Your Dog’s Gut Health Guide.
How well do you know your dog’s gut health?
Survey data reveals how pet owners across the UK could be harming their dogs’ health by not checking their poop. As pet owners, it’s important to understand the signs of your dog’s gut health. From digestion to energy levels, a healthy gut is the key to a happy dog. Discover how to support their well-being with expert tips and advice in our canine gut health guide.
Gut Health Guide for Dogs.
We know that our gut health is linked to various vital body functions, from digestion to the immune system. And it’s no different for dogs.
The gut plays an important role in digesting food, absorbing essential nutrients, excreting waste and contributing to your dog’s immune system – just like our gut. Moreover, good gut health is linked to a lower risk of allergies and autoimmune conditions.
But how much do dog owners know about their pets’ gut health? We surveyed pet owners across the UK to find out.
Almost nine in ten dog owners say that their dog’s gut health was ‘very’ or ‘extremely’ important to them.
Meanwhile, over two-fifths (44%) of dog owners have consulted a vet about their dog’s gut health.
But when it comes to checking the signs, one in seven (13%) dog owners are unsure of what to look for in their dog’s poop to spot poor gut health.
So, to help dog owners understand canine gut health better, we’ve created our gut health guide to shed some light on what’s best for our dogs’ tummies. Read on to learn how to improve your dog’s gut health, including key factors that may impact it.
[Survey of 1000 dog owners conducted by TLF in October 2024.]
How well we understand our dogs' gut health.
According to our survey, less than a quarter (24%) of owners know what signs to look for in their dog’s poop to indicate whether something could be troubling their gut. Meanwhile, around two-thirds (64%) of dog owners only have a rough idea.
In many ways, what comes out of your pup is just as important as what goes in. It’s highly valuable for owners to look out for and understand key indicators in their dog’s poop, as they can help provide early warnings for gut health issues.
When overlooked, chronic gut issues can lead to:
Chronic inflammation, which may result in diseases like inflammatory bowel disease.
Nutrient deficiencies, as poor gut health often means poor absorption of essential nutrients.
Weakened immunity, making your dog more susceptible to infections.
Systemic health issues like diabetes or liver disease as the body compensates for a lack of nutrients or overactive immune responses.
Factors that affect gut health for dogs.
Diet has the biggest impact.
Just like the human digestive system, your dog’s gut health is paramount to their overall health. Trillions of microorganisms live inside that round little belly, which are collectively known as the microbiota. It has various essential functions, from digestion and nutrition to protecting against harmful bacteria.
There are plenty of factors that can impact gut health for dogs, including what they eat and their overall lifestyle.
According to our nutrition expert, the main factors include:
Diet – A high-quality, balanced diet is key for gut health.
Stress – High stress can upset digestion and gut bacteria.
Age – Older dogs may struggle with digestion, affecting nutrient absorption.
Breed predispositions – Some breeds are more likely to have gut sensitivities or specific dietary needs.
Toxins - Environmental chemicals and toxins can significantly affect the gut microbiome.
The impact of dietary adjustments.
However, sudden diet changes, such as dramatically switching their dog food and even scavenging, can also impact a dog’s gut health.
Our survey found that almost half of respondents have changed their dog’s diet out of concern for their gut health.
One in three (30%) dog owners have changed their dog’s diet once.
Over one in six (17%) have changed their dog’s diet multiple times.
Less than a quarter (22%) have considered it.
One in three (32%) dog owners did not feel the need to change their dogs’ diet at all.
However, 80% of dog owners said they would consider changing the brand of their usual dog food if proven to support gut health.
"Be sure to seek professional support before making any significant changes to your dog’s diet,” our nutrition expert says.
Signs of poor gut health in dogs.
The last thing anyone wants is for our dogs to be in discomfort. If you’re concerned about your pup’s gut health, knowing the signs is important.
Common signs of poor gut health in dogs may include:
Constipation
Diarrhoea
Vomiting
Extra smelly flatulence
Excessive drooling
Reduced appetite
Weight loss
Bloating
Low energy and irritability
Whining or yelping when being handled
Skin issues (red, itchy skin or excessive scratching can also signal food-related sensitivities)
Dog friendly diets.
How much we spend on dog food.
As pet parents, we only want the best for our furry loved ones, which includes what food we buy for them. To learn more about our spending habits, we asked pet owners across the UK how much they typically spend per month on dog food.
Almost one in five people (19%) spend over £100 a month on dog food.
That’s not including treats!
Meanwhile, most dog owners (60%) spend between £25 to £100 on dog food.
Fewer owners spend over £200, indicating that only a small subset of pet owners may prioritise premium or specialised diets.
The type of food we feed our dogs.
When asked what type of food dog owners feed their pets, our survey found that:
Most dogs are fed a mix of wet and dry food (30%)
More than one in five (21%) owners primarily feed their dogs commercial dry kibble
One in five (20%) owners exclusively feed their dogs wet canned food
Fresh, homemade and raw food diets are less common
“Fresh food diets (raw or cooked, commercial or home-prepared) are great options, but ensuring balance and safety is key. If opting for a more processed commercial diet, use ones with lesser processing that include quality whole ingredients and avoid additives,” says our nutrition expert.
