As pet parents, we hate it when our pets are in pain or sick. If your dog is suffering from an upset stomach and digestive issues, it could be suffering from IBD or inflammatory bowel disease. If your pup has been diagnosed with IBD, then your vet has told you that there are special dog foods you can give your dog to help it with the symptoms.
However, there are so many choices for dog food brands for IBD on the market today that it’s hard to know which one is the best choice for your furry friend.
Luckily, we’ll help you determine what the best dog foods for IBD are in this guide. We have reviews and our top picks in the guide below, followed by a buyer’s guide.
A Glance at Our Winners in 2023
Image Product Details
Best Overall
Whole Earth Farms Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
Even picky eaters enjoy
Available in several flavors
High protein content
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Best Value
Blackwood Everyday Diet Adult Dry Dog Food
Affordable
Contains pre and probiotics
No artificial ingredients
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Premium Choice
Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Canned Dog Food
Hypoallergenic
High-quality dog food
Most dogs love the flavor
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Canine Caviar Limited Ingredient Diet Dry Dog Food
Hypoallergenic
Holistic
No additives, preservatives, or allergens
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Vet’s Choice
Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets Gastroenteric Dog Food
Specially formulated for digestive problems
Nutritionally balanced
Supports intestinal health
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The 10 Best Dog Foods for IBD
Our best overall choice for the best dog food for IDB in 2022 is Whole Earth Farms Grain-Free Dry Dog Food. This blend is available in several flavors that even the pickiest dog will enjoy. It has a high protein content, at 27%. In addition, the food contains ingredients that work to soothe your dog’s IBD systems.
Main ingredients: Chicken meal, Potatoes, Canola meal, Peas
Protein content: 27%
Fat content: 14%
Calories: 377 kcal per cup
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Chicken meal and turkey meal are two of the main ingredients, and it contains plenty of amino acids for a strong body. Including omega acids promotes healthy fur and skin, reducing itchy skin in your pet. The kibble also helps with stool formation, which will work to soothe your dog’s IBD symptoms even more.
The only drawbacks we found to this blend are that it has no supplements to promote joint support, and some pet parents stated they wished it was a grain-inclusive formula.
Pros
Even picky eaters enjoy
Available in several flavors
High protein content
Helps with stool formation
Reduces itchy skin
Cons
Doesn’t have a grain-inclusive formula
No supplements for joint support
Our top pick for the best dog food for IBD in 2022 for the money is Blackwood Everyday Diet Adult Dry Dog Food. It’s an affordable blend, and it works for almost any budget. It contains no artificial ingredients such as fillers, coloring, or preservatives. It also has prebiotics and probiotics, which promotes healthy digestion.
Even picky eaters enjoy
Available in several flavors
High protein content
Helps with stool formation
Reduces itchy skin
- Even picky eaters enjoy
- Available in several flavors
- High protein content
- Helps with stool formation
- Reduces itchy skin
Doesn’t have a grain-inclusive formula
No supplements for joint support
- Doesn’t have a grain-inclusive formula
- No supplements for joint support
Main ingredients: Chicken meal, Brown rice, Millet, Oat groats
Protein content: 24.5 %
Fat content: 14%
Calories: 441 kcal per cup
This is a high-quality dog food with a chicken meal and brown rice as the first ingredients. It also has 24.5% protein, which is good for your dog’s IBD symptoms and overall health. Some pet parents reported that their dogs wouldn’t eat Blackwood, and minor IBD symptoms have also been reported.
Pros
Affordable
Contains pre and probiotics
No artificial ingredients
Digestive improvements shown
A high-quality dog food
Cons
Minor IBD symptoms
Some dogs wouldn’t eat it
Our premium choice goes to Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Adult Canned Dog Food. This high-quality dog food is an excellent source of balanced nutrition and is easy for dogs with IBD to digest.
