Inflammatory Bowel Disease and other Digestive Issues: Support for Pets
Updated: Oct 6
It’s the middle of the night and your dog has been outside several times with diarrhea and possibly some vomiting. What can you do to help you and your dog get back to sleep? Here are some natural solutions for a quick resolution.
Natural Solutions: For the most part, diarrhea and vomiting are nature’s way of allowing the body to cleanse and remove a toxin. It’s a good idea to provide supportive care for your dog but it’s important to avoid anything that might inhibit this natural process, unless there’s significant debilitation.
A small amount of blood or mucus can sometimes be seen in the stool when the intestinal bacteria are out of balance, but this isn’t necessarily cause for alarm. But you should be very observant; if at any time your dog is extremely lethargic, feverish, bloated, there is a large amount of blood in the stool or vomit, there is frequent projectile vomiting, your pet has a history of eating indigestible items, or you are concerned about them, seek veterinary emergency care as soon as possible. For those dogs who are presenting with simple diarrhea and vomiting, here are some steps you can take to help.
Fasting
Please seek veterinary care prior to fasting if your pet has chronic or serious pre-existing health issues or if your pet continues to vomit in spite of fasting. Most animals will fast when they have digestive disease and it’s a good idea to stop feeding them if they don’t fast themselves. You can start with 6 to 12 hours of no food. If they are vomiting water, remove the dish for 6 hours. Otherwise, if they can hold water down, keep water available. If your dog is very small and prone to hypoglycemia, you should give them tiny licks of organic honey (not for puppies) or Vetoquinol Nutri-Cal - High-Calorie Nutritional Gel https://geni.us/sAWdcZ each hour, or as needed, if they appear weak and trembly.
After the fast, if there is no further vomiting and the diarrhea has stopped or slowed, offer small sips of water or fermented goat milk (a few teaspoons in very small dogs and up to ½ to 1 cup in large dogs) every few hours. Be certain to use filtered or spring water. If the water stays down, you may start some broth or small amounts of food every few hours. Gradually increase the amounts of food over the next four to five days. Very ill animals that can hold down liquids can recover very well on only fermented goat milk for several days (to weeks with oversight of a veterinarian). See feeding charts for more info.
Bland Food
Once your dog is reintroduced to food, a bland diet will help prevent a recurrence of diarrhea. Starting with soup is a gentle way to smooth the transition back to their regular diet. Other bland diets include: a mix of half white rice and half low-fat meat (you can add a 1 to 2 tablespoons plain yogurt and baked yam); a mix of cooked white rice and low fat cottage cheese.
Probiotics
These will help repopulate the intestine with healthy bacteria and there is a growing research base to indicate they boost the immune system in the digestive tract as well as the rest of the body. Probiotics help maintain the mucosal barrier and enhance cellular repair. Probiotics can be given while a dog is on antibiotics; just be sure to give them at a different time than the antibiotic. They can also be used during stressful times, such as weaning, boarding, agility trials and when traveling.
Prebiotics
Prebiotics are indigestible food components that travel undigested to the colon where they ferment and are converted into short chain fatty acids (SCFA). The SCFA are involved in inhibiting the growth of harmful bacteria, acting as a source of energy for colon cells and preserving electrolyte and fluid balance, thus allowing the intestine to move properly. When present in the bowels, prebiotics can promote and support a healthy digestive bacterial flora. It’s recommended that prebiotics be used in combination with probiotics to support the growth of the good bacteria from the probiotic. However, they can also potentially feed harmful intestinal bacteria. These harmful bacteria are often the cause of digestive disease - so their use can be controversial. Besides FOS (fructo-oligosaccharide), beet pulp is another well-known prebiotic. Some dogs, however, don’t always process beet pulp well and can suffer from bloating, nausea and flatulence.
Flower Essences
Flower essences can have a role in comforting both you and your dog. There are many emotions around digestive disease, including fear, frustration and uncertainty. A number of commercially available combination flower essences can assist in easing the emotions surrounding digestive upset and other conditions.
Other Intestinal Support Products
Slippery elm is a soothing and healing herb to consider with digestive upset. If you buy it in capsule form, give a ¼ capsule twice daily to small dogs, a ½ capsule twice daily medium dogs, or one capsule once or twice daily for large dogs. If the slippery elm is in powdered form, give a ¼ tsp powder for every 10 lbs body weight. Mix the powder or capsules into food or some yoghurt. You can also prepare a syrup from the slippery elm. Mix 1 rounded teaspoon slippery elm powder in 1 cup cold water, bring to boil while stirring, turn down heat, stir and simmer 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from heat, add 1 tablespoon of honey and let it cool. For dogs under 25 lbs, give 1 to 2 tbsp, 25-50 lb 2 to 4 tbsp., 50 lbs and over, give ¼ to ½ cup. Dose 4 times a day. There’s a huge range of safety and effectiveness. I’ve found this therapy to be much safer and more effective than Kaopectate and Pepto Bismol, both of which contain salicylates and are unsafe for dogs. See resources for Slippery Elm liquid from Animal Essentials.