How dog owners can navigate the costs of feeding a diet that supports gut health.
“Feeding for gut health doesn’t have to break the bank…avoid unnecessary supplements unless advised by a vet,” explains our nutrition expert.
Some useful tips:
Bulk purchases – “Buying in bulk can save on cost, especially with whole foods.”
Homemade diets – “A well-balanced homemade diet can be affordable and give you control over quality.”
Affordable commercial brands – “Look for reputable brands that focus on quality ingredients and avoid fillers, even if they’re budget-friendly.”
Probiotic, prebiotic and fibre supplements.
Natural supplements that include prebiotics and probiotics can also help boost your dog’s gut health. However, more than four in 10 (45%) dog owners do not give their dogs nutritional supplements.
Among those that do, the most common supplements dog owners give their pets are fibre (28%), followed by prebiotics (22%), and probiotics (18%).
Our nutrition expert recommends adding supplements like prebiotics or fibre to your dog's diet; in some cases, probiotic supplements may be necessary:
“Probiotics help maintain a healthy gut microbiome, while prebiotics feed the good bacteria. Fibre can help regulate digestion. Always introduce these gradually and monitor for side effects like gas or diarrhoea.
It may be necessary to use a pet microbiome service to test your dog’s stools before deciding which probiotic strains are necessary to supplement. For specific advice, consult your vet or nutrition professional.”
Awareness of harmful foods.
How well do UK dog owners know which foods their dogs shouldn’t eat? Our survey found that more than a quarter of dog owners (27%) aren’t sure or don’t know what ingredients can negatively impact their dog’s gut health.
What’s more, almost half (49%) of dog owners are only partially informed about which human foods their dogs should avoid, compared to over a third (36%) who are confident.
Understanding common food risks could potentially help prevent accidental digestive issues related to unsuitable foods.
Toxic food and drinks for dogs include:
Chocolate
Grapes
Raisins and currents
Onions
Chives
Garlic
Leek
Xylitol (artificial sweetener)
Bread dough
Wild toadstools
Tomato stems and leaves
Caffeine
Alcohol
“Artificial additives like preservatives, colours, and flavourings can harm gut flora,” explains our nutrition expert.
Meanwhile, it’s also best to avoid common allergens like wheat, soy, or corn that may cause sensitivities.
Knowing the signs to spot if your pup could be struggling with their gut can help you catch early warnings of poor gut health. Meanwhile, it’s important to know what factors can aggravate gut health for dogs, including sudden diet changes.
Always consult a vet before changing your dog’s diet or if you’re concerned about their tummy and digestion.
Monitoring your dog's poop.
How to monitor your dog’s poop for poor gut health.
“Check your dog’s poop daily for quick health checks,” says our nutrition expert.
Here's a simple guide:
1. Colour – It should be a consistent medium to dark brown.
2. Consistency – It should be firm but not too hard or too soft.
3. Shape – It should be log-shaped, keeping its form when picked up.
4. Other contents – It should not have mucus, blood, or undigested materials.
“These signs could indicate a gut problem. Regular checks during walks or garden clean-ups help spot issues quickly.”
Around three in five (58%) dog owners check their dog’s poop frequently or every time, looking for common indicators like consistency, colour and size. However, 5% of dog owners never monitor these signs, while 9% rarely do.
Although it’s often inconvenient and a bit smelly, checking your dog’s gut health by regularly glancing at their poop is part of being a responsible pet owner. Otherwise, there’s a chance you could miss early signs of digestive issues.
Learn more about what normal dog poop should look like with our guide to doggy digestion.
White poop.
Common for raw food diet & appears due to an increase of calcium, which can be a sign of chronic constipation.
White/tan specks.
This indicates a parasite problem, which can be tapeworm or roundworm. Get your pooch to the vet's urgently to be treated
Black poop.
This may indicate internal bleeding or an anal issue; visit the vet promptly to rule out serious issues.
Greyish poop.
There's too much fat in your dogs' diet, which can lead to serious health conditions (such as pancreatitis).
How often a healthy dog should poop.
How often dogs poop can vary depending on their age:
Most adult dogs tend to poop once a day on average, but it’s also normal for them to go two or three times a day.
Puppies often need to poop up to five times a day.
Senior dogs may not need to poop as often as they used to, so it’s normal for them to poop once a day or less.
Regularity looks different for everyone, including dogs. The key is to know how many times your dog usually poops every day, so you’ll know if anything changes.
Natural remedies for dog gut health.
Making sure your pup eats plenty of fibre and nutritional, dog-safe foods can help restore their gut microbiome and improve their gut health.
There are various natural remedies you can add to your dog’s regular diet of high-fibre dog food to help settle their gut, including:
Fresh, fibre-rich vegetables, such as broccoli, beet pulp, flaxseed, leafy greens and carrots
Fermented foods, including unsweetened whole milk yoghurt, ginger and carrots
Cooked prebiotic-rich foods, such as sweet potatoes, pumpkin and butternut squash
Mushrooms (although it’s best to avoid wild mushrooms)
High-quality meats and protein sources, including chicken, beef and fish