Affordable
Contains pre and probiotics
No artificial ingredients
Digestive improvements shown
A high-quality dog food
- Affordable
- Contains pre and probiotics
- No artificial ingredients
- Digestive improvements shown
- A high-quality dog food
Minor IBD symptoms
Some dogs wouldn’t eat it
- Minor IBD symptoms
- Some dogs wouldn’t eat it
Main ingredients:
Pea starch, Hydrolyzed chicken liver, Hydrolyzed soy protein, Vegetable oil
Protein content: 5%
Fat content: 2.50%
Calories: 396 kcal per can
Pea starch, Hydrolyzed chicken liver, Hydrolyzed soy protein, Vegetable oil
Pea starch, Hydrolyzed chicken liver, Hydrolyzed soy protein, Vegetable oil
Royal Canin is designed to address the IBD digestive issues of your canine friend. Most dogs love the flavor, as we found few reports of pups not eating the food. However, you can expect to pay quite a bit more for this wet dog food when compared to others on our list. In our opinion, it’s worth the price to give your pet the relief from IBD it deserves.
Pros
Hypoallergenic
High-quality dog food
Most dogs love the flavor
A source of balanced nutrition
Easy to digest
Cons
Quite expensive
At number four on our list is Canine Caviar Limited Ingredient Diet Dry Dog Food. This is another of the hypoallergenic dry foods, and it’s listed as holistic as well. There are no additives, preservatives, or allergens in to irritate your dog’s IBD, and it has a high rate of success when it comes to reducing the symptoms associated with IBS.
Hypoallergenic
High-quality dog food
Most dogs love the flavor
A source of balanced nutrition
Easy to digest
- Hypoallergenic
- High-quality dog food
- Most dogs love the flavor
- A source of balanced nutrition
- Easy to digest
Quite expensive
- Quite expensive
Main ingredients: Dehydrated lamb, Pearl millet, Lamb fat, Coconut
Protein content: 25%
Fat content: 15%
Calories: 541 kcal per cup
With dehydrated lamb as its first ingredient and 25% protein, this is a balanced source of nutrition that many dogs enjoy. However, the food is expensive, and many pet parents reported that their dogs refused to eat the dry food blend.
Pros
Hypoallergenic
Holistic
No additives, preservatives, or allergens
Balanced nutrition
Cons
Quite expensive
Some dogs refused to eat this blend
Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets EN Gastroenteric Natural’s Dry Dog Food is our vet’s choice selection. The dry kibble is specially formulated for your pet’s digestive problems, and with 24% protein and the main ingredient of Brewer’s rice, it’s nutritionally balanced also.
Hypoallergenic
Holistic
No additives, preservatives, or allergens
Balanced nutrition
- Hypoallergenic
- Holistic
- No additives, preservatives, or allergens
- Balanced nutrition
Quite expensive
Some dogs refused to eat this blend
- Quite expensive
- Some dogs refused to eat this blend
Main ingredients: Brewer’s rice, Chicken meal, Natural flavor, Cassava root flour
Protein content: 24%
Fat content: 9.50%
Calories: 370 kcal per cup
The kibble supports intestinal health and is a taste that pet parents report their dogs gobbling up with very few problems. Likewise, the formula promotes intestinal health and is perfect for IBD sufferers.
The only drawback we found is that the food could contain preservatives, allergens, and additives, which could irritate your furry friend’s digestive system and cause IBD symptoms in some canines. It is also moderately expensive, but not as expensive as some on our list.
Pros
Specially formulated for digestive problems
Nutritionally balanced
Supports intestinal health
Most dogs like the taste
Cons
It could contain preservatives, allergens, and additives
A bit expensive
Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets HA Hydrolyzed Dry Dog Food is said to have had a high rate of success when it comes to helping with IBD issues in your pet. It’s a nutritionally balanced food, and we found no reports of dogs refusing to eat the blend. Most dogs seemed to love the flavor.
