There’s a lot of talk about dog gut health these days, and with good reason. It makes sense that a healthy gut leads to an overall healthy dog. But what happens when the gut is out of balance? According to a recently published white paper by MDPI, “Among the numerous factors contributing to canine behavioral disorders, the influence of gut-related mechanisms seems to be particularly interesting.” What does this have to do with your dog?
Everything. At least 70 percent of the immune system is in your dog’s gut. Canine behavioral disorders are among the most challenging and continual issues pet parents face. This includes separation anxiety, generalized anxiety disorders, and behavioral issues.
What if how and what you feed your dog could directly impact their overall mental well-being? The dog gut health and brain connection examines canine mental disorders. The goal is for effective therapeutic agents or medical interventions (including diet) to improve dogs' mental health and, at the same time, provide peace of mind for pet parents.
Digestive issues are one of the top reasons pet parents visit the veterinarian with their dog. Digestive issues run the gamut–from diarrhea to vomiting, lethargy to lack of interest in food. Understanding what the gut is composed of helps us understand the role of diet and its impact.
Your dog’s gut includes the stomach, small intestine, large intestine (colon), gut microbiome, and mucosal barrier. That’s a lot of technical-sounding terminologies, but those parts process food, absorb nutrients, and support overall health. Overall health includes your immune system and mental well-being.
Poor-quality foods with fillers or by-products can lead to inflammation and digestive issues and completely disrupt gut bacteria. High-quality, whole food with human-grade ingredients is easier to digest and offers more bioavailable nutrients.
An old saying goes, "You are what you eat," and the same applies to dogs. Additives, preservatives, colors, and artificial flavors can build up and irritate your dog's gut lining. A disrupted gut leads to an imbalance of gut bacteria.
Fats are also misunderstood when it comes to dog food. Healthy fats are critical for digestion and maintaining the gut lining. We recently wrote about how much fat is too much for dogs. As you can see, what you feed your dog directly impacts their gut health and microbiome.
Microbiome is the newest, hottest buzzword in the pet industry, and with good reason. Everyone has a microbiome, including your dog. When the microbiome is an imbalance (dysbiosis), several health issues can occur, including:
According to the Morris Animal Foundation, dogs have several hundred families of bacteria living in their intestinal tract, but 99 percent belong to one of five groups.
The microbiome is comprised of microscopic organisms living in the body. These organisms do things like defend against harmful pathogens and digest food. They also influence the body's inflammation and brain function. The role of the microbiome in the body is so important that the Morris Animal Foundation (and others) are closely researching it through studies on real dogs.
The link between a dog’s microbiome and their behavior can be evidenced by:
Your dog’s microbiome should be diverse and balanced. The microbiome is delicate, and until recently, an at-home, veterinarian-approved test did not exist. Thanks to the Innovative Pet Lab (IPL) team, pet parents can assess their dog’s overall gut health with one fecal sample.
“Most gut conditions develop slowly over time, so it's smart to address issues when they first begin,” according to Dr. Betsy Redmond, co-founder and Chief Science Officer of IPL. “Like any condition, by the time you've been diagnosed, it’s been going on for a long time.”
Dr. Redmond says there is a lack of knowledge about all the factors affecting dogs' emotions and well-being. Research on the gut-brain axis is gaining a lot of attention.
“Though the focus has been on the microbiome, probiotics alone aren’t working, and addressing more functional issues such as impaired function, such as increased gut inflammation, impaired digestion or increased permeability of the gut lining - may be advised,” she reports.
Dogs who appear lethargic, suffer from bouts of fatigue or are less active may have gastrointestinal issues. Inadequate nutrient absorption or gut inflammation can contribute to these symptoms.
Anxiety, aggression, or sudden/unexplained behavioral changes may be linked to your dog’s gut health. The canine gut-brain connection can influence overall mood, behavior, and mental state.
Itching, scratching, gnawing at feet or skin, and chronic ear infections may indicate that your dog may have food sensitivities or allergies. Poor gut health leads to an overactive immune system that reacts to certain foods and ingredients.
The skin is the largest organ of dogs. If skin is dull, dry, flaky, and accompanied by itchiness, it's best to visit your veterinarian and check the gut. Your dog needs fatty acids and vitamins; any gut imbalance can throw these out of whack. Your dog's mood will also be affected by uncomfortable skin.
Your dog may display signs of diarrhea, constipation, weight gain or loss, gas, bloating, or vomiting. This can lead to an imbalance of gut bacteria, disrupting your dog's immune system and overall health.
Dental health will keep teeth and gums in good shape, but bad breath may be related to poor gut health. Foul-smelling gas released from the stomach goes up and out through your dog's mouth. An imbalanced gut may be to blame.
Always consult your veterinarian or holistic veterinarian for guidance with any ongoing gut health issues. Follow these tips to support your dog’s gut health at home.
Dogs are what they eat. Elevate Pet Provisions air-dried dog food from small U.S. family farms is made with human-grade ingredients. It contains an antioxidant blend to support your dog's immune system and is available in regular or sensitive stomach formulas.
Learn how to read a dog food label, which we recently wrote about.
Use a premium at-home test for an in-depth picture of your dog’s gut health. Innovative Pet Lab offers a Comprehensive Gut Check. I’ve used it on my dog with great success. This test is ideal for any dog, particularly if your pup has signs of diarrhea, constipation, vomiting, itchy skin, bad breath, weight loss, or fatigue.
Monitor how much water your dog drinks. A dry diet, such as kibble, may require dogs to drink more water to stay adequately hydrated. Air-dried diets often contain more moisture to support gut health. You can serve Elevate Pet Provisions air-dried dog food as is or with some warm water to rehydrate.
Regular physical activity stimulates digestion and motility in the gut. Talk to your veterinarian about the best types of exercise for your dog. Remember to mentally stimulate your dog with brain games and fun indoor activities. This helps reduce stress, which is a major factor in gut health.
Just like people, dogs under stress can have digestive issues. Imagine getting a stomach ache from a bad day at the office or after a disagreement with your spouse. If your dog is left alone all day, ensure someone checks in on them, that they have toys to play with, and you spend quality time together.
Ask your veterinarian if your dog may benefit from probiotics, prebiotics, or digestive enzymes.
Probiotics are designed to balance the gut microbiome and can be found in supplements, yogurt, or kefir. Make sure to use pet-safe products. Avoid anything with artificial sweeteners or Xylitol, which are deadly.
Prebiotics are fibers that help the good bacteria in your dog’s gut thrive. They can be found in some foods, such as sweet potatoes and bananas, or as a supplement.
Always talk to your veterinarian to determine if your dog may benefit from digestive enzyme supplements. Enzymes help dogs who struggle to break food down properly.
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