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Intricacies of the Canine Digestive System

Friday, August 1st, 2008

This discussion will begin with the following statement: “You are an omnivore your dog is not! Your dog is a carnivore!” As an omnivore, we can eat and utilize almost anything that we can swallow. The Canine cannot. In fact many of the foods we consume can actually be harmful and/or not utilized by the species canine. In nature the Canine would consume its plant needs as digestive contents of the prey it caught and consumed, utilizing the bacteria and enzymes of the herbivore or omnivore it ate.

This is where we as nutritionists have let the Canine species and their caretakers down. We have recognized the need for limited plant food sources, but failed to supply the needed beneficial bacteria and enzymes to breakdown the plant particles.

Unlike we humans who chew and taste our food, the Canine rarely chews or tastes its food. Dogs actually gulp down their foodstuffs. Unlike animals that chew their food the Canine actually has little time to add saliva, which contains digestive enzymes and buffering properties to the diet.

The esophagus moves the foodstuffs toward the stomach via peristaltic motion. These waves as they are commonly referred to push and squeeze the food downward. Minimal digestive activity takes place in the esophagus in the species Canine.

Contrary to belief, the stomach serves mainly as a storage container and only initiates the beginning of the digestive process. It is here where we can begin to enhance the ability of the Canine to increase feed efficiency and absorption with the addition of digestive enzymes and beneficial bacteria. Therefore by adding microbial blends we can better prepare the foodstuff for it’s digestive journey to the small intestine.

The small intestine consists of three parts. They are the duodenum, the jejunum, and the ileum. It is these three sections of the small intestine that digestive enhancement can be maximized. By the microencapsulation of probiotic blends, their release can be timed and therefore deliver them unharmed, to the most opportune location to breakdown and stimulate maximum nutritional absorption.

Stated simply, the digestive enzymes added allow the Canine to breakdown feed stuffs better than it can on its own. The additional bacteria serve us as more actual consumers of what was just broken down. Thus, we have naturally increased the intake of vitamins, minerals, fiber, energy, protein and amino acids.

It does merit mentioning here that the duodenum in addition to its digestive and absorption capabilities this organ also stimulates the secretion of pancreatic enzymes as well. It is these enzymes that in turn stimulate the gallbladder to release bile needed to digest and emulsify fats. As clearly indicated this organ is an ideal position to release probiotics from encapsulation.

At the junction of the small intestine and large intestine is found the caecum. Until recently the caecum was thought to be a problematic area. Known for its gastrointestinal difficulties and the host organ for whipworms. Little was previously known of this organs fermentation capability. Not generally accepted as a necessary function for the Canine species. However the large percentages of grain and grain by products found in some commercial dog food formulas can actually turn the Canine caecum into a “hindgut fermentation vat”. This situation being most unnatural, and categorically very dangerous to the overall health of any member of the canine species. In other words no breed is exempt from these problematic manmade dangers. 

It has long been thought that the large intestine served as a holding area for waste material. With the concept of adding encapsulated probiotics to the Canine diet, enzymes and beneficial bacteria can be released in the organ as well. The technology that allows science to protect and deliver bacteria and digestive enzymes to this organ is considered revolutionary. Finally this organ can be utilized to further extract valuable nutrients that otherwise would simply be excreted. Even as the remaining nutrients pass though the colon we can continue to extract and institute further absorption.

Even in an abbreviated discussion of Canine digestion like this one, the pancreas and liver must be mentioned. The pancreas has an endocrine function, secreting insulin and glucagons, both hormones. The pancreas also has exocrine functions, manufacturing and releasing digestive enzymes and bicarbonate into the small intestine.

The Canine liver is this species largest organ, which incidentally has six lobes. Yours has only three. As well as producing bile, the liver is responsible for detoxifying the by-products of digestion. The liver has the demanding task of metabolize and degrade any drugs, chemicals, or poisons that find their way into the canine body. Last but not least the liver also manufactures the major blood-clotting factors.  It is the author’s opinion therefore, that knowing what we know about the livers of animals, that this organ should never be used as a feed stuff used for Canine diets.

A useful microbial blend should contain all of the following microorganisms:

These are the necessary enzymes that need to be added to the blend:

In summary, to meet the needs of your dogs diet, don’t change the rules of the game. Instead enhance the utilization and absorption of your selected diet by adding microbial blends to the diet. We all recognize that raw diets are best for the species Canine. Make every attempt to stay as close to the raw diet as possible.