Your dog’s microbiome is truly remarkable. It’s lively, it's adaptable, and pet gut health plays a huge role in your pet's overall health. It’s also influenced by a huge range of things - including some of the quirky behaviours your dog just loves to show off (hello, soil munchers!).
When it comes to your dog’s health, the significance of the gut is enormous. It plays a bunch of roles including shielding them from pathogens, aiding in nutrient absorption, and communicating with organs throughout their body.
Your dog's microbiome is also highly receptive to their surroundings, behaviours, exposures, and stress levels. So, even if your dog is on dietary supplements, there are other factors impacting a dog's gut health. Some might just surprise you!
Top 7 factors affecting your dog’s gut health
1. Joyfully drinking from puddles
Dog enthusiasts will know the drill: there’s fresh water at home, yet your dog insists on sipping from muddy puddles at the park.
To get why, we need to think like a dog and their extraordinary sense of smell. Puddles have exciting scents and flavours unlike the plain old tap water back home. Unfortunately, puddles can contain harmful bacteria and other nasties which aren't great for helping maintain a healthy gut for dogs. As your dog gulps down puddle water, they’re also ingesting unfamiliar microbes which can disrupt their microbiome and lead to tummy troubles.
2. Finding grass irresistible
A dog eating grass isn’t necessarily a bad thing.
The reason why dogs eat grass can be varied. Your pet might snack on grass out of curiosity, for its texture, or simply from boredom. Sometimes, they could be feeling a bit queasy and trying to make themselves vomit. Keep in mind, though, that grass can be tainted with pesticides or fertilizers that can irritate your pet’s gut.
3. Tucking into soil
This behaviour can be a double-edged sword. A little soil can actually boost your pet’s microbial diversity (that’s why outdoor play is great for immune development).
But beware of excessive soil consumption, as it can introduce parasites like roundworm eggs or hookworm larvae and lead to vomiting or diarrhea. Generally, a dog eating soil consistently over a long period of time has more risks associated with it than infrequent nibbles at a younger age.
4. Bouncing back from antibiotics
Antibiotics can be life-savers for fighting infections. However, while wiping out the bad bacteria, they also eliminate the good ones. This can cause temporary dysbiosis and make your pet more prone to gut upsets for weeks or even months.
Consult your vet when discussing antibiotic use. It's usually best to extra careful with rich, fatty and high starch food and play it safe with pet gut health-friendly foods like pumpkin, poached chicken and bone broth while your dog's gut health recovers.
5. Using dirty bowls
Pet bowls quickly build up a biofilm: a sticky bacterial layer that can harbour opportunistic germs your dog ingests. A bit here and there is fine, but long-term exposure can alter their microbiome and cause soft stools – especially in older or immunocompromised pets.
If you’re feeding raw food or using plastic bowls, it's crucial to wash them daily. Your pet will (quietly) appreciate it.
6. Mingling with other pets
Dogs having friends of their own enhances your pet’s life, boosting emotional health and easing stress. But while they're playing, cuddling, or chasing each other, they're also swapping bacteria. That tennis ball your dogs are vying for? That shared water bowl at the pet shop? All sources of bacteria.
Normally, these interactions are harmless and can even strengthen your pet’s microbiome. However, stressful events like boarding or visiting a busy dog park can lead to temporary gut disturbances.
7. Trying new foods or overeating
A sudden change in diet or consuming too much can upset the microbial balance in your dog's gut. If they’ve indulged in unfamiliar foods or had a feast, it can overwhelm the good bacteria and lead to inflammation or dysbiosis.
If you are giving new regular dog food, make sure to transition from the old to the new food, this will help your dog get used to the new food without having an upset stomach. Similarly with new treats, only giving a little bit to start with will help make sure there are no adverse reactions to new ingredients or food types. Additionally, keep an eye on portion sizes and monitor their reaction over a few days to help you understand if the new food is a suitable choice, ensuring their digestive health remains optimal.
We’re proud to ensure all of WellJoy’s content is fact-checked and validated by our Pet Loyalist team, featuring a veterinarian trained in companion animal nutrition and a PhD board-certified companion animal nutritionist.