What makes your dog's digestive system healthy?

A healthy digestive system affects your dog's overall health. So what does healthy digestion mean for your dog, and how can you tell if their gastrointestinal system isn't functioning properly?

Adult Poodle lying down on a sofa licking its lips.

Helping your dog maintain a healthy digestive system can help improve many aspects of their overall wellbeing, from their stool quality to their appearance.

How a dog’s digestive system works

Like other mammals, your dog’s digestive system works to break down and digest the food passing through it, absorbing nutrients it needs as the food moves through the organs.

The small intestine is the main organ in the digestive system where vitamins, minerals, protein, fats and carbohydrates are absorbed. This organ has a large surface area covered in different types of cells that aid digestion and absorption, along with microflora—"beneficial" bacteria—which contribute to gut health. Their digestive system is also home to the largest number of immune cells in their body, helping protect your dog.

A healthy canine digestive system has the right balance of ‘beneficial’ bacteria, correctly functioning immune cells, and its health is maintained by a diet that is appropriate for the individual.

Adult Chihuahua standing on a garden decking eating from a yellow bowl.

The effects of an unhealthy digestive system

If your dog is suffering from digestive sensitivities due to an acute episode (usually caused by the dog eating something they shouldn’t have), parasites or a chronic condition, they are likely to exhibit the following signs:

Vomiting
Diarrhea or constipation
Weight loss
Potential changes to eating habits
Dry, dull or brittle hair

How a dog’s diet affects their digestive system

What a dog eats has an impact on their entire body, including their digestive system. A specific diet, targeted to your dog's needs, can go a long way to managing your dog’s digestive sensitivities and encouraging a healthy digestive environment.

Food that contains prebiotics can be effective in helping rebalance your dog’s microflora and contribute to a healthier gut. Prebiotics are carbohydrates that encourage growth of the healthy bacteria and therefore can be an influence on the composition of bacteria in the gut.

Highly digestible and high-quality proteins are essential in providing your dog with the building blocks for cell growth in their body. Food that uses proteins from high-quality sources can help maintain a healthy digestive system and help avoid making their digestive sensitivities worse.

Dogs also need the right balance of fiber in their diet. A high-quality food should have just the right balance of fiber to make sure your dog can absorb nutrients easily without causing unnecessary strain on their gut.

Your dog’s age, breed, size and lifestyle are all important when selecting a diet that supports good digestive health. Visit your veterinarian for more information and advice on the right choice of feed for your pet.