Low Residue Dog Foods
Choosing the best dog food for your pet can be complicated, especially since some dogs require special diets to stay healthy. If your dog experiences digestion issues, a veterinarian may recommend feeding a low-residue food until the problem clears up. Ask your veterinarian for brand recommendations or a prescription.
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Function
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Low-residue dog foods contain ingredients that are easier to digest. The dog's body breaks down more of the ingredients in low-residue food than in normal formulas. After breaking down the ingredients, the dog's body absorbs and uses most of the nutrients, leaving little residue behind in the digestive tract. Because the dog uses more of the food, it produces less waste, and the digestive system doesn't have to work as hard.
Uses
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Veterinarians recommend low-residue dog foods in cases of intestinal upset. Some dogs with constipation benefit from low-residue foods. Because this type of food contains less insoluble fiber, it also reduces gas in dogs that suffer from excessive flatulence. In dogs with chronic diarrhea or inflamed intestines, low-residue foods help by producing smaller, harder stools that dogs pass less often. A dog recovering from a prolapse may also need low-residue food while recovering. Prolapses occur when a dog strains too much while trying to eliminate stool, most often because of diarrhea, parasites, constipation or fecal impaction.
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Ingredients
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Low-residue dog food tends to contain more meat than insoluble fiber and grains. Meat leaves less residue behind for the dog to pass, while grains contribute to larger, looser stools. Common ingredients include fish, eggs and chicken fat. Low-residue foods may contain additional vitamins and minerals so that dogs obtain balanced and complete nutrition. Some companies add artificial flavors to improve the food's taste.
Considerations
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Not all dogs need special diets. Before deciding to feed your dog a low-residue food, consult your veterinarian. The nutrition requirements and best treatment options for individual dogs can vary. For example, in some cases low-residue diets contribute to constipation rather than helping it. If you do put your dog on a low-residue diet, monitor his health. Ear infections, allergies and kidney or liver problems can occur if the food contains beet pulp. If your dog exhibits any problems, contact a veterinarian as soon as possible.
Tip
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To prevent additional upset in your dog's intestines, switch to the new brand of food gradually. Unless your veterinarian recommends otherwise, mix a small amount of the new food in with the old. Over the course of a week, increase the amount of new food you feed the dog and decrease the amount of old food.
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References
- Vetinfo: When to Use Low Residue Dog Food; 2010
- PetEducation.com; Constipation; Scott Alan McKay
- "The Dog Bible: Everything Your Dog Wants You to Know"; Tracie Hotchner; 2005
- "Feed Your Pet Right: The Authoritative Guide to Feeding Your Dog and Cat"; Marion Nestle et al; 2010
- "Dog Owner's Home Veterinary Handbook"; Debra M. Eldredge et al; 2007
- "The Complete Textbook of Veterinary Nursing"; Victoria Aspinall; 2006
Resources
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