Top Five Tips To Help Your Dog Have Optimal Digestion

November 6, 2023

As a responsible pet owner, you want to ensure that your furry friend is healthy and happy. One important aspect of your dog's overall well-being is their digestion. Just like humans, dogs can experience digestive issues that can lead to discomfort and other health problems. To help your dog have optimal digestion, follow these top four tips:

1. Provide a Balanced Diet

First and foremost, a balanced diet is crucial for your dog's digestive health. Make sure to feed them high-quality dog food that contains all the essential nutrients they need. Look for dog food that is specifically formulated for their age, breed, and size. Avoid giving them table scraps or foods that are high in fat, as these can cause digestive upset and if fed chronically, can cause pancreatitis. Additionally, be mindful of any food allergies or sensitivities your dog may have and choose their diet accordingly. If you feel like your dog has digestive allergies, I have two suggestions for you.

Sign up for one of Furbal Remedies Leaky Gut Reset Support Program's. In these programs you will watch a prerecorded 4-part class (that dives into digestive intolerances, what's happening in your dogs body, how to support the current symptoms, how to heal the digestive tract which is causing the intolerances and how to thrive afterwards). Plus, you will chat with one of their specialists virtually via an app called Voxer where you will talk about your dog's symptoms specifically, work together to find the perfect supplements and go over other ideas that will help your dog.
Give your dog an intolerances test via 5Strands. This is a hair analysis test that Furbal Remedies stands behind and uses with all of their clients. Use discount code "Furbalremedies" at checkout for 10% off your next 5Strands test.

2. Probiotics

Probiotics is a term for beneficial bacteria that supports your dog's digestive process. These are an array of different types of beneficial bacteria that help you dog to break down their food, absorb the nutrients from said food, crowd out "bad" bacteria & yeast while also supporting the immune system. We want to help feed our dogs a balanced amount of probiotics strains. Each strain of probiotics goes to a different area of the digestive system (small intestines, large intestines, urethra, etc.) and has a different "job" it knows it needs to do. Because of this, it is actually helpful to switch up your dogs probiotics over time so they get a more diverse selection of beneficial bacteria instead of the same strain for years! Furbal Remedies Pup Probiotic has three specific strains of probiotics that support your dog's absorption of nutrients, proper digestion, gas, diarrhea and constipation.

3. Prebiotics

Prebiotics are the food for probiotics. Think about it like this.. all living creatures need food, or fuel, to simply live. Without food, the probiotics you feed your dog will eventually die-off because they don't have the food they need to live. When the probiotics have prebiotics (their food) to thrive, they can then reproduce and create even more beneficial bacteria to populate and support your dog's digestion. Look for a probiotic that already has a prebiotic in it. Often, you will see "FOS" which stands for Fructooligosaccharides, included in the ingredient list of probiotics. Prebiotics are specific forms of fiber that as you now know, are eaten by probiotics to help the prebiotics repopulate. Furbal Remedies Pup Probiotic contains the perfect mixture of pro & prebiotics for your dog. Some other forms of prebiotics that you could add to your dog's food are almonds, bananas, barley, flax and beets.

4. Fiber

Fiber is an important part of your dogs diet. Fiber, like most vegetables, doesn't break down fully within the intestinal tract and acts as a bulking agent to your dog's stool. So many dogs deal with anal gland issues which often results from not having enough bulk within the stool to express them with each bowl movement. When dogs have a bowel movement, they should be expressing their anal glands naturally each time. This is part of how our dogs release their scent with to communicate with each other. How cool is that! When we add enough fiber to our dog's diet, it can help you not have to have your dog's anal glands manually expressed. That's a win in my book! Some ideas for fiber that you can add to your dog's meals is vegetables like broccoli, spinach and kale. You can also add psyllium husk powder, ground up chia seeds or ground up flax seeds to help bulk up your dog's stools.

5. Regular Exercise and Hydration

Regular exercise is not only important for your dog's overall health but also for their digestion. Physical activity helps stimulate the digestive system and promotes regular bowel movements. Make sure your dog gets enough exercise every day, whether it's through walks, playtime, or other activities. Additionally, ensure that your dog has access to fresh, clean water at all times. Proper hydration is essential for maintaining a healthy digestive system.

By following these top five tips, you can help your dog have optimal digestion and prevent digestive issues. However, it's important to remember that every dog is unique, and if you notice any persistent digestive problems or changes in your dog's behavior, it's best to consult with your veterinarian or holistic canine specialist to get guidance and support.