Diet for Colitis in Dogs

Colitis is a symptom of another medical problem and not a separate disease. Your dog needs prompt veterinary treatment if it constantly has diarrhea and gas and passes blood or mucus with the feces. Colitis is a colon inflammation that can be aggravated by a poor diet. Be sure to work with your vet to help develop a diet best for your dog.

More Fiber

Many commercial dog food brands are low in fiber and high in fat and preservatives. Although it may seem contradictory, making sure a dog food is higher in fiber can actually help lessen diarrhea in dogs with colitis.

Low Fat in Commerical Foods

Check to see the percentage of "crude fat "on the dog food label. It needs to be less than 10 percent, or symptoms may return.

No Treats

When a dog has colitis, treats can aggravate symptoms. Do not feed human treats or dog treats. Raw carrot is okay.

Homemade Diets

Choose one part lean meat and two parts rice. Boil them together, adding some carrots, peas or broccoli.

Monitor Mouth Intake

Dogs will stick anything in their mouths, including feces, stones and bits of plastic. These can block the intestines and cause colitis symptoms.

Resources

• Dog Owner's Veterinary Handbook (4th Edition)
• Colitis: An Owner's Guide to Pet Care
• "Homemade Low-Fat Diets" by Mary Straus "The Whole Dog Journal" Vol. 12 No. 1