5 Tips for Supporting Your Dog’s Digestive Health
Published date: 03 July 2025

Got a smelly pooch? If your dog’s poops are eye-watering, it might be time to better support their gut health.
Before we dive into our 5 top tips, it’s important to better understand your dog’s digestive system.
Understanding Your Dog’s Microbiome
It is important to understand your dog’s inner workings to help you improve their digestive health.
The gut microbiome is a vital part of a dog’s digestive system. The microbiome is essentially an internal ecosystem, containing microscopic bacteria and microorganisms that live within the large intestine.
These friendly bacteria are essential for proper digestion and stool function. They reduce inflammation, fight off bad bacteria and support the immune system.
Much like in us, dogs’ microbiomes can be disrupted, and the friendly bacteria can become weaker. Many things can impact your dog’s microbiome.
- Antibiotics (and some medications)
- Stress
- Dietary adjustments
- Certain illnesses
- Viruses and bacteria from outside or from other animals.
The signs of a weakened microbiome are:
- Loose stools or diarrhoea
- Flatulence
- Bad Breath
- Bloating
- Constipation
5 Ways to Improve Your Dog’s Digestive Health
There is much that you can do to improve your dog’s digestion and reduce those nasty smells and unpleasant poos.
1) Feed a natural, balanced diet
Proper nutrition is the foundation for healthy digestion.
What you feed your canine companion across their lifetime will supply the building blocks needed for proper digestive and stool function. Remember begins when they are little. For help with puppy diets, read our Guide to Puppy Nutrition.
Dogs need a complete, balanced, natural diet that caters to all their needs. The perfect diet should contain high-quality named meat, digestible carbohydrates, healthy fats and important fibre.
This balance of ingredients will support digestive health and protect your dog’s microbiome.
Watch our video on What Makes a Premium Pet Food.
2) Brush Your Dog’s Teeth!
Dental health and digestive health are intricately linked.
Dental disease is, unfortunately, very common in our canine companions. As these diseases progress in the mouth, bacteria start to build up. This gets swallowed, enters your dog’s bloodstream and impacts their organ and digestive health.
Keeping your dog’s teeth clean is essential for their overall health and comfort! Daily brushing will reduce plaque and greatly reduce the chance of a dental disease forming. This might seem like a challenge, but with patience, all dogs can be introduced and desensitised to brushing.
Watch our Guide to Cleaning Your Dog’s Teeth.
3) Use Prebiotic Supplements
Prebiotic fibres help to feed, strengthen and protect the friendly bacteria in the gut.
The best diets will contain prebiotic fibres (often listed as prebiotic FOS & MOS). However, supplements are brilliant for strengthening your dog’s gut health further.
Shop our digestive and prebiotic supplements.
4) Keep your dog hydrated
Proper hydration is key to a functioning digestive system and is essential for proper, healthy poos!
When the weather begins to get warmer across Spring and Summer, ensure your dog is drinking enough water. It’s worth bringing a handy travel water bottle on your adventures to keep your dog hydrated.
5) Keep your dog active!
Daily exercise is important for boosting digestive function. Getting your pooch up and moving ensures regular bowel movements and, of course, keeps them happy.
Why not explore a different walking route? Browse the Best British Dog Walks.
Remember, a happier dog is always going to be a healthier dog. Support your dog’s needs and give them all the love they deserve, and this will go a long way in promoting their best health.