Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) in dogs presents a significant diagnostic challenge for veterinarians. While biopsies are the definitive method for confirming IBD, the term “chronic enteropathy” is often used to describe dogs exhibiting persistent gastrointestinal signs such as vomiting or diarrhea. These cases can be further categorized by their response to various therapeutic approaches, including dietary modifications. Often, the initial recommendation involves a novel protein or hydrolyzed diet, aiming to identify and mitigate potential food sensitivities that could be exacerbating the condition. The underlying principle is to change both the protein and carbohydrate sources to see if clinical signs improve. If a commercial limited-ingredient diet fails to yield positive results, a hydrolyzed diet, considered a gold standard, is frequently suggested. These diets feature proteins broken down into very small fragments, theoretically minimizing immune system provocation. Studies indicate that over half of dogs show improvement on these specialized diets, but what about those that do not respond?
For dogs that do not show improvement on either limited-ingredient novel protein or hydrolyzed commercial diets, the next logical step is a carefully formulated home-prepared diet. These diets are often designed to be low in fat, which can be beneficial for dogs with IBD and protein-losing enteropathy (PLE). The goal is to create a nutritionally complete diet that may elicit a positive response in these challenging cases.
Purpose and Limitations of Home-Prepared Diets
This resource aims to provide a convenient guide for owners considering home-prepared diets for dogs suspected of having IBD. Many dogs referred for such consultations have already undergone trials with limited-ingredient or hydrolyzed diets with minimal success. It is important to acknowledge that it is impossible to predict with certainty which dogs will respond favorably to a home-prepared diet. Furthermore, a significant portion of IBD cases are not food-responsive and will require medical intervention from a veterinarian or a board-certified veterinary internal medicine specialist.
Components of Home-Prepared Diets
The provided dietary plans utilize three distinct protein sources: fish (tilapia), a terrestrial mammal (pork tenderloin), and poultry (lean turkey). These protein sources are chosen for their novelty, aiming to introduce a protein your dog may not have been previously exposed to. The carbohydrate sources in each diet are interchangeable, offering flexibility if your dog has a dislike for certain ingredients like sweet potato or barley. Additionally, these plans incorporate a novel vegetable-based oil rich in essential polyunsaturated fats, with an optional addition of fish oil for long-chain omega-three fatty acids. Two different vitamin and mineral mixes are also recommended, which are crucial for ensuring the diet is nutritionally complete.
Transitioning to a Home-Prepared Diet
Each recipe is formulated to provide approximately 300 kcals per 5 kg of body weight. Caloric needs vary significantly between individual dogs, and your veterinarian can assist in accurately calculating your dog’s specific requirements. For instance, a small dog like a Havanese might need 300-350 kcals daily, while a larger Labrador weighing 30 kg might require around 1200 kcals, highlighting the disparity in energy needs based on size and activity level.
A gradual transition is essential when introducing a home-prepared diet, typically over a 6-week trial period (though many dogs respond within 3 weeks). Begin by offering a mix of the new diet’s meat, carbohydrate, and oil components without the vitamin and mineral supplement. Start with approximately one-quarter of the estimated daily ration of the new diet mixed with three-quarters of the dog’s current food for about three days. If tolerated well, increase the home-prepared portion to one-half, mixed with one-half of the commercial food for another three days. Subsequently, use three-quarters of the home-prepared diet with one-quarter of the commercial food for three more days. By day ten, your dog should be consuming the full amount of the home-prepared diet.
Once on the complete home-prepared ration from day ten onwards, you can begin incorporating the vitamin and mineral mix. It is crucial to mix these supplements thoroughly, as their metallic taste can be off-putting to some dogs. For example, if quadrupling a recipe for a Labrador requiring 1200 kcals, start with a small portion of the vitamin and mineral supplement (about one-quarter of the total) and gradually increase it over 7-10 days to ensure a complete and balanced ration. The daily ration can be divided into two meals or spread over more frequent feedings, depending on medication schedules and gastrointestinal tolerance. If vomiting occurs, smaller, more frequent meals may help improve passage.
