Dog Supplements vs Natural Food: What's Better for Gut Health?

Soft stools, itchy skin, and of course, the infamous "doggy breath" smell. As a pet owner, you’ve probably experienced at least one of these problems, and perhaps even all three. They can be frustrating and messy. And they often come with so many questions, one of them being, “What’s happening inside my dog's body?”

What you might not know is that approximately 80% of a canine's immune system is in the gut. This large network of immune tissue, called GALT (short for Gut-Associated Lymphoid Tissue), is your pup's primary defense line. It monitors the billions of bacteria in the gut microbiome and plays an important role in regulating immune responses.

A healthy gut environment is crucial because this microbial community trains and regulates the immune system. As such, proper digestive balance is the single most important factor for preventing illnesses and optimizing overall health in canines.

So how can we help our furry friends maintain a healthy gut microbiome?

The answer lies in what they eat, and it leads to the million-dollar question: Is natural food sufficient for optimal canine nutrition, or do our furry friends need something a little extra?

In an ideal world, a nutrient-dense, minimally processed, and well-balanced diet would provide everything your dog needs to maintain a healthy gut. However, that's not always the case. This is where dietary supplementation becomes important.

In this post, we'll walk you through the key differences between dog supplements and natural foods, and discuss the comprehensive benefits and limitations of each for gut health. We'll also explain why combining the two is the best way forward.

[Photo by Fenne from Canva.]

The Power of Natural Food: The Foundation

Defining "Natural Food" for Canines

When we talk about natural food for dogs, we’re not just referring to any type of kibble off the shelf. Natural dog food means species-appropriate, minimally processed food. It includes raw diets, gently cooked meals, whole-meal pet foods, or high-quality whole-food kibble. It prioritizes natural ingredients like whole proteins, fresh vegetables, and healthy fats.

A natural, balanced diet can provide your dog with the essential nutrients it needs. It can also help maintain healthy weight gain. Unlike highly processed kibble, which often contains artificial additives and synthetic nutrients, a natural diet has whole foods that your dog’s digestive system thrives on. Its main benefits include:

1: Diverse Nutritional Components

One of the best things about a natural diet is the nutritional variety it can provide. It contains a host of proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals that cannot be found in standard kibble.

For example, raw and home-cooked meals often include ingredients such as beef, chicken, lamb, and fish, along with vegetables like carrots, sweet potatoes, and spinach. These foods provide a diverse range of amino acids, essential fatty acids, and antioxidants that your dog needs for healthy digestion and overall well-being.

2: Essential Dietary Components

Natural foods provide essential nutrients that support dog gut health. For instance:

• The fiber in vegetables serves as a prebiotic that feeds the good bacteria in your dog’s digestive tract. Good bacteria support nutrient digestion and immune function, ensuring optimal health.
• The omega-3 fatty acids in fresh fish and essential oils help to reduce inflammation in the gut. Note that swelling in the gut can cause Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), which can give your dog serious digestive issues.

While natural food is the best for weight management, pets with food allergies, and your dog's gut health, it may not always be sufficient. Let’s examine this in a bit of detail below.

The Limitations of Dogs Eating Natural Food Alone

1. Processing Loss

No matter how high the quality, natural ingredients lose some of their nutritional value during processing. Vitamins, enzymes, and beneficial bacteria will always be lost during cooking, packaging, and even transportation.

Even when pet owners properly cook food from fresh ingredients, it will not retain the full potential of its nutrients for optimal gut health.

This is where supplements come in to fill the existing gap.

2. Nutrient Gaps

Modern and contemporary agricultural methods also cause nutrient deficiencies in many natural ingredients. Soil depletion, for instance, implies that the vitamins and minerals found in vegetables today are fewer than those of previous generations. This leads to a lower nutrient density in the food you're feeding your pet. This nutrient loss is even more problematic for active dogs that need higher nutrient density to sustain their energy levels.

Additionally, while feeding on a healthy range of natural foods is highly nutritious, they may also pose safety risks. For instance, untested raw meat may contain dangerous bacteria like Salmonella or Escherichia coli (E. coli).

With these risks in mind, it's safer to add supplements to ensure you provide the beneficial balance of nutrients and bacteria that your dog's gut needs to thrive.

Supplements: The Targeted Strike Force For Optimal Gut Health

The Gut Microbiome

All digestive issues revolve around the gut microbiome. This is the complex community of bacteria, fungi, and microscopic microorganisms in your canine's digestive system.

A well-balanced gut microbiome is crucial for digestion, optimum immune function, rapid growth, and even kidney health. However, there are various factors that can disrupt the gut microbiome, including stress, antibiotics, and your dog's natural aging process.

While a natural diet always provides essential nutrients, it may fall short in rectifying sudden imbalances in your dog's gut. Supplements, as the word suggests, come in and bridge the gap. 

Take, for instance, probiotic supplements that introduce good bacteria into your dog's gut microbiome. Most supplements provide specific nutrients and targeted, highly concentrated doses of bioactive compounds.

Spotlight on Key Supplements for Gut Health

1. Probiotics (The Essential Workhorse)

Probiotics are live microorganisms, also known as ‘good bacteria,’ that help support your dog's digestive system. They maintain the levels of good bacteria in the body, minimize acidity, and halt the growth of bad gut bacteria. Dogs suffering from digestive problems like loose stool or diarrhea often benefit from probiotics.

