You and your dog are very different, of course I do not have to tell
you that. The way you eat and process food is also quite different and
it is very important for you to understand how the digestive system of a
dog works in order to make sure that you are feeding your dog the right
amount of food and the right kind of food. So let us start with a
brief description of the digestive system of a dog.
We begin with the mouth, a dog’s mouth is made to bite in to large chunks of bones and meat and therefore have larger teeth and hinged jaws. The food then passes through the esophagus and on to the stomach where the large pieces of food are then digested, what can not be digested by the stomach will be regurgitated, and as I am sure you know, the dog will then swallow it again. It then passes through the small intestine to the large intestine and then out of the dog.
Because dogs have been domesticated and taken away from their natural environment it is important that we understand how their digestive system works. They are able to digest a lot of different types of food but some foods are harmful to them. Milk products can not be digested by a dog and will give them gas and can make them sick, this is why it is best to avoid all dairy products such as cheese, yogurt, and sour cream. The digestive system of a dog is also not built to take in chocolate which acts as a poison to dogs and can make them very ill and even cause them death.
Understanding certain facts about your dog, such as that a dog has the shortest digestive system of all the mammals, can help you out a lot. The digestive system of a dog only takes around 8 hours to complete the entire process, this is naturally a shorter process for young dogs and puppies. Take note of the regular habits of your dog, the regular eating habits and bowel movement habits. By making sure that you know the digestive system of a dog, makes it easier for you to watch for irregular habits which can indicate a problem with your dog. If your dog is acting strange and the bowel movements and eating habits of the dog are irregular then it could be caused by an illness in the dog.
There are actually dog supplements available that greatly help dogs process some of the foods in their somewhat unnatural diet, and also make sure that they get the nutrients that they need. For example, Chia seeds actually have the highest percentage of omega 3 and omega 6, and in the proportions that dogs need to have. Kelp is another fantastic source of fatty acids, especially since it contains all of the essential amino acids that dogs (and people) need. Another key that your dog supplement should have is probiotics, which are beneficial living microorganisms that help with digestion. Lactobacillus help create beneficial yeast cultures, for example.
Making sure that your dog has plenty of proteins is something that is incredibly important. Some people make the attempt to put their dog on a vegetarian diet, this is not only horrible for the dog; it also shows just how little the owner knows about their pet. Protein is very important for your dog. Your dog’s body is made of 50% protein and it is a major part of every cell in a dog’s body. Whatever proteins that your dog does not digest simply give your dog more energy.
We begin with the mouth, a dog’s mouth is made to bite in to large chunks of bones and meat and therefore have larger teeth and hinged jaws. The food then passes through the esophagus and on to the stomach where the large pieces of food are then digested, what can not be digested by the stomach will be regurgitated, and as I am sure you know, the dog will then swallow it again. It then passes through the small intestine to the large intestine and then out of the dog.
Because dogs have been domesticated and taken away from their natural environment it is important that we understand how their digestive system works. They are able to digest a lot of different types of food but some foods are harmful to them. Milk products can not be digested by a dog and will give them gas and can make them sick, this is why it is best to avoid all dairy products such as cheese, yogurt, and sour cream. The digestive system of a dog is also not built to take in chocolate which acts as a poison to dogs and can make them very ill and even cause them death.
Understanding certain facts about your dog, such as that a dog has the shortest digestive system of all the mammals, can help you out a lot. The digestive system of a dog only takes around 8 hours to complete the entire process, this is naturally a shorter process for young dogs and puppies. Take note of the regular habits of your dog, the regular eating habits and bowel movement habits. By making sure that you know the digestive system of a dog, makes it easier for you to watch for irregular habits which can indicate a problem with your dog. If your dog is acting strange and the bowel movements and eating habits of the dog are irregular then it could be caused by an illness in the dog.
There are actually dog supplements available that greatly help dogs process some of the foods in their somewhat unnatural diet, and also make sure that they get the nutrients that they need. For example, Chia seeds actually have the highest percentage of omega 3 and omega 6, and in the proportions that dogs need to have. Kelp is another fantastic source of fatty acids, especially since it contains all of the essential amino acids that dogs (and people) need. Another key that your dog supplement should have is probiotics, which are beneficial living microorganisms that help with digestion. Lactobacillus help create beneficial yeast cultures, for example.
Making sure that your dog has plenty of proteins is something that is incredibly important. Some people make the attempt to put their dog on a vegetarian diet, this is not only horrible for the dog; it also shows just how little the owner knows about their pet. Protein is very important for your dog. Your dog’s body is made of 50% protein and it is a major part of every cell in a dog’s body. Whatever proteins that your dog does not digest simply give your dog more energy.