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Does your dog dance to Brooks & Dunn’s hit song, Boot Scootin' Boogey? There could be an imbalance within their gut flora. A couple of indications would be eating grass, paw licking, yeasty ears, sensitive skin, and inconsistent bowel movements.

A Word From Dr. Clayton Greenway  

Dr. Greenway spent 7 years in general practice in Toronto and then became a lead veterinarian with VetStrategy Inc.

Gut health is becoming a hot topic in the health and wellness world. Domesticated dogs can find it difficult to maintain healthy gut flora — depending on financial circumstances, pet store preferences, and tummy sensitivities.

How can we manage a healthy gut for our beloved Floofs?

By incorporating healthy fibre alternatives and monitoring the improvement in your dog’s bowel movements and overall health. 

Dr. Linder is a board-certified veterinary nutritionist at Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University, where she also earned her DVM degree. Inside the winter issue of Today’s Veternary Practice, Dr. Linder discusses the benefits of adding soluble and insoluble fibre to your dog bowl in her article

'Featuring Fiber: Understanding Types of Fiber and Clinical Uses'.

Dr. Linder states, “Diseases affecting the large intestine, like colitis or anal gland disease, may best be managed by trying diets higher in insoluble fibres. Diseases affecting the small intestine like, chronic enteritis or exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, may benefit from the addition of soluble fibres.”

Sourced from: The Dog Gut Microbiome - DoggyBiome

Solutions for Soluble Fibre

Soluble fibres are best for absorbing water and nasty toxins out of the body; you will find them in the form of pectin and gum. These fibres are usually highly fermentable, which means bacteria will convert fibre rapidly to short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), the preferred energy source for cells in the colon. 

Types of Soluble Fibre

Ground Flax Seed

This small and mighty seed packs a nutritional punch, it contains several micronutrients that will benefit your dog's overall health and wellness.

• Omega 6 Fatty Acid supports brain function, reduce pain and inflammation.
• Linoleic Acid will support healthy skin, immunity, and reduce inflammation.
• Lignan will defend cell oxidation and reduce free radicals.
• Contains 20% soluble fibre and 80% insoluble fibre.
• Magnesium will support bone health and reduce inflammation. 
• Choline aids in healthy liver and brain function. 
• Manganese aids in nutrient absorption and antioxidant processes. 
• Thiamine (vitamin B1) supports metabolism and nerve function. 
• Phosphorus maintains healthy bones and tissues.

Luna's stool is becoming much firmer and consistent and King's skin has improved with reduction in itching and licking after adding a teaspoon of flax to their food every day.

Apples

This round, crispy fruit is chocked full of vitamins and fibre from peel to core. It is important to wash all fruit to remove harmful waxes and pesticides before feeding to your Floof.

• Vitamin C is  a water-soluble vitamin to improve immunity.
• Vitamin A  is a fat-soluble vitamin to improve immunity, reproduction, and growth and development, and improve organ function.
• Potassium aids in the  normal function of all cells. Regulates the proper function of the muscles and nerves.
• Antioxidants reduce the risk of many diseases.
• Fibre helps maintain a healthy weight while assisting with their digestion.

Carrots

This root vegetable is known for its aid in healthy vision, high fibre content, and rich antioxidants, take a look at these other key minerals.

• Beta-carotene is widely used in orange pigmentation, once consumed, it iwll convert into vitamin A for eye health, strong immune system, and healthy skin and mucous membranes.
• Vitamin K1 plays a signifigant role in helping blood clot. The name comes from the German “Koagulation.” Another source of K1 can be found in leafy greens.

 

Pumpkin Powder

Adding this fibrous vegetable to your dog bowl will help manage immune-related diseases with its fully loaded arsenal of micronutrients.

• Vitamin E improves vision and keeps the blood, brain and skin healthy.
• Zinc is known to improve taste and smell, while improving immune system and metabolism.
• Selenium aids in a healthy thyroid gland, continues DNA production, and protects any damage caused by free radicals and infection.
• Iron is vital in growth and development.

Invaluable Benefits of Insoluble Fibre

Insoluble fibres increase fecal output stimulating motility in the intestines - better out than in, right! Cellulose is an excellent source to introduce into your pet’s diet to maintain healthy bowel movements. 

Types of Insoluble Fibre

Cruciferous Veggies & Leafy Greens

Add these nutrient dense plants to increase the bulk to your bowl without affecting calories. They are best served raw for better nutrient absorption. Be aware that these veggies can cause gas after consumption — so serve at your own risk.

Wheat Bran

The benefit to this fibre is creating more bulk to stool and accelerate movement of waste through the colon. Add small amounts to your dog bowl to help relieve or prevent constipation. 

Pre-Mixed Fibre Supplements

Trust the experts and provide a balanced source of soluble and prebiotic fibre with these pre-made supplements made to support digestive enzymes, bowel regularity, a strong gut, and healthy digestion.

Karina Carbo-Johnson, MS is a Senior Nutritionist in the Technical Services department at Nestle Purina for the past three years. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science from The Pennsylvania State University and a Master of Science in Animal Nutrition from Nottingham University in England. 

In her recent article, ‘How to Add Fiber to a Dogs Diet’, Karina reminds dog parents to maintain a healthy body weight, “When adding food items to your dog’s diet to supplement fiber, you must ensure that calories from these items and additional treats do not make up more than 10% of your pet’s caloric intake.”

Adding fibre will create a healthy intestinal environment that is clear of toxins and promotes healthy colonic mucosa and immune function. Do your Floof a favour and introduce soluble fibre slowly to allow the intestine time to adapt to the microbiome. 

If your dog is experiencing painful bowel movements, an increased fishy odour from their backside, or other negative health issues, seek medical attention from your veterinarian to build a pooch-approved nutrition plan.

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