Diet for Feline IBD

Irritable Bowel Disease (IBD) is a chronic condition in which a cat vomits or suffers from diarrhea on a regular basis. While the exact cause of IBD is unknown, several types of diets may help cats suffering from the disease, according to the Mar Vista Animal Center.

  1. Chronic Inflammation

    • Irritable Bowel Disease is a chronic inflammation of part or all of the lining of the gastrointestinal tract. When the lining becomes inflamed, the cat's bowels cannot move properly. If the bowels become clogged in the stomach area, it causes vomiting. If they become clogged in the lower intestine, then diarrhea results.

    Diet and IBD

    • An allergy to protein might contribute to feline IBD, according to the Mar Vista Animal Center. Several diets can be used to treat IBD, including a hypoallergenic diet.

    Hypoallergenic Diet

    • A hypoallergenic diet consists of special food devoid of proteins to which the cat may be allergic. This diet is prescription only via your vet; you cannot buy hypoallergenic food in pet stores. Follow your vet's instructions to ensure the diet change does not further upset your cat's stomach. Both canned and dry food are available in hypoallergenic versions. It is important to ensure your cat eats only this prescribed food. Eating table scraps or any other forbidden foods may cause continued IBD symptoms.

    Other Diets

    • Two other diets may also help cats suffering from IBD, according to the Mar Vista Animal Center. In a low residual diet, the cat eats only easy-to-absorb food. A high fiber diet may help combat diarrhea. Simply add oat bran to your cat's food.

    Fat Restriction

    • Fat restriction is an essential part of treating IBD, according to the Mar Vista Animal Center. Fats keep food in the stomach for a longer period, which increases the chance of nausea. In addition, some fats react poorly with intestinal bacteria.