by Kim Lee March 07, 2019 2 min read

The digestive tract makes up about seventy percent of your dog’s immune system - this means that poor gut health (imbalance of good and bad bacteria) can cause a myriad of digestive disturbances. Help your dog say bye to loose stools with these 5 tips to nurture a healthy support system.

Probiotics

Potty Training 101: Housebreaking Your Dog

Probiotics help to restore and maintain the good intestinal bacterial for a healthy gut. Adding a probiotic to your dog’s food daily will help to recolonise and jumpstart the good gut flora. Dogs who are on antibiotics will benefit greatly from probiotic supplementation as much of their gut flora would have been destroyed by the medication. You could either opt for natural probiotics like raw goat milk, or get it in the form of soft chews like these fromPet Naturals.

Digestive enzymes

Potty Training 101: Housebreaking Your Dog

Digestive enzymes are specialized proteins that help to break down and absorb nutrients from food. Most of the digestive action happens in the small intestine where the enzymes are released into. But with poor gut health, there will be a deficiency in enzymes which in turn hinders the digestive process. These and probiotics make a super team to support gut health - check out Naturvet for the perfect combination of both.

Bone broth

Potty Training 101: Housebreaking Your Dog

The intestines play a prominent role in the digestive process. Food is broken down here and holes within the intestinal walls absorb the nutrients while passing out the bad stuff. When an inflammation hits, bacterial growth can lead to the opening of more holes or enlarge existing ones - resulting in a leaky gut. Bone broth is loaded with gelatin which plugs up these leaky holes, preventing toxins from escaping the intestines. Add someStella & Chewy broth to the mix for yummier meals and healthier guts!

Eliminate stress

Potty Training 101: Housebreaking Your Dog

Stress is known to impact blood flow to the gut, which explains why dogs who experience elevated stress levels also experience a lull in their gut health. And when compounded over time, long-term stress can destroy the good microbes within their system, damaging the gut lining in the process. Look for ways to relieve and eliminate triggers of stress for your dog to help the gut and immune system to heal - this could be in the form of long, slow walks or natural calming capsules fromArk Naturals.

Avoid things that damage gut health

Potty Training 101: Housebreaking Your Dog

Food aside, medication can also have an adverse effect on gut health. For instance, antibiotics and steroids (eg. NSAIDs) do not discriminate between good and bad bacteria and kills off both instead. You may want to turn to natural alternatives (acupuncture, chiropractic, herbal care, to name a few) to reduce their dependence on medication.


Kim LeeKIM LEE
Kim is an avid dog lover, serial guac and chips eater, and thrill seeker - all in one body. Currently chillin’ with her dogs.

Leave a comment

Comments will be approved before showing up.


Also in Academy

Mobility Aids for Dogs: When and How to Use Them
Mobility Aids for Dogs: When and How to Use Them

by Terry Peh October 04, 2024 6 min read

Injuries, arthritis, neurological conditions, or simply ageing can all contribute to decreased mobility in dogs. Fortunately, there are various mobility...
AAFCO Approved Dog Food & AAFCO Nutrient Profiles Explained
AAFCO Approved Dog Food & AAFCO Nutrient Profiles Explained

by Katherine Khoo September 27, 2024 5 min read

You might have noticed the term "AAFCO" on your dog's food bag and wondered what it stands for and what...
Is My Dog Depressed?
Is My Dog Depressed?

by Katherine Khoo September 20, 2024 6 min read

Just like humans, dogs can experience depression but they can’t verbalise what they are feeling. So, as pet parents, it...