From Treats to Tummies: Why Gut Health Might Be the Key to Your Dog’s Happiness

What’s Going On in Your Dog’s Gut – And How to Feed It for Health and Happiness

You’ve probably heard by now that the gut is the body’s “second brain.” But did you know this applies to dogs, too? Just like us, our pups have a complex gut microbiome, and it plays a huge role in everything from digestion and immunity to mood and behaviour.

Yet, in a market flooded with ultra-processed dog treats packed with additives, fillers, and artificial flavourings, our dogs’ gut health is under more strain than ever.

So let’s break it down — what’s really going on in your dog’s digestive system, how can poor nutrition affect their well-being, and what can you do (easily!) to support a healthy gut and a happy dog?

🧠 The Canine Gut-Brain Connection

Just like in humans, a dog’s gut contains trillions of bacteria – good and bad – that influence everything from their immune response to their mood. This is known as the gut-brain axis.

"A healthy gut microbiome helps regulate inflammation, reduces anxiety, and supports the immune system. When it’s out of balance, we often see itchy skin, allergies, loose stools, and even behavioural changes," says Dr. Ciara Clarke, Canine nutrition specialist.

The keyword here? Balance.

⚠️ The Rise of Ultra-Processed Dog Treats

Walk into any supermarket and you’ll see a wall of dog treats and snacks — often full of cheap meat by-products, sugar, artificial colours and preservatives, and vague ingredients like "animal derivatives".

Various studies have found that dogs fed highly processed treats had significantly less microbial diversity in their gut compared to dogs on wholefood-based diets.

And less microbial diversity = increased risk of allergies, digestive upset, and even chronic inflammation.

What are Meat & Animal Derivatives?

Why G&W never uses them, and you should avoid them too!

Helping you to understand the fine print. 

The use of “animal derivatives” is usually tucked away in the fine print — the small text on the back that many of us never read. Legally, that’s all manufacturers are required to disclose. Some brands go as far as claiming things like “Only two ingredients!” on the front of the pack, when on the back of the packet, in reality, those two ingredients might each be made up of multiple types of meat from unknown sources.

So not only are you being kept in the dark about what’s really in these treats — you're being actively misled.

At Green and Wild's, we keep our ingredients clean and our ingredient lists clear and easy to understand.

Different Batch = Different Animals, and what does it actually mean?

Some pet treat manufacturers try to reassure us (if we even manage to find the ingredients list buried on the back of the pack) by saying their treats contain "animal derivatives with a minimum of 70% beef."

Sounds comforting — but what does that really mean? It means 70% of the meat content comes from beef by-products — the scraps left over after the prime cuts are removed. But here’s the catch: the remaining 30%? That can be made up of whatever meat leftovers were cheapest or most available on the day that batch was made. That could be anything, such as pork, chicken, goat, or even shellfish.

So every time you buy the same treat, you could be feeding your pet a completely different mix of animal sources. Crazy, we know! This could have wider implications if your pup has intolerances or allergies to certain protein sources and could cause them unnecessary gut problems and inflammation.

🌿How to Support Your Dog’s Gut (Without Being a Vet or Scientist)

Keeping your dog’s gut happy doesn’t require a biology degree — just a bit of awareness and a return to natural, nutrient-rich ingredients.

Here’s what helps:

• Choose air-dried, single-ingredient treats – these retain more nutrients and are easy to digest.  We strive to keep our treats and chews simple, honest, and healthy. That's why many of them have our "100% ONE Ingredient Gold Award". That means the chew, treat, or supplement is simply 100% what it says it is.  No E numbers, No preservatives, No fillers, No bulkers, No chemicals, No cheap ingredients - No nasties at all!

• Add gut-loving extras like seaweed, turmeric, and chamomile, which support digestion and reduce inflammation.

• Avoid artificial ingredients, preservatives and colourants – if you wouldn't eat it, why should they?

• Rotate proteins – variety supports microbial diversity. Choose novel, hypoallergenic protein sources like venison, pheasant, goose, duck, turkey, or wild boar. 

• Watch for signs – soft poos, itchy skin, wind, or sudden mood changes can all link back to gut imbalance.

🐾 What We Recommend at Green & Wild’s

We’re obsessed with dogs’ well-being — and that means gut health, too. All our treats are 100% natural, the majority are simply air-dried, and most importantly, are made without any nasties.

Here are a few gut-friendly favourites:

• Super Salmon Oil  Rich in omega-3s and easy on tummies. Anti-inflammatory properties and can improve digestion.
• Fish Deli Cubes  Great for training or sensitive bellies. A high-protein, low-fat treat with no additives, preservatives, or nasties.  
•  Wild Garden Herbal Bakes  Packed with vitamins, minerals, and herbs. Gentle on digestion and calming, too.
•  Goosey Lucy's Glorious Goose Chews  A nutrient-dense, highly palatable, novel protein source that's also very tasty!
• Sweet Potato Treats  A true superfood that's highly digestible and a safe alternative to heavily processed and chemically treated rawhide chews.

👉 View all our gut-friendly favourites here

📚 Further Reading

1. AnimalBiome – The Gut Microbiome and Your Dog's Health. Explains how gut health influences mood, digestion, and immunity.
2. Dogs Naturally Magazine – The Gut-Brain Axis in Dogs. User-friendly article connecting gut health to behaviour in dogs.
3. Frontiers in Veterinary Science – Gut microbiome of dogs: A review. Peer-reviewed, science-backed overview of the canine microbiome and diet influences.

The Final Bark 🐶

Our dogs trust us to feed them well. Choosing gut-supportive, natural foods is one of the easiest ways to help them live longer, feel better, and wag harder.

Let’s ditch the junk, nourish the gut, and raise a generation of healthier, happier hounds, together.💚