Intestinal Diet for Dogs
Dogs suffer from many of the same intestinal problems that affect people, including viruses, infections, chronic illnesses and parasites. As with people, treatment for intestinal disturbances often consists of changing the diet. Changing a dog's diet involves balancing his nutritional needs while ensuring that his intake will not include anything that can aggravate his condition.
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Intestinal Disturbances in Dogs
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Dogs can develop an intestinal disturbance due to a parasitic infestation, an infection or inflammation or a chronic intestinal or stomach disease.
Symptoms of Intestinal Disturbances in Dogs
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The main signs of an intestinal disturbance in a dog include a rumbling sound from her stomach, vomiting or diarrhea. A dog with an intestinal disturbance may also appear drowsy and inactive and may refuse to eat.
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Diagnosis
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A veterinarian can determine if the dog suffers from bacteria in her intestines or a parasite infestation by examining a stool sample. In this case, the dog will need to change her diet for awhile to calm her stomach. The vet will also prescribe antibiotics or anti-parasitic medication to remove the bacteria or parasites from her intestines.
A vet can examine the dog's stool for signs of blood or mucus to diagnose inflammatory bowel disease. A vet will suspect that a dog with continuous diarrhea has inflammatory bowel disease. The vet can prescribe a diet for this condition that will allow a dog to live a long and full life.
Dietary Treatment
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The veterinarian may suggest that a dog with an inflammation, parasitic attack or infection not be fed for a day to allow her intestines to relax. Dogs with intestinal upset may benefit from a meal of boiled hamburger or chicken with tofu or cottage cheese, mixed with boiled rice.
If the dog vomits because he eats too fast, you may choose to feed the dog smaller meals at frequent intervals throughout the day. You can give your dog ice cubes if the dog vomits her drinking water. Ice cubes will keep the dog hydrated without causing continued vomiting.
You may want to try the BARF (Bones And Raw Food) Diet, but this should be done only with the vet's permission. Proponents of the raw foods diet for dogs believe that many disorders and illnesses that afflict dogs result from processed foods with chemical additives. Once the dog's intestines have settled after a bout of illness, provide the dog with meals consisting of raw bones, vegetables and damp raw oats for the BARF diet.
Inflammatory bowel disease provides a more challenging dietary change for you and your dog. Vets will help you try to identify new sources of protein and carbohydrates for the dog because the disorder may have its roots in the dog's allergy to the food that he had been eating. If different proteins and carbohydrates don't help the dog, a high carbohydrate/low gluten diet (eliminating wheat, oats, rye and barley) may offer relief.
Dietary Supplements
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The herbs Psyllium, Avena sativa and Aloe Ferox can help dogs with digestive disorders.
When to Rush to the Vet
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You should bring your dog to the veterinarian if he exhibits any of the following symptoms: uncontrolled vomiting, tremors, muscle spasms, champing, drooling, collapse or leg paddling. These symptoms may signal poison or dehydration.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit dog image by Ramona smiers from Fotolia.com
