Published on: 04/09/2020, updated on: 10/11/2021

The Best Dog Food for IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease)

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Inflammatory bowel disease, which is long for IBD, is a disorder that causes painful reactions in the intestinal tract of a dog. This is a very common disease among dogs and it causes a dog some unpleasant symptoms such as diarrhea, loss of appetite, vomiting, and weight loss.

The actual cause of this health condition is yet to be understood, but the effect is the same across all dogs, with the inflammatory cells attacking the lining of the dog’s intestine.

If your dog is suffering from this health condition, it would greatly benefit from the best dog food for inflammatory bowel disease. Dogs diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease have issues digesting certain foods, which is why they need a special diet based on a novel, moist protein.

Here are our top recommendations for the best dog food for inflammatory bowel disease:

Our top pick is the Hill’s Prescription Diet d/d Skin/Food Sensitivities Formula. This dog food comes with a single, novel protein that is great for dogs with this health issue. It is a highly digestible formula, and it supports a healthy immune system, skin, and a shiny coat.

The Best Dog Food for Inflammatory Bowel Disease Are:

1. Hill’s Prescription Diet d/d Skin/Food Sensitivities — Best Dog Food for Bowel Incontinence

Hills Prescription Diet Skin Food Sensitivities

The first on our list is the Hill’s Prescription Diet d/d Skin/Food Sensitivities Potato & Duck Formula Dry Dog Food. This food made it to the top of our list because of its unique formula and ingredients that cater to the nutritional needs of dogs with inflammatory bowel disease.

The top five ingredients of this food are potatoes, potato starch, duck, potato protein, and pork fat. This food also contains powdered cellulose, soybean oil, fish oil, and duck meal. The novel, single-source protein in this diet helps with the development and maintenance of healthy muscles. It also features a single carb source, making it one of the best dog food for IBD.

This food does not come cheap, but it will help your pup to get over this health condition painlessly and pretty fast. It contains omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids to boost the skin and coat health of your dog. This food also features a blend of minerals, antioxidants, and vitamins to provide your dog with a healthy immune system.

This formula is completely free of grains, gluten, corn, wheat, peas, artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives. The protein content of this food is 14 percent while the minimum crude fat content is 13 percent. It has a maximum crude fiber content of 3 percent with a caloric content of 371 kilocalories per cup.

Specs

  • Form: Dry Food
  • Life Stage: Adult
  • Breed Size: All breed sizes
  • Special Diet: Grain-free, gluten-free, veterinary diet, pea-free

Pros

  • Highly digestible protein
  • Four novel protein sources
  • Supports a healthy immune system
  • Promotes healthy skin and coat

Cons

  • It is on the higher end of the price spectrum
Hill's™ Prescription Diet™ d/d™ and Prescription Diet™ z/d™

2. P.S. Hypoallergenic Grain-Free Complete Dog Food

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If you are looking for the best commercial, rich dog food for dogs suffering from inflammatory bowel disease, then you should consider the P.S. Grain-Free Complete Dog Food. This is one of the best dog food for dogs with this health condition. While other dog foods come with different meat, meat meals, and carb sources, the best dog food for this health condition comes with a single, novel protein.

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This food is free of grains and other common dog allergens such as corn wheat soy artificial colors flavors and preservatives. Gluten is a common irritant to the bowel wall, and this food is completely free of gluten. This is a limited ingredient diet with a single source of protein, which is beef, and it is great for dogs with sensitivities and allergies, except your dog is allergic to beef.

This food also supports a healthy immune and digestive system. It contains highly digestible ingredients and great grain alternatives. This food also helps to reduce paw licking, as it prevents the growth of yeast on the paws of your dog, which usually results in paw licking and biting. The protein content of this food is 29 percent while the minimum crude fat content is 27 percent. The maximum crude fiber is 3 percent.

