So, your dog has been diagnosed with colitis. Colitis is a condition of a dog’s colon, the large intestine, or bowels. It is a common, inflammatory disease that is the main cause of diarrhea. Watching the stress and discomfort your dog is experiencing can be torture for his owner. You want to remedy the situation so you can play and be a happy team again.
Your vet may have suggested some superior quality foods to provide your pup with the proper diet. The choice is up to you, however. Deciding on a food that will be pleasing to your dog’s palate is crucial. If he won’t eat it, it’s useless. The other principal factor is price. If the cost is not within your budget, you need other options. The questions are many. Do I buy grain-free, hydrolyzed, or low-fat? We hope this review of our pick for the best dog foods for colitis is helpful.
Disclaimer: The foods reviewed here were chosen because they have certain characteristics that might help with some of the causes or consequences of this medical condition. However, they are not a medical treatment or a substitute for medical treatment. Keep in mind that each medical case is different and what works for some pets may not work for others. Your veterinarian is the right person to advise you on the best diet for your pet’s individual case.
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A Glance at Our Top Picks (2024 Update)
| Rating | Image | Product | Details | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Best Overall  | Hill’s Prescription Diet Digestive Care Dog Food | CHECK PRICE | ||
Best Value  | Diamond Care Sensitive Stomach Dry Dog Food | CHECK PRICE | ||
Premium Choice  | Blue Buffalo Natural Veterinary Diet GI Dog Food | CHECK PRICE | ||
| Best for Puppies | Royal Canin Puppy Gastrointestinal Dry Dog Food | CHECK PRICE | ||
| Royal Canin Adult Gastrointestinal Low Fat Dog Food | CHECK PRICE |
The 10 Best Dog Foods for Colitis
1. Hill’s Prescription Diet Digestive Care Dog Food– Best Overall
| Main ingredients: | Brewer’s rice, whole grain corn, chicken meal, pea protein, egg product |
| Protein content: | 22% |
| Fat content: | 10.5% |
| Calories: | 382/cup |
Hill’s Prescription Diet i/d Digestive Care Chicken Flavor Dry Dog Food is the best dog food for dogs with colitis. The diet is formulated with ActivBiome technology to kick start gut bacteria, ease digestion and support absorption of nutrients. The prebiotic fiber and fatty acids will provide your pup with the proper nourishment for gastrointestinal health and better-quality stools. This tasty diet is available in small bites for pets with chewing difficulties.
The cost may be a bit high for those of you that may have a tight budget and it does require approval from your vet, so keep this in mind.
- ActivBiome+ technology
- Better stool quality
- Available is large and small sized kibble
- Dogs like the taste
- Expensive
- Needs vet approval
2. Diamond Care Sensitive Stomach Dry Dog Food – Best Value
| Main ingredients: | Potatoes, egg product, potato protein, tomato pomace, chicken fat |
| Protein content: | 25% |
| Fat content: | 13% |
| Calories: | 410/cup |
Diamond Care Sensitive Stomach Formula Adult Grain-Free Dry Dog Food is the best dog food for colitis for the money. At an affordable price, you can feed your dog a grain-free diet with limited ingredients that may irritate a sensitive stomach. The diet is formulated with egg protein to ease digestion. It contains omegas for healthy skin and coat and vitamins and minerals for balanced nutrition. It does not contain artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives.
Some reviewers have said their dogs get gas, and some won’t eat it. In addition, there are some studies that suggest a possible link between grain-free diets and heart disease in dogs. Before feeding your pet a grain-free or specialized diet, talk to your veterinarian.
- Affordable
- Eases digestion
- Promotes healthy skin and coat
- No artificial colors or flavors
- No preservatives
- Fussy eaters won’t eat it
- Some dogs may experience gas
- Grain-free
3. Blue Buffalo GI Support Dry Dog Food– Premium Choice
| Main ingredients: | Deboned chicken, chicken meal, oatmeal, brown rice, potatoes |
| Protein content: | 24% |
| Fat content: | 12.0% |
| Calories: | 344/cup |
Our review of foods for dogs with colitis found Blue Buffalo Natural Veterinary Diet GI Gastrointestinal Support Dry Dog Food as our premium choice. The diet is formulated to meet a dog’s nutritional needs at all stages of life. It provides ingredients that are easily digested by puppies and adult dogs alike. The protein, fats, and carbohydrates help his body absorb nutrients to aid in digestion. The immune system is supported by ingredients like cranberries and blueberries.
Some reviews reported difficulty chewing for small dogs or senior dogs with dental issues. The Blue Buffalo diet does require vet approval and is a bit costly.