Specially formulated for digestive problems
Nutritionally balanced
Supports intestinal health
Most dogs like the taste
- Specially formulated for digestive problems
- Nutritionally balanced
- Supports intestinal health
- Most dogs like the taste
It could contain preservatives, allergens, and additives
A bit expensive
- It could contain preservatives, allergens, and additives
- A bit expensive
Main ingredients:
Corn starch, Hydrolyzed soy protein isolate, Coconut oil, Partially hydronated canola oil
Protein content: 18%
Fat content: 8%
Calories: 314 kcal per cup
Corn starch, Hydrolyzed soy protein isolate, Coconut oil, Partially hydronated canola oil
Corn starch, Hydrolyzed soy protein isolate, Coconut oil, Partially hydronated canola oil
The food is expensive when compared to other foods on our list, and with only 18% protein, we feel it could do with a bit of a higher percentage. However, if you’re searching for food your picky pet will eat while still helping with his IBD issues, this is a good choice.
Pros
High rate of success
Nutritionally balanced
Dogs like the flavor
Cons
Quite expensive
Lower protein content
Wellness Core Grain-Free Lamb Dry Dog Food is an all-natural option for dogs with IBD issues. The kibble has a protein content of 33%, which is a rich amount, and one of the highest protein contents on our list. Also, the kibble has no artificial flavors or additives to irritate your pet’s digestive system. Lamb and lamb meal are listed as the first ingredients in the nutritionally well-balanced kibble.
High rate of success
Nutritionally balanced
Dogs like the flavor
- High rate of success
- Nutritionally balanced
- Dogs like the flavor
Quite expensive
Lower protein content
- Quite expensive
- Lower protein content
Main ingredients: Lamb, Lamb meal, Pea protein, Peas
Protein content: 33%
Fat content: 10%
Calories: 402 kcal per cup
The food is grain-free, but that goes in neither the pros nor cons, as the FDA is researching grains since the absence of grains in dog food could lead to health issues.
This blend is a bit on the pricey side and has been known not to work for dogs with severe IBD. It’s best to talk to your vet about this dry dog food option to determine if it’s indeed the right choice for your pet.
Pros
All-natural
Rich in protein
No artificial flavors, additives
Cons
A bit pricey
Not recommended for dogs with severe IBD
Holistic Select Adult Health Grain-Free Dry Dog food is another kibble with high protein levels at 32%. The food has a high rate of success in treating the symptoms of IBD, and dogs seem to love the taste. It also has no fillers, artificial colors, or artificial flavors, meaning it’s nutritionally balanced and has a turkey flavor your dog should enjoy.
All-natural
Rich in protein
No artificial flavors, additives
- All-natural
- Rich in protein
- No artificial flavors, additives
A bit pricey
Not recommended for dogs with severe IBD
- A bit pricey
- Not recommended for dogs with severe IBD
Main ingredients: Deboned turkey, Turkey meal, Peas, Lentils
Protein content: 32%
Fat content: 13%
Calories: 376 kcal per cup
The first ingredient in this kibble is deboned turkey, which is an excellent source of protein. The food is more expensive than similar products on the market today but well worth the price if it makes your dog feel better.
Pros
High protein levels
No fillers, artificial colors, or flavors
High rate of success
Dogs love the taste
Cons
More expensive than similar products
At number nine on our list is Halo Holistic Chicken & Chicken Liver Adult Dry Dog Food. Dogs enjoy the flavor of this chicken blend, and the recipe’s label lists chicken and chicken livers as its primary ingredients and boasts a 25% protein percentage.
High protein levels
No fillers, artificial colors, or flavors
High rate of success
Dogs love the taste
- High protein levels
- No fillers, artificial colors, or flavors
- High rate of success
- Dogs love the taste
More expensive than similar products
- More expensive than similar products
Main ingredients: Chicken, Chicken liver, Dried egg products, Oatmeal
Protein content: 25%
Fat content: 15%
Calories: 403 kcal per cup
It is designed to boost digestion and promote healthy skin and fur. However, Halo contains soy protein isolate, and some owners have reported a formula change. The food doesn’t look the way it did, and their dogs stopped eating it. It is also one of the pricier on our list.
