The other day I went to one of my aunt's place who has a Labrador. When I went there, she was feeding something to her friendly four-legged. Wondering what it was, I asked her about the same. There, the key to her rambling on and on was turned on and I got a big lecture about what it was. The topic of the continuous rant - low residue dog food which the poor doggy was being fed because of digestion problems.

This is not a very uncommon scenario at any dog owner's place, as dogs often have digestion problems. Ensuring that the digestive system of your canine friend is well, is a major part of dog care. If digestion problems are not addressed in time, it can be detrimental for dog health. Nevertheless, the issue I wanted to put across through that true incident was to introduce low residue diet for canines. Because when dogs have digestion and bowel movement problems, generally this diet is advised. I am sure those who have dogs and are reading this already know about it. Thus, this is solely dedicated to those who need to know about this type of dog food.

What is Low Residue Dog Food?
This type of dog food is advised for dogs with a troubled digestive system, or in cases where the dog has diarrhea and vomiting. As the name suggests, it is low residue food. Low residue refers to the fact that almost all the food which is eaten by the dog is accepted and digested by the dog's system. There is consequently minimum residue or waste or unnecessary substances which are left in the dog's system.

When are Low Residue Dog Foods Given?
Most often than not, this food is given to a dog while it is recovering from diarrhea or stomach upset. This is because normal food can prove to be difficult for the weakened digestive system of the dog. The less the dog has to digest, the better. Yet, at the same time it has to get its quota of nutrients and food. Hence, this minimal residue food given to the dogs is not very taxing on their impaired digestive system. Once the dog recovers from the problem, it is given its normal food. A crucial thing to remember here is that it is not a remedy to deal with indigestion or stomach problems in dogs. Instead, low residue food is used to give them their fill of nutrients on their path of recovery. In case the dog has got a stomach upset because of dog allergies, then there might be some complications.

Variations and Ingredients
There are many brands available in the market when you ask specifically for low residue food. All of them have their pros and cos and therefore they have to be chosen discreetly and with caution. While some of the packages may be fit for colon problems, others might fit the bill with regards to minor digestion problems. Considering this fact, it is crucial to consult a veterinarian before you opt for any brand of low residue food for dogs. Primarily these dog foods are made of processed organic ingredients. These include vegetarian ingredients like dried rice or substances derived from meat, like chicken fat, meat, dried eggs and fish. If you buy it or perhaps prepare it after consulting the veterinarian, there is hardly a chance that these foodstuffs will prove to be harmful for your pet. However, there are few things which might cause your pet a few problems. These are corn grits, which are hard to digest and nil in nutrition. The others are chicken parts like any part of the chicken not used when it is cooked and the last one is beet pulp. Beet pulp is a dry leftover from the manufacturing of sugar. Apart from putting undue pressure on the digestive system, beet pulp can lead to infections as well.

Thus, low residue food is good for dogs who are prone to indigestion. That was all about low residue food for dogs. I hope now you would not be as worried for your sweet lil' pet if it has a stomach upset!