Overview
Colitis is a digestive disease that causes inflammation of the colon – also called the large or lower intestine. It can cause pain and discomfort in your dog, as well as diarrhoea or constipation.
What is colitis?
A relatively common condition, colitis affect both animals and humans. Like many conditions, it’s usually described as chronic (meaning slow to develop, but persistent) or acute (meaning it flares up quickly and may be intense).
Colitis can be painful and uncomfortable for your dog, and is responsible for causing up to half of all cases of chronic diarrhoea. While it’s relatively common and easy to treat, canine colitis can lead to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which is a more serious condition.
The symptoms of colitis in dogs
If your dog displays any of the signs and symptoms of colitis listed below, make an appointment with your local vet:
Watery or bloody diarrhoea
Mucous or jelly in the stools
Excessive straining
Constipation
Excessive flatulence
Loss of appetite
Weight loss
Frequent need to go to the toilet
Lack of appetite or disinterest in food
Stomach cramps
Common causes of colitis in dogs
“Canine colitis is caused by inflammation of the dog’s colon. It can cause pain and discomfort, as well as chronic diarrhoea or constipation.”
Causes of colitis in dogs include:
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
Intestinal worms
Stress
Viral or bacterial infection
Food allergies or dairy intolerance
Eating things he shouldn’t – as a result of scavenging in bins, for example
Gastrointestinal infections, such as salmonella or giardia
Injury to the colon
Treating colitis in dogs
Your vet will recommend a treatment programme, depending on the severity of your dog’s condition. He or she will usually recommend fasting for 24 to 48 hours, then introducing a special high-fibre or bland diet.
They may recommend a course of antibiotics or anti-inflammatory medication, to treat any underlying infection, and a worming treatment to remove any gastrointestinal worms that can cause or exacerbate colitis.
While colitis can be painful and uncomfortable, it’s normally very treatable, and the prognosis is generally good.
Can I prevent my dog from getting colitis?
While it’s not possible to completely prevent canine colitis, taking the following steps may help to reduce your dog’s chances of developing the disease:
Get into a regular worming routine
Get into a regular flea treatment routine – as fleas can lead to worms
Feed your dog a balanced, high-fibre diet and plenty of water to drink
Ensure they don’t eat things they’re not supposed to
Avoid sudden changes to your dog’s diet
Keep stress to a minimum
Need help advice on canine colitis?
For expert advice on colitis in dogs get in touch with your local vet.
Find your nearest vet using our Find a Vet page.
Medically reviewed by
Published on 21/06/2018 • Reviewed on 12/07/2023