Introduction
Although dogs appear healthy and lively, they can occasionally experience problems like diarrhea; this is one of the reasons why so many puppies visit the vet so frequently.
Additionally, colitis is frequently the cause of gastrointestinal issues.
Dog owners sometimes can't tell the difference between an upset stomach and colitis. And in dogs, colitis can evolve into chronic diarrhea.
In dogs, colitis is simply defined as inflammation of the colon, or large intestine. Colitis typically manifests as loose stools or diarrhea. But diarrhea and colitis are not the same thing. A dog may occasionally, perhaps just once or twice, have diarrhea brought on by an upset stomach; however, this does not necessarily indicate that the dog has colitis.
Small, regular episodes of semi-formed watery feces are generally a sign of canine colitis. When the illness is present, loose stools occur more frequently than normal fecal states.
Furthermore, the dog may strain during bowel motions, resulting in farting and constipation as indications of colitis. In addition, we may find a small amount of blood or mucous in the dog's pee or feces. In addition, the dog exhibits a growing desire to defecate.
If a dog has colitis, we usually don't see symptoms of vomiting or weight loss.
Why Do Dogs Get Colitis?
There are many reasons that why dogs get colitis.
1. One of the more common causes is the presence of whipworms in the dog's body. These worms live in the intestines and multiply quickly, causing problems with the dog's digestion and then diarrhea.
2. Other parasites, such as Giardia and Crystallosporidium, can also cause colitis.
3. Colitis can also be caused by irritable bowel syndrome or chronic inflammatory bowel disease.
4. There are some other causes: stress, Salmonella, Clostridium and E. coli infections, pancreatitis, eating contaminated food (dogs rummaging through the garbage or eating outside).
Whatever the cause, colitis is more dangerous for dogs. An inflamed colon reduces the ability to absorb water and store poop, and the result is diarrhea and diarrhea.
What Kind of Dogs are Prone to Colitis?
Although we stated that there are numerous causes of colitis in dogs, there are several factors that can enhance your dog's risk of developing colitis. For example, age, breed, environment, and immunological state can all contribute to the sudden onset of colitis in dogs. Puppies, for example, are susceptible to a wide range of bacteria, viruses, and parasites that can cause acute colitis.
How is Colitis Diagnosed in Dogs?
As previously stated, there are numerous causes of colitis, therefore when we take our dogs to the doctor, they ask a series of questions, including whether the dog has traveled, interacted with other dogs, what symptoms the dog is suffering, what the dog has eaten, and so on.
Once the vet has the information, they will do exams and tests, such as testing the dog's excrement, performing a rectal exam, a cellular exam, including a blood test, and so on.
In some cases there may also be x-rays of the intestines, or a colon biopsy.
What is the Treatment for Colitis in Dogs?
The treatment of colitis in dogs is determined by the etiology of the colitis. For example, if the colitis is caused by worms, the veterinarian may prescribe deworming medicine and advise the owner to make dietary adjustments such as increasing the dog's fiber intake or converting to a hypoallergenic food.
What else should owners know about colitis in dogs?
Although colitis is also more dangerous for dogs, we can prevent our dogs from developing this disease if we start preventing it at the source.
1. Stop dogs from rummaging through garbage cans and eating indiscriminately; (for dogs with indiscriminate eating behavior, owners may want to let their dogs learn to refuse food)
2. Provide your dog with plenty of fresh water every day, so that it can drink more water;
3. deworming the dog regularly every month;
4. Add a poop check item to the dog's annual checkup;
5. Give your dog regular vaccinations against relevant diseases;
6. Avoid parks or outdoor areas where dogs can play and interact with other sick dogs.
If there is any abnormality in the dog's bowel movement, we need to take the dog to the hospital. Colitis is a highly treatable inflammatory condition, and allowing your dog to have a healthy diet and using medication will allow them to return to normal...
Changing your puppy's diet and medication will bring their bowel movements back to normal.
