Your dog’s digestive system is the cornerstone of her overall health and wellbeing. Since over 70% of the immune system resides in the gut, digestive issues can manifest in surprising ways throughout your dog’s body. By recognizing that many seemingly unrelated symptoms, from skin issues to behavioral changes, may actually stem from digestive problems, you can take a more effective approach to supporting your dog’s health.
COMMON WARNING SIGNS TO WATCH FOR
The most obvious signs of poor gut health include diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, and excessive gas. Recurring pancreatitis, acid reflux, and anal gland issues also directly point to digestive distress. Acid reflux can often present as excessive lip licking or excessive grass eating. These symptoms are just the beginning of how gut issues can appear in your dog’s body. Several factors can contribute to poor gut health in your dog:
- Poor diet, especially highly processed commercial foods.
- Medications, particularly those reducing stomach acid.
- Aging, which causes a natural decrease in digestive enzymes.
- Stress and anxiety (elevated cortisol impacts gut function)
- Exposure to chemicals, herbicides, and pesticides.
- High-temperature cooking methods creating advanced glycation end products (AGEs).
SKIN-RELATED ISSUES
Many dog parents are surprised to learn that chronic skin conditions often originate in the gut:
- Allergies
- Itchy skin and hot spots (red, inflamed skin lesions)
- Chronic ear infections
- Excessive paw licking or chewing
This connection explains why many skin treatments provide only temporary relief because they’re addressing symptoms without healing the underlying gut imbalance.
BEHAVIORAL CHANGES
When your dog has gut inflammation or imbalance, it can affect her behavior:
- Hyper-reactive behavior
- Heightened sensitivity to environmental triggers, such as storms
- Anxiety-related behaviors
Neurotransmitter production and nervous system function is influenced through the gut-brain axis, the connection of the gut directly to the brain through the vagus nerve (the largest nerve in the body).
STEPS TO START IMPROVING YOUR DOG’S GUT HEALTH
Simple changes to your dog’s diet and lifestyle can help reduce inflammation and support healing:
- Diet: Switching to a fresh, minimally processed diet forms the foundation of good gut health.
- Water: Tap water often contains carcinogens and environmental contaminants. Consider water filtration systems that remove chlorine, heavy metals, and other toxins.
- Supplements: Using probiotics like Saccharomyces boulardii, a beneficial yeast, can help resolve gut imbalances by supporting healthy bacteria. If a complete diet change to fresh foods isn’t possible yet, invest in a digestive enzyme to help your dog digest and break down the high carbohydrate content in kibble.
- Environment: Reduce toxin exposure by using natural cleaning products, wiping paws after walks, and taking shoes off in the house to avoid tracking in chemicals.
- Emotional health: Spending quality time with your dog reduces stress, which directly benefits gut health through the gut-brain connection.
While many gut health issues can be improved through diet and lifestyle changes, persistent symptoms warrant additional testing to further uncover the root cause.
Supplements Mentioned
Benefits: Restores the balance of good bacteria in the gut and supports the immune system.
General Dosing:
- Small dogs (< 20 lbs): ½ capsule with each meal
- Medium dogs (20-50 lbs): 1 capsule with each meal
- Large dogs (> 50 lbs): 2 capsules with each meal
Important:
- Always monitor for changes in stool consistency or digestive upset, and adjust accordingly.
- Consult your veterinarian before introducing new supplements to ensure it’s safe and appropriate for your individual dog.
Benefits: Supports the digestive environment of the GI tract.
General Dosing:
- Small dogs (< 20 lbs): ¼-½ tablet with each meal
- Medium dogs (20-50 lbs): ½ tablet with each meal
- Large dogs (> 50 lbs): 1 tablet with each meal
Important:
- Always monitor for changes in stool consistency or digestive upset, and adjust accordingly.
- Consult your veterinarian before introducing new supplements to ensure it’s safe and appropriate for your individual dog.
