A dog's digestive system can be complex, but like humans, they need to maintain a healthy diet and stay active to prevent digestive disorders. The digestive system includes all organs that are responsible for processing food. It starts with the mouth and includes the stomach, liver, intestines, pancreas, rectum, and anus.

The main functions of a dog's digestive system involve the digestion of food, absorption of nutrients, elimination of feces, and maintaining the balance of fluid and electrolytes. Digestive issues can start with the food dogs consume and eventually lead to nausea, vomiting, digestive upset, or more pressing concerns. If your dog is exhibiting signs of a digestive disorder, take some time to get to the root of the issue and determine how you can help your furry friend with the information in this guide.

Digestive System Infections

Dogs can receive an infection in their digestive tract from ingesting contaminated food, water, or feces. The most common infections are viral, bacterial, and parasites.

  • Viral infections: Dogs can become infected through virus particles in the air or the respiratory secretions of infected dogs. It typically occurs when your canine comes into direct contact with infected animals or objects and can include parvovirus and salmonellosis. Some common signs of viral infections are coughing, vomiting, fever, and a snotty nose.

  • Bacterial infections: Ingesting food or objects with bacteria can irritate the inside of the digestive tract and lead to vomiting. If the bacteria reach further down the digestive tract, your dog may experience digestive upset.

  • Parasites: Parasites live inside an animal's gut and produce eggs that come through an animal's feces. If your dog encounters these feces, it can develop parasites, which will be visible through white spots in your dog's feces.

A research article categorized dog diseases into three sectors, and the results showed that the highest proportional incidence was noted in infectious diseases (53.8 percent). The study highlights the need to have sufficient knowledge of the epidemiology of these diseases of dogs for their prevention and control. So, the best way to treat digestive system infections is by consulting a veterinarian to receive antibiotics and necessary treatment. 

Noninfectious Disease

A canine's digestive tract is also prone to noninfectious diseases and can cause significant harm to its health if left untreated. This typically includes kidney stones, ulcers, tumors, and enzyme deficiencies. Each type of noninfectious disease can have a different effect on a dog. For instance, kidney dysfunction can occur when the kidney fails to filter waste from the blood. If left untreated, the damage can further affect the organ and lead to chronic kidney disease and kidney failure.

Some noninfectious diseases don't show prevalent signs in dogs, so being cautious is the key to keeping your dog healthy. This involves frequent vet checkups, keeping an eye out for unusual growths or bumps in their bodies, and observing changes in their behavior. 

Nutrient Deficiencies 

All pet foods are not created equal, and choosing the wrong food can harm your beloved furry friend. Dogs need a healthy balance of proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals for their body and mind to thrive. Some brands don't contain the necessary nutrients a dog needs to maintain long-term health. Consuming food with deficiencies can cause stomach issues, problems with the intestinal tract, weak joints, and poor eye health, among other issues.

Bold by Nature recommends providing your pet with a variety of proteins and formulas to ensure optimal nutrition. Explore Bold By Nature raw dog food options and introduce different flavors to your dog. Their recipes use meats and vegetables to create meals that are unproblematic for a dog's digestive system. You will find your dog licking the bowl clean as they absorb real flavor without added processing. 

Dogs are curious creatures known to take a bite of anything that seems remotely edible (or not, sometimes), and this can often lead to digestive issues. In addition, a pet owner's lack of knowledge about common digestive disorders and treatments can unknowingly influence your dog's health. To avoid stomach issues and enhance the long-term health of your furry companion, learn about common digestive disorders and what to do about them.