As the leaves start to turn and our dogs come home from autumn walks with noses full of new smells (and sometimes mouths full of things we’d rather they hadn’t found), it feels like the perfect time to talk about what’s happening on the inside. The dog gut microbiome is the busy community of bacteria and other microbes living in your dog’s digestive system, and the more we learn about it, the more it looks like one of the foundations of everyday wellbeing. Here’s our plain-English guide, with no jargon and no judgement.
What is the dog gut microbiome?
We like to picture a dog’s gut as a bustling little town. Trillions of microbes live there, and most of them are helpful residents rather than troublemakers. In fact, as Dr Conor Brady of Dogs First points out in his guide to canine probiotics, there are roughly 40 trillion bacterial cells in a human body and only around 30 trillion human cells. None of us, dogs included, ever really live alone!
So what are all these microbes doing? Quite a lot. They help break down food, produce certain vitamins and play a part in normal immune function. It’s a proper partnership: your dog gives them a warm home and a steady supply of food, and in return they help your dog get the most out of every meal.
How diet shapes your dog’s gut microbiome
This is the bit we find fascinating. Your dog never eats alone. Every meal also feeds the dog gut microbiome, and different foods feed different microbes.
Studies comparing raw-fed and kibble-fed dogs have found that their gut bacteria look noticeably different, with a different balance of the main bacterial groups. Different doesn’t automatically mean better or worse, but it’s a good reminder of just how much the food bowl matters to the microbes.
Early life seems to matter too. The DogRisk research group at the University of Helsinki surveyed several thousand dog owners and found an association between what dogs ate as puppies and their gut health later on. Puppies fed a fresh, meat-based diet with things like raw meat, organs, fish, eggs, cartilage and berries tended to have fewer reported tummy troubles as adults, while those raised mainly on ultra-processed dry food tended to have more. It’s an association rather than proof of cause and effect, so we share it as food for thought, not a rulebook.
Feeding the dog gut microbiome: fibre from field and fur
Gut microbes need feeding too, and one of their favourite foods is fibre. That’s really all “prebiotics” means: food for the friendly bacteria rather than for the dog directly.
Plant fibre. Research suggests plant prebiotics such as chicory root and raw vegetables can shift the balance of gut bacteria in a friendly direction. A little finely chopped or lightly blended veg is an easy way to add variety to the bowl. (Pumpkin has its very own post in our Natural Ingredients series, so we won’t steal its thunder here!)
Animal fibre. This one surprises a lot of people. Fur, feathers, cartilage and connective tissue are what a dog would naturally eat as part of whole prey, and they behave quite differently in the gut from plant fibre. It’s one of the reasons we love seeing a bit of “fur and feather” in a raw diet. TDB Wild Rabbit Mince with Fur keeps the fur in for exactly this reason, and it’s a firm favourite with lots of our raw feeders.
Green tripe is another old favourite. If you’d like a complete meal that already includes it, Wilder Pet Foods Field and Stream 80/10/10 combines lamb, tripe, duck and beef, or you can add Dougies Flaked Beef Tripe as a topper. And if you’re after a gentle, gut-friendly extra, have a read of our post on why bone broth is good for dogs.
Probiotics and fermented foods: where do they fit?
Probiotics are live, friendly microbes you add to the diet, rather than food for the ones already there. We have had great results with our customers using Kiki Body Botics or Aniforte Probiotic Plus
And kefir? We’re big fans of fermented foods as a lovely, lively addition to the bowl, but we’d never call them a magic fix, as the evidence for long-term benefits is still limited. Our dogs certainly think DAF Iced Kefir Yogurt (Venaberry) is worth sitting nicely for, and it brings a little berry goodness too.
Simple ways to support your dog’s gut microbiome this autumn
You don’t need to overhaul everything. A few small habits go a long way:
- Go gently with changes. Many owners find that introducing new foods slowly, over several days, is kinder on the tummy than a sudden switch.
- Add variety. Different proteins, a little fresh veg or berries and some animal fibre all give different microbes something to enjoy.
- Keep an eye on the poo. It’s not glamorous, but your dog’s stools are one of the best everyday clues to how their digestion is getting on.
- Watch the autumn scavenging. Fallen fruit, acorns and mystery finds on walks can unsettle a tummy, so a good “leave it” is worth practising this time of year.
Most of all, remember that you can only feed the best you can. Whether your dog is fully raw, on a cold-pressed or dry food, or somewhere in between, every small, thoughtful step for the dog gut microbiome counts. There’s no perfect, only better for your dog and your life.
Pop in and chat gut health with us
If you’d like to talk through any of this, we’d love to see you. Pop into the shop at Unit A, Newton Farm, Tewkesbury, GL20 7BE. We’re about a minute from Junction 9 of the M5, so it’s an easy stop on your way through. We stock 12 raw food brands, over 250 natural treats (including our Natural Pick & Mix) and a range of natural supplements, and we’re always happy to help you find what suits your dog.
Can’t get to us? Our local delivery covers Tewkesbury, Cheltenham, Bishops Cleeve, Malvern, Worcester and the surrounding areas. You can browse everything at btbdogsupplies.co.uk.
Happy autumn walks from all of us at BTB!
