How to improve dog gut health naturally

One of our most important responsibilities as pet parents is to keep our furry friends fit and well. And ensuring their digestive system stays in tip-top shape is a key part of this. So, in this post, we’re showing you how to do exactly that. From foods to improve dog gut health to tummy-friendly lifestyle changes, we’re covering all the most effective strategies. Time to banish bad gut health for good!

Understanding the canine microbiome

Your dog’s gut microbiome is a complex ecosystem of microorganisms like bacteria that live in their digestive tract. This microbiome directly influences not only digestion but also your pet’s immune system, behaviour, skin, coat, and overall wellbeing.

Lots of factors affect the condition of your furry friend’s gut, from their mood and their diet to medical conditions. And if their digestive system is in poor shape, it can cause a variety of unpleasant symptoms. These include diarrhoea, constipation, flatulence, bloating, vomiting, frequent infections, bad breath, anxiety, and dull or brittle fur.

So it’s clear that we need to look after the gut health of our canine companions! But how do we do that?

How to improve dog gut health naturally: eight effective strategies

The good news is that there are lots of things you can do to support natural gut health for dogs. Even better, most of them are both easy and effective. Some tips relate to diet and choosing specific foods to improve dog gut health. Other methods involve implementing positive lifestyle habits that keep your mutt’s tummy happy, such as minimising stress and increasing exercise. For the best results, try to follow as many of these suggestions as possible:

1. Feed your pooch high-quality food

Unsurprisingly, what your pet eats has a huge impact on the condition of their digestive system. So, when thinking about how to improve dog gut health naturally, diet should be at the top of your list. If you’re concerned about your pup’s tummy, you could choose dog food that’s specifically aimed at improving canine gut health. However, you don’t have to. The most important thing is that the grub you pick is high quality.

Look for one that’s labelled as ‘complete’ (meaning it contains all the necessary nutrients) and is rich in whole foods. It should have a named protein source – such as chicken or beef – as the first ingredient, rather than something vague like ‘meat derivatives’. You also want to buy chow that’s appropriate for your pet’s age (e.g. puppy, adult, or senior pooch).

Other ingredients in top-notch dog food include natural sources of fibre, such as pumpkin, rice, oats, or sweet potato. Conversely, avoid those that are high in fillers like corn, soy and wheat, artificial additives, or salt and sugar. A good-quality food will be easier for your pup to digest, allowing them to obtain more nutrients from their meals and minimising digestive discomfort.

If you need to switch your pet’s food to a different variety to support their gut health, do it gradually. While it’s tempting to chuck the sub-par grub away, an abrupt change in diet might cause tummy troubles. Instead, mix the old and new foods together, slowly increasing the proportion of new to old over about a week. This will allow your mutt’s digestive system (and taste buds!) to get used to it.

2. Add inulin to their diet

As well as choosing a high-quality dog food, you can add extra tummy-friendly ingredients to your pet’s meals. And one of the most frequently recommended options is a type of soluble fibre called inulin. This functions as a prebiotic, which means it nourishes the good bacteria in your pup’s gut microbiome. At the same time, it inhibits the growth of bad bacteria there.

How does it achieve this amazing feat? Well, your mutt lacks the enzymes necessary to digest inulin. Instead, the microbiota in their colon breaks it down via fermentation, a process that produces short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). These lower the intestinal pH, creating an environment that’s unfavourable to harmful bacteria but allows beneficial bacteria to thrive.(1) SCFAs also enhance nutrient absorption and support the health of the colon. What’s more, studies have found that inulin can reduce inflammation and help with weight loss in obese pooches.(2)

It’s important to note that not all sources of inulin are suitable for our canine friends. For example, while garlic and onions are rich in the fibre, they are both toxic for pups. Fortunately, there are several safe and natural remedies for dog gut health that contain inulin. These include bananas, chicory root, and lightly cooked asparagus. Alternatively, you could try our organic Jerusalem artichoke powder. Research shows Jerusalem artichoke supports the canine immune system and increases the SCFAs and good bacteria in their gut.(3)

You can add any of these foods to improve dog gut health to your mutt’s normal meals. However, we recommend chatting to your vet first to check that the ingredients are suitable for their individual needs.

3. Prioritise hydration

There are a wealth of reasons to ensure your pet is drinking enough water. It helps them regulate their body temperature, keeps their liver and kidneys functioning properly, and lubricates their joints. And maintaining good hydration is also important when it comes to how to improve dog gut health naturally.

Water plays lots of roles in digestion. It’s necessary for the production of saliva, absorption of nutrients, and efficient elimination of waste. If your pooch doesn’t drink enough, they might experience tummy troubles like constipation. Hydration is also vital for creating an environment in which beneficial gut bacteria thrive.

If you’re worried that your mutt isn’t drinking sufficient H2O, try the following tips:

• Place multiple water bowls around the house and clean them daily.

• Experiment with different types of bowls (e.g. size, shape, material) to see which they like best.

• Offer your pup ice cubes in hot weather.

• Add a little low-sodium broth to water to make it more enticing. Bone broth has the added benefit of soothing the gastrointestinal tract and promoting a healthy gut lining.

• Some animals prefer moving water sources, so consider getting a pet fountain.

• Feed your pooch wet food as well as dry kibble.

