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Inflammatory bowel disease
Quick answer
**Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)** causes long-term gut inflammation — leading to chronic vomiting, diarrhoea and weight loss in dogs and cats. It is a **diagnosis of exclusion**: your vet must rule out parasites, infections and other causes first. Most pets improve with **vet-led diet trials and treatment**.
Key takeaways
- IBD is chronic inflammation of the stomach or intestines. The immune system overreacts to food, bacteria or unknown triggers, causing vomiting, diarrhoea and weight loss over weeks to months.
- Common signs include chronic vomiting, soft stools or diarrhoea, weight loss, poor coat, increased appetite with weight loss, and lethargy. Signs may come and go or worsen gradually.
- Diagnosis involves ruling out parasites, infections and other diseases with blood tests, faecal samples, imaging and sometimes intestinal biopsy. There is no single blood test for IBD.
The full guide
Causes, symptoms, treatment options and when to call your vet — in the complete plain-English guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is inflammatory bowel disease in pets?
- IBD is chronic inflammation of the stomach or intestines. The immune system overreacts to food, bacteria or unknown triggers, causing vomiting, diarrhoea and weight loss over weeks to months.
- What are the signs of IBD in dogs and cats?
- Common signs include chronic vomiting, soft stools or diarrhoea, weight loss, poor coat, increased appetite with weight loss, and lethargy. Signs may come and go or worsen gradually.
- How is IBD diagnosed in pets?
- Diagnosis involves ruling out parasites, infections and other diseases with blood tests, faecal samples, imaging and sometimes intestinal biopsy. There is no single blood test for IBD.