What is colitis?
To understand what makes the best non-prescription dog food for colitis, we first need to know more about the condition. Colitis refers to inflammation of your dog’s large intestine. Also called the colon, the large intestine is part of your pup’s digestive system. The majority of digestion and nutrient absorption takes place in the stomach and small intestine. However, the large intestine still plays a crucial role. Two of its most important jobs are to absorb water and electrolytes, and form faeces. So, if your pet’s poop looks strange, there’s a good chance his or her colon isn’t functioning at full capacity.
Colitis is one such condition that can affect the action of the large intestine. When the cells of the colon are inflamed, they are unable to absorb water properly. This then results in your pup experiencing diarrhoea. There are two types of the condition that might have you searching for the best non-prescription dog food for colitis. The first is acute colitis, which develops suddenly and usually clears up on its own in a few days. The second is chronic colitis, which can last for weeks or even months. Its symptoms tend to flare up repeatedly, and it will often require veterinary treatment.
Finding the best non-prescription dog food for colitis could help to ease both forms of this unpleasant condition. But how and why might your pup develop an inflamed colon in the first place? Let’s take a look at the main symptoms and causes of colitis in dogs.
Causes and symptoms of colitis in dogs
There are many potential reasons you might need to find the best non-prescription dog food for colitis for your pet. The condition can arise from numerous different causes, and it may not be immediately obvious what’s responsible.
With acute colitis, the most common causes are stress, eating something unusual, and a sudden change in diet. Both forms of the condition can develop because of parasites or infectious agents like bacteria. Meanwhile, chronic colitis may result from food allergies, injury or damage to the colon, or another medical condition. The latter could include irritable bowel syndrome, pancreatitis, cancer, dysbiosis, or an immune disease.
Certain breeds of pup are also more likely to need the best non-prescription dog food for colitis. This could be due to a genetic predisposition to the condition, or greater sensitivity to factors that can trigger it. Some of the dog breeds more susceptible to colitis include boxers, French bulldogs, German shepherds, border collies, and cocker spaniels.
The signs of colitis can vary depending on the cause of the condition, and whether it’s acute or chronic. However, some of the most frequently seen symptoms are:
- Soft or liquid faeces
- Needing to go to the toilet more often
- Blood and/or mucus in the stool
- Constipation
- Pain or straining when defecating
- Weight loss
- Lethargy
- Lack of interest in food, or other unusual eating habits
If you notice any of these symptoms in your pup, it could be a sign they have the condition. So, do you buy the best non-prescription dog food for colitis and leave it at that? Not quite. Here’s what we recommend.
What should I do if I think my dog has colitis?
If you suspect your pup has colitis, you should take them to the vet straight away. It’s not enough to simply switch to the best non-prescription dog food for colitis and hope it clears up. That’s because the symptoms mentioned above are not unique to this condition. As such, it’s important to rule out other possible medical issues before deciding what to do. Likewise, the specific cause of your pet’s colitis will affect how you ought to treat it.
The vet will probably want to physically examine your pet and check their stool. In some cases, your dog might also require an X-ray, ultrasound, or colonoscopy. All of this will help the vet determine whether they have colitis, and if so, what’s causing it. Then, you can start to talk about potential treatments. In addition to feeding your pup the best non-prescription dog food for colitis, this might include taking medication. For example, if your pet has parasites, they may need a worming treatment. Don’t worry, though – most times, colitis in dogs clears up fairly quickly after veterinary intervention.
What is the best functional food for dogs with colitis?
We’ve arrived at the central question of the article: what is the best non-prescription dog food for colitis? It probably won’t surprise you to hear that there’s not one simple answer to this. Factors like the underlying cause of your pup’s colitis will have an impact. However, there are functional foods that can support your pet’s gut health and reduce inflammation in their body. This may then ease the symptoms of their colitis.
One of the most effective plants for doggy gut health is Jerusalem artichoke. This is rich in a type of dietary fibre called inulin, which acts as a prebiotic. That means it nourishes the good bacteria in your pup’s gut, helping the digestive system to function at its optimum. Inulin passes through your dog’s small intestine intact, because they don’t have the enzymes required to break it down. However, the bacteria in their large intestine (the site of colitis) can do so via fermentation. This process produces short-chain fatty acids, which fight harmful bacteria and improve gut health.
You’ll see that people frequently mention fibre when talking about the best non-prescription dog food for colitis. That’s because fibre is able to improve the consistency of stool and treat diarrhoea. Inulin is a soluble fibre, so it absorbs water in the gut and can help to solidify your pup’s faeces.(1) A diverse and flourishing gut microbiota may also reduce inflammation in the large intestine.(2) This should further alleviate the symptoms of colitis in your pet.
So, rather than trying to buy the best non-prescription dog food for colitis, you can make your own by adding Jerusalem artichoke to your pup’s regular wet food.
