Best Dog Food for Colitis [Reviewed in 2021]

Last Updated on 01/23/2021 by Veronica Jones

Best Dog Food for Colitis

Colitis, a condition characterized by blood and stains on your dog’s poop, is a disorder of the GI tract. That’s why you have to be sensitive when it comes to choosing the right food for your dog if they have this kind of digestive upset.

Despite being a harmless condition, it still pays to look for the best dog food for colitis or as recommended by your vet if you want a healthy dog that will recover easily from such stomach upset. We’ll help you choose which brand to pick for your canine friend with a sensitive tummy.

Best Dog Food for Colitis Reviews

Here are our top picks for the best dog food for colitis:

1. Blue Buffalo Basics Limited Ingredient Diet

A good starter for dogs with colitis is the Blue Buffalo Basics Limited Ingredient Diet. This mix only has turkey and potato so it’s okay for dogs that are allergic to chicken meat. With choices of 4, 11, and 24-lb. bags, this grain-free formula features turkey as the first ingredient and doesn’t contain dairy or eggs, which makes it ideal for highly-sensitive dog tummies.

Likewise, it also has no artificial flavors or preservatives that aren’t helpful to your dog’s digestion. Speaking of which, the peas and pumpkin in the mix are alternatives to grain that will help with your dog’s intake of fiber to keep their digestion smooth.

In addition to that, it also has omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, which will enhance your dog’s skin and coat health. Aside from that, it has Life Source bits – little crunchy kibbles next to the regular-sized ones, which contain antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. Each kibble is cold-formed to preserve its potency for your dog.

Pros

  • Grain-free
  • Has omega fatty acids for coat health
  • Turkey is the first ingredient
  • Chicken-free
  • Has fiber

Cons

  • A little on the pricey side
  • Some dogs might not like the Life Source bits

 

2. Taste of the Wild Roasted Bison and Roasted Venison

Another great choice for dog food for colitis is the Taste of the Wild Roasted Bison and Roasted Venison. This grain-free mix is also gluten-free and is rich with probiotics, antioxidants, and vitamins for both adult dogs and puppies. Containing 32% protein, it is highly recommended for dogs that have an active lifestyle. If your dog is advised by the vet to avoid chicken meat, going for bison and venison, such as this dog food, is a good choice.

In addition to that, it has no artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives so you’re only giving quality nutrition to your dog as they recover from colitis. Moreover, it has omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids to promote your dog’s healthy and shiny coat and skin. Likewise, its vegetables, legumes, and fruits add some antioxidants to keep your dog’s immune system strong.

Added to the protection of their gut health is the K9 Strain Probiotics for their GI tract with over 80 million live, active cultures. Another source of prebiotic fiber for easy digestion is the dried chicory root, which is included in the mix.

Pros

  • Grain-free
  • Alternative to chicken meat
  • High in protein
  • Has probiotics
  • No artificial flavors or preservatives

Cons

  • Not for dogs that don’t require high protein
  • A little on the pricey side

 

3. Taste of the Wild High Protein Pacific Stream

For dogs with colitis that are advised on a fish or salmon diet, the Taste of the Wild High Protein Pacific Stream is for you (and them). Real smoked salmon is the first ingredient and this one is also grain-free to protect your dog’s tummy.

Available in bags of 5, 14, and 28 pounds, this one also has chia seeds as sources of protein. Likewise, it was made without artificial flavors, colors, preservatives, and fillers in the mix. In addition to that, it has probiotics (K9 Strain) that will help with your dog’s GI tract health. Antioxidants also come from the blueberries and cranberries in the dog food.

What’s more, it is an egg-free recipe so dogs with such sensitivity will less likely reject the food. Another ingredient included in the mix is dried chicory root, which adds prebiotic fiber to enhance their digestive health. Because the salmon had been gathered from sustainable fishing, it will put you at ease when it comes to being environment-friendly.

Pros

  • Grain-free
  • No preservatives
  • Real smoked salmon is the first ingredient
  • Egg-free
  • Has probiotics

Cons

  • Might smell off for some owners
  • Minor packaging and delivery issues

 

4. Blue Buffalo Freedom Grain-Free Dry Dog Food

Yet another tummy-friendly recipe we’d like to suggest is the Blue Buffalo Freedom Grain-Free Dry Dog Food. This one has chicken as the first ingredient and the main protein source while it also has potatoes for carbohydrates and energy.

Likewise, its peas are the source of its fiber, which will aid your dog’s digestion. In addition to that, it is gluten-free and has no chicken by-products, artificial flavors, or preservatives. Moreover, it contains omega 3 & 6 fatty acids to promote coat and skin health.

Available in 3 bag sizes, this food mix for your dog with colitis also has cranberries, blueberries, flaxseed, and carrots as a healthy source of antioxidants for their immune system. We also like the fact that it has calcium and phosphorus that will strengthen your dog’s bones and teeth.

Because they are cold-formed, the kibble will be preserved of its potency. Aside from that, it contains glucosamine that will support your dog’s joint health.

Pros

  • Chicken is the first ingredient
  • No artificial flavors or preservatives
  • Has cranberries and blueberries for antioxidants
  • Grain-free
  • Has omega fatty acids

Cons

  • Has inconsistent kibble color
  • Not for dogs allergic to chicken

 

5. Taste of the WildHigh Protein Real Meat Recipe Sierra Mountain

If your dog prefers roasted lamb, the Taste of the WildHigh Protein Real Meat Recipe Sierra Mountain is for you. This one is gluten-free and is grain-free as well, containing real roasted lamb as the main source of protein, which is pasture-raised for quality. This chicken-free dog food has 3 bag sizes for you to choose from.