Bland Soup Recipe
Boil 3 to 4 chicken thighs in 6 cups of water. Simmer for 1 ½ to 2 hours. Remove the skin and bones, set the meat aside, strain the broth and add 1 to 2 cups chopped vegetables (ex. carrot, celery, yam, cauliflower – no onion or garlic). Boil for another 20 minutes. You can offer just the broth first or you can make small servings with meat, mashed vegetables and broth. Give small portions (a few teaspoons for very small dogs, up to ½ to 1 cup for larger dogs). Allow 4 to 6 hours to elapse to monitor for vomiting after those first few meals.
A healing mixture for the intestinal tract can be made by using equal parts slippery elm powder, FOS (fructo-oligosaccharide) powder and L-Glutamine powder. Give 1 tsp twice daily for small dogs, 2 tsp twice daily for medium dogs and 3 tsp twice daily for large dogs. L-Glutamine is an amino acid that heals intestinal cells.
If you wish to give your dog L-Glutamine alone, give 500 mg per 25 lbs of body weight per day.
I’ve had mixed experiences with digestive enzymes. For dogs not being fed a raw diet, it makes sense to supplement the digestive enzymes they are missing from a natural raw food source. Some animals have improved digestion and do well on digestive enzymes, while some dogs react with intolerable abdominal bloating and gas. It’s best to observe your dog and start at a reduced dose at first. Some animal digestive support products contain digestive enzymes so be sure to read the labels. Dogs with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency require additional pancreatic enzymes (which include proteolytic enzymes, lipases, and amylases) in order to digest their food properly. The dog with EPI requires a prescription level of pancreatic enzyme product, however.
Homeopathic Solutions
For more information on homeopathic medicine, see:
BLOG Homeopathic Medicines for Dogs and Cats on this website
Homeopathic medicines are made from natural substances and diluted to the nanopartical ensuring extreme safety. Please refer to the above resources to avoid confusion. They can be a very useful tool for managing digestive ailments. Use a 30C potency. To give the medicine, mix 3 to 4 pellets into a ½ cup spring or distilled water and store it in the fridge or labeled on the counter (it will keep for two or three days). Give ¼ to ½ teaspoon orally from the glass (syringe ½ to 1 ml), stirring it first. Observe your dog over the next 4 to 6 hours. If you see improvement, then wait further and don’t repeat the medicine. If there is no improvement, you may give another 1 or 2 doses at 3-to-4-hour intervals. If there is no response after this, then re-evaluate the symptoms and try another medicine. Here are a few of the medicines I often find useful in treating digestive disease.
Arsenicum album
There is much anxiety, fear and restlessness with this dog. This dog is up and down, going out, all night. Thirst for small frequent sips of cold water. This individual is very chilly and desires covers. There is vomiting and diarrhea with very putrid odors. And there can be lots of unproductive straining. The anus can be very sore and excoriated. This medicine is helpful when an animal has eaten spoiled food (compare to Nux vomica).
Bryonia alba
This dog doesn’t want to move, and the nausea and vomiting is made worse by moving. They are often very irritable. Diarrhea alternates with constipation. Can occur after getting chilled.
Nux vomica
This is another effective medicine for dogs who have gotten into the garbage and eaten spoiled food. Also think of this medicine if your dog has eaten an excessive or overly rich amount of food. This dog can be very irritable, oversensitive and reactive. When they don’t feel well, they want to be left alone. They tend to be chilly. In either diarrhea or constipation, there is much ineffectual straining. This is also a helpful medicine in obstipated pets or in pets with complete loss of appetite. There tends to be unproductive retching with a little mucus, more so than overt vomiting.
Mercurius corrosivus
This patient is usually in the veterinary clinic already. There is much pain and cramping of the abdomen with vomiting of blood and/or having bloody stool. I’ve used it as a complement to the treatment of hemorrhagic gastroenteritis and it’s a medicine you can give while on the way to the emergency vet.
Phosphorus
This dog is usually friendly and outgoing but can be fearful and clingy when sick. This individual is very hungry as well as thirsty for large amounts of water at a time and will vomit just as soon as the food and water has warmed in the stomach. They like their food and water cold. Undigested food is vomited or regurgitated by mouthfuls. There can be profound exhaustion after vomiting or diarrhea.
Podophylum
Worse in hot weather, this medicine is helpful for painless (although dogs can sometimes have cramps before stool but better after), explosive (like a water hose), foul diarrhea, abdominal distention and gurgling before a stool, constant gagging and empty retching.
Pulsatilla
I think of this medicine for digestive upset after the pet has eaten some fat from pork chops, bacon, other rich or fried foods. (And have used this medicine as a complement to other therapies for pancreatitis.) For diarrhea after eating very rich foods, diarrhea changeable – looks different every time. This dog is thirstless, easily overheats, desires to be in the open air and seeks out attention and comfort. This dog can vomit undigested food several hours after eating. Another feature of this medicine is, will vomit bile in the morning.
