Food as treatment for inflammatory GI disease

Food as treatment for inflammatory GI disease


Dogs and cats are susceptible to inflammatory G I — that’s gastrointestinal — disorders. Approximately 60 percent of those affected respond to nutritional treatment and so are said to have food-responsive disease. In others, an overactive immune system may be the cause of food allergies. Either way, food can be a powerful treatment.

For example, hydrolyzed diets have been broken down so that they usually contain only one protein source. Smaller components are easily digested and less likely to incite an inflammatory or allergic reaction. Likewise, some animals respond to what are called limited-ingredient diets, which contain one type of carbohydrate and a single protein base. Both diets are available commercially.

So, talk to your veterinarian to hear more about the therapeutic properties of food for your pet.

Related Episodes