At Nextrition, we’re big on talking about canine gut health. In fact, we believe our natural dog food is one of the best out there for supporting a healthy gut. It all comes down to understanding the canine gut microbiome and knowing which foods are good for it.
You might already be familiar with gut health when it comes to humans. You know that when your own gut is in balance, your overall health tends to improve. The same could be even more true for dogs. With 70% of the dog’s immune system found in the gut a healthy gut often leads to better overall health, which is why we’ve designed a gut-healthy dog food with that in mind.
Just like there are foods that can support your dog’s gut, there are also foods that aren’t so great. Knowing the difference is key to helping your dog live a healthier, happier life.
A Community of Microorganisms
Think of the canine gut microbiome as a tiny community of microorganisms all working together toward the same goal. Most of these microorganisms are bacteria, and they live in your dog’s gastrointestinal system. When they’re in balance, your dog’s gut is healthy.
A balanced microbiome includes:
- A diversity of bacterial species
- More good bacteria than bad
- Microorganism stability over time
That last point—stability—is important, and it can change throughout a dog’s life. Everything from age to environment to what your dog eats can impact gut stability. While you can’t change your dog’s age, you can control what they eat and somewhat manage their environment.
Foods That Promote Good Gut Health
Years of research have shown that certain types of food are especially beneficial for your dog’s gut health. These are the types of ingredients we focus on when developing Nextrition recipes. If you compare the list of gut-friendly foods below to our ingredients, you’ll find plenty of overlap.
Some of the best foods for supporting dog gut health include:
- Eggs
- Berries
- Pumpkin and sweet potato
- Dark, leafy greens
- Vegetables (red, orange, and cruciferous)
- Lean meats
- Certain fermented foods (like fermented beets)
Both prebiotics and probiotics also play a big role in maintaining a healthy gut microbiome. Prebiotics nourish the good bacteria in your dog’s gut and can be found in foods like pumpkin. Probiotics, on the other hand, are live bacteria that support digestion, and they can be found in certain foods and supplements.
Why Gut Health Matters
So, why should you focus on your dog’s gut health? We could just say it helps promote overall health, but let’s dig a little deeper. Good gut health:
- Supports digestion and nutrient absorption
- Boosts immune system function
- Prevents inflammation and gastrointestinal distress
- Encourages natural vitamin synthesis
- Offers protection against harmful pathogens
The gut is home to the majority of your dog’s immune system, so keeping it healthy has a ripple effect on their overall well-being.
At Nextrition, we’re here to help you support your dog’s gut health with high-quality, nutritious dog food. If you’re concerned about your dog’s gut health, we invite you to give Nextrition a try and see the difference it can make.