Sulphur
For the dog rushing to have a stool first thing in the morning. Very narrow tolerance to changing diet, every adjustment results in diarrhea. Easily overheats, lips, nasal pad and pinna tend to become flushed or red.
Additional Care
If your dog’s digestive disease is severe or persistent, your veterinarian’s suggestions may include:
fecal exams (including PCR panels and DFA Direct Fluorescing Antibody test to rule out Giardia if cysts are not immediately seen on the fecal float/centrifuge test) to rule out bacteria, viruses, and parasites;
blood work to rule out liver, kidney, endocrine or other problems; fasting tests for pancreatic enzymes (TLI (Trypsin-like Immunoreactivity) – TLI is helpful to rule out Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency (EPI) - and PLI (Pancreatic Lipase Immunoreactivity)), Folate/Cobalamin (B-vitamins);
x-rays or abdominal ultrasound (and/or endoscopy and biopsies) to rule out foreign objects, obstructions, and cancer; and endoscopy to visualize the stomach and intestinal mucosa. Young dogs (or adults with a history) that are prone to eat indigestible items should get screening x-rays and attention sooner than later to rule out and obstructive foreign body.
Many cases of digestive upset, however, are self-limiting and, with a little help from you, your dog can get back to health quickly.
Resources list – see also Resources For Pets - Pet Digestion Support The following may contain affiliate links (taking you to Amazon or another website), which means I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you if you purchase through a link.
https://geni.us/NhesLC0 Animal Essentials Store on Amazon:
Colon Rescue products contain: Slippery Elm, Marshmallow Root, Licorice Root - Colon Rescue Powder, Colon Rescue liquid 1 oz and 2 oz. The liquids act more immediately on small intestine, powder sticks around to help the colon a bit more.
Colon Rescue Powder - Herbal Digestive Aid for Dogs & Cats https://geni.us/iOxS
Animal Essentials Slippery Elm Liquid https://geni.us/qqYsV
Starwest Botanicals Organic Slippery Elm Bark Powder https://geni.us/Qv3Q
Standard Process Canine Enteric Support - Digestive System Support for Dogs - Nutritional Dog Supplement for Gut Health - Canine Supplement Formula to Aid Healthy Digestion -
110 g (large dog) and 30 g (small dog)
Feline Enteric Support 90 tablets
GI Soothing for Cats and Dogs with probiotics, postbiotics, and soothing botanicals.
Super Snouts and Diggin your dog page on Amazon: https://geni.us/pihz
Look for: Diggin' Your Dog Firm Up! Various sizes of powder and bundles for cats and dogs (see also Resources - For Pets - Pet Digestion Support.
Rx Vitamins Rx Edible Clay Powder - Anti Diarrhea for Dogs & Cats and Promotes Gas Relief for Dogs - Aids in Cat Digestive Support and Dog Constipation Relief - 3.52 oz https://geni.us/6MTA4
Cocotherapy Ctt-0014 Hairball Plus Fiber For Cats (1 Pouch), 7 Oz https://geni.us/tDbH3
https://geni.us/Ww6FD Nutramax Laboratories page on Amazon:
Nutramax Proviable Probiotics for Small Dogs and Cats, Diarrhea Support Kit, 15 ml Paste and 10 Capsules https://geni.us/OZIO9Z1
Nutramax Proviable 30 Capsules https://geni.us/ek9R
80 Capsules https://geni.us/x4jD32A
Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Supplements FortiFlora Daily Probiotics for Cats for Digestive Gut Health and Diarrhea - 30 ct. Box https://geni.us/TwaovCX
If your dog is very sensitive, please consult your veterinarian before administering a dewormer. Consult your veterinarian for a fecal exam (PCR or centrifuge test) for diagnosis.
Safe-Guard (fenbendazole) Canine Dewormer for Large Dogs, 4gm (ea. pouch treats 40lbs.), (Pack of 2) https://geni.us/BEEb
Safe-Guard (fenbendazole) Canine Dewormer for Dogs, 2gm pouch (ea. pouch treats 20lbs.), Blue, 0.07 Ounce (Pack of 3) https://geni.us/8TZ1XK
Safe-Guard (fenbendazole) Canine Dewormer for Dogs, 1gm pouch (ea. pouch treats 10lbs.) https://geni.us/snbnr
ThorneVET Gut Health Formula Gastrointestinal Support for Dogs, Cats & Horses, 180 Scoops https://geni.us/WHA4ws
Flower Essences
Fermented food products
Homeopathic Products
Support your local health food store or purchase online at
Lab Tests
Antech KeyScreen™ GI Parasite PCR Fecal Test for Dogs & Cats
VDI Laboratories
This graph shows the amount of fermented goat milk/kefir needed by weight to meet nutritional needs in a 24-hour period. Split into 3-5 meals over the course of the day. You may feed more than this if your pet is hungry and doing well.
