Why Is Gut Health Important for Your Pet

Aside from food, shelter, and love, our fur-babies' gut health is one of the most precious things we can give to them. A healthy gut is crucial to your dog's overall health, as it impacts everything from nutrient absorption to mental health. It is our main responsibilities as pet parents to keep our dogs happy and healthy.

In this article, we'll explain why gut health is very important for your dog, its functions, and efficient ways to keep it healthy.

What is Gut Health?

The digestive system is a complex system responsible for digesting what your furbaby consumes. According to Healthline, the digestive system has also been linked to the immune system, endocrine system, skin, mood, mental health and many more! That means our furbabies' gut is the very foundation of their health and well-being.

The gastrointestinal tract, being the largest immune organ, contains trillions of good and live microorganisms, referred to as microbiome. These microorganisms help prevent unhealthy bacteria, parasites, and toxins from entering into the bloodstream. 

The microbiome also digests and absorbs the nutrients from the food, supplements, and water our furbaby consumes.

Trillions of microbes are also naturally found in the gut, working in the GI tract. These microbes help maintain gut health. The gut would not be able to function properly without them. 

The Benefits of a Healthy Gut for Dogs

The first step to your pet's optimum health? A healthy gut. 

A common misconception is that the gut only digests food and absorbs nutrients. There certainly is more to that! 

Maintains energy. We can't deny the fact that our furbabies are so full of energy. Endless, most of the times! But as they grow older, this energy decreases. A healthy gut supports your dog's energy levels by helping in properly absorbing nutrients from food and supplements.

Soothes tummy issues. A healthy gut nurtures your furbaby whenever there is digestive discomfort from a change in diet, stressful encounters, overfeeding, and other digestive concerns.

Supports healthy weight management. Though you may think your dog looks cute when they are chubby, carrying too much weight can be unhealthy and even harmful for your pet. It can affect many aspects, their mobility, and longevity. Fortunately, a healthy gut supports weight management by maintaining blood sugar levels within the normal range and maintaining healthy digestion - all these can help keep your furbaby from overeating and acquiring unwanted weight.

Supports bone and joint health. Painful joints and weak bones can greatly stop your dog from doing all the activities he loves doing. But a healthy gut can do great wonders as some strains of good bacteria naturally found in your furbaby's gut produce vitamins (e.g. Vitamin K) that help metabolize calcium and help produce enzymes that function for the overall proper absorption of minerals.

Reduces stress. We know how our dogs are easily stressed out - a change in their daily routine, in their diet, new places, new scents, time away from the family, trips to the vet, etc. A healthy gut helps the body produce feel-good neurotransmitters (e.g. serotonin) that can boost positive moods. It can also help prevent stress as it produces enough levels of cortisol (the stress hormone) to keep stress and anxiety at bay.

Signs of an 'Out of Order' Gut

When bad bacteria outnumber the good bacteria in your furbaby's gut, it can cause a series of negative effects. Some signs of bad gut health in dogs include:

Shaping Your Dog's Gut Health

A Walk and Some Fresh Air

Our common understanding of bacteria is that they are all bad stuff but that is not really the case. Potentially good bacteria for your dog's gut health is everywhere - on plants, in the air and even in the dirt! Regularly take your dog for a walk, let him play outside, let him bask in the sun and let him breathe some fresh air.

The Right Kind of Diet

As the gut is responsible for whatever your dog takes in, the type of diet your dog has will greatly affect which type of bacteria (bad or good) will thrive well in the gut.

Lessen Stress

As stated above, the gut releases feel-good neurotransmitters that help put your dog in a good mood. But when too much stress is being experienced by your dog (and on a regular basis!), this can turn the gut into a less healthy condition.

Stress and anxiety worsen any digestive issues your dog is going through. That's why it's important to see to it how our dogs are doing - take them out for a walk, spend time with them, play with them, cuddle, and avoid things and events you know might stress them out (like changes in their daily routine, loud noises, etc.)

Probiotic Supplements for Gut Health

When it comes to your dog's gut, bacterial diversity primarily comes from the food your dog eats. As Animal Biome states, from live bacteria to nutrients that allow good bacteria to flourish, there are a lot of means to supplement your dog's diet to improve their digestive health. 

Probiotics are one of the best ways you can help shape the gut health of your dog. Probiotics contain a LOT of good bacteria known to better your dog's skin and coat, boost immunity, enhance digestive processes, improve mineral metabolism, among many others.