Dog Treats for Colitis: Shiba Inu Guide

A dog with chronic colitis needs treats chosen as carefully as their main diet — the wrong one can trigger a flare. The best treats tend to be high in protein, low in additives, and sized right for the dog, but most popular options are nutritionally poor despite the packaging promises. Single-ingredient treats — dried meat, fish skin — are usually the safest bet. Before I point you toward something specific, can you tell me: is your Shiba Inu currently on a prescription or limited-ingredient diet, are there any proteins they've already reacted to, and what are the treats mainly for — training, rewards, or just something to chew on?

That's really helpful. Hydrolysed diets are used specifically to minimise immune reactions in the gut, so you want treats that follow the same logic — single protein source, nothing fermentable, no added fibre like chicory root or pea fibre that shows up in a lot of 'natural' treats and can irritate an inflamed gut. Venison is a good sign — it's a lean, novel protein that tends to sit well with sensitive digestive systems. What I'd steer clear of: anything with multiple proteins, sweet potato, oats, or dried fruit, all common in premium-looking treats but problematic for colitis. Can I ask — has his vet mentioned any specific ingredients to avoid beyond the general low-fibre guidance?

Good — stable is exactly the right time to introduce something carefully rather than waiting until you're in a flare. My recommendation is Natures Menu 100% Natural Freeze Dried Raw Dog Treats in venison. They're single-ingredient freeze-dried venison liver, very low fat, no additives, no preservatives, no fibre sources — just the meat. The freeze-drying keeps them shelf stable without needing anything added. They're small and light, easy to break into even smaller pieces for training, and because venison liver is highly palatable, you only need a tiny amount to get his attention. The texture is dry and crumbly rather than chewy, which means they're digested quickly — important for a dog whose gut doesn't handle bulk well. Available on Amazon UK, usually around £5–7 for a 50g bag. Start with just two or three pieces per session for the first week and watch his stools — if everything stays firm, you're good to continue.

Fish skin treats — things like dried salmon or cod skin — can work well for dogs with sensitive guts because fish is highly digestible and the skin itself is mainly protein and fat rather than fibre. The issue for your dog specifically is the fat content: cod skin and salmon skin are quite oily, and high fat is one of the things that can trigger colitis flares. Some fish treats are also processed with added salt or flavourings. If you wanted a fish-based option at some point, pure dried sprat (whole small fish, single ingredient) tend to be lower fat than skin treats and are well tolerated — but I'd stick with the venison liver for now while things are stable, then experiment one at a time if you want variety.

That frustration is completely fair — 'avoid rich foods' tells you nothing when you're standing in front of a wall of treats trying to make a decision. You've got a clear starting point now: Natures Menu Freeze Dried Venison Liver, tiny pieces, short sessions, watch his response the first week. If all goes well, he gets treats he actually enjoys without unsettling a gut that's been doing well. Good luck with the training sessions.