You may have come across manufacturers claiming to make dog food "designed for good gut health." At Nextrition, we prioritize creating dog food that promotes good gut health thanks to our carefully selected ingredients and cold-pressed manufacturing process. This type of dog food is especially beneficial for dogs with sensitive stomachs or picky eating habits.
But what exactly does "gut-healthy dog food" mean? How is it made, and why is it good for your dog's digestive system? Let’s break it down.
The Principle Behind Gut Health
When we talk about gut health—whether in dogs or humans—we’re referring to the digestive system, which includes the stomach and intestines. The gut is home to an ecosystem of bacteria, including good bacteria that aid in digestion and nutrient absorption.
Good gut health means maintaining the right balance of good and diverse bacteria. When this balance is optimal, a dog’s digestive system works efficiently, maximizing the nutritional value of food and ensuring smooth digestion.
However, many factors can disrupt gut balance. Most pet parents have experienced temporary digestive discomfort with their pup from transitioning to a new diet or giving them too many treats. Longer term issues can be caused by an overgrowth of bad bacteria that can lead to persistent digestive discomfort, diarrhea, constipation, or sensitivity to certain foods. A gut-healthy diet aims to restore and maintain this balance.
What Makes a Dog Food Gut-Healthy?
Creating a gut-healthy dog food involves careful attention to ingredients and formulations. Here are four key components that promote good gut health:
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High-Quality Protein: Dogs need protein for energy and overall health, but it’s also crucial for digestion. High-quality, easily digestible proteins are essential in gut-healthy food. Be sure to look for real meat and not protein sources from meat by-products or processed vegetable protein.
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Fiber: Fiber supports digestion and healthy stool formation. Healthy grains, sweat potatoes, and other fiber-rich ingredients are often included in gut-healthy recipes.
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Prebiotics: These ingredients encourage the growth of good gut bacteria. Prebiotics like chicory root nourish the bacteria that keep your dog’s gut in balance.
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Probiotics: Probiotics are live, beneficial bacteria added to food to support digestion and immune function. These can also increase the diversity of the gut microbiome for a better balance of good bacteria.
In addition to these key components, gut-healthy dog food often limits certain ingredients that can upset digestion, such as excessive fats or artificial additives. Balancing soluble and insoluble fibers is also essential to ensure smooth digestion.
Why Gut Health Matters for Dogs
A gut-healthy diet doesn’t just improve digestion—it has a ripple effect on your dog’s overall health. A well-balanced gut microbiome supports:
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Digestive comfort by reducing gastrointestinal distress like bloating or diarrhea.
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Nutrient absorption for better overall health.
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A strong immune system, as 70% of the immune system is impacted by a healthy gut.
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Healthy stool formation, making clean-up easier in the yard.
Is Gut-Healthy Dog Food Right for Your Pet?
If your dog shows signs of a sensitive stomach, frequent gastrointestinal upset, or is a picky eater, switching to gut-healthy dog food may be beneficial. At Nextrition, our cold-pressed dog food is crafted to support gut health with high-quality ingredients and a cold-pressed process that preserves natural flavors and nutrients.
Why Choose Nextrition?
Nextrition dog food is:
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Nutrient-rich: Made with all-natural ingredients using real meat as the #1 ingredient, healthy grains, fruits and vegetables. Pressed at 3x lower temperatures than traditional kibble so it retains more of the natural nutrients that kibble burns off.
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Gentle on the stomach: Each ingredient was selected to be easily digestible and increase a healthy gut microbiome. It breaks down easily in the gut so the digestive system doesn’t need to work as hard to get the natural nutrients from the food. Ideal for dogs with sensitive digestion.
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Flavorful and aromatic: A great option for picky eaters.
Promoting good gut health is key to helping your dog lead a healthy, happy life. If you’re ready to explore the benefits of gut-healthy dog food, give Nextrition a try. Your furry friend deserves the best!
