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The digestive system

  • Jan 7
  • 8 min read

The cornerstone of good health


©Le système digestif du chien - La Crapule
©Le système digestif du chien - La Crapule

80% of your pet's immune system is located in its intestines!


The digestive system, including the stomach, liver, and intestines, plays a vital role in our pets' health. Simply put, it's where what's good for your pet's body is absorbed and what's bad is sorted and eliminated . When any part of the digestive system malfunctions, the entire balance of the body is likely to be affected: poor absorption of nutrients, vitamins, and minerals, and poor elimination of what's not good and/or harmful to your pet's system.

There is the visible, the "tip of the iceberg" : when your pet suffers from diarrhea or constipation, nausea and vomiting. And the " submerged part of the iceberg" : when these symptoms of diarrhea and constipation stem from deeper, chronic disorders.


How to detect and differentiate a chronic problem, due to a dysfunction of the body, from a one-off problem?

The occasional disorder

Occasional disorder is when you are aware of the origin of the diarrhea or constipation, and it is due to an identified and specific cause in time.

Diarrhea can be caused by:

  • Change of diet (changing kibble without a transition period), wet food, excessive treats, switching to a homemade diet or BARF. Kibble that is not suitable for your pet.

  • You had family and friends over, and no one could resist your pet's adorable face and offered their little "table scraps" or gave them excessive treats.

  • You gave him a dewormer recently.

  • He is on antibiotic and/or anti-inflammatory treatment for another problem and this has disrupted his gut flora.

  • You saw him steal something during the walk.

  • He experienced a spike in stress (change in living environment, you had people over, fireworks, stay in a boarding kennel, new pet in the home, new family member, etc...)

  • Virus or bacteria that it caught during the walk or through contact with other sick animals.

Constipation can be caused by:

  • Dehydration.

  • Inappropriate diet.

  • Excess cereals in his diet.

  • Excess "calcium" such as after gnawing on a bone, for example.

In these situations, which I would call "one-off" because a specific cause can be clearly identified, there's no need to worry. You simply have to wait for the cause of the problem to subside for everything to return to normal. Of course, you shouldn't hesitate to consult your veterinarian in case of acute pain, unusual behavior, or simply if you're concerned.

However, you can help your pet recover faster by putting them on a short fast if the cause is dietary (solid food only; always keep your pet well-hydrated with fresh water available). You can also soothe their diarrhea and stomach aches by giving them activated charcoal (respecting the correct dosage, *see end of this paragraph*), always keep them well-hydrated whether they have diarrhea or constipation, and also give them probiotics (see end of this paragraph) to rebalance their gut flora, which may have been disrupted by the diarrhea. Of course, if in doubt, or if your pet has a known medical condition (diabetes, kidney problems, etc.), always consult your veterinarian.

*Activated charcoal dosage in case of diarrhea :


*Probiotics: Episodes of diarrhea disrupt the balance of the gut flora. The gut flora consists, among other things, of beneficial bacteria essential for proper digestion and nutrient absorption. It is beneficial to give your pet probiotics after an episode of diarrhea, as well as for regular treatment. They are most often available in powder form and can simply be added to your pet's food.

I recommend the Maxxipaws brand, which I've tested. It's very high quality, natural, and well-tolerated by both dogs and cats. It's available on our website.


Chronic disorder


Disorder is said to be chronic when It develops over time, when a specific cause cannot be identified, and when symptoms appear throughout the entire body. These symptoms are numerous and varied; here is a non-exhaustive list:

  • Diarrhea and constipation that last over time (lasting more than one week)

  • Your pet is nauseous and vomiting

  • Your pet is refusing to eat, seems to be becoming "fussy"

  • Your pet appears to have a swollen belly or is in pain when touched.

  • Your pet has gas and belching.

  • Your pet has bad breath unrelated to tartar.

  • Your pet has skin problems, dull coat, bald patches, dandruff, itching…

  • Your pet shows signs of deficiencies (brittle teeth, brittle claws, etc.)

  • Your pet seems to lack energy and is lethargic.

  • Your pet seems sad

  • Your pet seems to be suffering without you noticing an obvious cause.


A chronic disorder can be linked to several factors, the most common of which are listed below:

1/ An unsuitable or unbalanced diet, too rich or too poor

2/ An imbalance of the intestinal flora following the administration of antibiotics. Antibiotics often tend to have a detrimental effect on the beneficial bacteria in your pet's digestive system, which is why it is important to provide your pet with a course of probiotics immediately afterward.

3/ Deficiencies that develop, which may be linked to the two previous factors, or to the specific needs of the breed not met by the diet (example: zinc deficiency in huskies and other Nordic breeds whose zinc requirements are higher than other breeds)

4/ Disease or established problem in the body such as irritable bowel syndrome or leaky gut. In the case of leaky gut, the intestinal wall no longer acts as a barrier because its cells are separated, and bacteria, toxins, allergens, and yeasts pass into your pet's bloodstream.


