Dogs are precious, extraverted creatures that mean the world to their owners. In the course of a dog's life, digestive health is a common area where complications often can arise. Here is a brief look at canine digestive health, and some supplements that have specific and effective applications for the digestive issues that dogs sometimes experience.
Dogs And Digestive Health
As you raise and keep your dog(s), one aspect of their health that you must consider is their digestive health. Like in humans, a dog's health is greatly affected by what they eat and the state of their digestive health. There are a few different digestive orders that can occur in dogs, which owners should be aware of.
A problem with a dog's digestive system is often related to an infection, which can be bacterial, viral, or resulting from a parasite. Diarrhea is a common symptom of infection. Other digestive issues, as well as dietary indiscretion, can cause diarrhea as well. Certain digestive disorders can also occur in dogs. Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is treatable, but there is no cure. Gastroenteritis is a disorder that can be caused by an infection, dietary indiscretion, or other causes. Pancreatitis is a condition that can be either acute or chronic, and can bring on symptoms such as pain, lethargy, and other symptoms. Lastly, endocrine pancreatic insufficiency is a serious condition that some dogs have; it requires administration of medicine in order for the dog to live. Each of these disorders has different symptoms, and some of them require medical treatment. Fortunately, many cases of these can be prevented if you properly feed and look out for your dog.
Supplements for a Dog's Digestion
All of the following supplements, each of which is geared toward a certain illness, can produce a moderate-to-critical difference in the digestive health of some dogs. Consider how these supplements can help your furry friend digest his or her food, and find relief from illness.
- Vitamin B12 (methylcobalamin) taken along with the protein called "intrinsic factor" can also be critically helpful for dogs with EPI. Dogs with EPI are often very low in B12. Normal-to-upper range levels of vitamin B12 are necessary for a dog to properly digest its food, and dogs with EPI must supplement with B12 to get enough of it. A B12/intrinsic factor supplement will enable healthy digestion in dogs with EPI.
- Probiotics are healthy bacteria that are good for the gut. Probiotic supplements are often made and marketed to us, but certain probiotic strains are beneficial to dogs as well. Be sure to discuss the use of probiotics with your veterinarian before administering any to your canine. Strains such as Lactobacillus acidophilus and Lactobacillus rhamnosus are some of the probiotic bacteria known to positively impact the gut microbiome. These good bacteria combat harmful bacteria by supporting the production of amino acids; This can result in both improved digestion and relief of diarrhea that occurs due to infection or other causes.
- Slippery elm bark is a supplement derived from the bark of elm trees. It has qualities that make it useful for dogs in a few ways. By soothing mucous membranes in the digestive system and reducing inflammation, slippery elm bark can alleviate acute diarrhea and constipation in dogs. If a dog experiences heartburn due to the backflow of stomach acid, slippery elm bark can bring relief.
- Digestive enzymes including amylase, protease, and lipase are responsible for the digestion of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats, respectively. These enzymes, along with pancreatin, are critical for the treatment of Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency (EPI) in dogs. EPI is a serious disease that necessitates medication in order for a dog to survive. EPI causes a dog's stomach to not produce these critical enzymes, which renders them in need of enzyme supplementation for help in digesting foods. An enzyme powder with these four enzymes is an ideal product for dogs with EPI.
The above supplements can be critical in maintaining your dog's digestive health and overall well-being. Be sure to talk with your veterinarian about how any of these might be of help to your dog, most particularly probiotics.