4. Keep your pup physically active

Much like staying hydrated, getting exercise is vital for your pet’s wellbeing (and yours!). Being active reduces the risk of conditions like obesity and diabetes, plus keeps the heart, muscles, and joints healthy. It also provides mental stimulation, lessening the chances of behavioural problems and improving your pup’s quality of life. And if you’re interested in how to improve dog gut health naturally, you can’t ignore it.

Exercise supports doggy digestion because it keeps food moving smoothly through the gastrointestinal tract. This decreases the likelihood of symptoms like constipation and bloating. Physical activity further looks after the gut by lowering stress and thereby reducing stress-related digestive troubles. What’s more, research shows that exercise has a positive influence on the gut microbiome in humans and other animals.(4) This includes increasing both microbial diversity and the production of SCFAs.

There are a couple of small caveats to using exercise to support natural gut health for dogs. First, if it’s too intense, it can have the opposite effect and actually cause gastrointestinal problems. Second, if your pooch exercises too soon before or after eating, it raises the risk of harmful conditions like bloat. If you’re unsure how much exercise your pet needs and when, speak to a vet for personalised advice.

Quick side note: if you’re concerned about your pet’s weight, be sure to lay off the treats! It’s also wise not to let your pup eat from your plate. Not only can this lead to weight gain, but they might ingest unsafe ingredients that cause tummy troubles.

5. Add beta-glucan to your dog’s diet

Another common ingredient you may have seen in natural remedies for dog gut health is beta-glucan. Similar to inulin, this is a type of soluble fibre that acts as a prebiotic. It supports the growth of good bacteria in the gut, while preventing bad bacteria from spreading.(5) Beta-glucan could therefore increase nutrient absorption, aid digestion, and help manage conditions like canine inflammatory bowel disease.

In addition to enhancing digestive wellbeing, beta-glucan can support your pup’s immunity by stimulating certain types of immune cells. The fibre also reduces inflammation and oxidative stress, plus looks after cardiovascular health.

Some of the best beta-glucan-rich foods to improve dog gut health are oats, brewer’s yeast, shiitake mushrooms, and barley. You’ll find the fibre in several varieties of medicinal mushroom powder too, many of which are safe for canine consumption. These include reishi, cordyceps, and lion’s mane. Our organic turkey tail powder is a particularly great choice for supporting your mutt’s digestive health. As well as beta-glucan, it’s bursting with two compounds called PSP and PSK. These nourish good gut bacteria, increase nutrient absorption, ease inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract, and assist digestion.

To add turkey tail to your dog’s diet, simply stir it into their normal wet food. It’s best to consult a vet first to confirm that the ingredient is appropriate for their needs. This is especially important if your pet has an existing medical condition or is on medication.

6. Minimise the stress in your pet’s life

Chronic stress can negatively affect your pup’s gut in several ways. It causes symptoms such as diarrhoea and vomiting, increases the risk of conditions like colitis, and disrupts the microbiome. Stress may also result in inflammation, leaky gut, and an impaired ability to absorb nutrients. This means that helping your pooch relax is a key part of how to improve dog gut health naturally. Here are our top tips:

• Stick to a consistent routine – change and unpredictability can be stressful for our pets.

• Make sure your mutt has a safe, private, and quiet space they can retreat to. This is especially important if having visitors over gives your pet anxiety.

• Play calming music or white noise to drown out scary sounds like fireworks.

• Provide your pooch with lots of toys and playtime so they get enough mental stimulation.

• Try our organic ashwagandha powder as a way to reduce symptoms of stress and anxiety in dogs.(6)

• If your pup struggles with separation anxiety, try leaving the radio or TV on while you’re out. Desensitising your pet to departure cues can also help.

• Remember that our pets react to our emotions, so they’re more likely to be anxious if we are too!

7. Offer your pooch probiotics

We’ve talked a lot about prebiotics in this post, but those aren’t the only foods to improve dog gut health. Another option is probiotics.(7) These contain beneficial bacteria, making them an ideal choice for how to improve dog gut health naturally when the microbiome is out of balance. Antibiotics are a common cause of this, because they can kill off good bacteria as well as bad. Other culprits include illness, parasites, and periods of high stress.

You could give your pooch special probiotic supplements for dogs, or add a little yoghurt or kefir to their meals. Just take care to avoid any that have ingredients which are toxic to pups, such as the sweetener xylitol. As with any new functional foods, speak to a vet first to confirm probiotics are suitable for your pet.

8. Take your mutt for regular check-ups at the vet

The final strategy for keeping your dog’s gut healthy is to visit the vet regularly. One reason for this is to make sure they’re up to date with all their vaccinations and flea/worm treatments. This reduces the risk of them developing a medical condition that has a negative effect on their digestive system. Another reason is to ensure you spot any harmful symptoms early, giving your pooch the best chance of successful treatment.  

What can I give my dog for gut health?

If you’re interested in how to improve dog gut health naturally, the best things to give your pet are prebiotics. These include pumpkin, sweet potato, oats, bananas, chicory root, mushrooms, and Jerusalem artichoke. Probiotics could also be helpful in certain circumstances. Aside from that, you can support your pup’s digestive system by keeping them active, hydrated, and happy. Easy peasy!