As soon as you suspect your pet is suffering from a chronic disorder, talk to your veterinarian or holistic veterinarian. They are best equipped to identify the cause of the chronic disorder and advise you on how to address it. There are also laboratories that perform analyses that can tell you if your pet is suffering from deficiencies and/or toxins, and identify which ones, simply by sending a hair sample. It's important to know that the analysis of this hair reflects your pet's health over the past few months. Many tests are available for purchase online by searching "animal hair deficiency analysis." For example: https://www.ajcnature.com/fr/analyse-nutritionnelle-chien/80-analyse-nutritionnelle-personnalisee-chien.html

You can also ask your veterinarian for advice; they may know of a laboratory that performs this type of analysis. I'm discussing deficiencies here, but there are also cases of toxicity, such as mercury poisoning in animals fed a lot of fish. In this regard, I advise you to favor small fish like sardines rather than large fish like cod. A small fish will accumulate less mercury than a large one. There may also be unsuspected substances in commercial pet food that you will find at a significant toxicity level in the results of analyses. While certainly not in quantities high enough to directly endanger your pet's life, it can compromise it in the long term. Deficiencies most often manifest as skin problems, recurring muscle or joint problems, diarrhea, or repeated constipation. But in the long run, deficiencies and imbalances can lead to more serious problems such as cancer. That is why it is important not to neglect chronic bowel problems.


How to avoid nutritional deficiencies in your pet and prevent chronic intestinal problems?

1/ Taking care of your digestive system

The digestive system plays a vital role in your pet's health, as it houses 80% of their immune system. Ensuring good digestive health, beyond guaranteeing proper nutrient absorption and the elimination of harmful substances, also contributes to their overall well-being. Of course, there are diseases, viruses, bacteria, and cancers where the digestive system cannot be implicated, but maintaining a healthy digestive system allows your pet to best defend itself.

To achieve this, certain points are essential:

  • A suitable diet, neither too rich nor too poor, should ideally be varied and include fresh foods and/or a daily or regular intake of vegetables. Broccoli, in particular, is very beneficial. Veterinary nutritionists are available today who can provide you with the best advice.

  • An intake of good fats. The addition of quality omega 3, 6 and 9 through oils such as krill and flax.

  • A regular or daily intake of probiotics provides the beneficial bacteria necessary for a healthy digestive system. They are most often found in capsules or powders and should be refrigerated after opening. On our website, we offer the high-quality brand MaxxiPaws - MaxxiDigest+.

    For those more adventurous and committed to their animals' health, you can also make your own milk kefir using fresh kefir grains and unpasteurized whole organic goat's milk ( see recipe at the end of this article ). Kefir is an excellent source of probiotics.

  • Regular courses of digestive enzymes are recommended. You can also find them quite easily online. Always choose the most natural formulas possible.


2/ How to avoid the risk of deficiencies?

  • Providing your pet with vitamin supplements daily or as short-term treatments reduces the risk of deficiencies. Even with the best intentions and fresh meals, it's difficult to avoid all deficiencies because, over centuries and with intensive farming, soils have become depleted, and with them, the quality of livestock feed has also declined. Therefore, even fresh foods may not be as rich in vitamins and minerals as one might think. By choosing to provide your pet with a regular vitamin supplement, and of course, by selecting the most natural and highest-quality options available, you minimize the risk of deficiencies. But if you want to verify this, as I mentioned earlier, deficiency and toxicity testing is available by sending hair samples to specialized laboratories.

  • Each breed has its own specific characteristics, often linked to the geographical area or country where these breeds originated. For example, Nordic breeds such as the Siberian Husky and the Samoyed originated in regions where the diet was often fish-based, a diet naturally rich in omega-3 fatty acids and zinc. Thus, it is not uncommon to find dogs in our latitudes with zinc deficiencies because the typical diet of kibble or even meat is not sufficiently rich in zinc. The same is true for cat breeds.



For English speakers, you'll find a wealth of information and natural advice in the wonderful book by renowned American herbalist Rita Hogan, "The Herbal Dog," for which I had the privilege and immense honor of creating the scientific illustrations. You can find this book on many platforms.



Making your own milk kefir - recipe: Ingredients:

  • Fresh kefir grains (1 tablespoon)

  • 1/2 liter of raw, non-UHT goat's milk (UHT milk contains fewer beneficial bacteria and yeasts)

  • 1 glass jar with a capacity greater than 1/2L

  • A coffee filter to cover the brew to prevent insects like fruit flies, attracted to the brew, from falling in.

Preparation:

Put 1 teaspoon of kefir grains in the glass jar, pour in 1/2 liter of raw goat's milk, shake the jar a little, place the coffee filter on the opening, securing it with an elastic band, and wait from 12 hours to 3 or 4 days depending on the ambient temperature of your room.

The mixture should have the consistency of thin cream, like drinkable yogurt. The longer you let it ferment, the higher the acidity will be, which may be unpleasant for your pets. Stir occasionally with a plastic or wooden spoon (1 to 2 times a day). Once you have achieved a creamy texture, strain the mixture through a plastic sieve to collect the kefir grains, which you can store in the refrigerator in a little raw goat's milk, in a separate, resealable container.

Conservation:

  • Refrigerate for several days

  • Freeze if preparing for later (it keeps for up to 3 months without any problem; freezing doesn't kill the probiotics but puts them into a dormant state). To do this, pour into a bottle or plastic container, leaving some space before the lid. After slow thawing in the refrigerator (24 hours), simply stir to recombine the mixture.

Dosage:

  • Cats and small dogs: 1 teaspoon to 1 tablespoon per day

  • Medium-sized dogs: 1 to 2 tablespoons per day

  • Large dogs: 2 to 3 tablespoons per day

  • Very large dogs: 4 to 6 tablespoons per day

Kefir contains many (beneficial) bacteria, so start with half the suggested dose to allow your pet's digestive system to get used to it, and increase gradually.

Where can I buy fresh kefir grains?

You can easily find them in groups on social media platforms like Facebook, for just the cost of postage. Alternatively, many websites offer them. Always choose those with the best customer reviews: For example: https://www.acheterkefir.fr/kefir-de-leche.html


 
 
 

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