Why Dogs and Cats Are More Prone to Gut Issues Today | Holistic Vet Advice

Why Dogs and Cats Are More Prone to Gut Issues Today

Why Dogs and Cats Are More Prone to Gut Issues Today

Is your pet constantly dealing with digestive problems like chronic diarrhea, acid reflux, or IBD? You’re not alone. More pets than ever are suffering from gut-related health issues, but why is this happening?

As a holistic veterinarian, I’ve worked with hundreds of pet parents to help heal their pets’ gut issues naturally. The key to improving gut health starts with understanding the hidden triggers causing these problems. In this post, I’ll break down:

• ✅ The top 3 reasons why gut issues are skyrocketing in pets
• ✅ How diet, medications, and environmental toxins impact gut health
• ✅ Simple, natural remedies to help restore balance and support digestion

1. The Hidden Dangers in Processed Pet Food

Most commercial pet foods—especially kibble—are highly processed, stripping away essential nutrients and disrupting gut health over time.

🚨 Why Processed Diets Are Problematic:

• High-heat processing (extrusion) destroys beneficial enzymes and probiotics.
• Synthetic additives & preservatives can irritate the gut lining.
• Excessive carbohydrates (40-60%) promote inflammation and disrupt microbiome balance.

A recent study found that dogs fed ultra-processed diets had a significantly higher risk of developing chronic enteropathy (CE) later in life, whereas those fed minimally processed, meat-based diets had better gut microbiome diversity and lower inflammation levels.

Even prescription diets contain gut irritants like carrageenan—an additive used in research studies to induce gut inflammation!

✅ What You Can Do:

• ✔️ Switch to a minimally processed, meat-based diet (raw, freeze-dried, or gently cooked).
  • Here are a few of our favorite brands that we personally and recommend to our patients: 
    • VivaRaw (use code DRKATIE for a 20% discount) - this is my cats' favorite food and brand!
    • Raised Right
    • Steve's Real Food/Quest
    • SmallBatch
    • CHI Dog
    • Evermore
    • AllProvide
• ✔️ Ensure homemade diets are nutritionally balanced (Dr. Judy Morgan’s books, Dr. Karen Becker, and Animal Diet Formulator are great resources).
  • Dr. Judy Morgan Yin & Yang 2.0 Nutrition for Dogs
  • Forever Dog Life Dr. Karen Becker & Rodney Habib
• ✔️ Add gut-supporting toppers like bone broth, goat’s milk, sardines, and antioxidant-rich fruits.

2. The Unintended Gut Damage from Medications

Medications—especially antibiotics—can be life-saving, but they also come with major downsides when it comes to gut health.

💊 The Problem with Antibiotics & Gut Health

• Antibiotics wipe out beneficial gut flora, leading to dysbiosis (gut microbiome imbalance).
• Leaky gut syndrome weakens the gut barrier, allowing toxins into the bloodstream.
• Opportunistic infections like Clostridium difficile and yeast (Candida albicans) can take over.

A study on metronidazole found that it negatively altered the microbiome for weeks after treatment, while probiotics restored balance faster.

✅ What You Can Do:

• ✔️ Test, don’t guess! Gut microbiome tests (like AnimalBiome or Innovative Pet Lab) can help identify imbalances.
• ✔️ Support with probiotics & digestive enzymes during and after antibiotics.
  • Here are a few of our favorite brands that we recommend: 
    
    • Standard Process Zypan

      • Dosing Recommendation:

        • Small pets (dog and cat): 1/4 to 1/2 tablet with each meal.
        • Medium pets: 1/2 tablet with each meal.
        • Large pets: 1 tablet with each meal.
    • Klaire Labs Ther-Biotic Saccharomyces boulardii - You want to use this during and after antibiotics to help support the microbiome and minimize damage. Start with 1/2 capsule for a small dog/cat, 1 capsule medium dog, and 2 capsules for a larger dog.
• ✔️ Use natural alternatives when possible (e.g., antimicrobial herbs like oregano oil).

3. Environmental & Emotional Stress: The Silent Gut Disruptors

Gut health isn’t just affected by diet and medications—it’s also impacted by the environment and emotional stress.

🚨 Hidden Gut Health Disruptors:

• Glyphosate (found in pesticides & non-organic pet food) disrupts beneficial bacteria and contributes to leaky gut.
• Cleaning chemicals, air fresheners, and non-stick cookware release toxins that harm gut health.
• Your stress levels! Pets mirror their owners' stress, which increases cortisol and alters gut function.

✅ What You Can Do:

• ✔️ Choose non-toxic cleaning products (vinegar, baking soda, pet-safe brands).
• ✔️ Filter your pet’s water to reduce contaminants like chlorine and fluoride. We love our Berkey water filter!
• ✔️ Support emotional balance with natural calming remedies (chamomile, valerian root).
  • Chamomile tea is an easy way to support you and your pet's during stressful times. 

Want a Step-by-Step Plan to Heal Your Pet’s Gut?

Gut health isn’t just about avoiding the bad—it’s about giving your pet the tools to thrive! If you’re ready to take their health to the next level, join my Free Gut Health Masterclass, where I break down my proven framework for restoring the gut naturally.

🎥 Watch the Free Gut Health Masterclass Now!

If you found this helpful, share it with a fellow pet parent who needs to know this! Your pet’s gut health is the key to a longer, happier life. 💕

Further Resources: 

• Why A Raw Food Diet Didn’t FIx Your Pet’s Itchy Skin

• Top 5 Natural Remedies for Your Dog’s Skin: The Power of Essential Oils

• The Holistic Guide to Treating Dog Allergies, Itchy Skin, and Yeast Infections

*Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace the advice of your own veterinarian or doctor. The information contained in thenaturalpetdoctor.com is strictly for educational purposes. Therefore, if you wish to apply ideas contained in thenaturalpetdoctor.com, you are taking full responsibility for your actions. Please consult your veterinarian for medical advice for your own pets. Dr. Katie Woodley cannot answer specific questions about your pet’s medical issues or make medical recommendations for your pet without first establishing a veterinarian-client-patient relationship.  Links in the blog are typically affiliate links that let you help support us.