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IBD in dogs: causes and possibilities of treatment

The abbreviation IBD stands for Inflammatory Bowel Disease. It is a chronic intestinal inflammation. If your dog suffers from IBD, this can be felt in the form of digestive problems, abdominal pain and cramps.


IBD occurs mainly in middle-aged dogs, but can also occur in younger dogs. Unfortunately, it cannot be healed completely. With the help of the correct nutrition the complaints of IBD can be gotten with dogs however well under control. We will explain below how you can do this.

What is IBD?

IBD beim Hund

IBD is a form of autoimmune disease characterized by a relapsing course. IBD causes chronic inflammation of the intestines in affected dogs. Often both the small intestine and the large intestine are affected. However, it can also happen that only one of the two parts of the intestine is inflamed.


The symptoms of IBD in dogs depend on where the focus of the inflammation is. If chronic bowel inflammation is not detected in time and brought under control by appropriate measures, the inflammation can spread to other organs over time and lead to pancreatitis, for example.

IBD in dogs - causes

The exact cause of the IBD is unclear. However, it is assumed that the trigger is an autoimmune reaction of the intestinal mucosa. Various factors can contribute to its development.


Possible causes are, for example, feed allergies or intolerances to components of the feed such as additives, certain proteins or gluten. However, infestation with parasites such as salmonella or giardias can also trigger autoimmune reactions and IBD in dogs.


In addition, disorders of the immune system are among the possible causes of chronic intestinal inflammation, as are the genetic predisposition of some breeds. It is known, for example, that the German Shepherd Dog suffers from IBD comparatively frequently.

IBD in dogs - symptoms

One of the characteristic features of IBD is the relapsing nature of the symptoms. Dogs with IBD can always be free of symptoms before they become noticeable again.

If your dog suffers from IBD, the following symptoms will occur in particular:

  • Severe diarrhoea
  • Bloody or slimy faeces
  • Vomiting
  • Abdominal cramps
  • Severe flatulence
  • Gurgling intestinal noises
  • Hair loss

Depending on the exact cause and severity of the disease, other ailments and complications that affected dogs have to deal with as a result of their IBD disease are also possible. These can range from abdominal dropsy, anaemia, dehydration and insufficient protein in the blood to malnutrition and severe changes to the intestinal mucosa.

IBD in dogs - diagnosis

Hund und Tierarzt

The diagnosis of IBD is relatively difficult. If it is suspected that your dog is suffering from IBD, it is first necessary to rule out other causes of the symptoms. These can be caused to a large extent just as well by a feed allergy or an infestation with worms or Giardia.


If other causes can be excluded, the veterinarian will finally perform a colonoscopy and a biopsy (tissue sample). The results will help to determine whether the suspicion has been confirmed and whether the affected dog has IBD.

IBD in dogs - chances of recovery and treatment

Once a dog has fallen ill with IBD, a complete cure is not possible. Fortunately, the symptoms of the disease can be well controlled with the right measures, so that the four-legged friend can live with consistent implementation largely pain-free.


With strongly pronounced complaints, like for example a clear weight loss, drying out or a protein deficiency, the stationary treatment is recommended in a veterinary clinic, where the dog ill with IBD can get a drip infusion.


With more easily pronounced symptoms it is however also easily possible to accomplish the therapy at home. In order to counteract the symptoms of IBD in dogs, a fundamental and lifelong change in diet is necessary.

IBD in dogs - our recommendation

In dogs suffering from IBD, it is important to reduce the inflammation of the intestinal mucosa. For this purpose it is necessary to switch to a more digestible food.


In particular, a new source of protein and the avoidance of gluten-containing cereals and artificial additives are important. In case of a diagnosed IBD, we recommend our insect protein food for your dog.

Advantages of Bellfor Naturgut-Schmaus for dogs with IBD:

  • The new protein source does not cause allergies.
  • Insect protein is particularly well digestible.
  • Our cold pressed dry food Naturgut-Schmaus with insect protein.
  • The feed contains no artificial additives.

All these factors lead to the fact that the intestine of your four-legged friend can come to rest, the inflammation goes back and with it also the symptoms of the IBD with your dog disappear gradually.


In addition, we advise you to supplement your dog with our immune powder. The natural preparation strengthens your dog's immune system, which is weakened by the IBD, and thus helps his body to cope better with the disease.

Gastro Relax against diarrhoea in dogs with IBD

One of the complaints IBD causes in dogs is diarrhoea. In addition to the products mentioned from our range, we therefore recommend Bellfor Gastro Relax.


This natural food supplement contains carefully selected ingredients, such as pectin and turmeric, and can make an important contribution to alleviating diarrhoea in dogs with IBD.

Hund und Fieber

IBD in dogs - our conclusion

IBD is a serious disease, the symptoms of which severely limit your dog's quality of life and, if left untreated, can have serious consequences for the four-legged friend.


If you notice any of these symptoms in your dog, we recommend that you consult a veterinarian immediately. The veterinarian can use an exclusion diagnosis to determine whether your suspicion is correct or whether another cause is responsible for the symptoms.


Even if IBD in dogs cannot be completely cured, the disease can be controlled well with the right measures. Through a permanent and consistent change of diet with our IBD Set you will quickly notice a significant improvement in your dog.

IBD set

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