4 Ways To Restore Your Pet’s Gut Health Naturally

Beneficial bacteria, or probiotics, in your pet’s gut are key building blocks for overall health. A majority of the immune system lives in the gut. Keeping an abundance of good bacteria in the gut’s delicate microbiome can help strengthen the immune system. This can help your dog or cat fight off harmful bacteria, viruses, and everyday toxins. It also prevents allergies, helps pets maintain a healthy weight, and improves their overall quality of life.

Restore gut health for dogs and cats naturally by feeding them a biologically appropriate diet, using probiotics, keeping them hydrated, and reducing stress. Here’s how:

 

1. Start With a High-Quality and Biologically Appropriate Diet

Diet is the cornerstone of your pet’s digestive health, and a species-appropriate diet works with their natural biology. When choosing a diet, focus on these gut health ingredients for pets:

• Quality proteins

• Organs

• Bones

• Organic fruits

• Vegetables

• Vitamins and minerals from whole foods (not synthetic sources)

Primal complete and balanced recipes for cats and dogs are specially formulated to provide all the vitamins, minerals, and nutrients your pet needs to live in their prime. 

Tips for Choosing the Right Raw Diet for Your Pet

The best raw diet supports gut health for dogs and cats while also fitting your lifestyle. All Primal formulas deliver balanced nutrition, so focus on what works best for your daily routine and your pet’s preferences:

Curious about how to transition to raw food, or need help finding the right portions for your pet? Use our transitioning guidelines for dogs and cats and our Feeding Calculator to help guide you.

 

2. Replenish Gut Flora With Probiotics

Introducing probiotics into your pet’s meals helps build microflora and balance their microbiome. Probiotics support gut health by nourishing the good bacteria that live in your pet’s digestive system. They can be particularly helpful if your dog or cat recently completed a course of antibiotics, which wipes out both the good and bad bacteria while helping your pet fight off infections. 

Feeding a probiotic supports the recovery of the microbiome, and benefits of probiotics for cats and dogs include:

• Better weight management

• Improved mood

• Stronger immune system

• Regulated hormones

Frozen Raw or Shelf-Stable Dehydrated Goat Milk can be a great way to add probiotics to your pet’s diet. Both of our goat milk formats contain probiotics which can help increase immune resistance against harmful bacteria, fight intestinal infections, and provide nutritional support. 

Note: Any addition to your pet’s diet should be introduced gradually. Since pets can’t tell you directly how they feel, monitor their behavior and digestion for cues.

 

3. Increase Hydration for Better Nutrient Absorption 

Another way to support your pet’s digestive health is to make sure they stay hydrated. Not only do fluids keep things moving and prevent dehydration when tummy trouble strikes, but they also help to break down food for better nutrient absorption. 

You can restore your dog or cat’s gut health naturally by feeding them nutrient-rich hydrators like Primal Bone Broth, Raw Goat Milk, and Dehydrated Goat Milk. These products offer digestive help for dogs and cats by supplementing their nutritional needs, supporting their microbiome, and keeping them hydrated.

Bone Broth helps your pet’s digestion by:

• Boosting absorption of vitamins and minerals

• Creating the ideal environment for gut flora to thrive

• Offering gentle digestive help for dogs and cats with sensitive stomachs

Raw and Dehydrated Goat Milk restores natural gut health for pets by:

• Delivering probiotics, vitamins, and minerals to support overall wellness

• Keeping pets hydrated, aiding in nutrient breakdown and absorption

• Providing extra digestive support

 

4. Manage Stress Through Daily Exercise and Play

Stress has a direct impact on pet gut health. Too much cortisol—the stress hormone—can weaken the immune system, trigger inflammation, and disrupt the balance of the microbiome. Exercise and play are simple, natural ways to keep stress in check.

Try these activities to help pets manage stress:

• Take regular walks with your dog and play daily. 

• For cats, use toys and give lots of one-on-one time. 

• Let your pet socialize with other animals to build confidence.

• Let them chew on a Primal Recreational Raw Bone for mental stimulation.

Remember: Every cat and dog is different when it comes to their recommended level of exercise, and their needs will change throughout their lives. Find the right level for your pet’s life stage.

 

Signs of Gut Health Imbalance

An imbalanced gut microbiome can have whole-health consequences for cats and dogs, keeping them from living their healthiest lives. A well-balanced gut microbiome can make your pet more resilient to everything from minor infections to serious illnesses. 

Minor imbalances may not show up as noticeable symptoms, but there are some signs you can use to know if your pet may have gut health issues. Here’s what to watch for:

• Digestive upset, such as recurring constipation and diarrhea

• Bloating and flatulence

• Skin and fur problems, such as dryness and itching

• Bad breath

• Unexpected weight gain or loss

• Behavioral changes, such as unusual hiding, aggression, or anxiety

Even minor imbalances can affect quality of life. Recognizing the early warning signs of gut health issues for dogs and cats can help you address small concerns before they turn into larger health problems. 

With the right diet, hydration, probiotics, and play, you can support natural gut health for pets at every stage of life. Give your dog or cat the building blocks they need to thrive by exploring our complete recipes, toppers, and hydrators. Start your journey by shopping Primal collections online or at a neighborhood pet store near you.