What is the best food for dogs with digestive problems?
Sometimes, dogs can suffer from digestive or gastrointestinal problems that end up affecting their health in different ways. Some of the most common symptoms in dogs with problems, along with vomiting and diarrhea, are excessive flatulence, loss of appetite, constipation, abdominal pain, dehydration, the appearance of blood or mucus in the stool, and difficulty eliminating. At Arquivet we care a lot about the health of pets, so in this article, we want to tell you what food should be like for dogs with digestive problems and what things we should keep in mind about their diet, among other issues. Keep reading to learn more about gastrointestinal food for dogs!
Ingredients in dog food for dogs with digestive problems
There are many reasons why a dog may be suffering from digestive problems, although the most common are the following:
- Ingestion of foods that are prohibited or not recommended for dogs.
- Ingestion of spoiled or toxic foods.
- Presence of infectious agents, such as bacteria, viruses, parasites and fungi.
- Abrupt changes in diet.
Dog food for dogs with digestive problems or food for dogs with diarrhea should contain the ingredients explained below. It's also advisable to distribute these ingredients in the right proportions so they don't cause further harm and prevent any nutritional deficiencies over time. Let's take a closer look!
Digestive food for dogs: Proteins
Proteins should be of high quality, preferably of animal origin . This way, they will be easier to digest, as is the case with chicken or salmon, but also duck and lamb. It is also possible to find feeds that include specific types of proteins, such as plasma proteins. These serve to maintain the structure of the digestive tract and increase food digestibility.
Digestive food for dogs: Fiber
Fiber helps improve a dog's digestion and provides consistency to their stool. Dog food for dogs with diarrhea should contain ample amounts of plant-based fiber to help your pet recover from the illness. One of the advantages of vegetables is that they contain vitamins and minerals suitable for meeting your pet's nutritional needs.
Digestive food for dogs: Prebiotics and probiotics
This is another ingredient that digestive foods for dogs should contain. These help improve intestinal flora, thus promoting nutrient assimilation and intestinal transit.
Digestive food for dogs: Fatty acids
These are beneficial for the digestive tract. They are usually obtained from the oils of fish, such as salmon, or flax seeds.
Digestive dog food: Easy-to-digest carbohydrates
Not all carbohydrates are recommended if your dog has digestive problems. You should only choose those that are easily digestible, such as peas, potatoes, oats, and brown rice . In some cases, it's best to opt for grain-free foods that are free of cereals.
Other things to consider when purchasing gastrointestinal dog food
As we mentioned at the beginning, there are several reasons that can contribute to the development of digestive or gastrointestinal problems in dogs. However, the symptoms of these problems can lead to various diseases, such as gastritis, gastroenteritis, or colitis. Therefore, it is essential to pay attention to how our pet reacts to know exactly what it needs. If there is no improvement, it is advisable to seek the help of a veterinarian who can perform a specific diagnosis for your pet. Regardless, we recommend that you consider the following tips regarding food for dogs with digestive problems.
Natural ingredients
If your dog is suffering from gastrointestinal problems, it's time to finally feed him natural foods and avoid foods that are high in chemicals. Check the product label and make sure the ingredients are natural . We also recommend fresh meats.
Foods to avoid
There are a number of foods we should definitely avoid because they're very heavy and can upset our pet. These are:
- Fats : Choose low-fat foods, as these are generally poorly absorbed and cause very heavy digestion.
- Milk and dairy products : Some dogs can easily digest these foods, although it is best to avoid them, as they tend to be quite heavy and difficult to digest for most dogs.
- Fruit : Fruit should also be avoided if your dog has digestive problems. This is because it contains large amounts of sugar, which is difficult to digest.
- Gluten : Gluten should be eliminated as a preventative measure as it is one of the main causes of digestive disorders.
Limited ingredient feeds
Limited ingredient diets are a type of diet for dogs with digestive issues. Their recipes contain very few ingredients and are also very easy to digest. They can be used occasionally until the dog recovers, or in cases of intolerance. It's one of the most recommended options for dogs with food sensitivities.
Find out what the pet's specific problem is
The most important thing, always, is to find out what the pet's specific problem is. There are different diseases that affect dogs with digestive problems—as we've seen—so a professional must determine the cause. Based on this, the dog's breed, age, and sex will recommend one type of food or another. From this point, we can ask specialists which of our food options for dogs with digestive problems is most recommended.
