Best Digestive Supplements for Dogs

best gut health supplements for dogs

Disclaimer: this article contains affiliate links, and we may receive a commission on sales when you use those links, at no additional cost to you. We only recommend products we use and genuinely love.

If your dog is experiencing poor gut health, you will know. An unhappy digestive system can look (and smell) like a lot of things, and none of them are particularly pleasant.

Identifying that your dog’s digestive system could use a helping hand is one thing, but knowing what they need and how to help them is another. There are many supplements that can easily aid in certain gut imbalances and the distress your dog experiences as a result.

But the first step to knowing how to help, and what supplements are best for your specific situation, is understanding the basics of how digestion works in dogs.

“Digestion” is a broader term than we give it credit for. Digestion is the entire process of breaking down larger food particles into smaller particles to be absorbed by the cells and used to perform different functions of the body.

The digestive system of dogs is not much different from humans.

Their digestive tract is the basis of their health as their digestive system is linked with the immune system. This means that any disturbance in the digestive system can and will negatively affect the overall health of your canine friend.

Dogs have a much shorter digestive tract than humans due to their carnivorous roots, but the function of the digestive tract is very similar.

Like humans, dogs have a unique collection of hundreds of types of diverse microorganisms (bacteria and other microbes) in their digestive tract. These microorganisms are called “The Gut Flora.” Gut bacteria are extremely important for digestion and nutrient absorption from your dog’s food.

So it is vital to keep the dog’s digestive tract and gut flora in a good state of health to ensure not just your dog’s gut health, but their overall health as well.

If you notice that the dog’s stomach is upset, there are a host of good digestive supplements for dogs that you can use to help avoid further discomfort.

Common Digestive Supplements For Dogs

The most common and beneficial gut health supplements for dogs come in a variety of forms and serve a number of different purposes. Some help sustain your dog’s microbiome, others provide adequate nutrition, and others provide fiber to help “keep things moving.”

Which one your dog needs will depend on the specific situation. Here are a few of the best supplements for digestion in dogs, to get started.

woman feeding white and black dalmatian puppy

Vitamins And Minerals

Vitamins and minerals are very important to maintain the good health status of your canine friend, including their gut health.

Offering vitamin and mineral supplements are a good way to improve digestion.

These nutrients act as a catalyst during different metabolic reactions. It means that if an appropriate amount of vitamins or minerals is not available, the digestive enzymes will not work properly.

Vitamins like Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin), B6 (Pyridoxine), B2 (Riboflavin), Vitamin B3 (Niacin) as well as minerals like Calcium, Potassium, and Sulfur all act as co-enzymes during different metabolic reactions, helping the various digestive enzymes to work more efficiently.

Making sure your dog is getting enough of these crucial micronutrients will ensure that your pet is set up for success when it comes to digestion and metabolism.

Most commercial dog foods will come fortified with at least some of these vitamins and minerals already. However, if you’re not sure if your dog’s food is providing enough, you can take a look at how to check your food’s quality in my article, How to Pick the Right Dog Food.

If you think your dog’s food is the culprit by providing insufficient amounts of vitamins and minerals, it’s best to either switch your dog’s food to something better, or add the needed vitamins and minerals to your dog’s diet as a supplement.

Probiotics

The canine digestive system has a wide variety of bad and good bacteria.

Probiotics are beneficial microorganisms (live bacteria or yeast) naturally present in the digestive tract and are involved in the proper digestion and absorption of nutrients. These microbes convert fiber and plant-based sugars into fatty acids and vitamins that improve the health of your canine friend.

Not only digestive health, but probiotics are also necessary for maintaining good respiratory and urinary tract health.

If the population of these beneficial microorganisms falls below the thresh hold level, many digestive problems (like diarrhea, constipation, weight gain, etc.) and even urinary and respiratory tract infections can occur.

In such cases, it is necessary to give probiotic supplements to your dog. This will help in maintaining the population of good bacteria in the digestive tract and improve digestion and overall health.

black dog licking frozen yogurt in a cup

Prebiotics

Prebiotics are defined as “the food items (or non-digestible foods ingredients) that stimulate the growth of beneficial microorganisms in the digestive tract.”

