My dog has diarrhea from rotating food. Is it IBS or something else?

Question

Will I give my dog IBS by rotating flavors and brands? I'm really concerned that I may have upset her system. I have been rotating flavors and brands monthly and she's suffering from loose stool now. I have also been giving her produce which I thought was causing the loose stool. How do you diagnose IBS?

Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS · Accepted Answer

Rotating flavors and brands of food causes GI upset in dogs, and because you do it so frequently, that is probably the likely cause of her diarrhea. IBS is caused by dietary fiber deficiency, abnormal colonic motility, dietary intolerances, stress, and changes in the regulation of colonic function. IBS is a diagnosis of exclusion, meaning other causes of large bowel diarrhea, such as intestinal worms or colitis, have to be ruled out first before it's diagnosed. To help with her diarrhea, withhold food for 12-24 hours, then feed a bland diet of boiled white meat chicken (no bones) and white rice in small amounts several times a day for a couple of days. Then slowly add back in her normal diet. Stick with one brand and flavor, and do not rotate it. If that doesn't help with the diarrhea, then I would have her seen by a vet.

My dog has diarrhea from rotating food. Is it IBS or something else?

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