The essentials
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) isn’t inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) — IBS is a psychosomatic (mental) illness that results in physical symptoms, like diarrhea.
- There are several possible causes — Causes of IBS include anxiety, stress, and diet.
- Your vet will prescribe treatment — Anti-diarrhea medicines, probiotics, diet changes, and calming medications or supplements may help manage IBS symptoms.
What’s irritable bowel syndrome?
You’re probably familiar with IBS in humans. In fact, most of us have likely experienced stress-related gastrointestinal upset at some point in our lives. But did you know the condition affects canines as well ? IBS in dogs causes disturbances in bowel function, leading to symptoms such as upset stomach, diarrhea, constipation, mucus in stool, and more. But while IBS symptoms can mirror those of other intestinal illnesses, the main cause is mental rather than physical.
IBS is not very common in dogs, affecting approximately 10-15% of the patients seen by vets for large intestinal issues (like diarrhea). It is also a diagnosis of exclusion, meaning that before your vet can determine that your pup has IBS, they need to rule out other possible causes of their symptoms. It’s important to distinguish IBS from other conditions, such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), as the approach and treatment can vary greatly.
Irritable bowel syndrome versus inflammatory bowel disease
Unlike IBS, IBD is a physical disease in which inflammatory cells invade the lining of a dog’s intestine. IBD may cause chronic inflammation of the stomach and the small and large intestines. It can also impact the body’s ability to absorb nutrients and disrupt the digestive system. Besides chronic abdominal pain, symptoms of IBD include vomiting, loss of appetite, weight loss, diarrhea, bloody stool, lethargy, and more. Treatments often involve prescription medications (ranging from immunosuppressives to antibiotics) and dietary changes.
👉 If you suspect your dog may have IBD, you should visit a vet immediately.
Symptoms of IBS in dogs
Many intestinal issues in dogs share similar symptoms to IBS. The symptoms are usually chronic or intermittent, meaning they may wax and wane and commonly include:
- Diarrhea
- Bloating
- Constipation
- Cramping
- Loose or mucusy stool
- Urgency to go
- Straining to defecate
- Loss of appetite
- Vomiting in some cases
Causes of canine IBS
IBS in dogs is psychosomatic, meaning it is a mental illness that leads to physical symptoms. Keep in mind that physical conditions , such as parasites, infection, inflammatory bowel disease, dietary indiscretion, and systemic conditions, such as liver disease or cancer, are other possible causes of GI symptoms. However, this is not the case with IBS, which instead is caused by:
Anxiety or stress. As in humans, anxiety or stress can manifest physically in the body. In the case of IBS, anxiety leads to intestinal distress. This may be acute, short-lived episodes, like a weekend away in a boarding facility or a move to a new home. However, some canines experience chronic stress over extended periods, leading to chronic digestive issues like IBS.
Food intolerance. Dogs are creatures of habit when it comes to their eating routines. They often have sensitive stomachs that don’t do well with diet changes. Though it’s not always known why, dogs can also develop food allergies and intolerances throughout their lives. If your dog is experiencing IBS-like symptoms, a poor diet (lacking fiber, for example), a recent change in diet, or a food intolerance may be to blame.
IBS diagnosis
With symptoms like chronic diarrhea, dehydration and malnutrition can quickly follow. Therefore, it’s important to address diarrhea and other IBS symptoms as soon as possible. For this, you need to visit your vet to rule out other intestinal conditions.
Your vet can conduct blood work, fecal testing, imaging, and collect intestinal biopsies to test for other ailments. Being largely a psychosomatic illness, IBS often lacks the physical signs of other intestinal diseases. A dog with IBS will have normal test results, and their intestines will appear normal at a microscopic level.
A physical exam and medical history are also key. Some clues, such as fresh blood in the stool, can help vets determine that physical — rather than mental — factors could be at play.
IBS treatments
After diagnosing IBS, your dog’s vet will treat the physical symptoms and then address the root causes. Treatment may involve medications and changes to your home and your dog’s diet.
