The digestion of the dog
With a balanced diet, you make a decisive contribution to your dog's healthy digestion. If, on the other hand, you rely on inferior quality dog food or make certain dietary mistakes, digestive problems usually do not take long to appear and your dog's health may even be seriously compromised.
Here's how a dogs' digestion works and what you need to be aware of when feeding your dog.
The organs of the dog's digestive system at a glance
With regard to the individual organs and the path taken by the food in the body, the dog's digestive system is similar to that of humans.
Mouth and esophagus
At first, the dog naturally picks up the food with its mouth, from where it then passes through the oesophagus into the stomach. In contrast to us humans, however, dogs hardly ever chew, which is why there is no significant preparatory work in the mouth for further digestion.
The stomach of the dog
Once the food has reached the stomach, it mixes with the gastric juices there so that the actual digestion can begin. This produces a food pulp which is gradually passed on through the stomach outlet into the small intestine.
The small intestine of the dog
The small intestine is the part of the digestive system where most of the digestion takes place. It is where the digestive enzymes produced in the gall bladder and pancreas are used. These enzymes break down the carbohydrates, fats, and proteins in the dog's food. The liver is then responsible for the metabolism of the nutrients, which also plays a role in the formation and storage of vitamins and the removal of harmful substances.
Large intestine and anus of the dog
After the digestive processes in the small intestine have been completed, the remainder of the food is passed into the large intestine. No relevant digestive processes take place in the large intestine. Finally, the leftover food is then excreted through the dog's anus.
How long does it take for food to be digested in dogs?
The digestion process just described is of course not completed in a few minutes in dogs either. It usually takes about 24 to 36 hours from the time of food intake to the moment of excretion.
The food remains in the dog's stomach for between two and eight hours before it is passed on to the small intestine, where most of the digestion takes place in just an hour or two. In the small intestine, the food remains for between 18 and 24 hours before being excreted.
Why digestion is so important for dogs
The dog's digestive system and all the processes taking place within it are precisely coordinated. Because only if the digestion of the food functions smoothly, the body of your four-legged friend will be supplied with all the necessary nutrients.
Apart from that, the intestine is an important component of the immune system. Problems with the digestion, respectively the dog's intestines, have a direct effect on the dog's defences and susceptibility to disease.
What problems can occur with digestion in dogs?
Just like with humans, dogs can also have a number of problems with digestion.
In particular, the following digestive problems are common in dogs:
- Diarrhoea
- Vomiting
- Constipation
- Flatulence
- Intestinal obstruction
Depending on their nature and severity, digestive disorders can also have dangerous consequences regardless of their exact trigger. For example, a dog suffering from severe diarrhoea and constantly vomiting will lose a lot of fluid, while constipation and flatulence are often particularly painful for the dog.
Constipation is also associated with the risk of permanent overstretching of the bowel, also known as megacolon, and an untreated intestinal obstruction can even be fatal for dogs.
Our tip against diarrhoea in dogs
For dogs with diarrhoea we recommend a dietary supplement with Gastro Relax. This is a completely natural preparation with carefully selected ingredients such as pectin, turmeric, and beetroot, which gently helps to counteract diarrhoea in dogs.
High-quality dog food promotes a healthy digestion
Of course, it is not uncommon for digestive problems in dogs to be caused by an underlying disease. However, it is very often avoidable nutritional errors that are responsible for digestive problems in dogs.
Finally, high-quality dog food is very important for well-functioning digestion. To meet your dog's natural nutritional needs, it is essential that their food contains primarily animal proteins and fats.
On the other hand, a high cereal content, as is, unfortunately, the rule in many inferior foods, sooner or later almost always leads to digestive problems. Although dogs can digest starchy carbohydrates, larger amounts of them can easily lead to problems with nutrient absorption and digestion, which can lead to diarrhoea.
Consider the needs of your dog
Of course, the energy and nutrient requirements vary from dog to dog. The weight and age of the animal as well as breed-specific characteristics and the respective level of physical activity are decisive factors.
Apart from this, existing health problems such as diabetes or kidney insufficiency in dogs may of course also make special feeding necessary.
Feed allergies are another relevant factor, the disregard of which causes massive problems with digestion in dogs. Affected animals do not tolerate certain ingredients of their food and therefore require a hypoallergenic dog food, such as our varieties with insect protein from the larvae of the black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens).
The better you are able to respond to your dog's individual nutritional needs, the easier it is to avoid digestive problems and promote the well-being of your four-legged friend.
Our conclusion on the subject of digestion in dogs
As you can see, healthy digestion is very important for your dog. Because digestive problems such as diarrhoea are not only unpleasant for your four-legged friend but can also have serious consequences.
Therefore, pay attention to a diet that meets your dog's needs from an early age. In the Bellfor range, you will find everything you need to optimally promote your dog's vitality and digestion with species-appropriate dog food.
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