Your dog's stools are the mirror of their gut health, and when something goes wrong (diarrhoea, wind, or stomach rumbling), it is normal to worry.
Often, we blame something they ate in the park or a sudden change in their dry food. But what if the real reason for their digestive problems was written in their genetic code?
The canine microbiome: The universe inside their gut
Your dog's digestive system is inhabited by trillions of microorganisms (bacteria, fungi, and viruses) that make up the gut microbiome. This microscopic community is one of the main drivers of their health:
- It absorbs key nutrients.
- It produces essential vitamins.
- And most importantly: it controls over 70% of their immune system.
When there is a balance of "good" bacteria, your dog has a cast-iron digestion. But when "bad" bacteria take over (a condition called dysbiosis), those dreaded digestive sensitivities appear. This is where probiotics come into play: supplements of live, beneficial bacteria that restore peace to their gut.
The genetic connection: Why do some dogs have such sensitive stomachs?
I'm sure you know the classic crossbreed that can eat a shoe and carry on as normal, while others suffer terrible discomfort just by looking at a piece of chicken. This is no coincidence; it's genetics.
The predisposition to digestive sensitivities is a highly heritable trait in certain breeds. The prime example is the German Shepherd. This majestic breed has a very high genetic predisposition to suffer from gastrointestinal problems, such as Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency (EPI) or Irritable Bowel Syndrome.
Knowing your dog's genetic map—whether they are a purebred or a crossbreed—allows you to anticipate these hereditary weaknesses and protect their digestive system before symptoms appear.
Probiotics and the BARF Diet: The bridge to a natural diet
More and more families are opting for the BARF diet for their dogs (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food). And it makes perfect evolutionary sense: returning to carnivorous origins by offering lean meats, meaty bones, and fresh, unprocessed vegetables.
However, if your dog has a genetic predisposition to a sensitive stomach, transitioning from ultra-processed dry food to a raw diet can be a massive shock to their microbiome.
This is where probiotics become your greatest allies:
- They strengthen the intestinal barrier: They help the stomach cope with the natural bacterial load of raw foods.
- They ease the transition: A microbiome rich in probiotics breaks down new animal proteins better, avoiding the typical transition diarrhoea when starting BARF.
- They optimise absorption: There is no point buying the best meat on the market if your dog has a genetic component that hinders the absorption of its nutrients. But it's not the end of the world, as probiotics can help improve digestion.
With the Koko Genetics dog DNA test, you can discover which breeds make up your furry friend and learn about their genetic predispositions to diseases or digestive sensitivities.
Stop guessing what makes them feel unwell. Get to know their genetics, strengthen their microbiome, and give them a long, happy, and complication-free life (and digestion).
