Bernie’s Gut Health Blog

When it comes to good dog gut health, it’s important to know how long it takes for a dog to properly digest dog food. Why’s that? Well, nutrient absorption is KEY for your dog’s immunity and overall health, and the best nutrient absorption happens when the canine digestive system is working efficiently and effectively!

Continue reading to find out the answer to the, “How long does it take a dog to digest food” question!

Intestinal malabsorption in dogs.
Sounds like a Harry Potter spell, doesn’t it?

It’s not, though. It’s basically when, for whatever reason, your dog isn’t absorbing enough nutrients from its food. And there’s nothing basic about that because dog nutrient absorption is SO important to their overall immunity and health. After all, food is fuel, and if your dog’s nutrient absorption isn’t optimal? You’ll see it manifest in lots of different ways.

If your best friend has ever had a pooplosion due to dog Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), you know it’s something you need to address immediately. IBS in dogs is a condition that causes symptoms like chronic diarrhea and abdominal pain in dogs, but the good news is that we may be able to help IBS in dogs by addressing what dogs eat and the health of their guts.

Probiotics. You’ve heard about them. You’ve read about them. You know they’re good for you and if you’re reading this, you’re about to know they’re great for your dog. But maybe you’re asking, “Can dogs take human probiotics?” since it seems like it would make sense, right? It sure does, but read on to learn more about whether your dog can take human probiotics for human consumption.

It’s one thing when your dog may be a bit stopped up with constipation, but it’s an entirely different thing if your best friend suffers from stalled digestion or an intestinal blockage. Those can be very serious and even deadly conditions, and you want to be on top of them as soon as you know there may be a problem.

Every dog parent wants the absolute best for their best friend. Our pets rely on us for their health and happiness, so we worry when something goes wrong, like dog bloat or Gastric Dilatation Volvulus (GDV)!

Food intolerance in dogs can be tricky to pinpoint and is often confused with food allergies in dogs. Sometimes, they seem similar, but there is a difference and things you can do to help if your dog suffers from symptoms of food intolerance.

Our dogs can’t easily talk to us, so understanding their health cues is important, especially when it comes to your dog’s constipation. Constipated dogs may not look or act like you’d think they would.

When you catch your dog eating poop, it can throw you off! Better known as coprophagia, dogs eating poop happens all the time. Here’s how to help.

Is your dog scratching at their ears a lot? Are they sort of stinky? Recurring dog ear infections can be a pain, but there’s lots you can do to help your best friend. 

For any dog parent, the thought of their furry best friend  being diagnosed with cancer is a nightmare. Unfortunately, it’s a common reality for many dog owners, with almost half of senior dogs developing some form of dog cancer.

Diabetes Mellitus is a prevalent condition that affects many of our best canine friends. More commonly known as diabetes in dogs, such a diagnosis can feel overwhelming. But, with good healthcare and strategies, canine diabetes mellitus can be managed and your dog can live a long, healthy life!