increase it!
Ollie Fresh Food is an excellent food for IBD, specifically the Fresh Lamb recipe, because most food allergies and sensitivities are triggered by beef, chicken, and dairy, so it’s important to have food that doesn’t contain these ingredients.

Ollie’s fresh lamb recipe is made up of whole, natural ingredients, it is high in fiber and rich in antioxidants, all of which help promote good digestion.

Overall, Ollie fresh dog food is our favorite dog food for dogs with IBD this year

Cons
  • Slightly more expensive then other dog foods
Pros
  • Doesn’t contain common food allergens such as chicken, beef or dairy
  • Made with premium, human grade ingredients
  • Delivered right to your dog

Purina 13854 Dry Dog Food

Veterinary Diets

Specifically formulated to help relieve your dog’s IBD, Purina Veterinary Diets dog food is made with low fiber and prebiotics to support intestinal health.

With protein levels that meet your dog’s nutritional needs, this Purina product supplies low carbohydrates and a moderate amount of fat. It also provides your dog with antioxidant vitamins E and C, as well as zinc. However and perhaps as equally important, this dog food may contain allergens, additives, and preservatives that can, over time, cause your dog additional health issues.

We found that most dogs respond well to this food and like the taste. Be aware, though, that it is moderately high priced.

Cons
  • May contain allergens, additives, and preservatives
  • Moderately expensive
Pros
  • Meets your dog’s nutritional needs
  • Significant number of dogs experience IBD relief
  • Specifically formulated for digestive issues
  • Prebiotics to support intestinal health
  • Most dogs like the taste

Royal Canin Hypoallergenic Dog Food

Royal Canin

This product has high-quality ingredients that yield significant relief for dogs with IBD, which is why we picked Royal Canin hypoallergenic dog food as our premium choice. This nutritionally balanced dry dog food contains a hydrolyzed protein formula made with easily digestible proteins and rice starch.

This hypoallergenic dog food is specially engineered to address your dog’s IBD issues, as well as common skin ailments. We found that most dogs benefitted from eating this product. However, be aware that you will need to pay a much higher price for Royal Canin.

At least you won’t have to fight with your dog to eat it. We found few incidents of dogs turning up their noses to this food.

Cons
  • Expensive
Pros
  • Nutritionally balanced
  • High-quality ingredients
  • Hypoallergenic
  • Contains easily digestible proteins
  • Most dogs like the flavor

Canine Caviar Grain Free Dog Food

Canine Caviar

If you’re looking for a holistic dog food that’s easily digestible, then you may want to consider Canine Caviar dog food. This hypoallergenic product is ideal for dogs suffering from IBD and other allergies. It has a unique alkaline limited diet formula, which includes a single protein, lamb, and a lone complex carbohydrate, pearl millet.

This gluten-free dog food also lacks wheat, tapioca, and potato. It does not contain eggs, soy, corn, dairy, nor any genetically modified ingredients, and there are no fillers, artificial colors or flavors, or preservatives.

You will pay a higher cost for this product. However, we did find high rates of success in the reduction of IBS symptoms — that is, if your dog agrees to eat it. We learned that some dogs do not care for the taste.

Cons
  • Higher priced
  • Some dogs do not like the taste
Pros
  • Nutritionally balanced formula
  • Free of harmful allergens, additives, and preservatives
  • Holistic and hypoallergenic dog food
  • Unique alkaline limited diet
  • High rate of success with easing IBD symptoms

Purina Hypoallergenic Veg Dog Food

HA Hypoallergenic

We recommend Purina Hypoallergenic Vegetarian dog food as top pick for relieving your dog’s IBD symptoms. This product provides complete and balanced nutrition while addressing your dog’s unique digestive issues.

Formulated for dogs who suffer from IBD and similar digestive issues, Purina offers a hydrolyzed protein source, high digestibility, and medium chain triglycerides. This dry dog food is completely vegetarian. Despite what you may assume about dogs eating vegetables, we found that most dogs like the flavor.

While this brand of Purina comes with a higher price tag, many dogs greatly benefit from eating it. Although we discovered a few incidents in which the dog did not like the taste or gain results, most dog owners report success with this product.

