Choosing the best dog food for your pet can be quite a struggle. There are formulas that claim to have special herbs, slow-cooked ingredients, and cold-processed vegetables. Some formulas have exotic protein sources, such as kangaroo or venison. Understanding the best formula for your dog can be very difficult, especially since there are so many choices. Another type of dog food that has recently enjoyed some attention is “low residue” dog food formulas. However, not many dog owners actually understand what low reside dog food is, or how it benefits a dog’s general health. Here is a general guide to low residue dog food formulas.
What is Low Residue Dog Food?
Low Residue dog food formulas are simply a special type of dog food that does not leave a large amount of residue in a dog’s intestines. Essentially, the majority of these formulas are metabolized, broken down by your dog’s body to be used for important functions. This results in a lower amount of waste, or other unusable substances which are then passed through a dog’s body as stools.
When Do Dogs Need Low Residue Food?
In most cases, dogs are switched to a low residue dog food formula when they are experiencing digestive problems. Common digestive problems include vomiting, diarrhea, stomach upset or constantly loose stools. These problems often present when a dog has a weakened digestive system (due to illness or other factors). In order to put less stress on the dog’s already weak digestive system, a low residue formula ensures that most of the food that is eaten will be thoroughly digested.
How Long Should A Dog Eat Low Residue Food?
Low Residue dog food formulas are not a “cure” for digestive problems. Instead, they offer a solution to help lessen the symptoms of a digestive problem. After your dog’s digestive habits return to normal, they should be switched back to their normal dog food formula. Low Residue dog food formulas are not designed to be fed to dogs for extended periods of time. If your dog is experiencing constant digestive problems, there is probably an underlying cause that needs to be addressed. In many cases, digestive problems may be resulting from a food-based allergy that your dog has to specific food ingredients. To fully “cure” your dog, you would then need to identify the food allergen, and eliminate it from your dog’s normal dog food formula.
Ingredients to Avoid
Not all Low Residue dog food formulas will help your dog’s digestion. It’s important that you be wary of certain ingredients that could actually make your dog’s digestive problems worse. Corn is always an ingredient to avoid in Low Residue dog food formulas, since it is very difficult for many dogs to digest (especially dogs with existing digestive problems). Chicken by-products should also be avoided, since they may be inconsistent in quality. Beet pulp is another bad ingredient for dogs with digestive problems, since it may sometimes be an allergen for some dogs. However, in healthy dogs, beet pulp may sometimes be used in small quantities as a source of fiber.
5 Responses to “Low Residue Dog Food”
Thought I was doing right by my pups was feeding them Wellness Dry Dog Food and Stella and Chewy Super Beef Fried-Dried Dinners. But last weekend one of my babies started throwing up blood. Went to Vet I was told he has Pancreatitis, to put him on bland diet for 5 days along with Flagyl and famotidine. Don’t know why but I went to another Vet. Had more blood work done and an ultrasound as well…was told no pancreas inflammation, but liver and kidney enzymes are high and to start him on a low residue diet she gave me a can of Iams low residue which has all this gross stuff in it. Can anyone suggest a better brand?
Nonsense. Dogs aren’t designed to eat cooked food. Do you think they would cook the animals they kill in the wild? No wonder your dogs have intestinal issues. Start feeding them raw meat and veg and all their bowel and poop problems will go away. Don’t be seduced by these branded dog food companies that use less than human grade meat boiled to 1000 degrees in their food along with corn/starch/maize which dogs cant digest…..etc
Raw meat and veg and bones from the butcher. Make the effort and your dog will be healthier and happier.
I need a low residue dog food to use temporarily as my dog has developed some GI issues. Iam’s seems to contain terrible ingredients– including it’s preservative, ethoxiquine. Can you tell me what brand would benefit him in the “low res’ criterion with better, healthier ingredients?
Thank you.
You may also want to try to put some dried oatmeal in their food….it will help absorb whatever “nasties” that are irritating your dogs tummy/digestive track. After getting your doggie back to normal you should switch to a lower ingredient quality dog food. After switching my dog to California Natural Lamb and Rice formula my dog hasn’t thrown up or had a seizure since!….Good Luck!
Please let me know more about dog foods. I have a puppy just turned 1 year old and has always had digestive problems. It is usually once a month and bile. Does this mean that she has an acidic stomach or an allergy? The vet in Manhattan is around the corner and they have advised to put her on a low residue diet. The article you have written makes me question their advice.