Benefits: Supporting healthy digestion and nutrient absorption by breaking down fats, protein, and carbohydrates and repairing the gut lining.
General Dosing:
- Small dogs (< 20 lbs): ¼ capsule with each meal
- Medium dogs (20-50 lbs): ½ capsule with each meal
- Large dogs (> 50 lbs): 1 capsule with each meal
Important:
- Always monitor for changes in stool consistency or digestive upset, and adjust accordingly.
- Consult your veterinarian before introducing new supplements to ensure it’s safe and appropriate for your individual dog.
Dr. Katie Woodley, the founder of The Natural Pet Doctor, has been pioneering integrative veterinary medicine for the last 15 years. She blends Eastern and Western medicine to address the root causes of disease, with a focus on gut and skin health. Dr. Woodley creates comprehensive treatment plans combining targeted nutrition and herbal remedies to promote overall well-being in pups.
For more information, check out Dr. Katie Woodley’s Better Gut Health Blueprint.
For More Information:
- 2025 The Natural Pet Doctor. Better Gut Health Blueprint.
- Woodley, Dr. Katie. “Gut Health with Dr. Katie Woodley.” The Doggy Dish LLC, 16 May 2024, thedoggydish.com/newsletter/part-1-gut-health-with-dr-katie-woodley/.
- Ganz, PhD, Holly. State of the Gut 2024. Oakland, CA, AnimalBiome, www.animalbiome.com/pages/state-of-the-gut-2024.
- “Hot Spots in Dogs | VCA Animal Hospital | VCA Animal Hospitals.” Vca, vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/hot-spots-in-dogs.
- “Fecal Microbiota Transplant – AnimalBiome Veterinary.” Animalbiome.vet, 2015, animalbiome.vet/pages/fecal-microbiota-transplant?srsltid=AfmBOor3qqt5kKqixmaQliWQJr8zffx6j_3ZQT3eYtl46p-Di9n3wZfE.
- Dahlhausen, Katie. “Allergies in Dogs: Symptoms, Triggers, and How to Help Your Pup.” AnimalBiome, 14 Oct. 2024, www.animalbiome.com/blogs/dog/allergies-in-dogs-symptoms-triggers-and-how-to-help-your-pup.
- Kingsbury, Dawn. “Managing Atopic Dermatitis in Dogs and Cats.” Animalbiome.vet, AnimalBiome Veterinary, 17 Dec. 2020, animalbiome.vet/blogs/pet-health/managing-atopic-dermatitis-in-dogs-and-cats.
- Leverett, Kennedy et al. “Fresh Food Consumption Increases Microbiome Diversity and Promotes Changes in Bacteria Composition on the Skin of Pet Dogs Compared to Dry Foods.” Animals : an open access journal from MDPI vol. 12,15 1881. 22 Jul. 2022, doi:10.3390/ani12151881
- Ganz, PhD, Holly. “Has Your Dog Been Prescribed Metronidazole? Important Information All Owners Should Know.” AnimalBiome, 5 July 2021, www.animalbiome.com/blogs/pet-health/metronidazole-for-dogs-what-you-need-to-know.
- Woodley, Dr. Katie. “STOP Feeding This If Your Dog Has Diarrhea – Holistic Vet Advice.” Thenaturalpetdoctor.com, 2025, www.thenaturalpetdoctor.com/blog/dog-diarrhea-what-not-to-feed.
- Woodley, Dr. Katie. “Metronidazole for Dogs & Cats: Natural Alternatives for Diarrhea.” Thenaturalpetdoctor.com, 2024, www.thenaturalpetdoctor.com/blog/5.
- Woodley, Dr. Katie. “How to Improve Your Pet’s Gut Health on a Budget.” Mykajabi.com, 2025, thenaturalpetdoctor.mykajabi.com/blog/how-to-improve-your-pet-s-gut-health-on-a-budget.
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