Cons
  • Expensive
Pros
  • Formulated to address digestive and IBD issues
  • High rates of successfully easing IBD symptoms
  • Complete and balanced nutrition
  • Most dogs like the flavor

Holistic Select Natural Dry Dog Food

Holistic Select Natural Pet Food

A solid choice for dogs suffering from IBD, Holistic Select natural dry dog food provides complete nutrition for your dog. It’s made with all-natural ingredients, including protein from real turkey, prebiotics and probiotics, live yogurt cultures, natural fiber, and digestive enzymes.

Your dog can easily digest this grain-free, wheat-free dog food that contains no meat by-products, fillers, or artificial colors or flavors. Holistic Select is potato free, instead using highly digestive carbohydrates and omega-3 fatty acids. This dog food also promotes better immune system function and regularity.

Overall, we found high rates of success with this product, and most dogs enjoy eating it. However, you will have to pay more for these high-quality ingredients.

Cons
  • Higher priced than similar products
Pros
  • No fillers or artificial colors or flavors
  • High rates of success with dogs with IBD
  • Complete nutrition
  • High-quality ingredients
  • Grain free and wheat free
  • Dogs enjoy the taste

ACANA Protein Rich Dry Dog Food

ACANA

Relying on freshwater fish, including wild-caught rainbow trout, blue catfish, and yellow perch, to provide dogs with much-needed protein and nutrients, Acana dry dog food has complete nutrition. This product bases its composition on what it calls a “biologically appropriate” diet, which allows easier digestion for dogs with IBD.

Made with 60% fresh, raw animal ingredients, 40% vegetables and botanicals, and 0% grains, with no gluten, potato, or tapioca, Acana also sources its ingredients from regional farms, ranches, and local water sources. Every part of the fish is used in the food in order to provide the maximum amount of nutrients.

We placed this dog food lower on our list due to reports that some dogs unfortunately get new or worsened digestive issues after eating it. While most dogs enjoy the taste of Acana and digest it well, a significant number of dogs do not like the fish flavor. We also found quality control issues with the consistency of the dog food.

Cons
  • Some dogs get new or worsened digestive issues
  • Your dog may not like the fish flavor
  • Quality control issues
  • Moderately expensive
Pros
  • No grains, gluten, potato, or tapioca
  • Freshwater fish as main ingredient
  • Biologically appropriate composition
  • Complete nutrition

Wellness Core Natural Dry Dog Food

Wellness Natural Pet Food

For another grain-free option, consider Wellness Core dog food. With all-natural ingredients, this dry dog food offers your dog easy-to-digest complete and balanced nutrition. It contains ingredients for your dog’s whole health, such as antioxidants, omega fatty acids, glucosamine, and hydrochloride, as well as probiotics for better digestion.

If your dog needs a protein-rich meal, Wellness Core supplies ample turkey and chicken, real vegetables, and essential vitamins and minerals. Since it’s all-natural, there’s also no wheat, corn, soy, meat by-products, or artificial flavors or preservatives.

We found that most dogs with IBD like the meat-rich flavor and seem to do well with properly digesting this dog food. However, if your dog has severe IBD symptoms, this product has limited effectiveness, and you may want to choose a dog food higher on this list. This product is moderately high priced.

Cons
  • Not for dogs with severe IBD
  • Moderately high priced
Pros
  • Complete and balanced nutrition
  • Protein-rich mixture
  • Grain-free and all-natural
  • No wheat, corn, soy, meat by-products, or artificial flavors or preservatives
  • Dogs like the taste

Nutri Source Pure Vita Grain Free

Nutri Source

Your dog with IBD will appreciate the grain-free composition of Nutri Source Pure Vita dog food. It contains plenty of animal protein supplied by beef, as well as a balance of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids for a complete nutritional meal that your dog can easily digest.

This moderately expensive dog food takes the last spot on our list. While we found that many dogs seem to enjoy this product and respond well to it, be aware that this dog food’s above average high-protein content could upset your dog’s stomach. Also, this dog food may contain other allergens, such as potato, corn, or soy, as well as artificial flavors and preservatives.

This product does not contain prebiotics and probiotics for dogs with IBD. There’s also no information offered about the quality of beef used in this dog food.

Cons
  • May contain allergens
  • May include artificial flavors and preservatives
  • Moderately expensive
  • High protein may cause stomach upset
  • Does not offer prebiotics or probiotics
  • Unknown quality of beef used
Pros
  • Complete nutrition
  • Protein rich with beef
  • Contains fatty acids

Solid Gold Holistic Adult Dog Food

Solid Gold

The protected living probiotics in Solid Gold Holistic adult dog food help your dog with IBD achieve a healthier digestive track. Solid Gold combines fiber-rich prebiotics, omega fatty acids, superfoods, and protein-rich pasture-fed lamb and eggs for a complete and nourishing meal for your dog.