Best Dog Food for Colitis
Well, we already know the importance of colitis, so what are the best dog food for colitis?
| Category | Foods | Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Easy-to-Digest Foods | Rice porridge, noodles, steamed buns, egg custard, pumpkin puree, etc. | Soft texture, easy to digest and absorb, no extra burden on the intestines. |
| High-Quality Protein | Lean meat, fish, chicken, tofu, and other soy products | Aid in the repair of intestinal tissue. |
| Probiotic Foods | Yogurt, probiotic drinks | Help balance gut microbiota and enhance intestinal immune function. |
| Low-Fiber Foods | Boiled potatoes, carrot puree, etc. | Avoid irritation to the intestines caused by high-fiber foods. |
| Edible Fungi | Black fungus, white fungus, etc. |
This table above lists some of the foods that dogs can eat when they are suffering from colitis, which can help them.
Rice porridge, noodles, steamed buns, egg custard, pumpkin puree, and other foods that are easy for dogs to digest can all be fed to them. These foods are soft, simple to absorb and digest, and won't put undue strain on the intestines.
Lean meat, fish, poultry, soy products, and other foods high in high-quality protein can also aid in intestinal tissue healing.
Probiotic-rich foods, like yogurt and probiotic beverages, improve gut immune function and help maintain the balance of intestinal flora.
Mashed carrots and boiled potatoes are examples of low-fiber foods that prevent intestinal discomfort caused by high-fiber diets.
Polysaccharides, which are abundant in mushrooms like fungus and snow fungus, help control gut flora and boost immunity.
Dogs can also consume these meals along with the right nutritional supplements, like our Noora Probiotic Supplement. This supplement promotes a balanced gut microbiota by supporting immunological and digestive health through the use of prebiotic fibers and live cultures of Bacillus coagulans.
What Not to Feed Dogs with Colitis
Next, I will discuss the food what not to feed dogs with colitis.
| Category | Foods to Avoid | Reasons |
|---|---|---|
| High-Fiber Foods | Whole grains, raw vegetables, etc. | Hard to digest, can increase intestinal burden. |
| High-Fat Foods | Fatty meats, fried foods, etc. | Hard to digest, may cause diarrhea. |
| Spicy and Irritating Foods | Chili peppers, onions, etc. | Irritate the intestines, can worsen inflammation. |
| Allergenic Foods | Milk, beef, chicken, soybeans, wheat, etc. | May cause food allergies, worsening colitis symptoms. |
| Raw Meat and Bones | Raw meat, raw bones, etc. | May carry bacteria and parasites, leading to infections and worsening of the condition. |
| High-Salt and High-Sugar Foods | Salted meats, candies, etc. | Not conducive to intestinal health. |
Raw veggies and roughage can irritate the gastrointestinal tract and are difficult to digest.
Fried dishes and fatty meat can cause diarrhea and are hard to digest. Onions and peppers can cause intestinal irritation and inflammation.
Foods including milk, meat, chicken, soy, and wheat can aggravate the symptoms of colitis and cause food allergies.
Bacteria and parasites that can easily cause infections and worsen the illness may be present in raw meat. Candy and salted meats are bad for gut health.
Summary
Similar to gastroenteritis, colitis is treated by first replenishing lost minerals and fluids. However, nutritional management is essential for chronic colitis. The purpose of the diet is to give food to suit your pet's nutritional demands while letting the colon recover to normal function. Pets with chronic colitis can be treated with food alone or with the right drugs. The three best dog diets for colitis that can help with treatment: foods high in fiber, meals that are highly digested and leave little residue, and foods that are hypoallergenic or non-allergenic. What's more, it's also important to be aware of what not to feed a dog with colitis.
In pets with colitis, water, fiber, digestibility, minerals, and protein are important nutritional components. To get the best therapeutic outcomes, premium pet meals for the gastrointestinal system prescription diets take extra care to use these nutrients in the proper proportions.
