Dogs with a delicate digestion

Some dogs can eat anything, others seem to have a permanently delicate digestion.  It’s worrying and difficult to cope with when a dog is kept indoors.  A lot of the dogs that come in to us have upset tummies at first.   It’s often caused by worms and poor diet, we soon get them right though.    We’ve found that treating the dog holistically is the best long term cure.   Feeding natural, not processed or convenience food, is also of great benefit – no canned food, complete or pouches!    Raw or lightly cooked meat (beef, lamb, chicken – free range and organic if possible) poached or steamed fish, rice, toasted wholegrain brown bread, some mashed potatoes are all bland and help to ease the inflammation.   A spoonful of goat’s milk yoghurt a couple of times a day helps the gut to be healthy.

We also give Tree Barks Powder (from Dorwest Herbs) every day.   It consists of powdered Slippery Elm bark and White Poplar bark and these help to reduce absorptive disorders and compensate for the poor digestion.   This mucilaginous powder is also suitable for use during an acute attack of diarrhoea and in the recovery period afterwards.   For a dog prone to tummy upsets, we give Tree Bark Powder as a food supplement every day.

It’s a highly digestible remedy with a low fat content, it soothes the entire digestive system and increases absorption of nutrients, firming the stools.   The ingredients are a natural source of anti-inflammatory, pain relieving and soothing compounds.    We also use it when we are weaning puppies and give it to convalescent or frail dogs.   It can be used indefinitely in cases of pancreatic insufficiency.   The doseage is 1 teaspoonful per 10ks bodyweight daily.   Sprinkle on the feed or mix with yoghurt.

Because there are a wide range of intestinal disorders, some of which may be serious, it’s recommended that veterinary advice always be sought in anything other than very mild cases.     You can buy Tree Barks Powder from our ‘In the Dog House’ shop, either by calling at the sanctuary or order online and we’ll post out.   Further info, prices etc. please call or email.