IBD and Bile Vomiting in Dogs and Cats: Root Causes, Testing & Natural Treatment Plan
When Nothing Is Working for Your Dog or Cat’s Gut
A holistic roadmap for IBD in dogs, chronic vomiting, bile vomiting, reflux, gallbladder sludge, and mystery gut issues — with testing + supplement dosing by weight.
If you’re here because your pet’s symptoms keep cycling and you feel exhausted, worried, and stuck — you are not alone. This guide is designed to give you a clear starting place without overwhelming you.
Quick symptom checklist: this guide is especially helpful if your pet has…
- Bile vomiting (yellow foam), especially mornings/empty stomach
- Acid reflux, lip-licking, gulping, regurgitation, eating grass
- Chronic diarrhea, soft stool, mucus, or recurring IBD flares (dogs)
- Greasy stool, gas, bloating, “food just isn’t digesting well”
- Gallbladder sludge or suspected bile flow issues
- Itching + GI symptoms together (often linked through inflammation + microbiome imbalance)
- Your pet flares when you try probiotics or new supplements
🎥 Watch the video first
In this video, I break down how digestion, bile flow, gut lining health, and the microbiome interact — and why so many pets with chronic vomiting, bile reflux, diarrhea, or IBD keep cycling through flares. Then come back here for the exact tools, links, and dosing by weight.
Microbiome testing: when to use AnimalBiome
If your pet has chronic IBD, recurring bile vomiting, reflux that doesn’t fully resolve, gallbladder sludge, persistent loose stool, or symptoms that flare when adding probiotics — it may be time to look deeper.
A microbiome test can help show if key bile-supportive bacteria are low, if inflammatory bacteria are overgrown, and where the gut ecosystem is stuck — so you can stop guessing.
Recommended Test
I most often use the AnimalBiome microbiome test because it gives clear, actionable information for dogs and cats.
👉 Order the AnimalBiome Microbiome TestThe 4 phases of healing (with dosing by weight)
Not every pet needs every supplement. The key is using the right support in the right order — especially for sensitive pets and dogs or cats with IBD.
Phase 1: Calm & stabilize digestion
This is where I start for many reactive pets: reduce irritation, support digestion, and create stability so the gut can tolerate deeper healing.
Standard Process Okra Pepsin (reflux, bile vomiting, sensitive stomachs)
Okra acts as a demulcent to soothe and protect irritated tissue, while pepsin supports protein digestion and absorption.
→ Get Standard Process Okra Pepsin
| Pet size | Dosing |
|---|---|
| Small (<20 lbs) | 1 capsule twice daily |
| Medium (21–50 lbs) | 2 capsules twice daily |
| Large (>50 lbs) | 3 capsules twice daily |
Slippery Elm OR Marshmallow Root (use one or the other)
These herbs help soothe inflamed tissue and form a protective layer along the digestive tract. Give 1–2 hours away from medications.
- Vital Nutrients Slippery Elm: 1/4 tsp per 10 lbs, 1–3x daily
- Gaia Herbs Pro Marshmallow Root tincture: 3–10 drops, 2–3x daily as needed
Standard Process Zypan (if reflux is NOT present)
Supports stomach acid balance and digestion. Often helpful when there is sluggish digestion, bloating, or undigested food in stool.
| Pet size | Dosing (with each meal) |
|---|---|
| Small | 1/4–1/2 tablet |
| Medium | 1/2 tablet |
| Large | 1 tablet |
Phase 2: Support bile & gallbladder terrain
Once digestion is more stable, we support bile quality and flow. This can be a key step for bile vomiting, gallbladder sludge, greasy stools, and chronic inflammation.
Standard Process Spanish Black Radish
Supports bile movement and gallbladder function, while gently supporting the detox pathways and elimination of toxins.
