What is canine IBS?

IBS or irritable bowel syndrome is an extremely painful medical condition whereby a dog’s intestinal muscles cease to function as they should.

Mainly affecting the large intestine, IBS is said by some in the veterinary profession to be a diagnosis of exclusion. That means a disorder, in this case a digestive disorder, which cannot be directly attributed to any one thing.

A general term used for a digestive order causing symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhoea and or constipation. Unfortunately, these symptoms mirror the symptoms of so many other canine disorders. For this reason, any number of otherwise unattributable canine digestive disorders are likely to be labelled IBS.

What causes IBS in dogs?

The main causes of irritable bowel syndrome in dogs are largely linked to stress, anxiety, dietary intolerances and improper diet. IBS is a functional disorder. It is often triggered by lifestyle factors rather than disease. This results in chronic issues like diarrhoea, constipation and abdominal discomfort.

What are the primary causes of IBS in dogs?

• Stress and anxiety: environmental changes, loud noises, separation anxiety or changes in routine are major causes of IBS in some particularly sensitive dogs.
• Dietary sensitivities: food intolerances or allergies to common, particularly allergenic ingredients such as dairy, wheat, beef, chicken or soy can trigger symptoms in some dogs.
• Poor-quality or inconsistent diet: poor diet, lack of dietary fibre or sudden changes in food can cause flare-ups in dogs with particularly sensitive digestive systems.
• Lifestyle factors: excessive eating (eating too fast) or ingesting inappropriate items (dietary indiscretion) can lead to bowel irritation.
• Gut imbalance: a disruption in the normal bacteria within the gastrointestinal tract (dysbiosis) such as a dog administered antibiotics can contribute to IBS in some dogs.

What is the difference between IBS and IBD?

IBS is a functional (psychosomatic) disorder without a structural cause. It is frequently confused with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which is a more severe condition involving actual inflammation and structural changes to the intestinal lining.

IBS is typically a diagnosis of exclusion. This means that means that vets will rule out the likes of parasites, infection or illnesses first before declaring a diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome.

How is IBS treated in dogs?

Treating IBS in dogs invariably focuses on managing symptoms through dietary changes, increased fibre, reduced stress and, where necessary, medication.

Key approaches include switching to easily digestible high-fibre food, introducing probiotics, using probiotics to soothe gut irritation and reducing stress.

Key treatment strategies for dogs suffering from IBS include:

• Dietary management: a low-fat, high-fibre diet generally helps manage the symptoms of IBS in dogs. Many vets recommend a strict food trial for 8-12 weeks using a limited ingredient, novel protein diet using a protein source such as duck, pheasant or moose.
• Fibre supplementation: increasing fibre by adding something like psyllium husk can improve stool consistency and overall colon health.
• Probiotics: high-quality probiotics can help restore good bacteria in the gut and can aid in managing overall gut health.
• Stress reduction: as IBS is closely linked to anxiety, reducing stress through consistent routines, reducing noise or separation anxiety management is critical.
• Natural supplements: natural herbs for dogs such as ashwagandha, camomile and valerian can help nervous dogs cope better with stress.

So what should I feed a dog with IBS?

What is the best diet for a dog with IBS?

The best diet for a dog with IBS should be highly digestible, low in fat, high in moisture and free from common allergens such as chicken, beef, dairy and soy products. While opinions may vary, relief is likely to be better achieved with a fresh food diet because it is gentler on a dog’s already compromised digestive system.

Dietary options for a dog suffering from IBS include:

• A limited ingredient diet: a limited ingredient diet minimises potential food intolerances by restricting ingredients. This not only gives the digestive system less work (fewer ingredients to process), it gives the digestive tract time to heal.
• A novel protein diet: a novel protein diet entails feeding a dog proteins it has never eaten before. This helps rule out diet as being the cause of a dog’s IBS. Novel proteins (the more unusual proteins), include the likes of duck, moose, horse, rabbit and bison. Feeding a novel protein can prevent immune system reactions that cause inflammation.
• Hydrolysed protein diets: hydrolysed diets use protein that are broken down into such tiny pieces that the immune system does not recognise them as specific allergens, and so cannot react against them.
• High fibre diet: a high-fibre diet can help regulate the digestive system if the IBS is driven by poor motility. That is to say, a high fibre diet will pass more easily through the digestive system than will a low-fibre diet.
• Low-fat diet: limiting dietary fat aids in digestion, as high-fat foods can trigger inflammation and IBS symptoms.

What foods should I avoid if my dog has IBS?

If your dog is suffering from IBS, there are certain foods you should avoid feeding your dog. These include:

• Common allergens: foodstuffs and that commonly prove allergenic to a large number of dogs. These include beef, chicken, dairy wheat, soy and corn.
• Additives: artificial preservatives, colourants and flavour enhancers can irritate the gut. For this reason, a homemade, fresh food diet is generally better for a dog suffering from IBS because it is likely to contain fewer of these harmful substances.
• High-fat foods: since high-fat foods are difficult to digest and can worsen symptoms of IBS, it is best to avoid high-fat foods in favour of low-fat ingredients.

What should I feed a dog with IBS?

A dog with IBS is best fed a moisture-rich, low-fat fresh food diet that is easily digestible and gentle on its tummy. We would recommend starting off with a limited-ingredient elimination diet to rule out potential allergenic proteins. That is to say, feed a dog with IBS a diet that initially comprises just one ‘novel’ protein (a protein source the dog has never eaten before), and one carbohydrate such as pumpkin, sweet potato, butternut squash or quinoa.

Feed this limited ‘exclusion diet’ for a period of 8 to 10 weeks to see if there is any improvement in your dog’s irritable bowel syndrome.

At the same time your might consider feeding a high quality probiotic supplement, but better still incorporating prebiotics might be more beneficial in balanacing gut flora and improving gastrointestinal health.

Frequently asked questions

Q. What should I feed a dog with IBS?
A. Ideally, feed a dog with IBS a bland, high-fibre, home-cooked diet using lean protein like fish or minced turkey together with sweet potato or quinoa. This is often more digestible than commercial food.

Q. Should I feed my dog a limited ingredient diet?
A. Yes. Diets with minimal additives and a single protein source reduce the number of potential problematic proteins. Experts suggest avoiding highly processed dry dog food (kibble) with artificial colours or preservatives, and ideally feed a fresh food diet.

Q. What are ‘novel proteins’?
A. Novel proteins are protein sources your dog has not eaten before. Perhaps proteins such as duck, venison or rabbit, goat, moose or pheasant. Using these can help rule out common food intolerances to the more common allergenic proteins which include beef and chicken.

Q. Are probiotics helpful?
A. Generally, yes. Probiotics help maintain a healthy balance of gut bacteria, which can reduce flatulence and stabilise stools. However, choose supplements carefully. Some brands may contain animal proteins that sensitive dogs might react to.

Q. If my dog is suffering from IBS, what foods should I avoid?
A. Avoid the most commonly problematic foods. These include beef, chicken, soya, dairy and wheat.