Read time: 4 mins
21 Dec 2019
We love our four-legged family members as unconditionally as they love us. We want them to be happy, healthy and feeling like top dog. So, when they develop an illness, we can’t help but worry and want to get them the best treatment. Fast.
Stomach and gut problems like Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) are common complaints. They affect what foods your furry friend can digest, so it's important to figure out what to feed them to keep them nourished while managing their condition.
IBS is a chronic illness that causes inflammation in the lining of the bowels. It can be uncomfortable for your pooch and can result in a grumbly stomach and diarrhoea. Just like humans who live with the condition, there are lots of reasons why a dog might develop IBS. It could be stress-related, be a reaction to food or caused by intolerances.
If your pooch suffers regular upsets, shows signs of discomfort or appears withdrawn, book an appointment to confirm the diagnosis with your vet. The good news is, IBS can be managed. A good starting point is a healthy complete food with plenty of fibre.
IBS in dogs is typically diagnosed when extensive tests have been done to rule out other illnesses, such as pancreatitis or colitis. This is because there is no direct test to diagnose IBS, so it is down to the process of elimination.
Irritable bowel syndrome can often be mistaken with other digestive issues, as they have similar signs. However, if your pup is experiencing these symptoms regularly it could be due to IBS and it’s worth getting them checked by the vet.
• Diarrhoea
• Constipation
• Gas
• Mucus in poop
• Round, bloated stomach
• Lethargy
A poor, incomplete diet can cause IBS in dogs. If your dog isn’t getting enough fibre in their diet, their digestive system will struggle to function properly. Similarly, if they are eating food which includes ingredients that they may be intolerant to, this can flare up IBS.
Common allergy-triggering foods for dogs include wheat, corn and soy. Allergens can be determined by process of elimination, if you suspect that your dog may be intolerant to certain ingredients, try cutting them out of their diet and see if their symptoms improve.
Another major trigger of IBS in dogs is stress. Certain situations, such as moving home, loss of a family member or fireworks are just a few examples.
If your pooch does have IBS, your vet can prescribe medication. This will manage the symptoms when taken in partnership with a good diet.
Typically, dogs with IBS need a diet centred around quality protein and high-fibre ingredients. To further stay on top of the problem, it could be worth making sure that your furry friend steers clear of too much fat, too. This means opting for food which uses leaner meat.
Ultra-processed dog foods will also trigger IBS symptoms due to the high percentage of mystery ingredients, like cereals (such as wheat, corn and soy), additives and preservatives. These ingredients are commonly found in varieties of wet and dry (kibble) dog food. Opting for fresh dog food is a perfect way to ensure that you know exactly what your dog is eating.
If you choose to try to switch dog food to try and help alleviate some of the IBS symptoms your pooch may be having, ensure to do so gradually. Changing their food rapidly could cause things like vomiting and diarrhoea. A big no from us, and we’ve no doubt, you.
Given that stress is another major cause of IBS, it is important to try and alleviate any stressors in your dog’s life that may be triggering their symptoms, such as loud noises and separation anxiety.
Butternut Box meals are full of freshly-prepared vegetables that can support beneficial gut bacteria. And they’re packed with high-fibre carbohydrates to encourage healthy stools and dial-down on the wind.
Our healthy recipes are protein-rich and cooked up with high-quality ingredients. Our and are naturally low-fat meats. That means these meals tally up at less than 5% fat. And, along with all our , they're gently cooked to kill off bacteria and make them highly digestible.
To give you peace of mind that you're doing the very best for your dog, our recipes have been given the seal of approval by our nutritionist and vet team. In fact, that team is so proud of the recipes they've tasted them personally, proving nothing nasty goes in there, only good, tummy-loving stuff. While nutrition is clearly important, tastiness is too. If your dog's feeling under the weather, they might not feel like eating. But open a Butternut pouch and let them take a good sniff – that'll get the juices going.
When you sign up with Butternut Box, we like to get to know your dog as much as possible. So we ask you for their vital statistics – age, breed, weight – as well for details of their health, preference and intolerances. All this important information is fed into our smart algorithm which works out the right your dog's calorie requirements and delivers perfectly portioned meals.
Our handy subscription system means that we’ll send you a box of deliciousness as often as you need.
