What not to feed dogs with colitis?

When your furry child at home suffers from colitis, watching him languish due to abdominal pain and diarrhea, the owner's heart will be in a knot. Dogs can't speak, they can only ask us for help with whimpers and dependent eyes, and diet is a crucial part of the recovery process. Every choice carries the earnest care for their health. Knowing which foods can't be fed to dogs with colitis is not only the application of professional knowledge, but also our best response to this dependence. ​

Colitis can make the dog's intestines extremely fragile and sensitive, disrupt the normal digestive function, and the intestinal mucosa is in a damaged state. At this time, any irritating or difficult to digest food is like sprinkling salt on a fragile wound, which will aggravate inflammation and delay the recovery process. Therefore, when preparing food for dogs with colitis, we must be cautious and keep out those foods that may cause harm. ​

First of all, avoid feeding dogs high-fat foods. Fried chicken, French fries, greasy braised pork, etc., these delicacies on the human table are "poison" for dogs with colitis. After the fat enters the intestine, it needs bile and pancreatic juice to digest it, but the diseased intestine is difficult to secrete these digestive juices normally, resulting in the inability to fully decompose and absorb the fat. A large amount of undigested fat will accumulate in the intestine, accelerate intestinal peristalsis, and aggravate diarrhea symptoms. Imagine that the dog's already weak body has to bear the risk of dehydration and electrolyte disorder caused by frequent diarrhea. This pain is heartbreaking. Therefore, even if the dog looks at the food in your hand with eager eyes, you must be ruthless and refuse it, because this is truly for its health. ​

Spicy and irritating foods are also taboos. Condiments such as peppers, onions, and garlic will not only irritate the dog's intestinal mucosa, causing pain and inflammation, but may also damage the dog's blood cells. The n-propyl disulfide contained in onions will destroy the hemoglobin in the dog's red blood cells, causing anemia. The spicy taste is like a disaster of "adding fuel to the fire" for dogs with sensitive intestines, which will make the already uncomfortable stomach even more uncomfortable. We can't imagine what kind of "upheaval" the dog's intestines will experience after eating these foods, but what is certain is that we can't let such harm happen. ​

Dairy products are also something that dogs with colitis need to stay away from. Many people think that milk is rich in nutrients and want to replenish energy for sick dogs, but they don't know that most dogs have lactose intolerance. The lactose in milk cannot be completely broken down by the lactase in the dog's intestines. The undigested lactose will ferment in the intestines, producing gas and acidic substances, causing symptoms such as bloating and diarrhea. Seeing the dog curled up due to bloating and unable to sleep, how can the owner not feel distressed? Therefore, before the dog recovers, dairy products must be completely removed from its diet. ​

High-fiber foods, especially those vegetables and fruits with high crude fiber content, are also not suitable for dogs with colitis. Although dietary fiber is good for the intestines of healthy dogs, these indigestible fibers will increase the burden on the intestines when the dog's intestines are inflamed. For example, celery, corn, etc., their fibers are hard in texture, and it is difficult for the dog's intestines to grind and digest them, which will cause intestinal peristalsis disorders and aggravate abdominal pain and diarrhea. We hope that the dog can regain vitality as soon as possible, so we must not let these inappropriate foods become stumbling blocks on the road to recovery. ​

In addition to the above foods, processed meats and snacks containing additives should also be avoided. Processed meats such as ham and sausage contain a lot of salt, preservatives and additives, which may cause harm to healthy dogs, not to mention patients with colitis with fragile intestines. Too much salt will increase the burden on the dog's kidneys, while preservatives and additives will irritate the intestines and interfere with normal digestive function. There are also those colorful and fragrant snacks, which often add artificial colors and flavors, which are also not conducive to the dog's recovery. When the dog looks at the snacks eagerly, we must understand that the temporary refusal is for it to run happily again as soon as possible.​

Caring for a dog with colitis is like caring for a sick child, and every detail cannot be neglected. Seeing the dog in pain due to improper diet, our hearts will be filled with self-blame and heartache. Therefore, in order for them to recover their former liveliness and cuteness as soon as possible, we must strictly control their diet and stay away from those taboo foods.