Assessing Your Dog’s Response
The complete transition to a new diet typically takes two to three weeks. If your dog’s clinical signs have resolved, the diet trial is considered successful, and they can continue on this plan long-term. If improvements are noted but not complete, adding a fiber source like psyllium husk can help firm stools. Konsyl 100% psyllium husk powder is a recommended option. To prevent choking, the dry powder must be mixed thoroughly with the food and a small amount of water. Approximately one teaspoon of psyllium husk per 300 kcal diet can enhance fecal quality. For a larger dog, like a Labrador, you would increase the psyllium husk proportionally to the total daily food intake.
When Improvement is Not Seen
If the transition is not smooth and your dog does not show improvement, further diagnostic work-up by your veterinarian is recommended. If you have exhausted novel protein, hydrolyzed, and home-prepared diet trials, it is unlikely that the IBD is food-responsive. In such cases, focus shifts to highly digestible, possibly lower-fat, commercial foods recommended by your veterinarian, including various therapeutic enteric and hydrolyzed options. Your veterinarian or a board-certified internist can also guide you on medications to manage immune responses and alleviate GI symptoms.
The Role of a Nutritionist
While consultations with a veterinary nutritionist can be beneficial, especially when multiple health conditions are present, straightforward IBD cases may not always require this level of specialized input. Since 2005, many such consultations have yielded mixed results, sometimes leading to frustration for both owners and nutritionists due to the unpredictable success rates. For owners seeking home-prepared IBD diet options, this resource can be highly effective for certain dogs and relatively simple to implement without the need for a boarded veterinary nutritionist. Our experience suggests that a dog is either food-responsive or not, and this can often be determined using these plans. If a home-prepared approach doesn’t show significant improvement within two to three weeks, seeking further medical intervention from your veterinarian or a board-certified internist is essential.
Three Home-Prepared Diet Plans
1. IBD/PLE Canine Tilapia and Sweet Potato Diet
This plan is designed for an average 5 kg dog and can be scaled up based on your dog’s weight and activity level. Consulting your veterinarian for precise caloric needs is recommended.
Daily Diet (approx. 300 kcals):
- 3 ounces of baked tilapia (cooked weight)
- 6 ounces of baked sweet potato (with or without skins)
- ½ teaspoon of hemp seed oil
- ½ teaspoon of fish oil (e.g., Grizzly salmon oil)
Added Supplements:
- ½ scoop (2 grams) of Annamaet Enhance or ¾ teaspoon of BalanceIT® Carnivore Blend
This portion is typically fed over two or three meals. Initially, feed only the meat, carbohydrate, and oils for 10 days to assess tolerance before adding supplements. Introduce supplements gradually over 7 days. This diet consists of approximately 32% protein, 21% fat, and 47% carbohydrates. Use small pieces of cooked tilapia as treats during this trial.
2. IBD/PLE Canine Pork and Barley Diet
This plan is designed for an average 5 kg dog and can be scaled accordingly.
Daily Diet (approx. 300 kcals):
- 3 ounces of oven-roasted pork tenderloin (cooked weight)
- 4 ounces of stovetop cooked pearled barley
- ½ teaspoon of hemp seed oil
- ½ teaspoon of fish oil
Added Supplements:
- ½ scoop (2 grams) of Annamaet Enhance or 1 teaspoon of BalanceIT® Carnivore Blend
Similar to the tilapia diet, initially feed the base ingredients for 10 days, then gradually introduce supplements over 7 days. This diet is approximately 34% protein, 24% fat, and 42% carbohydrates. Cooked pork tenderloin pieces can be used as treats.
3. IBD/PLE Canine Turkey and Oats Diet
This plan is designed for an average 5 kg dog and can be scaled.
Daily Diet (approx. 330 kcals):
- 2 ounces pan-cooked 98-99% lean ground turkey
- 2 ounces of instant quick oats (dry weight)
- ¼ teaspoon of hemp seed oil
- ½ teaspoon of fish oil
Added Supplements:
- ½ scoop (2 grams) of Annamaet Enhance or 1 ¼ teaspoon of BalanceIT® Carnivore Blend
Feed the base ingredients for 10 days before gradually adding supplements over 7 days. This diet is approximately 31% protein, 24% fat, and 45% carbohydrates. Small pieces of cooked turkey can be used as treats.
Important Note: Always consult with your veterinarian before making significant changes to your dog’s diet, especially when managing a condition like IBD. They can help tailor these plans to your dog’s specific needs and monitor their progress effectively.
