An In-depth Look at a Dog's Gut Health

Digestion and Nutrient Absorption: The primary function of a dog's gut is to process food. This includes breaking down food items into their basic nutrients for absorption. A healthy gut can efficiently fulfill these roles, ensuring your dog is getting the maximum nutritional benefit from their meals.

Immune Function: The gut is home to nearly 70% of a dog's immune system. It's responsible for distinguishing between harmful bacteria and beneficial ones. The gut's ability to differentiate these can dictate how a dog's immune system responds to potential threats.

Behavior and Mood: The state of a dog's gut can even have impacts on their behavior and mood. This is due to the gut-brain axis, a two-way communication system between the gut and the brain. Recent research suggests that alterations in gut health can influence behavior and mood in dogs.

Skin Health: A healthy gut aids in the absorption of essential fatty acids. These fatty acids are crucial in maintaining the health and integrity of a dog's skin and coat.

Energy Levels: A well-functioning gut is essential for efficient nutrient absorption and energy conversion. This can contribute to maintaining high energy levels in dogs, ensuring they are active and energetic.

Sleep Quality: There's emerging research suggesting a connection between gut health and sleep quality. It's thought that the gut may influence the production of sleep-regulating hormones like melatonin, thereby affecting a dog's sleep patterns and overall sleep quality.

Dog Gut Anatomy

Mouth and Esophagus: Digestion begins at the mouth. Dogs have powerful jaws and sharp teeth designed to rip and tear food. Saliva contains enzymes that start the process of breaking down food as it moves to the esophagus.

Stomach: The stomach acts as a mixer and grinder. It churns food with gastric juices to break it down into a liquid mass called chyme. This potent cocktail of hydrochloric acid and enzymes begins the process of dismantling food on a molecular level.

Small Intestine: This is where the majority of digestion and absorption happens. Bile from the liver and enzymes from the pancreas continue the breakdown of food. The small intestine's lining absorbs nutrients into the bloodstream.

Large Intestine: The large intestine, or colon, is where water and electrolytes are reabsorbed. Bacteria present in the colon further break down certain food components, producing vitamins that also get absorbed.

Problems with Traditional Dog Food

The quest for optimal canine health has shed light on the pivotal role of gut health in dogs. Unfortunately, common store-bought dog food often falls short in promoting a healthy gut microbiome, critical for a dog's overall wellbeing. The digestive health of our pets is compromised by the mass-produced nature of many dog foods available in the market, which can lead to a myriad of health issues.

Many commercial dog foods contain high levels of processed grains and fillers, which can disrupt a dog's digestive system. These ingredients can interfere with the balance of beneficial bacteria in the gut microbiome, leading to digestive disturbances and a weakened immune system. Poor gut health in dogs is often linked with conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease and can even affect mental health.

Frequently, the focus is on the shelf-stability and cost-effectiveness of a product rather than the health of the dog's gut. This results in the inclusion of preservatives and artificial colorings that have no nutritional benefit and may be harmful to the dog's digestive tract. Additionally, the overuse of antibiotics in animal feed can destroy good gut bacteria, crucial for maintaining a healthy gut microbiome.

Ingredients such as corn, wheat, and soy, which are often genetically modified and laden with pesticides, are common in dog kibble and can cause gut health issues. They are not part of a dog's natural diet and can be difficult to digest, leading to a damaged gut lining and poor gut health. It is vital for dog owners to understand the importance of a healthy microbiome and to seek foods that contain beneficial gut bacteria to support their dog's digestive health.

More holistic approaches to a dog's diet suggest the inclusion of fermented foods and probiotics to enhance the gut bacteria profile. A shift away from traditional dog food to options that support a healthy gut microbiome can lead to significant improvements in a dog's health and vitality. As we continue to understand the complexities of the gut-health connection, it becomes clear that what a dog eats profoundly impacts its overall health.

Whole Prey Diet: A Deep Dive

A Whole Prey diet is a feeding strategy that mirrors the dietary habits of wild wolves, our dogs' closest wild ancestors. This diet includes muscle meat, organs, and bones and provides a balanced intake of diverse nutrients essential for your dog's health.

Muscle Meat: Muscle meat provides the primary source of protein, supplying essential amino acids for muscle maintenance and growth, and for other important bodily functions. 

Organs: Organs are incredibly nutrient-dense. They supply vitamins and minerals not typically found in muscle meat, including vitamin A, B vitamins, iron, and trace minerals. In the wild, a wolf prioritizes the liver, heart, kidneys and other organs over the muscle meat. They instinctively know to go for the most nourishing parts of the prey. 

Bones: Bones are a natural source of calcium and phosphorus, crucial for skeletal health. Chewing on bones also supports dental health, helping to keep your dog's teeth clean and healthy.

Cartilage: Filled with collagen, the cartilage is critical to your dogs joint and bone strength.  When given as treats, dried cartilage can also act as a tooth cleaner, meaning no more weird green treats for your dog’s teeth. 

Beast and Bird: Premium Support for Your Dog's Gut Health

• Whole Chicken: Chicken is a lean protein source, providing essential amino acids necessary for muscle growth and energy production.

• Chicken Cartilage: Cartilage contains glucosamine and chondroitin, compounds known to support gut health and joint function.

• Bone Broth: Bone broth is known to support a healthy gut lining, and it provides additional minerals and beneficial compounds.

• Beef Liver: Liver is rich in vitamin A, essential for digestion, and iron, necessary for the production of healthy blood cells.

• Beef Kidney: Kidney provides a good source of zinc and vitamin B12, necessary for various enzymatic reactions and for the production of red blood cells.

• Beef Heart: Heart meat is rich in taurine and l-carnitine, nutrients essential for heart health and metabolism.

Scientific Evidence Supporting a Whole Prey Diet

• Improved Gut Health: A 2017 study conducted by Sandri et al. found that dogs fed a high-protein diet displayed more balanced gut microbiota, contributing to better overall health outcomes. Balanced gut microbiota is linked with better digestion, enhanced nutrient absorption, improved immune function, and optimal gut health.

• Improved Skin and Coat Condition: A study by Popa et al. (2011) showed that dogs fed a diet high in animal proteins and fats exhibited improved skin and coat condition. This could be attributed to the higher amounts of essential fatty acids present in a Whole Prey diet that are crucial for maintaining the health and integrity of a dog's skin and coat.

• Weight Management: Research suggests that a high-protein, low-carbohydrate diet – characteristic of a Whole Prey diet – can aid in weight management. In a 2004 study by Diez et al., overweight dogs on a high-protein, low-carb diet showed significant weight loss and better maintenance of lean body mass compared to those on a high-carb diet.

• Optimal Bone Health: A 2016 study by Marx et al. indicated that raw, meaty bones – a staple in a Whole Prey diet – can contribute to optimal bone health in dogs. Chewing on bones provides mechanical stimulation for maintaining jaw health and dental hygiene, and the bones themselves are a natural source of calcium and phosphorus, crucial for skeletal health.