The best dog food to support healthy digestion is complete and balanced and made with highly digestible ingredients. Look for dog food that contains high-quality animal protein, fibre-rich wholefoods to nourish the gut microbiome, and essential vitamins and minerals to support overall digestive function.

Fresh dog food made with minimally processed, real food ingredients, like Lyka, can also help support nutrient absorption and healthy stool quality as part of a balanced diet.

The signs of healthy digestion include a healthy appetite, comfortable digestion after meals, and regular bowel movements producing firm, consistently shaped stools.

Occasional digestive upset can happen from time to time, particularly after dietary changes or eating something unusual, like discarded fast food at the park. But if your dog develops persistent diarrhoea, repeated vomiting, blood in their stool, lethargy or unexplained weight loss, they should be assessed by your veterinarian.

Healthy digestion relies on a combination of nutrients rather than a single ingredient.

Look for diets containing:

• Highly digestible animal protein to support nutrient absorption
• A balance of soluble and insoluble fibre to help nourish the gut microbiome and promote regular, healthy bowel movements.
• Healthy fats, like fish oil, that provide energy while supporting overall wellbeing
• Essential vitamins and minerals that help maintain normal digestive function

Yes, nutrition plays an important role in supporting healthy stool quality. Easy-to-digest ingredients and an appropriate balance of soluble and insoluble fibre help support normal digestive function and consistent stools. If your dog experiences occasional loose stools or digestive upset, maintaining hydration and feeding a complete and balanced diet may help support their recovery. If diarrhoea or constipation is severe, persists, or occurs alongside other signs of illness, speak with your veterinarian.

Not necessarily. Unless your dog has a diagnosed grain sensitivity or allergy, there's no evidence that grain-free diets are inherently better for digestive health. In some cases, grain-free diets replace grains with high levels of legumes, which have been associated with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). The overall quality and balance of the diet is far more important than whether it contains grains.

If your dog is eating a complete and balanced diet, they should receive the essential nutrients they need through their food without the need for supplements.
However, some dogs may benefit from targeted digestive supplements depending on their individual needs. For example, probiotics like Lyka’s Go-To Gut Helper, may help support the gut microbiome during periods such as dietary transitions. If you're unsure whether your dog needs dietary supplementation, speak with your veterinarian.

Fresh dog food contains natural moisture and minimally processed ingredients, supporting hydration and nutrient integrity. Fresh food can be easier to digest than ultra-processed dry food. The most important consideration is choosing complete and balanced nutrition made with high-quality, digestible ingredients that meet your dog's individual needs. Raw food may also suit some dogs, but it isn't appropriate for every individual and carries food safety considerations that should be carefully managed.

If you're looking for dog food for loose stools, choose a complete and balanced diet made with highly digestible protein, fibre-rich wholefoods and essential nutrients to support healthy digestion. Occasional loose stools can happen for many reasons, including infection or eating something unusual. If loose stools are persistent, severe or accompanied by vomiting, lethargy or blood in the stool, your dog should be assessed by a veterinarian.

Dogs with diarrhoea are often recommended a bland diet, like chicken and rice, but it's not nutritionally complete and isn't designed to support long-term digestive health. Dogs need balanced nutrition every day to help maintain healthy digestion and overall wellbeing.