Does your dog’s poop look different lately? Your dog’s feces are a huge indicator as to what’s going on with his overall health, so any change is important to note. While unusual poop or diarrhea should be brought to the attention of your veterinarian if it doesn’t clear up within a couple of days, poop that looks greasy or fatty may indicate that your dog isn’t digesting his food properly. What could be causing that, and what can you do to help? Read on for these answers and more!
Your dog may be having trouble digesting his food
All animals need enzymes to help digest their food. Here are the main digestive enzymes:
–Protease breaks down protein into usable amino acids
–Amylase turns carbohydrates into sucrose, lactose, and maltose
–Lipase turns fats into fatty acids and glycerol
–Cellulase helps break down fiber
Your dog’s body produces these enzymes in limited amounts. Their wild ancestors, wolves, acquired much of these enzymes by consuming the entrails of their prey, reducing the impact on their pancreas, which produces the enzymes. Unfortunately, any enzymes present in the ingredients of commercial dog foods are all cooked out, which don’t contain the enzyme-rich entrails anyway, so without supplementation, your dog’s pancreas can start to falter and produce fewer enzymes. This can impact your dog’s digestion and lead to greasy, fatty-looking poop. This is the result of a lack of lipase in particular, and your dog’s body can no longer break down the fat in his diet.
How should my dog’s poop look?
Healthy poop should be brown in color, have the consistency of Play-Doh, and may be damp but shouldn’t be greasy. Poop covered in slimy mucus can be indicative of a parasitic infection. According to Mercola Healthy Pets:
“A greasy-looking gray stool can be a sign of too much fat in your dog’s diet, which can trigger pancreatitis, which is inflammation of the pancreas that can range from very mild to life-threatening.”
If your dog’s poop looks like it is excessively fatty, your dog may benefit from enzyme supplementation.
Probiotics can help, too
Your dog’s gut is full of bacteria, many of which help to digest the food in his gut. If your dog is lacking beneficial bacteria, that can also lead to runny stools, especially if diarrhea occurs during periods of stress. Adding probiotics can help firm up your dog’s poop, while the enzymes help digest your dog’s food.
If you’ve ever taken antibiotics or suffered from chronic gastrointestinal problems, you’ve probably been told to start taking probiotics. The addition of the healthy bacteria in probiotics can help soothe any digestive system as well as improve your dog’s overall health and immune system. 70% of your dog’s immune cells actually live in your dog’s gut, so helping those cells thrive in an environment that is full of “good bacteria” can have a very significant impact on your dog’s overall health. According to PetMD:
“…Giving your dog healthy bacteria may positively impact chronic GI abnormalities, obesity, liver disease, and mood and behavior disorders. A daily probiotic supplement may also provide some ancillary benefits for dogs such as better skin and coat appearance, a reduction in gas, improved breath, a reduction of allergy symptoms, a reduction in yeast-associated disorders, and help in regulating bowel function.”
Do I need to give my dog two different supplements to help with both his enzymes and probiotics?
NO! iHeartDogs 3-In-1 Probiotic Dog Chews are the most complete digestive supplement available for dogs! Containing probiotics, prebiotics, digestive enzymes, and digestive herbs, this digestive supplement is an excellent way to ensure your pet maintains a healthy level of the good bacteria essential in the gut to promote and support overall colon and bowel health. iHeartDogs 3-In-1 Probiotic Dog Chews aids in the absorption of essential nutrients, while nourishing the natural gut flora for complete GI health.
The 4-in-1 formula will help your dog have great-looking solid poops and can also reduce gas, which is beneficial for both your dog and your family.
What could be better than that? Each purchase provides 14 meals for shelter dogs! Help improve your dog’s digestion and immune function today while also helping dogs in need.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. The information on this website is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified healthcare professional.