- Dogs like the taste
- Good for all ages
- Easily digested
- Vet approval needed
- Expensive
- Chewing difficulty for senior and small dogs
4. Royal Canin Puppy GI Dry Dog Food – Best for Puppies
| Main ingredients: | Brewer’s rice, chicken by-product meal, chicken fat, corn gluten meal, natural flavors |
| Protein content: | 27% |
| Fat content: | 20.0% |
| Calories: | 428/cup |
Our review of the best food for puppies with colitis is Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Puppy Gastrointestinal Dry Dog Food. The Royal Canin can be given to your pup for a long or short period of time. The tasty, rehydratable food is high in fat and calories. Just add a little warm water to his kibble, and your puppy can easily move on to adult food. Feeding your puppy small portions will protect his sensitive stomach and provide healthy digestion. The fatty acids from fish oil are gentle on the GI tract, and the dietary fibers support digestion for improvement in the quality of his stool.
If your dog has GI issues, you will need veterinary approval for this product, and the cost may put a dent in your wallet.
- Can be moistened with warm water
- Improvement in stool quality
- Easy on the digestive tract
- Expensive
- Vet approval needed
5. Royal Canin Adult GI Low Fat Dry Dog Food
| Main ingredients: | Brewer’s rice, chicken by-product meal, wheat, barley, natural flavors |
| Protein content: | 20% |
| Fat content: | 5.5% |
| Calories: | 248/cup |
Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Gastrointestinal Low Fat Dog Food is good for dogs suffering from colitis. The goal of this diet is to relieve inflammation in the gut to ease digestion. The omega-3 fatty acids also help with digestion. It is a tasty diet for dogs that have an intolerance or difficulty digesting fat. The ingredients contain dietary fibers for better quality stool and healthy digestion. For an occasional treat, there are gastrointestinal treats available also.
The low-fat ingredients can be hard to digest, resulting in gut inflammation in some dogs. The formula does require veterinary approval. Like other prescription diets, it can get a bit expensive.
- For long or short-term use
- Gastrointestinal formulated treats available
- Improves stool quality
- Omega-3 fatty acids ease digestion
- Some dogs may have difficulty digesting
- Expensive
- Requires vet approval
6. Royal Canin Adult GI Low Fat Canned Dog Food
| Main ingredients: | Water sufficient for processing, pork by-product, pork liver, brewer’s rice flour, corn grits |
| Protein content: | 6% |
| Fat content: | 1.43% |
| Calories: | 350/can |
One of our picks for the best dog foods for colitis is Royal Canin Veterinary Adult Gastrointestinal Low Fat Canned Dog Food. The soft loaf is a wet dog food that can be given to your pet short or long-term. The soft diet can be especially desirable to a dog that has difficulty chewing kibble. With proteins and prebiotics for healthy digestion and stool, the low-fat ingredients may be a desirable choice for your pup. For dogs that have difficulty digesting fat, it will provide him with calories sufficient for his needs. The level of fiber has been adjusted to accommodate the lower fat content. Fiber provides energy for maintaining a healthy weight.
Unfortunately, if you have a picky eater, this may not be for you. It requires vet approval and can put a dent in your budget.
- Soft for dogs with chewing difficulties
- Can be used for short or long periods of time
- Improves the quality of stool
- Low fat
- Picky eaters may not like it
- Not budget-friendly
- Vet approval required
7. Hill’s Prescription Diet Food Sensitivities Dry Dog Food
| Main ingredients: | Corn starch, hydrolyzed chicken liver, powdered cellulose, soybean oil, calcium carbonate |
| Protein content: | 19.1% |
| Fat content: | 14.4% |
| Calories: | 354/cup |
One of our picks for the best dog food for colitis is Hill’s Prescription Diet z/d Skin/Food Sensitivities Original Flavor Dry Dog Food. The diet contains hydrolyzed protein, which has been used for dogs with skin allergies and inflammatory bowel disease. The specialized protein helps to reduce reactions to proteins that cause vomiting and diarrhea. Along with improved digestion, the ingredients help to relieve skin irritation and maintain a healthy coat. The nutrient-specific formula helps to reduce the risk of kidney stones.
Like other veterinary prescribed diets, the Hill’s z/d formula is on the expensive side. If your dog refuses to eat it, you may be left “holding the bag.”
- Contains hydrolyzed protein
- Improves skin and coat
- Improves the quality of stool
- Helps prevent kidney stones
- Veterinary approval required
- A bit pricey
- Picky eaters may not eat it
8. Purina Pro Plan Gastroenteric Low Fat Dry Dog Food
| Main ingredients: | Brewer’s rice, barley, corn gluten meal, poultry by-product meal, animal digest |
| Protein content: | 25% |
| Fat content: | 5% |
| Calories: | 327/cup |
Our review found that Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets EN Gastroenteric Low Fat Dog Food works well for dogs with colitis. While most dogs do not have a problem digesting fat, a low fat diet may lessen the bouts of diarrhea for your pet. The diet contains ingredients that are high quality and prebiotic fibers to help relieve your pet’s diarrhea. You may want to try this formula if the high and moderate fat formulas are not helping your dog. This low-fat, pea-free diet with grain may be your answer if your dog has problems digesting fat.
