The Best and Worst Foods for Healing Your Dog’s Gut

Your dog’s gut is the foundation of their health. A well-balanced gut supports digestion, immune function, nutrient absorption, and even mental well-being. But when gut health is compromised—through poor diet, toxins, or chronic inflammation—it can lead to leaky gut syndrome, dysbiosis, allergies, and a weakened immune system. If your dog is experiencing digestive issues, itching, ear infections, or food sensitivities, healing their gut should be a top priority.

Certain foods can help rebuild gut health by strengthening the intestinal lining, repopulating beneficial bacteria, and reducing inflammation, while others can wreak havoc on the microbiome and contribute to chronic disease. Below, we’ll break down the best foods for healing your dog’s gut—and the worst ones to avoid.

Best Foods for Healing Your Dog’s Gut

Bone Broth

Bone broth is one of the best foods for gut healing because it contains collagen, gelatin, and amino acids like glutamine, all of which help repair and strengthen the gut lining. If your dog has leaky gut syndrome, bone broth can be a gentle, nutrient-dense solution to help seal the intestines and reduce inflammation.

• Rich in easily digestible nutrients

• Supports gut lining repair

• Contains anti-inflammatory amino acids (glutamine, proline, glycine)

• Hydrating and soothing for dogs with digestive issues

Fermented Foods

Fermented foods introduce live probiotics to help balance gut bacteria and improve microbiome diversity. A strong, well-balanced microbiome is essential for proper digestion, immune function, and nutrient absorption.

• Populates the gut with beneficial bacteria

• Enhances digestion and absorption of nutrients

• Helps regulate the immune system and reduce inflammation

Best fermented foods for dogs:

• Raw goat’s milk

• Kefir (unsweetened)

• Fermented vegetables (carrots, beets, or cabbage in small amounts)

Prebiotic-Rich Foods

Prebiotics feed beneficial gut bacteria, helping them thrive and outcompete harmful microbes. Without adequate prebiotics, probiotics have a harder time colonizing and maintaining a healthy balance in the gut.

• Encourages the growth of beneficial bacteria

• Supports a balanced gut microbiome

• Helps prevent harmful bacterial overgrowth

Best prebiotic-rich foods:

• Dandelion greens

• Burdock root

• Chicory root

• Asparagus

• Pumpkin (great for digestive regularity)

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Omega-3s play a critical role in reducing gut inflammation, helping repair the intestinal lining, and supporting the balance of gut bacteria. Chronic gut inflammation can contribute to food sensitivities and autoimmune disorders, making omega-3s a crucial component of a gut-healing diet.

• Reduces intestinal inflammation

• Supports gut lining integrity

• Promotes overall digestive and immune health

Best sources of omega-3s:

• Wild-caught fish (sardines, mackerel, salmon)

• Green-lipped mussels

• Krill oil

Colostrum

Colostrum is a powerful gut-healing superfood that provides antibodies, growth factors, and immune-boosting compounds that help restore gut integrity and reduce inflammation. It plays a crucial role in sealing a leaky gut and supporting microbiome balance.

• Supports immune function and reduces gut inflammation

• Strengthens the intestinal lining and prevents leaky gut

• Contains lactoferrin, which helps combat harmful bacteria

Best colostrum sources for dogs:

• Bovine colostrum supplements

• Freeze-dried colostrum powder

Digestive Enzymes & Probiotic Supplements

For dogs with gut issues, adding digestive enzymes and probiotics can significantly improve gut function. Digestive enzymes help break down food more effectively, reducing strain on the digestive tract, while probiotics promote beneficial bacterial balance.

• Supports proper digestion and nutrient absorption

• Helps prevent bloating and indigestion

• Aids in restoring gut microbiome balance after antibiotic use

Worst Foods for Gut Health

Processed Kibble

Most commercial kibble is packed with high-glycemic starches, chemical additives, and inflammatory fillers that contribute to gut dysbiosis and chronic inflammation. Many also contain rendered proteins, which are difficult to digest and lack bioavailable nutrients.

• High in pro-inflammatory ingredients

• Lacks live enzymes and beneficial bacteria

• Can contribute to leaky gut and food sensitivities

Farmed Fish

Farmed fish are often raised in unnatural, crowded environments and fed an unnatural diet of grains and soy, leading to higher levels of inflammation-promoting omega-6 fatty acids. They also contain antibiotics, pesticides, and heavy metals, which can negatively affect gut health.

• High in inflammatory omega-6 fats

• Contain antibiotics and synthetic chemicals

• Can introduce heavy metals and toxins into the gut

Worst farmed fish sources for dogs:

• Farmed salmon

• Tilapia

• Catfish

Artificial Preservatives and Additives

Many commercial dog foods and treats contain preservatives, artificial colors, and chemical additives that irritate the gut lining and disrupt microbial balance.

• Increases oxidative stress and inflammation

• Alters gut bacteria balance

• Contributes to long-term digestive issues

Common harmful additives:

• BHA and BHT (linked to cancer and endocrine disruption)

• Propylene glycol (used in some soft-moist foods)

• Artificial flavors and colors

Seed Oils

Seed oils, such as soybean, corn, and canola oil, are high in inflammatory omega-6 fatty acids, which can contribute to gut inflammation, leaky gut, and an imbalance of gut bacteria. These oils are often found in low-quality commercial dog foods and treats.

• Disrupts omega-3 to omega-6 balance

• Increases gut inflammation and oxidative stress

• Can lead to chronic digestive issues and food sensitivities

Worst seed oils for dogs:

• Soybean oil

• Corn oil

• Canola oil

Highly Processed Treats

Many store-bought treats contain low-quality ingredients, fillers, and artificial additives that undermine gut healing efforts.

• Often high in sugar and starch

• Loaded with artificial preservatives and colors

• Lacks beneficial nutrients for gut health

Worst treats for gut health:

• Rawhide chews (can contain bleach and toxic chemicals)

• Artificially flavored biscuits

• Treats with long ingredient lists full of chemicals

Final Thoughts

If your dog struggles with digestive problems, allergies, or chronic inflammation, focusing on gut health is key to long-term healing. By feeding gut-supportive foods and eliminating processed, inflammatory ingredients, you can restore balance to their microbiome, strengthen their gut lining, and improve overall health.