Besides helping your dog’s IBD by being grain-free and gluten-free, Solid Gold also supports your dog’s immune system and a healthy metabolism. This recipe is ideal for dogs with IBD, as well as those suffering from a chicken protein allergy and in need of iron in their diet. It doesn’t contain artificial preservatives or corn, wheat, or soy.

We found that most dogs like this affordable food and respond well to eating it. However, we placed this product second to last on the list due it not having enough protein to match your dog’s natural diet.

Cons
  • Not enough protein
Pros
  • Grain-free and gluten-free
  • No artificial preservatives, soy, wheat, or corn
  • Holistic dog food
  • Contains probiotics and prebiotics for gut health
  • Supports immune system and metabolism
  • Affordable

How To Choose the Best Dog Food for IBD

Before you proceed with buying the best dog food for IBD, it is best to consider which ingredients and formulae are ideal for curing this condition. Hence, the following points will describe key elements you should consider before your purchase.

Grain or Wheat

Grain and wheat are carbohydrates. They are very filling and heavy. This is why they takea longer time to digest. If your dog is suffering from IBD, stay away from a grain diet. It can aggravate inflammation in the gut or cause vomiting due to indigestion. In some cases, it also causes gas or rumbling in the stomach. No matter how nutritious it is, it’s not the best choice for pupswith IBD.

Probiotics

Probiotics are healthy bacteria present in the gut to promote digestion. You should always go for foods loaded with probiotics because they are essential for healthy bowel activity and digestion.

Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids

Not many dog food brands incorporate Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids, but it doesn’t take away the importance of these substances. They are very important for the health of your dog. Althoughthey do not directly contribute to digestion, they’re immensely important for the well-being of your pup. They are essential for healthy skin and a shiny coat. Moreover, they promote strengthening and mobility of joints to keep your dog active and lively.

Protein

Protein is the key element in any nutritious diet. It is not only your dog’s favorite addition but is also vital for proper muscle growth and development. However, some species are allergic to high protein content, especially beef. So, you should commonly go for white meat like chicken or fish. Fortunately, dog foods now come in a variety of flavors so you can choose your dog’s favorite recipe.

Symptoms of IBD in Dogs

IBD symptoms are very evident, and dog owners can easily detect them. Following are some of the most common symptoms of IBD:

  • Nausea and loss of appetite
  • Burping or extended neck
  • Chronic vomiting
  • Chronic diarrhea
  • Heartburn and acidity
  • Rumbling tummy
  • Excessive bloating

These symptoms occur due to inflammation of the gut lining or no absorption of food. If these symptoms prevail for more than two weeks, you should immediately call a vet for help. It could be a sign of developing IBD.

Final Thoughts

For its high rates of successfully easing IBD symptoms in dogs, we selected Ollie Fresh Dog Food Lamb Recipe as our best overall choice. Offering complete and balanced nutrition, with human-grade ingredients that dogs love!

For the best value for your money, we recommend Blackwood 22288 Dog Food. This company takes pride in offering top-quality, nutritionally complete dog food. Your dog will benefit from the included prebiotics and probiotics that promote healthy digestion. With no corn, wheat, soy, or artificial flavors or colors to cause allergic reactions or an upset stomach, we found that many dogs see digestive improvement.

Finally, we chose Royal Canin HP Hypoallergenic Dog Food as our third choice due to its high-quality ingredients. This dog food is ideal for dogs with IBD, since it is hypoallergenic and nutritionally balanced and contains easily digestible proteins. Also, most dogs like the flavor.

We hope that our thorough reviews and detailed pros and cons lists have helped you make a more informed decision. When it comes to your dog’s health and well-being, we understand that you want to offer them the very best. It’s important to find a dog food that will ease your dog’s IBD symptoms while also providing them with proper nutrition.

Edward Hollon is an avid dog lover and writer, knowing all there is to know about our furry friends. Edward has been writing for petdii for three years now, wanting to use her knowledge for good and share everything she can with new dog owners. Edward has two dogs herself - a German shepherd called Banjo and a chocolate labrador called Buttons. Edward knows more than anyone how adjusting to new life with a puppy can turn your life upside down, and she wants to ease some of the burdens through her articles.

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