The reviews are mixed when it comes to taste, however. For a costly veterinary diet, dogs don’t seem excited about the taste or they just won’t eat it at all.
- Low fat
- Helps reduce risks of diarrhea
- Pea free
- Expensive
- Veterinary approval necessary
- Some dogs don’t like the taste
9. Blue Buffalo Diet Novel Protein Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
| Main ingredients: | Deboned alligator, peas, pea starch, alligator meal, pea protein |
| Protein content: | 22% |
| Fat content: | 14% |
| Calories: | 372/cup |
One of our picks for dog foods for colitis is Blue Buffalo Natural Veterinary Diet NP Novel Protein Alligator Grain-Free Dry Dog Food. For those of you that prefer to feed your dog grain-free food, this may be the one. Your dog is sure to love the flavor of alligator meat without experiencing the negative reactions linked to foods like chicken and beef. It is also free of preservatives and artificial flavors. For a healthy immune system, the diet includes antioxidants and vitamins, along with cranberries and blueberries. Your dog’s skin and coat will also be supported by the omega-3 fatty acids.
This is a grain-free diet and contains peas. As previously stated, some studies link heart disease with grain-free diets. The formulation is expensive and does require vet approval.
- Minimizes reactions to food
- Contains alligator
- No artificial flavors or preservatives
- No beef or chicken
- Veterinary approval required
- Expensive
- Contains peas
10. Purina Pro Plan Hydrolyzed Vegetarian Dry Dog Food
| Main ingredients: | Corn starch, hydrolyzed soy protein isolate, coconut oil, partially hydrogenated canola oil preserved with TBHQ, powdered cellulose |
| Protein content: | 18% |
| Fat content: | 8.0% |
| Calories: | 314/cup |
Our final pick for a dog food for colitis is Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets HA Hydrolyzed Vegetarian Dry Dog Food. Formulated with the help of researchers, veterinarians, and nutritionists specifically for dogs and growing pups. This is a vegetarian diet with hydrolyzed protein to aid your pet in the digestion process. The specialized diet is chicken and pea-free and is suitable for all breed sizes.
Some reviewers find the kibble to be too hard for senior dogs or ones with chewing difficulties. This is a key factor to consider since the food is on the pricey side and requires veterinary approval.
- Developed with the help of vets, nutritionists, and researchers
- Contains hydrolyzed protein
- Pea-free
- Vet approval required
- Kibble may be too hard for some dogs
- Expensive
Buyer’s Guide: Selecting the Best Dog Foods for Colitis
Buyer’s Guide: Selecting the Best Dog Foods for ColitisDogs suffering from colitis will show signs of urgency, straining, and blood or mucus in his stool. In some cases, your dog may experience a lack of appetite or appears to be lethargic. The inflammation results in decreased water absorption and diarrhea.
Causes and Treatment of Colitis
While stress colitis is one of the major bowel diseases in dogs, trauma, infections, parasites, primary inflammatory bowel disease and allergic colitis can cause acute or chronic diarrhea in dogs. Once your dog is diagnosed with colitis, your vet may prescribe medication along with a specialized diet. In most cases, the inflammation will go away or be kept under control.
How We Selected These Dog Foods for Colitis
This buyer’s guide was carefully crafted by our writers and editors in collaboration with our team of in-house veterinarians. The dog foods reviewed here are rated on a combination of factors: brand reputation, customer reviews across multiple retail outlets, personal experience, and in some cases, feedback from our own dogs! Together, we choose and review only the best dog foods available, to help you make the most informed decisions that foster the well-being of your furry friends.
Why Trust Dogster?
Dogster has been a trusted brand for dog owners online since 2004, which means we have a lot of experience with dog foods. We are a team of passionate dog owners who care about our pups as much as you do yours. We want the best for every canine on the planet. Dogster’s writers, editors, and veterinarians are deeply invested in the well-being of our pets, and we believe that all pet owners share this dedication to providing only the highest quality products and services for our dogs.
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Final Thoughts
We hope this list gives you an idea of the best food for your canine best friend. For dogs with colitis, our best overall pick is Hill’s Veterinary Care Dry Dog Food. The best value for the money is Diamond Care Sensitive Stomach Formula . Our premium choice for dogs with colitis is Blue Buffalo Veterinary Diet Dry Dog Food. If you have a puppy with colitis, our pick is Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Puppy Food.
See also:
- 10 Best Dog Food for Small Dogs With Allergies
- 9 Best Dog Foods for German Shepherds with Skin Allergies
Featured Image Credit: Kabo, Unsplash
