5 Ways to Improve Your Pet’s Digestion

Posted May 11, 2020

Is your dog experiencing gas, diarrhea, or discomfort? They may be a victim of poor digestion. Over time, poor digestion can lead to depression, anxiety, and malnutrition. If you’re reading this, it’s not too late to make a change for the better. Learn about 5 ways to improve your pet’s digestion for good!

1 – Incorporate Natural Digestive Enzymes

While the gut can either make or break digestion, there are other processes at play to consider – pet digestion begins with the nose and mouth! If this concept is hard to grasp, consider a similar human experience. Imagine the aroma of coffee, a bitter herb supporting digestion in humans. It heats up on the stove, and the smell alone makes you feel warm inside. This feeling is not by simple coincidence, but because the smell signals our body to move into a digestive state. This phenomenon is the same reason why the ever-so-pungent smell of Green Tripe is irresistible to most dogs. Tripe is full of natural digestive enzymes supporting your dog from the moment it is placed into its bowl. Incorporate Air Dried Snacks, Chunks, or Ground into their food for better digestion.

Unlike humans, dogs and cats lack salivary amylase, an enzyme that breaks down starches. For optimal digestion, it is best to avoid high-starch diets that include the following ingredients: Barley, Oats, Brown rice, Whole wheat, Whole corn, Potato (or sweet potato), and Millet.

2 – Don’t Forget About the Gut

The bacteria that occupy your pet’s gut impact their mental and physical health. Grass-fed green tripe contains natural probiotics and is full of Lactobacillus acidophilus – a good bacteria that out-competes harmful bacteria. If you’re interested in an alternative to tripe, we offer a probiotic and herbal supplement blend called Probiotic: Soil Based Probiotic that can be added directly into food. A healthy gut microbiome supports digestion – so don’t skip out on probiotics!

3 – Select Good Packaging

Our pets can be exposed to harmful pathogens such as bacteria, toxins, and fungi – which can drastically impact pet digestion. One way to reduce exposure to harmful pathogens is by selecting good packaging. All foods are susceptible to oxidation. Oxidation occurs when food is exposed to oxygen and as a result changes the composition of the food – destroying essential vitamins, minerals, as well as, encouraging the growth of mold and bacteria.

Aflatoxin is a carcinogenic mycotoxin that every pet parent should know about and avoid. The FDA allows 20 micrograms per kilogram of aflatoxin to be in dry pet food, so it is best to avoid the following ingredients: Corn, Barley, Wheat, Beets, Peanuts, Cottonseed, Soybean, and Sunflower. Purchasing foods with airtight packaging will reduce their exposure to harmful pathogens and lead to better digestion.

Below are two examples of common pet food packaging.

Kibble Packaging

Raw Packaging

4 – Simplify Your Pet’s Diet

In a growing industry, it is not always easy knowing what’s in our pet’s food. Marketing can display promises of natural ingredients and high protein, but the ingredients tell a different story. To add more confusion, synthetic ingredients are commonly added to food to meet standard nutrient requirements. Sourcing, proteins, preservatives, GMOs, and synthetic ingredients can all impact pet digestion. Simplifying your pet’s diet will help to avoid allergic reactions or intolerances. Try an elimination diet or purchase whole ingredients such as whole organs and organ mixes sourced from reputable farms and processors.

It is best to read through the ingredients list and understand the potential side effects and risks. Meat meal, grain-free, high-starch, artificial colors, and flavors should be avoided.

5 – Don’t Stress, Don’t Guess!

Dogs and cats are energetic and pick up on our stress and anxiety. If you are stressing about your pet’s food, they may be picking up on your energy and anxiety can contribute to digestion issues. We understand that there are many consumer choices, and knowing where to start can feel overwhelming. Our advice? Don’t stress, don’t guess! If you are here, you are already one step closer to changing your dog’s life for the better. Research companies, read reviews, speak with a holistic veterinarian or nutritionist, or book a free raw consultation with us today! Our goal is to improve your pet’s digestion, health, and well-being for good.

Disclaimer: This blog is intended for educational purposes only. You are responsible for your pet(s) health and safety. We encourage you to research topics further and consult with your Veterinarian or Pet Nutritionist before modifying your pet(s) diet.

References:

“Aflatoxins – Cancer-Causing Substances.” National Cancer Institute, National Cancer Institute, 28 Dec. 2018, https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/substances/aflatoxins.

Medicine, Center for Veterinary. “Chemical Hazards.” U.S. Food and Drug Administration, FDA, 11 Feb. 2021, www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/biological-chemical-and-physical-contaminants-animal-food/chemical-hazards.

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