Effective functional foods for dogs with colitis: medicinal mushrooms
Another ingredient worth considering when making the best non-prescription dog food for colitis is a medicinal mushroom. These have many potential benefits for pet health, including several that are relevant to the gut.
First, they too are rich in fibre. Specifically, medicinal mushrooms contain a type of polysaccharide called beta glucan. Like the inulin in Jerusalem artichoke, this functions as a prebiotic and nourishes your pup’s gut microbiome. Second, functional fungi possess anti-inflammatory properties.(3) This is important for the best non-prescription dog food for colitis because the condition is characterised by inflammation.
What’s more, medicinal mushrooms provide your pup’s immune system with plenty of support.(4) For example, the PSP (polysaccharide peptide) and beta glucan in turkey tail can activate certain types of immune cells. This may enable your pet to fight off infections – one possible cause of colitis – more efficiently.
There’s a more indirect reason to include functional fungi in the best non-prescription dog food for colitis, too. These potent mushrooms act as adaptogens, which means they empower the mind and body to cope with stress more effectively. How does this relate to colitis? Well, stress is one of the leading causes of the condition. Anxiety from moving to a new house or loud fireworks can trigger inflammation in the gut, resulting in colitis.
If you suspect that stress is behind your pup’s ill health, adding a medicinal mushroom to their diet could help. Ashwagandha is also a great choice for creating the best non-prescription dog food for colitis induced by stress. Studies show that the herb is able to significantly reduce symptoms of stress and anxiety in dogs.(5) It could relax your pet, reducing the chances of colitis flaring up from stress.
How to use functional foods for dogs with colitis safely
Knowing which ingredients to use to make the best non-prescription dog food for colitis is one thing. But we also need to understand how to feed them to our furry friends safely.
The first point to consider is that functional foods may not be suitable for your pet. For instance, we don’t recommend giving them to puppies, or dogs who are pregnant or nursing. Similarly, pups who have an existing health condition or are on medication might not be able to take these plants. We actually advise everyone to speak to a vet before adding any mushrooms or herbs to their pet’s diet. They’ll confirm whether the plant suits your canine companion’s specific needs and circumstances, so you can move forward with confidence.
If your vet clears you to try a functional food with your pup, make sure you follow the usage and dosage instructions carefully. The same goes for any gastrointestinal dog food, non-prescription or prescription. This will help ensure that you and your pup get the best results from it. Plus, you should always keep a close eye on your pet after adding a new food to their diet. That way, you can check that they’re reacting well to it.
One unique aspect of adaptogenic and immunomodulatory plants is that they are safer and more effective when taken in cycles. Therefore, we suggest giving your pet a 1-8-week break from functional fungi or ashwagandha after 6-8 weeks of use.
Finally, never give a product intended for humans to your pet without checking with the vet first. The best non-prescription dog food for colitis will be one that an expert has specifically designed for canine consumption.
Dog food for dogs with colitis: the importance of quality
When talking about the best non-prescription dog food for colitis, it’s not enough to know what the right ingredients are. We also need to consider the quality of those ingredients. That’s why, as animal lovers ourselves, at Boosie we take care to create our functional foods from only the finest plants.
For example, all our foods are organic, with no nasty pesticides or other chemicals involved in their cultivation. We source our Jerusalem artichoke directly from independent farms in Europe, and our ashwagandha from small farmers in India. Meanwhile, our team of expert mycologists in Europe cultivates our fungi on natural substrates, under carefully controlled conditions.
Furthermore, we don’t add any filler ingredients like artificial flavourings, colourings, or preservatives to our foods. What your pup receives is 100% pure – just as nature intended! We also test our products to ensure that they’re high in the key nutrients, whether that’s inulin or beta glucan. As such, we can say with confidence that they’ll help you create the best non-prescription dog food for colitis!
Beyond colitis dog food: other ways to help your pup
Feeding your pooch the best non-prescription dog food for colitis is only one part of the puzzle. There are plenty of other steps you can take to prevent or treat the condition in your pet. Here are some top tips:
- Colitis can be caused by eating unusual things. If your dog tends to do this (for example, when on walks), training them to ‘leave it’ could be helpful.
- Give your pup regular worming treatment, as these sorts of parasites can cause colitis.
- When switching over to the best non-prescription dog food for colitis, do it slowly. A sudden change in diet may result in gastrointestinal issues.
- Ensure your dog gets plenty of exercise, as this helps to keep their digestive system in top shape.
- Always leave plenty of fresh water out for your dog, as staying hydrated is also important for their gut. Plus, they are at extra risk of dehydration when they have colitis.
- Take your pet for regular check-ups at the vet, so you catch any health concerns early.
- Try to minimise stress in your pup’s life, as this can trigger or aggravate colitis. Providing them with a quiet, safe space and giving them lots of cuddles is a good start!
