How a dog digestive system works and processes food vastly differs from how humans do. Understanding how a dog processes food can help pet parents tailor the proper diet, prevent health issues, and avoid obesity. 

Humans start by digesting food in the mouth thanks to enzyme-containing saliva. Dogs, however, use saliva as a lubricant for food. They rely on their stomachs and intestines to process food. If you’ve ever told your dog to slow down and chew their food, they can’t. 

Dogs chew much differently than humans, as chewing is very minimal. This is because dogs have sharp, pointed teeth to shred and tear food. You may see your dog gulp food down, which is how a dog’s digestive system is designed. The larger pieces your dog swallows are broken down further in the stomach.

A dog’s digestive acid contains hydrochloric acid and is 100 times more powerful than a human’s. This is likely because your dog’s ancestors, wolves, had to consume food quickly in the wild. 

This article will explain how dogs and humans process food differently so you can make the best meal choices for them.

Dog Digestive System vs Human Digestive System

Your dog’s digestive system absorbs and digests food and eliminates solid waste from the body. It includes the mouth, teeth, salivary glands, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, pancreas, and gallbladder. 

The human digestive system, on the other hand, includes the mouth, throat (pharynx), esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, rectum, and anus. It also consists of the salivary glands, liver, gallbladder, and pancreas for digestive juices and enzymes for digestion of food and liquids.

Humans and dogs have a one-stomach digestion system (1), called monogastric. However, dogs and humans have many other digestive system differences, too.

1. The dog’s stomach starts the digestive process. A human’s digestive process begins in the mouth.
2. Dogs have a shorter digestive system, taking about 8 to 9 hours to complete digestion. Humans take about 24 to 72 hours to digest food. Diet, hydration, and the person’s metabolism influence an individual’s overall digestive time.
3. Human saliva contains amylase to help break carbs down in the mouth. As a result, people can digest starches as they chew. Dogs lack high amounts of amylase in their saliva, so they do not digest carbs until they reach the small intestine. 
4. Dogs’ bodies are designed to better digest fat and proteins, so carbohydrates are less vital in their diets than in human diets.
5. While humans need a balance of protein, fats, and carbs, dogs require more protein. Dogs’ bodies are designed to thrive mostly on meat.
6. Dogs do not need as much fiber as people. However, small amounts of fiber are important for digestive and bowel health.
7. Dogs are primarily carnivores, which means they eat meat. Though they can eat plant matter if necessary, their diets should be rich in fat and protein, with some fats and carbs for balance.

Canine Digestive System Issues

Dogs cannot tell us where it hurts. As their parents, we must be vigilant in watching their body language and knowing what normal looks like. 

Here’s how to recognize if your dog has digestive pain (2) or upset so that you can visit the veterinarian:

• Vocalizing
• Changes in normal behaviors
• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Refusing to eat or drink
• Restless or seems agitated
• Abnormal posture
• Gassiness
• Blood in the bowel movement
• Abdominal distention (swollen)
• Panting excessively 
• Vomiting
• Bad breath
• Eating grass
• Lethargy 

According to Dr. Emily Gould, clinical assistant professor at the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, “The most common gastrointestinal issues causing owners to seek veterinary care for their dogs are dietary indiscretion (eating of food that upsets their GI tract), ingestion of a foreign object, intestinal parasites, pancreatitis, and chronic inflammatory intestinal disease (caused by food allergies/intolerance or immune-mediated inflammation).”

Can People and Dogs Share the Same Diet?

Dogs and humans should not share the same diet. Each of their digestive needs is different. However, some ‘human foods’ are safe to share with your dog in moderation (3). These include, but are not limited to, chicken, sweet potatoes, carrots, eggs, lettuce, apples without the seeds, plain pasta, and plain yogurt.  

You might be hearing a lot about “human-grade dog food.” This means all ingredients must be edible for humans, and the food must meet federal packaging and manufacturing regulations. Fortunately, Elevate Pet Provisions is a human-grade dog food. You may have seen a clip of EPP's Managing Partner, Jeffrey Edwards, eating our dog food.  It’s that safe.

However, people and dogs should generally have different diets. People require less protein and more carbohydrates and can consume foods that dogs cannot. These dangerous foods include chocolate, grapes, raisins, and onions.

While humans can handle more fat in their diets, dogs that eat too much fatty food are prone to pancreatitis and other digestive issues.

How to Choose the Right Dog Food for Your Dog

The best food for your dog is the one that works. Knowing how to read a dog food label is important so you know which ingredients your dog has no use for. 

You should monitor your dog's daily fat intake. Our recent article, Dog Food Fats: How Much is Too Much, explains this topic in detail.

Despite its popularity, there are better diets than kibble for your dog. Our article about Kibble Dog Food's Impact on Nutrition explains how kibble is manufactured and more.

When picking the right dog food for your dog, you’ll need to consider:

• Your Budget: How much can you afford?
• Time Constraints: Do you have time for a big home-cooked meal and nutrients?
• Food Type: Air-dried, wet, dry, etc.
• Protein Source: Some dogs cannot process certain proteins, so be cognizant of this.
• Your Dog’s Preferences: What makes your dog light up like a Christmas tree during mealtime?
• Ingredients: Read the panel of a dog food bag or container.
• Dog’s Age and Activity Level: Depending on their life stage, age, and overall activity level, dogs may require more or less food. Your veterinarian or veterinary nutritionist can guide you further.
• Food Storage and Shelf Life: Do you want your dog to have a healthy meal that is easily stored? 
• Health Conditions and Special Needs: Some dogs may require a diet without grains or limited ingredients based on their overall health.
• Brand Reputation: Does the brand stand behind its messaging, and do reviews back this up?
• Nutritional Adequacy: Does the food meet AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) for a completed and balanced meal? 

Ultimately, dogs, like people, are what they eat. As the adage goes, garbage in means garbage out. A direct connection exists between what your dog eats and their overall digestive health (4).

Here’s to happy, healthy dogs who thrive on a diet that meets their specific needs. 

Resources

1. https://badgut.org/information-centre/a-z-digestive-topics/animal-digestive-systems/
2. https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/how-do-i-know-if-my-dog-is-in-pain
3. https://annroadah.com/foods-that-you-can-share-with-your-dog/
4. https://caninewelfare.centers.purdue.edu/health/nutrition/