Dog food for colitis
Colitis needs to be diagnosed by a vet, and managing it properly usually means following a vet's specific dietary advice, which can include a prescription diet we don't stock. What we can help with is understanding what a colitis-friendly diet generally looks like and where a general sensitive-stomach food fits alongside your vet's actual plan, rather than instead of it.
What colitis is, in plain terms
Colitis means inflammation of the colon, and in dogs it commonly shows up as diarrhoea, sometimes with mucus or a small amount of blood, and an increased urgency or frequency to go. It has several possible causes, some short-lived and some ongoing, which is exactly why it needs a vet's proper assessment rather than being managed at home from a guess.
Because the causes and severity vary so much, what actually helps one dog with colitis can be entirely wrong for another, which is the main reason this is a page about understanding the condition and the general dietary approach, not a substitute for your vet's specific advice for your dog.
Why diet matters, and why it's often a vet's call
Vets commonly manage colitis with a highly digestible, often low-fat or fibre-adjusted diet, and in many recurring or severe cases that means a specific prescription gastrointestinal diet available only through a vet, which is not something we stock or are able to advise on beyond pointing you to your vet.
For milder or occasional digestive upset that a vet has already assessed and cleared as not needing a prescription diet, a general sensitive-stomach food can sometimes be a reasonable everyday option, but this should follow your vet's advice for your specific dog rather than being tried first on your own.
What to watch for, and when to go back to the vet
Ring your vet if diarrhoea is ongoing, if you see blood or a significant amount of mucus, if your dog seems unwell, off their food, or is losing weight, or if a previously diagnosed case of colitis seems to be getting worse rather than settling on the plan your vet has given.
A single, mild, short-lived episode of loose stools in an otherwise well dog is common and not automatically colitis, but repeated episodes, or anything that doesn't settle within a day or two, is worth a proper vet assessment rather than working through different foods to see what helps.
What we stock
Everything below is in stock with us, priced with delivery worked out, and packed and posted by hand in the UK.
Harringtons Just 6 Dry Dog Food Lamb
Grain-free lamb dry dog food in 2KG and 12KG sizes, with size-specific formulas
From£13.99
James Wellbeloved Adult Breed Dry Dog Food Turkey Rice
A hypoallergenic dry food for adult dogs, in small and large breed versions, built around single-source turkey protein
From£45.75
James Wellbeloved Grain Free Adult Dry Dog Food Fish Veg
Grain-free fish kibble for adult dogs, with glucosamine and chondroitin included
From£12.75
James Wellbeloved Adult Dry Dog Food Turkey Rice
A hypoallergenic dry food for adult dogs, built around a single source of turkey protein
From£41.45
Burgess Sensitive Adult Dog Turkey
Complete turkey and rice dry food for adult dogs in a 12.5KG bag
£48.89
James Wellbeloved Senior Breed Dry Dog Food Turkey Rice
Turkey and rice kibble for senior small-breed dogs, sized for smaller mouths
From£11.69
Harringtons Lamb & Rice
A 15kg complete dry dog food with lamb and freshly prepared chicken, for dogs from 8 weeks
£45.99
Harringtons Adult Dog Turkey
A complete dry dog food with turkey and freshly prepared chicken, for dogs from 8 weeks
From£13.09
Burns Adult/Senior Dog Original Lamb and Brown Rice
Single-source lamb and brown rice, formulated for adult and senior dogs with sensitivities
£35.99
Burns Adult/Senior Dog Hypoallergenic Mixer
Hypoallergenic dry mixer for combining with wet food or a home-cooked diet - not a complete food
£13.49
Burns Adult/Senior Dog Sensitive Grain Free Turkey & Potato Dry Dog Food
Six-ingredient grain-free dry food for adult and senior dogs, single-source turkey
£15.49
Dr John Hypoallergenic Duck and Salmon
Hypoallergenic dry dog food for sporting and working dogs, duck and salmon based
From£7.49
Common questions
- Can I treat my dog's colitis with a special food by myself?
- No, colitis needs a vet's diagnosis first, since the underlying cause affects what dietary approach is actually right. Many cases are managed with a specific prescription diet from a vet, which isn't something to choose on your own.
- What does a colitis-friendly dog food usually contain?
- Vets commonly recommend a highly digestible diet, often lower in fat or adjusted in fibre, but the exact approach depends on the individual dog and cause. This is a decision for your vet rather than something to work out from a bag's marketing.
- Is a sensitive-stomach food the same as a prescription diet for colitis?
- No, they're different. A general sensitive-stomach food may suit mild digestive upset once your vet has ruled out anything more serious, but a genuine case of colitis, especially if recurring, often needs a specific prescription diet only available through a vet.
- When should I take my dog to the vet about loose stools?
- See your vet if diarrhoea continues beyond a day or two, if you notice blood or significant mucus, if your dog seems unwell or is losing weight, or if a previously managed condition seems to be getting worse.
Related
Sources
Written against guidance published by UK veterinary and welfare organisations. Always confirm specifics with your own vet.
Written by Matt Garnett, who runs Giddy Pets and is a lifelong pet owner — not a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your animal. How we write these guides.