What is inflammatory bowel disease?
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a syndrome caused by a reaction to irritation of the intestinal tract. Most dogs with IBD have a history of recurrent or chronic vomiting or diarrhoea and may have a poor appetite.
During periods of vomiting or diarrhoea, your dog may lose weight, but is normal and energetic otherwise.
Causes of IBD?
The origin of IBD is poorly understood though it appears there are several causes.
Possible causes include:
- parasitic or bacterial infection (e.g. Salmonella, E. coli, or Giardia)
- reaction to a specific protein in their diet
The lining of the intestine is invaded by inflammatory cells and an allergic-type response occurs within the intestinal tract. This inflammation interferes with a dog’s ability to digest and absorb nutrients.
Brian the Border Terrier suffered from such severe cramping and pain with constant illness until he transitioned from a raw food to a plant-based diet – it was quite literally life-changing for him and he now loves Greta and Green Crunch!
Listen to his interesting journey here as told by his Mum…..
Clinical signs of IBD and how it’s diagnosed?
IBD can involve any part of the digestive gastrointestinal tract, but most commonly affects the stomach and/or the intestines.
If the stomach is involved, your dog will experience chronic vomiting. If the intestines are involved, chronic diarrhoea will occur.
Besides x-rays and tissue biopsies your vet may also analyse the following:
- faecal tests – these tests look for infectious organisms such as Giardia
- measurement of the level of vitamin B12 (cobalamin) in the blood – this can indicate whether there is decreased ability to absorb nutrients and a need for supplementation
- measurement of folate in the blood – this will show whether there is an imbalance in the normal bacterial populations in the gastrointestinal tract.
Can IBD be managed with a vegan diet?
YES! The best diet for a dog with IBD would be a hypoallergenic, plant-based, high fibre diet that DOES NOT contain ANY of the following primary allergens for dogs:
BEEF, dairy, wheat, lamb, egg, chicken, soya, pork, corn, rabbit and fish – in that order.
The best ingredients for dogs with IBD are sweet potato (no skin), quinoa, oats. If a dog has severe diarrhoea and sickness, it is best to feed a soothing vegetable broth made from cooked celery, carrots, green beans and parsley with a bit of added salt.
For owners choosing to homecook for their dog, supplementation of B12 (cobalamin) is important and can be found in our JUST BE KIND Supplement as well as pre and probiotics .
A natural anti-inflammatory that we highly advise you add to your dog’s diet when suffering from IBD is pure Omega 3 from Algae oil.
Why do we recommend Greta for IBD?
Greta dry food is grain free, hypoallergenic and one of the most effective diets in producing firm stools in your dog. The food uses red beetroot as its nutrient source, which gives the food a rich red colour and it is VERY palatable.
Why do we recommend Green Crunch for IBD?
We import Green Crunch from Germany as the results that we have seen with dogs not being able to tolerate any other foods and then transitioning to Green Crunch dry biscuits with its pure soya free ingredients have really been lifechanging. All the pain disappears and they really begin to enjoy their food again.
Some amazing transformations of dogs transitioning to plant-based below
“Olli has canine IBD and we were nearly at the end of the road then we found you. Thank you for what you do, without the Solo Vegetal he wouldn’t be here.
I’m vegan so had no qualms about trying plant based for him but I’d just gone with the standard vet advice about food at first. He is one of seven rescues and most of them eat it now.”
Vet’s dog transforms on Solo Vegetal
But now, since I started Solo Vegetal I have consecutive MONTHS of solid motions! It really has made a big difference to Polar’s life and my family
Duke the Weimeraner with IBS is transformed
Without wanting to sound dramatic, Solo Vegetal has literally saved and brought our boy back
Toby the Border Terrier’s transformation on a plant-based diet
“He is not frantically itching all the time and doesn’t have that rather sweaty, smelly odour about him”
Maggie the Frenchie and her sensitive tummy
She really struggled with her stomach before, and I haven’t had a single day of runny poos since being on a plant-based diet
Cymro the Corgi is Cured!
“Honestly, the last month has been bliss for him and us with no tummy upset and I thank you so much for that”
Vegan Dog Food Success!
She keeps coming back to her Green Crunch every meal. She also has changed temperament – she is calmer overall – and has a lovely soft coat. Her poos are much less horrible smelling!
“If nobody changes then nothing changes but if somebody changes then everything changes!”
Arielle Vegan Vet