→ Get Standard Process Spanish Black Radish
| Pet size | Dosing (with meals) |
|---|---|
| Small | 1 tablet once daily |
| Medium | 1 tablet twice daily |
| Large | 2 tablets twice daily |
Standard Process Choline
Supports bile solubility and fat metabolism. This can help tremendously with pets who have high cholesterol and/or triglycerides on their bloodwork.
→ Get Standard Process Choline
| Pet size | Dosing (with meals) |
|---|---|
| Small | 1 tablet once daily |
| Medium | 1 tablet twice daily |
| Large | 2 tablets twice daily |
Standard Process Turmeric Forte
Supports liver health and balanced inflammation. Can also be helpful for aging pets that are slowing down and for pet parents looking for gentle support for pain and inflammation in the joints.
| Pet size | Dosing (with meals) |
|---|---|
| Small | 1/2 tablet once daily |
| Medium | 1 tablet once daily |
| Large | 1 tablet twice daily |
Important cautions: Do not use if there is a gallbladder mucocele or obstruction (usually diagnosed on ultrasound). Discontinue 1 week prior to surgery. Ask your vet about use if your pet is on blood thinners.
Standard Process Whole Food Fiber
Supports healthy bile elimination, healthy stool formation, and microbiome balance.
→ Get Standard Process Whole Food Fiber
| Weight | Dosing (daily with food) |
|---|---|
| 1–20 lbs | 1/8 tsp |
| 21–50 lbs | 1/4 tsp |
| 51+ lbs | 1/2 tsp |
Phase 3: Repair the gut lining (for sensitive pets + suspected leaky gut)
If your pet reacts to “everything,” or flares with most supplements, supporting the gut barrier can make everything else safer and more effective.
Larazotide Peptide
Helps support tight junction integrity and reduce permeability. Often helpful for very sensitive pets with IBD-type patterns to help make them less reactive so other supplements and herbs can repair the tissue and inflammation.
→ Get Larazotide here (use code DRKATIE)
| Pet size | Dosing (with meal) |
|---|---|
| Small | 1/4 cap daily |
| Medium | 1/2 cap daily |
| Large | 1/2 cap 1–2x daily |
Sensitive pets: start at 1/2 dose for 7–10 days before increasing. Typically used short-term for 2–3 months.
Phase 4: Rebuild the microbiome (only after Phase 1–3 are stable)
Once digestion is steadier and the gut lining is calmer, targeted microbiome support can be a game-changer.
AnimalBiome Gut ReBuild
Use when Peptoclostridium is low on microbiome testing (dogs or cats) to help replenish this important bacteria. Follow label dosing.
How to introduce supplements safely (the “no flare” method)
One of the biggest mistakes I see is starting too many things at once. Instead:
- Start with one new supplement at a time. Use 1/2 the recommended dosage if needed.
- Give it 3–5 days before adding another.
- Track stool, appetite, energy, reflux, and itch.
- Increase slowly — especially for IBD dogs and cats and sensitive pets.
Want this to be easier? Get a personalized plan (Gut Health Audit)
If you’ve been trying to piece this together and still feel stuck, you’re not doing anything wrong. Most pet parents don’t need more supplements — they need a clear roadmap.
Gut Health Audit
In your Gut Health Audit, we identify what’s driving your pet’s symptoms, simplify the next steps, and create a clear healing order — so you can stop guessing and start seeing progress. The goal is to make your life easier and help your pet feel better with a plan that actually makes sense.
Book a Gut Health AuditPrefer to start DIY?
Download my free gut health guide for gentle foundational steps you can start at home.
→ Download the Free Gut Health GuideDisclaimer
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace the advice of your own veterinarian or doctor. The information contained in thenaturalpetdoctor.com is strictly for educational purposes. Therefore, if you wish to apply ideas contained in thenaturalpetdoctor.com, you are taking full responsibility for your actions. Please consult your veterinarian for medical advice for your own pets. Dr. Katie Woodley cannot answer specific questions about your pet’s medical issues or make medical recommendations for your pet without first establishing a veterinarian-client-patient relationship. Links in the blog are typically affiliate links that let you help support us.
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