Learn how a dog’s digestive system works from Purina's dog experts. Read about how long digestion takes and how you can help support your dog’s digestive health.
Unless your dog is having digestive issues, dog gut health is probably one of the last things on your mind. Even when healthy, though, your dog may need some support for their gut microbiome.
That’s because the gut microbiome can have a big influence on their overall wellness. Although diet plays a significant role in gut health, environment and genetics are also factors. Diet is just one of the ways you can support your dog’s gut microbiome.
Choosing the best dog food for your dog’s unique needs and including any veterinarian-recommended supplements can help to build and maintain a healthy and diverse microbiome.
What is a Dog Microbiome?
A microbiome is the vast collection of microorganisms, their genetic material and the microenvironment within a specific area of the body. Your dog’s skin has its own microbiome and so does their mouth. In terms of your dog’s overall health, however, the gut microbiome is the most influential.
The organisms living inside the microbiome within your dog’s digestive tract include bacteria, bacteriophage, fungi, viruses and protozoa. These microorganisms help digest food, and they also help combat dangerous pathogens within the body, influence inflammation and even play a role in the communication between the gastrointestinal tract and the brain. The overall health of this community is vital to your dog’s wellness.
Keeping a diverse and balanced population of gut bacteria within the gut is essential for a dog’s wellness. Want to know why? Seventy percent of a dog’s immune system is associated with their gut. An imbalance of gut bacteria (dysbiosis) can lead to flatulence, gastrointestinal upset, allergens, autoimmune conditions, obesity, chronic enteropathies, cognitive impairments and more.
How Do I Help My Dog Maintain a Healthy Gut?
Factors like medications, environment and genetics all factor into the health and diversity of a dog’s microbiome. Some diseases can also cause or contribute to imbalances within a dog’s gut microbiome. A major component to a healthy digestive environment is diet.
That’s why it’s important to find the best dog food for gut health based on your dog’s unique needs. You may want to choose a food that includes plenty of safe and effective prebiotics and/or probiotics.
Food Sources for Prebiotics
Prebiotics are special plant fibers that enhance the functionality of a dog’s digestive system by nourishing the healthy bacteria within the gut. They do this by providing a food source for the “good” bacteria within the lower digestive tract.
Prebiotic foods safe for dogs include:
Aside from prebiotic food sources, dog supplements like EverRoot Digestion Supplements can help dogs maintain a healthy gut in times of environmental stress or changes in diet. To learn more about dog prebiotics, read our article about the important role of prebiotics in your dog’s digestive health.
Food Sources for Probiotics
Probiotics are live bacteria and yeast that benefit your dog’s digestive system. Among the benefits probiotics deliver are the ability to support the body’s production of various vitamins and short-chain fatty acids, as well as inhibit harmful bacteria within the gut.
Probiotics also help restore gut health for dogs by playing a role in maintaining the balance between the “good” and “bad” bacteria (microflora) within their gut to help keep it healthy and in working order. When medication, illness or stress cause an imbalance, probiotics can help restore balance.
Talk with your veterinarian before using any human probiotic foods or supplements, as they aren’t always safe or effective for dogs. Your veterinarian can recommend a probiotic supplement formulated specifically for dogs, such as FortiFlora, or a diet tailored to their GI needs such as Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets EN Gastroenteric Fiber Balance.
Talk to Your Veterinarian
To support the health and wellness of your dog, ask your veterinarian about finding dog food that delivers complete gut health for dogs. If this requires changing the dog food formula you are currently feeding your dog, make sure to do it slowly rather than all at once.
For more expert tips on the health of your dog, explore our other dog health articles.
Related articles
Extra love + expert Purina care
EverRoot Supplements help support your dog's health and wellness.
Reward Yourself with myPurina
Earn and redeem rewards for Purina products with the myPurina app.