Specs

  • Form: Dry Food
  • Life Stage: All life stages
  • Breed Size: All breed sizes
  • Special Diet: Grain-free, gluten-free, no corn, no soy, no wheat, limited ingredient diet

Pros

  • Limited ingredient diet
  • A single protein source
  • Helps with inflammatory bowel disease
  • Highly digestible ingredients

Cons

  • It is expensive

3. TruDog Feed Me Beef Grain-Free Freeze-Dried Dog Food

TruDog Feed Me Beef Grain Free Freeze Dried Dog Food

The TruDog Feed Me Beef Grain-Free Freeze-Dried Dog Food is one of the best dog food for IBD. This is one of the most convenient ways to feed your dog with a raw diet, with this freeze-dried formula that is very easy to prepare, just add water and serve.

The top five ingredients of this food are beef, beef tripe, beef lung, ground beef bone, and beef liver. This food contains limited ingredients and is super rich in protein. Other notable ingredients in this food include beef heart, beef blood, beef kidney, herring oil, and beef fat. This food is made in the United States and it is completely free of grains and gluten.

It provides your pup with inflammatory bowel disease with a nutritionally balanced and complete diet to help it recover quickly. This food is free of veggies, fillers, corn, wheat, soy, artificial colors, flavors, preservatives, and meal products. The protein content of this food is an impressive 41 percent while the minimum crude fat content is 28 percent. It has a maximum crude fiber of 4 percent with a caloric content of 187 kilocalories per oz.

Specs

  • Form: Dry Food
  • Life Stage: Adult
  • Breed Size: All breed sizes
  • Special Diet: Gluten-free, grain-free, no corn, no wheat, no soy, pea-free, raw

Pros

  • Limited ingredient
  • 99 percent real meat, vital organs, and meaty bone
  • Raw diet
  • Rich in protein and fat

Cons

  • It lacks essential minerals and vitamins from vegetables

4. Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets HA Hydrolyzed Formula Dry Dog Food

Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets HA Hydrolyzed Formula Dry Dog Food

The next on our list is the Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets HA Hydrolyzed Formula Dry Dog Food. This is another great pick for dogs with inflammatory bowel disease. This food is initially formulated for dogs with food sensitivity and allergies, as it comes with high-quality, natural ingredients.

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The top five ingredients of this diet are corn starch, hydrolyzed soy protein isolate, vegetable oil, dicalcium phosphate, and partially hydrogenated canola oil. The canola oil and corn oil in this diet provide sufficient amounts of omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids to keep the skin and coat of your dog healthy and shiny. This is a single-source protein diet that is ideal for dogs of all life stages.

It also contains a low allergen, single carb source, which reduces the chances of allergic reactions. This food is great for dogs with inflammatory bowel disease, food intolerance, pancreatitis, and dermatitis. The protein content of this diet is 18 percent while the minimum crude fat content is 8 percent. It has a maximum crude fiber of 4 percent with a minimum caloric content of 311 kilocalories per cup.

Specs

  • Form: Dry Food
  • Life Stage: All life stages
  • Breed Size: All breed sizes
  • Special Diet: Veterinary diet, vegetarian, pea-free

Pros

  • Limited ingredient diet
  • A single protein and carb source
  • Formulated to solve a wide range of health issues
  • Ideal for dogs with allergies and sensitivities

Cons

  • You need a veterinary authorization to purchase
Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets HA Hydrolyzed Formula Dog Food | Chewy

5. Wellness CORE Grain-Free Lamb Recipe Dry Dog

Wellness CORE Grain Free Lamb Recipe Dry Dog

This food contains one of the best protein sources for dogs with inflammatory bowel disease. It contains lamb as the number one ingredient. The top five ingredients of this food are lamb, lamb meal, pea protein, peas, and chickpeas.

It contains plenty of healthy fruits and veggies such as carrots, tomato, blueberries, and apples, which are super rich in antioxidants to boost the digestive health of your dog. This food also contains glucosamine and chondroitin to provide your pup with a healthy digestive and immune system. It contains ground flaxseed and canola oil to supply omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids for healthy skin and a glossy coat.