Moreover, it also has probiotics (K9 Strain) that will help with your dog’s gut health. Dogs with colitis will greatly benefit from the inclusion of probiotics. Adding to that is the dried chicory root, which contains prebiotic fiber that also aids their digestive system’s overall health.

What’s more, it has DHA from salmon oil which is ideal for puppies or growing dogs so it’s okay to feed this to them. DHA will help with vision and brain development. Likewise, the omega fatty acids included in the mix will promote a shinier coat and healthier skin in your dog.

Pros

  • Has probiotics
  • Lamb is the first ingredient
  • Has fiber and probiotics
  • With omega fatty acids
  • Grain-free and gluten-free

Cons

  • Has a strong smell
  • Minor packaging and delivery issues

 

6. Purina ONE SmartBlend True Instinct High Protein

If you want a dog food that’s on a slightly lower price bracket, you will like the Purina ONE SmartBlend True Instinct High Protein. Since this is grain-free as well, it is okay for dogs with colitis. It has 30% protein so it will be ideal for pets that live an active lifestyle.

In addition to that, it has 4% fiber, which is considerably high compared to most food mixes in the market, which will aid your dog’s digestion. We also like that it has other healthy nutrients, vitamins, and minerals. For example, it has glucosamine for joint health and it has omega fatty acids that will support your dog’s skin and coat.

Likewise, it has calcium (1%) and phosphorus (0.8%) that will keep their bones strong and healthy against diseases. Made without fillers, this one also has no by-product meal so you’re only giving real protein to your dog without causing potential food allergies.

Pros

  • Grain-free
  • Has fiber
  • With calcium for bones
  • With glucosamine for joint health
  • High in protein

Cons

  • Not for dogs with chicken sensitivity
  • Some picky eaters might not like it

 

7. CRAVE Grain Free High Protein Adult Dry Dog Food

The CRAVE Grain Free High Protein Adult Dry Dog Food is made with lamb and venison as the primary sources of protein for your dog. Therefore, it is an alternative to dogs with colitis that are advised against eating chicken.

It is grain-free and contains 34% protein, which will help dogs that have a sporty nature to get the energy and muscle mass they need. In addition to that, it has no artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives so it will be ideal for dogs that have sensitive tummies. The grain-free source of carbohydrates includes peas, which will help boost your dog’s energy.

Likewise, this dog food has veggies like alfalfa and flaxseed for fiber and antioxidants while vitamin E and biotin will help their skin and coat to stay healthy. Even senior dogs that have only a few teeth left will do just fine on this dog food due to the smaller-sized kibble.

Pros

  • High in protein
  • Lamb and venison as the first ingredient
  • No artificial flavors
  • Grain-free
  • Okay for senior dogs

Cons

  • A little on the pricey side
  • May produce smelly dog breath

 

8. Blue Buffalo Wilderness High Protein Beef and Chicken Grill

The Blue Buffalo Wilderness High Protein Beef and Chicken Grill is a choice for those who prefer wet canned food. Each can contains 12.5 ounces with 523 Kcal. Moreover, potatoes are also included as a source of carbohydrates for your dog without filler grains that might complicate their colitis.

Like our previous picks, it is wheat-free, soy-free, and made without by-products, artificial flavors, or preservatives to keep your dog’s tummy away from allergies. This makes it ideal as dog food for colitis. It also has healthy ingredients such as the liver from chicken and organ meat, which are staples in wet food.

As with most canned foods, it can be served alone or mixed with kibble to make your dog interested in eating. It has 10% protein content and 9% fat so it’s okay for dogs that aren’t too active. Other than that, it has flaxseed for antioxidants that will support their immune system.

Pros

  • No by-products
  • No artificial flavors
  • Grain-free
  • Ideal for dogs that aren’t too active
  • No preservatives

Cons

  • Minor packaging issues
  • Some picky eaters might not like it

 

Things We Considered Before Buying

The best dog food for colitis should be chosen with the following criteria, which we considered in our picks above:

  1. Fiber. For GI problems, fiber is a great solution since it helps detoxify your dog’s tummy as it does with their human counterparts. Fiber-rich foods don’t have to contain corn, gluten, or wheat – there are alternatives out there such as sweet potatoes and peas.
  2. Grain-free. As mentioned above, corn, gluten, and wheat aren’t that good for dogs, especially those with colitis. Therefore, it’s best to stick to a grain-free formula for them.
  3. Probiotics. Dog food with probiotics is going to help with their gut health, just like fiber. There are many dog food brands out there that have a bit of probiotic.
  4. No fillers and sensitive ingredients. Consider reading the label for anything that your vet advised against your dog before buying.
  5. Your dog’s age. Choose a formula that is appropriate for your dog’s age, whether they’re a puppy, adult, or senior. Each life stage has different dietary needs.
  6. Breed size. Small kibbles are okay for toy breeds and the like but big dogs might be prone to eating disorders if the kibble is too small.
  7. Wet or dry food. Consider whether you want to buy dry kibble or wet food as some dogs prefer a mix of both. Some dogs also tend to be picky and they want a rich aroma for their pet food.

 

Conclusion

In the long run, the best dog food for colitis is something that you and your vet agree on depending on the diagnosis for your dog. As long as the dog food you choose for them is grain-free and has limited ingredients, they will be fine. Always remember to take it slow when you are feeding dogs with colitis since they can be picky at first until they get better.

2 thoughts on “Best Dog Food for Colitis [Reviewed in 2021]”

Leave a Comment