Anti-diarrhea medications, such as metronidazole, loperamide, and azulfidine, can be effective in controlling chronic IBS symptoms on an as-needed basis. Some dogs may also benefit from long-term anti-anxiety drugs, such as fluoxetine, amitriptyline, or clomipramine. If your dog gets situational anxiety, a shorter-acting medication, such as trazodone, may be given occasionally as needed.
At-home options to treat symptoms
Besides medication, there are some simple ways to help treat your pup’s IBS symptoms at home.
Consider your dog’s diet — Introducing a short-term bland diet, such as chicken and rice, can help calm active IBS symptoms. Fiber has also been found helpful in normalizing the spasms of the large intestinal muscles. You could consider adding fiber or transitioning to a prescription high-fiber veterinary diet. Other diet options for sensitive stomachs include those with a novel protein (something your dog has never had, such as duck, rabbit, or venison) or hydrolyzed protein source.
Whatever food you decide on, it’s important to make sure that it is WSAVA-compliant. This means the diet is complete and balanced and contains all the vitamins, minerals, and nutrients your dog needs.
Mix pumpkin into their food — Pumpkin is commonly recommended for pups with an upset stomach, diarrhea, or constipation due to its high fiber content and vitamins. For a dog-safe option, we’re fans of Native Pet’s Organic Pumpkin Powder. You can also add 1-4 teaspoons of plain canned pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling) to your dog’s diet or ask your vet for a dosage recommendation and their favorite fiber supplement.
Supplement with probiotics — Probiotics are a great way to aid digestion, boost immunity, and improve gut health in dogs. One of our go-to probiotic supplements is Purina Fortiflora, a flavored powder you can add to your dog’s meals.
Address stress and anxiety — IBS is often directly caused by chronic stress or anxiety. Maintaining a routine is one way to address canine anxiety. In some cases of anxiety, dogs can benefit from calming supplements. These often include ingredients like l-theanine and ashwagandha, which have proven calming effects in dogs. Adaptil pheromone collars and diffusers can also be helpful for anxious dogs. Lastly, working with a positive reinforcement dog trainer or veterinary behaviorist can help you address your dog’s anxiety through training and behavioral modification.
Provide plenty of fresh water — Dog owners should always do this, but it’s especially important with IBS. Since symptoms like chronic diarrhea can quickly lead to dehydration, ensuring your dog has a steady water supply is vital.
👉 Always ask your vet before incorporating a new ingredient or supplement into your dog’s diet.
How to prevent IBS in dogs
Like many canine conditions, prevention is a key responsibility for pet parents. Many at-home treatments listed above are also preventative measures, specifically feeding a high-quality diet, adding probiotics and fiber to your dog’s food, and doing your best to decrease or manage stress and anxiety. Keeping up to date on routine veterinary care, including vaccines and flea/parasite prevention, is also important for your dog’s overall health and wellness.
Frequently asked questions
What causes irritable bowel syndrome in dogs?
IBS in canines is often caused by chronic stress or anxiety. Other causes can include diet or food intolerance.
How are IBS and IBD different?
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a physical disease in which inflammatory cells disrupt a dog’s digestive system. While it may cause similar symptoms, the underlying cause and treatment for IBD are different from that of IBS.
How is IBS detected in dogs?
IBS is a diagnosis of exclusion. Vets will often perform fecal testing, bloodwork, and, in some cases, intestinal biopsies to rule out other intestinal issues. If no physical cause is determined for the intestinal distress, IBS is often the culprit.
What can I give my dog for irritable bowel syndrome?
In some cases, a doctor may prescribe anti-diarrheal and anti-anxiety medication. There are also at-home treatments to help manage symptoms. These include increasing dietary fiber, maintaining a routine, and supplementing with probiotics.
Which dog foods are good for a dog with IBS?
Generally, diets with easily digestible simple proteins and high soluble fiber content can help normalize GI tract function. There are also several novel and hydrolyzed protein diets to choose from when treating IBS. Examples include Hill’s z/d, Royal Canin® Gastrointestinal High Fiber, or Hill®’s Prescription Diet w/d.