The lean meat in the diet also helps with healthy weight management and strong muscle development. This food does not contain grains and other allergens that could trigger allergic reactions. It contains only all-natural, premium ingredients, with no trace of artificial colors, flavors, preservatives, and meat by-products.

The protein content of this food is 33 percent while the minimum crude fat content is 15 percent. It contains a maximum crude fiber of 6 percent with a caloric content of 391 kilocalories per cup.

Specs

  • Form: Dry Food
  • Life Stage: Adult
  • Breed Size: All breed sizes
  • Special Diet: Gluten-free, grain-free, no corn, no soy, no wheat

Pros

  • A single protein source
  • Rich in protein and fat
  • Highly digestible ingredients
  • Free of common dog allergens

Cons

  • It is a bit pricey

6. Blue Buffalo Basics Limited Ingredient Grain-Free Formula

Blue Buffalo Basics Limited Ingredient Grain Free Formula

The last on our list is the Blue Buffalo Basics Limited Ingredient Grain-Free Formula Turkey & Potato Recipe Dry Dog Food. If you are looking for the best food for inflammatory bowel disease at an affordable rate, then this is one option you should consider.

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The top five ingredients of this die are deboned turkey potatoes, turkey meal, pea starch, and peas. The turkey meal is a great source of glucosamine to promote bone and joint health. It also contains omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids from sources such as fish oil, canola oil, and flaxseed. These fatty acids work together to help your pup maintain a shiny coat, healthy skin, and an active stomach.

It is a grain-free formula that is also free of other common dog allergens such as corn, soy, wheat, artificial colors, preservatives, and flavors. This food contains Blue’s LifeSource Bits, which is a blend of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals to support a healthy oxidative balance and immune system.

The protein content of this food is 20 percent while the minimum crude fat content is 12 percent. It contains a maximum crude fiber of 6 percent with a caloric content of 353 kilocalories per cup.

Specs

  • Form: Dry Food
  • Life Stage: Adult
  • Breed Size: All breed sizes
  • Special Diet: Grain-free, sensitive digestion, limited ingredient diet

Pros

  • Limited ingredient diet
  • Great protein source
  • Supports healthy bones and joints
  • Supports a healthy oxidative balance and immune system

Cons

  • It contains oats
Blue Basics for Dogs | Chewy

Best Dog Food For IBD Buying Guide

When it comes to dog foods for inflammatory bowel disease, there is no one-size-fits-all for all cases of this health condition. However, there are some vital things you need to consider and look out for in order to pick the best option for your dog with this ailment.

Novel Protein

Inflammatory bowel disease might be the reaction of an immune system to a food. According to scientific research, proteins from sources such as chicken, dairy, beef, and wheat are more likely to trigger allergic reactions in dogs. When a dog consumes a protein that is new to the immune system, the immune system is less likely to react to it.

One of the best, logical approaches to finding the best dog food for dogs with IBD is by opting for foods without common food allergens. As such, you should go for dog foods with novel proteins. Most of the products reviewed in this guide come with a novel, single protein source.

Minimal Additives

Since we are not sure of the exact ingredients that dogs with inflammatory bowel disease react to, it is best to keep everything simple.

You should avoid foods with additives, as they may trigger an immune reaction. Simple or limited ingredient diets are highly recommended.

Highly Digestible Ingredients

You should also go for dog foods with highly digestible ingredients, as some dog foods are more digestible than others.

Final Thoughts

One of the best ways you can care for your dog with this health condition is to feed it with the best dog food for inflammatory bowel disease. We have put our research skills into action and come up with this list.

Our top pick for the best dog food for inflammatory bowel disease is the Hill’s Prescription Diet d/d Skin/Food Sensitivities Formula because of its premium ingredients, including a novel protein source. This food contains no additives and it is highly digestible.

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