IBD Diet for Cats

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a condition in cats in which the cells of the stomach and the intestines are constantly irritated and inflamed by cells from the cat's own immune system. These types of cells normally respond to bacteria and viruses, but in IBD they turn against healthy cells in the gut. Though no one knows what causes IBD in cats, veterinarians suspect it is associated with an abnormality in the immune system.

Symptoms

The most common symptoms of IBD are vomiting and diarrhea. These symptoms hinge on which part of the digestive system is most affected. If your cat's problems lie in the stomach or upper small intestine, he will most likely vomit. If the colon or lower small intestine is the trouble spot, diarrhea is the most likely symptom, sometimes with blood in the stool. It is important to note that these symptoms can be intermittent. If symptoms are severe, your cat will probably stop eating, lose weight and become feverish.

Diet

It is difficult to diagnose IBD in cats, since there are no definitive tests. The first step is putting your cat on a hypoallergenic diet to see how she responds. You want to found a source of protein and a source of carbohydrates that your cat has never eaten before. It is possible to create your own food for your cat at home, but there are commercially available hypoallergenic foods available. Usually, these diets comprise proteins such as rabbit, duck and venison, while the carbohydrates come from potatoes. Since other cat foods do not come from these sources, this a good test if your cat's normal diet is irritating its digestive system. Your cat should not eat anything else, including pet treats, medication or table scraps, and should remain on this diet for two to three months.

Balancing the Diet

If the cat's symptoms do not improve, your veterinarian may suggest other diets. For example, Hill's Pet Nutrition has created a line of food (Hill's Prescription Diet Feline z/d) in which the protein has been hydrolyzed into such small particles that it is unable to irritate the digestive tract. However, when dealing with IBD, dietary changes are trial and error. With the proper guidance of a veterinarian and some patience, you will probably find the correct foods to make your cat feel better. For example, if the colon is especially affected you will want to give your cat a diet high in fiber. If it's the small intestine, then a low-fiber approach is generally best. You will probably want to give your cat a diet low in fats. It is best to also find food that does not contain gluten, which is difficult to digest and most often found in oats, wheat, barley and rye. Omega-3 fatty acids tend to lower the level of inflammation in the digestive tract, and you can try adding them to your cat's diet. Keep in mind that many veterinary experts, including those at the Conrell University Feline Health Center, maintain that medication is often required to keep your cat's IBD symptoms at bay.