Prebiotics are found in many food items naturally, and adding prebiotics to your dog’s diet will increase the population of healthy microbes in the intestines, improve digestion, and reduce inflammation.

Be careful when offering prebiotics to your dog, as some prebiotics may trigger the growth of harmful bacteria, too.

So it is better to consult your veterinarian; they will advise you on what the best prebiotic supplement is, according to your dog’s specific needs.

It’s also best to introduce a prebiotic gradually and see how your dog reacts over a longer period.

Fermented Food

Fermented foods boost antioxidant levels in food and promote the growth of beneficial microorganisms in your dog’s gut.

Fermented food supplements contain a high concentration of live microbes that can promote digestion in your dog’s stomach.

According to one study, fermented turmeric, glasswort, and ganghwa mugwort have a positive effect on enhancing the immune system in dogs. This not only keeps your dog healthier and happier by preventing disease during their life, but also helps extend your dog’s life as a result.

These foods have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties.

Common fermented foods for dogs are kefir and yogurt from a non-lactose source. Because dogs do not produce the enzyme lactase, dogs should not be given any dairy products from the milk of cows. However, most health-focused pet stores now carry dog yogurts and other dairy products made from goats milk.

Fiber Supplements

Fiber helps “fill out” a dog’s digestive system to relieve distress. By increasing the bulk of the dog’s bowel contents, fiber aids in keeping the digestive system moving and clearing out minor blockages in the gut.

Fiber can be very beneficial when a dog is suffering from diarrhea, because it helps firm the consistency of stool and make passing the unhappy bowels easier for the dog.

Pumpkin is especially beloved in the world of dog owners for being an amazing and convenient go-to when a dog’s stool is looking a little soft or when a dog is suffering from some mild digestive issues. Pumpkin is packed with fiber, is available in an easy powdered form that can be mixed in or sprinkled on top of many dog foods, and most dogs will eat it with gusto.

puppy sniffing on a pumpkin

Digestive Enzymes

Digestive enzymes are substances (mostly proteins) naturally produced in the digestive tract that accelerate the different metabolic reactions involved in food digestion.

Enzymes are essential for proper digestion and maximum absorption and utilization of nutrients.

The main enzymes produced in the dogs are Proteases, Amylases, and Lipases that are involved in the breakdown of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats, respectively.

If your dog is showing the signs of indigestion and weakness on top of gut distress, there is a possibility that nutrients are not being utilized properly because the body is not producing enough enzymes required for proper digestion.

So consider adding enzyme supplements to your dog’s diet to aid digestion and improve his health.

One great source of enzymes is raw green tripe; the gut portion of a cud-chewing animal, usually sheep. Unlike white tripe, which is boiled or bleached clean for human consumption, green tripe still contains a plethora of live and active bacteria and enzymes.

I always use green tripe treats when doing food-based training with my personal dogs, which I get in awesome training-sized pellets from Raw Paws Pet Food. The green tripe is raw and freeze-dried, so all of the beneficial bacteria and digestive enzymes are locked in and ready to go.

Can Dogs Have Human Digestive Supplements?

Humans and dogs have different gut flora, so human digestive supplements can’t be used in dogs. While dogs may be able to use some pure-form supplements (ie, pure fish oil in gelatin caps) in the correct dosage, digestive supplements tend to be made specifically for the human gut in mind. So it is always safer to purchase digestive supplements specifically made for dogs.

A number of dog-specific gut health supplements are available at K9 Cuisine.

Every dog is unique, and so are their dietary requirements.

Never offer any supplement to your dog without doing your due diligence and running it by your veterinarian. Especially if your dog is facing any more chronic digestive issues, consult your veterinarian to have them address the concerns and advise you on future steps to take, with or without supplements.

Author: Kimberlee Tolentino

Kimee has worked hands-on with dogs for over ten years, and today serves the role of head trainer and owner at Lugaru K9 Training in Port Orchard, Washington. Kimee has been a shelter volunteer, a dog walker, dog behavior intern, a dog trainer, and now specializes in behavior modification for pet dogs.