Pros
Dogs enjoy the flavor
Promotes healthy skin and fur
Boosts digestion
Cons
Quite expensive
Contains soy protein isolate
Some owners reported a formula change
- Pure Vita Grain-Free Dog Food
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Main ingredients: Duck, Duck meal, Garbanzo beans, Red lentils
Protein content: 26%
Fat content: 15%
Calories: N/A
Pure vita Grain-Free Duck Dog Food is full of the balanced nutrition your pet needs to be healthy and happy. It contains plenty of fatty acids and is an excellent source of protein, containing 26%, with duck as the first ingredient listed.
Dogs enjoy the flavor
Promotes healthy skin and fur
Boosts digestion
- Dogs enjoy the flavor
- Promotes healthy skin and fur
- Boosts digestion
Quite expensive
Contains soy protein isolate
Some owners reported a formula change
- Quite expensive
- Contains soy protein isolate
- Some owners reported a formula change
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Main ingredients: Duck, Duck meal, Garbanzo beans, Red lentils
Protein content: 26%
Fat content: 15%
Calories: N/A
It is a bit on the expensive side and has been reported as causing stomach upset in some dogs. Also, it contains artificial flavors and preservatives. Still, it’s made it to number 10 on our list because it’s a good source of protein and nutritionally balanced.
Pros
Balanced nutrition
Contains fatty acids
Good source of protein
Cons
A bit expensive
Has caused stomach upset
May contain allergens
Includes artificial flavors and preservatives
Buyer’s Guide: How to Pick the Best Dog Food for IBD
Diet plays a strong role in how your dog feels and responds to having IBD. Below, we’ll give you a few tips on what to look for in your dog’s diet.
Balanced nutrition
Contains fatty acids
Good source of protein
- Balanced nutrition
- Contains fatty acids
- Good source of protein
A bit expensive
Has caused stomach upset
May contain allergens
Includes artificial flavors and preservatives
- A bit expensive
- Has caused stomach upset
- May contain allergens
- Includes artificial flavors and preservatives
Hypoallergenic Food
In many cases, the underlying cause of a dog’s IBD is a sensitivity to certain proteins. We have a few hypoallergenic dog foods on our list for this very reason. There are also hydrolyzed dog foods on the list that will break up the protein into smaller pieces, so it’s easier to digest for your furry friend.
Low Residue Diet
A low-residue diet is a diet that is very easy to digest. Fiber is usually restricted in these types of diets, focusing on nutrition instead. Not only this, but the low residue diet also focuses on reducing the volume of the dog’s feces. This is helpful if your poor pup is having more than one bowel movement a day.
Taste
Since your dog is going to be on this diet for a long time to come, it’s essential to make sure it’s a food it likes the taste of and will be willing to eat daily. IBD is not a curable condition, and your pet will need a special formula for the rest of its life.
Following these tips should help you find the right dog food for your dog’s IBD issues. Choose one from the list above, and soon your pup will be feeling fine.
Conclusion
Our best overall pick goes to Whole Earth Farms Grain-Free Dry Dog Food for its balanced nutrition, and as our best value pick, we chose Blackwood Everyday Diet Adult Dry Dog Food for its affordability and high protein percentages.
For a premium selection, Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Adult Canned Dog Food is easy to digest and nutritionally balanced. Canine Caviar Limited Ingredient Diet Dry Dog Food, our fourth pick, is hypoallergenic and holistic as well. Finally, Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets EN Gastroenteric Natural’s Dry Dog Food is our vet’s choice and is specially designed for dogs with IBD issues.
We hope this guide helps you find the right IBD dog food for your furry friend to keep them healthy and happy for many years.
Sources
Fluffy Planet Breed Advisor Hepper
Featured Image Credit: Leka Sergeeva, Shutterstock
- Fluffy Planet
- Breed Advisor
- Hepper