At Pup Labs, we carefully formulate our probiotics to give your dog a healthy gut and a happy life. One of the standout strains in our Tummy Essentials Digestive Chews is Bacillus coagulans. According to Liu et al. (2024) in Frontiers in Microbiology, this particular strain of probiotic is effective in reducing the symptoms of diarrhea and improving digestion. Besides B. coagulans, our Tummy Essentials supplement also includes:

• Fructooligosaccharides: Prebiotic fiber that feeds good gut bacteria and improves your dog's health
• Pumpkin: Fiber-rich food that offers digestive support and alleviates mild constipation in both young and adult dogs
• Oats: They contain linoleic acid, a type of omega-6 fatty acid that keeps the skin strong and healthy
• 100% Natural Peanut Butter: To make the chews tasty and ensure your dog loves them

Giving your pup probiotics like the Tummy Essentials Digestive Chews introduces good bacteria into your dog's gut microbiome. What your dog lacks in their natural diet, they can obtain from supplementation.

2. Prebiotics (The Fuel)

Although probiotics introduce beneficial gut bacteria into your dog's body, prebiotics are the ‘fuel' that helps them thrive. For instance, our K9 Belly Bliss contains three prebiotic ingredients:

• Reishi Mushroom: Rebalances the gut microbiome by feeding good bacteria
• Lion's Mane Mushroom: Another prebiotic that feeds beneficial bacteria in the gut, supporting long-term digestive health
• Turkey Tail & Cordyceps: Prebiotics that nourish good gut bacteria, further supporting digestion and immunity

Note: Veterinarian Rania Gollakner from the VCA Animal Hospitals notes that there's anecdotal evidence supporting the efficacy of medicinal mushrooms in dog health. These mushrooms support gut microbiota, nutrient absorption, and overall well-being.

In addition to the above prebiotic mushrooms, our K9 Belly Bliss supplement also includes L-glutamine and N-Acetyl D-Glucosamine. According to Biotics Research, L-glutamine supports the regeneration and renewal of cells in the digestive system, preventing leaky gut syndrome. N-Acetyl D-Glucosamine (NAG), on the other hand, helps to eliminate harmful toxins that would otherwise cause damage to the gut lining. Glucosamine also supports joint health in senior dogs.

[Photo by ninjaDesign from Canva.]

Bridging the Gap: Identifying the Best Nutrition Plan For Optimal Gut Health

The Hybrid Approach: The Best of Both Worlds

So, what's the answer to the age-old question: dog supplements vs. natural food: what's better for gut health? The answer, both are crucial.

Start by feeding your dog the best possible natural diet your budget allows, preferably one that’s minimally processed. The right food will provide a solid foundation of macronutrients and whole food components that are biologically appropriate for your dog’s digestive system.

Don't stop there. Add the best supplements available to optimize your dog's health. These will fill in the nutrient gaps that natural foods can’t provide. If your dog has oral issues, support them with dental health supplements. If they're older dogs that need extra support as they go through the aging process, give them beneficial senior dog supplements to complement their nutritious diet.

Strategic Supplementation

Supplements cannot replace your dog's daily food. They only come in to provide nutritional support. Ensure you consult your veterinarian first so you can match your supplements to your dog's nutritional needs and give them a controlled diet.

It's best to introduce supplements regularly as part of your dog’s daily routine. However, you can also use them proactively during stressful periods (like travel or boarding) to maintain gut balance.

Finally, always read the labels carefully. Choose products that:

• List the strain specifics (such as Enterococcus faecium)
• Have fewer additives
• Have an expiration date
• Have a seal of quality from a governing agency

This will ensure you're giving your dog the best supplements possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is the Best Diet to Give a Dog for Gut Health?

The best food for your pet's gut health includes a natural and balanced diet along with high-quality supplements. For instance, the best gut health supplements can help provide digestive support and promote your dog's well-being.

Is Natural Food Better than Supplements?

A natural diet provides macronutrients and micronutrients that promote overall canine health. On the other hand, supplements offer concentrated support for efficient digestion and healthy intestines. This makes supplements an integral part of a natural diet. As such, both complement each other.

Do Dogs Need Supplements When Eating Homemade Food?

Yes! Homemade foods often lack certain nutrients. Most vets recommend dietary supplementation that's tailored to your dog's nutritional needs. For instance, if you have senior dogs, you can add the best joint supplements to their daily diet to support their mobility and keep them active for longer.

Do Supplements Improve Gut Health?

Yes, probiotics, prebiotics, and digestive enzymes balance gut microbiome, promote overall health, and relieve symptoms of issues like diarrhea and bloating.

What Is the Best Supplement for Gut Repair?

One of the best supplements for gut repair is a probiotic that contains strains of Bacillus Coagulans, like our Tummy Essential Digestive Chews. This supplement can help restore microbial balance in the intestines and also support dental health. Check out our treats and chews for supplements you can easily add to your natural dog's diet and improve their overall health.

What Are the 4 R’s of Gut Health?

The 4 R’s of gut health recovery are:

• Remove: Eliminate harmful gut bacteria or toxins that may cause allergies or food sensitivities
• Replace: Add missing digestive enzymes or components through supplementation
• Repair: Restore the lining of the gut and its function
• Reinoculate: Introduce beneficial bacteria in the gut, e.g., probiotics

The Final Verdict

In the case of natural foods vs. supplements, the verdict is that it's best to combine the best of both worlds. The first will give you natural nutrients, while the second will provide dietary supplements with health benefits for different life stages.

At Pup Labs, we want your dogs to thrive and live the best life possible. That's why we create science-backed and carefully formulated supplements to support their immune system, joints, and dental health. Give your dog targeted support today and help them live a healthy and happy life.

References

• Biotics Research. (n.d.). L-Glutamine - Old Dog, New Tricks.
• Gollakner, R. (2020). Medicinal Mushrooms. VCA Animal Hospitals.
• Liu, Z., Liu, T., Zhang, Z., & Fan, Y. (2024). Bacillus coagulans regulates gut microbiota and ameliorates the alcoholic-associated liver disease in mice. Frontiers in Microbiology, 15, 1337185.