Top 10 Ways to Improve Pet Digestion – A Complete Guide for Pet Owners (2025)
Happy pets often begin with healthy guts! As pet owners we should want our furry, feathered, or scaled friends to flourish; and gut health is foundational to their health. Poor digestion often leads to poorly digested food, which may lead to lots of uncomfortable situations such as gas, bloating, diarrhea or constipation, poor nutrient absorption, and even skin issues or a lackluster coat. Acknowledging the significance of gut health is paramount to creating a happier and healthier pet.
This all-encompassing guide will offer new pet owners and longtime guardians alike tangible, workable ways to improve pet digestion in 2025. We will investigate 10 ways to improve pet digestion, through dietary, supplemental and lifestyle changes. Improved digestive health will help your pet not only eliminate discomfort, but will help boost immunity, energy and vitality overall. Get ready to see your pet's gut health improve, and enjoy the continuance of those positive changes in all aspects of their life!
Why Pet Digestion is so Critical for Overall Health
The gut is commonly referred to as the "second brain" due to its overarching role in health. In pets, healthy guts mean:
Optimized Nutrient Absorption: Making sure your pet is absorbing all the vitamins, minerals, and energy from their meals.
Stronger Immune System: A large proportion of the immune system is found in the gut.
Less Inflammation: A healthy gut can help prevent systemic inflammation that can affect the joints, skin, and organs.
Improved Mood & Behaviour: Gut health influences the production of serotonin, which can affect mood and causes less anxiety.
Less Digestive Disturbance: Reduced gas, bloating, diarrhea, and constipation.
The Top Ten Ways To Improve Your Pet’s Digestion
There will be clear and obvious changes to your pet’s digestive health and overall health if you try these.
1. Buy a high-quality, species-appropriate diet
Good foundation of health: The most meaningful step. Do your research and find a high-quality pet food that is appropriate for your pets species, age, and activity level. Look for foods that have real meat as the first ingredient, minimal fillers, and no artificial colors, flavours, or preservatives.
Consider wet food: Most would suggest wet food for cats, which ensures they receive moisture, assists with digestion and is good for kidney health.
Avoid feeding multiple different foods: Agree on 1 high-quality food and stick to it. Sudden changes of feeding a different quality food can upset their stomach.
2. Introduction to Probiotics and Prebiotics
Gut Flora Balance: Probiotics are good bacteria that help keep a healthy balance of microbes in the gut, while prebiotics are fibers that nourish the good bacteria.
Benefits: They can treat diarrhea, constipation, gas, and improve nutrient absorption. They are vital after taking antibiotics. Watch the video below for Heather's talk on Pre and Probiotics.
Forms: Available as powders, chews or in certain top food options.
👉 You can Shop Pet Probiotics on Amazon UK (Affiliate Link)
3. Add Digestive Enzymes
Aids Nutrient Breakdown: Digestive enzymes (such as Amylase, protease, and lipase) aid in breaking down fats, proteins, and carbohydrates in food to facilitate ease of absorption by your pet.
Benefits: They are particularly useful for pets with sensitive stomachs, who have malabsorption issues, or when changing diets.
Forms: They are commonly as a powdered supplement.
👉 You can Shop for Pet Digestive Enzymes on Amazon UK (Affiliate Link)
4. Use Fiber Appropriately
Regulate Bowel Movements: Fiber (both soluble and insoluble) is essential for good digestion. Soluble fiber helps to regulate diarrhea and constipation, and insoluble fiber adds bulk to stools.
Sources: Small amounts of cooked pumpkin (plain and unsweetened), psyllium husk, or particular fiber supplements.
Caution: The fiber should be increased gradually; too much fiber too rapidly may cause gas and bloating.
👉 You can Shop Pet Fiber supplements on Amazon UK (Affiliate Link)
5. Make Sure Your Pet is Hydrated
Water is essential for digestion: water helps break down the food, transport nutrients, and maintain healthy bowel movements. Dehydration can lead to constipation.
Encourage drinking: You can encourage your pet to drink by providing multiple fresh water sources, buy a pet water fountain (especially for cats) or you can add a little water to their wet food.
👉 Shop for Pet Water Fountains on Amazon UK (Affiliate Link)
6. Feed Smaller Meals, More Often
Easier on the system: while 1 or 2 large meals per day is convenient, you may want to consider splitting your pet's daily food allowance into several smaller meals. This may be easier on your pet's digestive system.
Help prevent bloat: Especially for those breeds predisposed to bloat (gastric dilatation-volvulus).
7. Help Prevent Eating Too Quickly
Eating too quickly can cause, gulping air, indigestion, vomiting, and bloat.
Solutions: try slow-feeder bowls, puzzle feeders or simply spread food on a lick mat so that your pet will be a bit more deliberate in their eating.
👉 Shop for Slow Feeder Pet Bowls on Amazon UK (Affiliate Link)
8. Limit Table Scraps and Inappropriate Treats
To help your pet avoid upset stomachs, try to avoid giving them human food (especially fatty, spicy, and/or processed), and table scraps that may cause digestive upset, pancreatitis, or be considered toxic.
Stick to Pet-Specific Treats: When treating your pet, avoid giving them human food aside from the human-type treats that are specifically made to be easily digestible to a pet's digestive system.
9. Reduce Stress and Anxiety
Gut-Brain Connection: Stress and anxiety in pets can manifest in the digestive system and can worsen their gut health contributing to gastrointestinal and digestive dysfunctions such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or diarrhea caused by stress.
Tips: Maintain a consistent routine, and establish a quiet and safe space where your pet can retreat, offer exercise and mental stimulation, and if needed, consider calming products like supplements or pheromone diffusers.
👉 Shop Pet Calming Products on Amazon UK (affiliate link)
10. Regular Exercise and Play
Promote Gut Motility: Exercise and play helps with gut motility which is necessary for healthy digestion and prevents constipation.
Stress Relief: Exercise and play also provide stress relief to your pet, which is beneficial to gut health.
Consideration for type or intensity of exercise appropriate for your individual pet: Consider your pet's age, breed, and health condition in determining the appropriate type and intensity of exercise.
When to Obtain Medical Assistance for Your Pet
These ideas can help you improve your pet's digestion, but it is critical to keep in mind that consistent or severe digestive issues may be the result of a medical problem. Always contact your vet if your pet has the following issues:
1. Chronic vomiting or diarrhea
2. Blood in stool or vomit
3. Sudden weight loss
4. Severe lethargy or weakness
5. Signs of pain or discomfort
6. A sudden drastic change in their digestive system
Your vet can diagnose the root cause and recommend the most appropriate treatment plan.
Last Digestive Paws-itive Thoughts
A healthy digestive system is the foundation of a happy and healthy pet. By implementing these top 10 ways to improve pet digestion, you are taking positive steps to invest in their health, wellness, and longevity. From finding the right food, supplements, and making lifestyle changes, you will be equipped to make your beloved companion’s gut health a priority, and to enjoy many more years of happy companionship!
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This article is only general information and not a substitute for veterinary advice. If you have any health concerns regarding your pet, please consult your veterinarian.
0 Comments