IBS Diet for a Cat

IBS, or inflammatory bowel syndrome, is a serious digestive problem that can affect cats. While the exact cause is not yet understood, it is believed that IBS results when the immune system begins to mistakenly attack the digestive tract and the tissues that it contains. There are a number of potential treatment options for a cat with inflammatory bowel syndrome, including feeding a specialized diet.

  1. Symptoms

    • The symptoms associated with IBS in a cat are variable from one cat to the next and some of the symptoms can also relate to other similar disorders. If a cat is vomiting regularly or appears to have chronic diarrhea, this is a good sign that something is going on with the digestive system. Another tell-tale sign for inflammatory bowel syndrome is blood present in the stool, which is almost always cause for alarm. If blood is present in the stool and the cat appears to be losing weight, consult a veterinarian immediately.

    Homemade Diet

    • The best IBS diet for a cat is a homemade diet because it gives you complete control over what the cat eats. Some cats dealing with inflammatory bowel disorder become sensitive to the filler ingredients in commercially available pet foods, making a homemade diet even more important. There are commercially available food choices that offer high quality nutrition without the same risk for irritation, such as Life's Abundance, as well.

    Digestive Enzymes

    • Adding digestive enzymes to the cat's diet can help the pancreas to work more efficiently and effectively, which can reduce IBS symptoms. You should consult your veterinarian to find out what digestive enzymes and probiotics you can add to your cat's diet in order to relieve some of the symptoms of the disorder. For example, you might add plain yogurt or Greek yogurt to the cat's regular diet to provide additional beneficial bacteria, enzymes and probiotics. Probiotics and digestive enzymes are helpful not only in warding off IBS but also boosting overall health and wellness as well.

    The Right Water

    • Tap water supplies typically contain chlorine, which is useful in killing bacteria, but may also be killing the helpful bacteria that your cat needs in its intestines. By giving your cat bottled water or chlorine-free water, you can ensure that this beneficial bacteria is still provided to your cat, helping healthy bacteria in the cat's intestinal tract thrive.

    Dietary Supplements

    • There are homeopathic remedies, herbal remedies and dietary supplements that you can add to your cat's diet in order to strengthen the intestinal tract, the digestive system and the cat's health in general. Milk thistle is an herbal remedy that helps the liver work more efficiently to produce health metabolic enzymes. Glutamine supplements can help to rebuild damaged intestinal cells to improve its function. Echinacea is another herb that strengthens the immune system, especially in conjunction with goldenseal, which is a natural antibiotic. Speak with your veterinarian to find out what supplements you should add to your cat's IBS diet for the best result.