Are you dealing with a dog which is experiencing gas, diarrhea, or discomfort? Dogs suffering with poor digestions can over time end up being depressed, anxious and malnutritioned. Its never too late to take action! Here are 5 ways to improve digestions for your pet!

#1 Make the switch to fresh food and remove all processed foods including processed treats

The most effective and important first step to resolving loose stools and gas is to shift to species appropriate Whole Food Meals. Be it raw or gently cooked, the large majority of pets experience relieved symptoms simply through changing food. Chronic digestive problems may be caused as a result of several aspects of processed pet food including: 

• Poor quality ingredients - most processed pet foods contain poor quality supplement, meal meals and byproducts and cheap fillers.
• Rancid fats from storage condition- fats and fatty acids in dry food generally become rancid in view of air exposure and storage temperatures. Most dry food bags do not use airtight packaging which allows for oxidation and rancidity. 
• Mold and mycotoxins- storage and manufacturing of legumes, nuts and grains used in processed pet food result in levels of mold and mycotoxins. Aflatoxin is a carcinogenic mycotoxin which all pet parents should avoid. In fact the FDA limits the amount of aflatoxin per kilogram of dry food, though due to storage conditions dry feed may cause occasional mold.

#2 Try an elimination diet

Some dogs have allergies or intolerances to specific proteins or foods which result in diarrhea or gas. Each dog is different and intolereance tests are often inaccurate. Hence the most accurate method to pinpoint trigger ingredients is by eliminating one ingredient at a time from the diet for a number of days and monitor progress. 

#3 Nourish the gut

Dogs commonly have poor microbiome health resulting from consumption of carbohydrate heavy processed diets and overuse of medication, chemical treatments and antibiotics. Studies prove that switching to a raw diet drastically improves the bacteria composition in the gut microbiome creating healthier bacteria. This can drastically impact the mental health and physical health of your pet. 

Switching to a whole food diet and adding a further boost through natual prebiotic and probiotics such as kefir may help improve a dog's digestive health. A healthy gut = healthy digestion!

#4 Be Calm

Our pets pick up our energy. Hence the more we stress the more we make our pets anxious. This can also contribute to digestive issues.