Your trusted guide to digestive health
You know better than anyone how central digestive health is to the wellbeing of your patients. From immunity to behaviour, the gut plays a vital role in overall health - and when things go wrong, it’s often one of the most common issues you see in practice. That’s why we’ve created this digestive health resource.Designed for veterinary professionals, it brings together a collection of articles, webinars, a podcast and a diagnostic guide. Covering the microbiome, gut–brain axis, immunity, toxin ingestion and more, the content gives you practical insights to use with confidence in your every day work.The resource also introduces our full Select Healthcare from NVS digestive health range, developed to help you manage the conditions you see most often. Each product is carefully formulated to be effective, highly palatable and easy to administer, making life simpler for both you and your clients.We hope this becomes a reference you’ll return to whenever you need support with digestive health in practice.
Click on any of the categories below to find out more information and discover our products:
An overview - supporting digestive health in dogs and cats
Strong Start
Maintaining a health digestion
Toxins & treatments
Restore and recovery
Additional resources
by Gemma Vardy, Senior Category Specialist,Select from NVS
Digestive health in pets is intricately linked with overall well-being, from nutrient absorption and immune resilience to behavioural changes and skin conditions.
We now understand that gut health is heavily influenced by the gut microbiome, its composition and its relationship with the body. As we recognise the gut as a complex and dynamic system, the gut microbiome has become an increasingly relevant topic in both human and veterinary medicine.
We understand that the microbiome underpins a lot of what contributes to good digestive health, but it is still important to consider specific and unique areas of digestive system and how they function along with the influence the microbiome has. This article will look at the intestinal mucosa, the needs of puppies and kittens, how to tackle hairballs and impacted anal glands, what to do if a pet has ingested a toxin, and how best to manage cases of acute diarrhoea.
Along with the microbiome, it is also important to consider the physical structure of the gut, when thinking about digestive health. The gut mucosa is one of the most sophisticated interfaces in the body which acts as a dynamic barrier between the gut lumen and the internal systems. It plays a critical role in digestion and nutrient absorption, as well as immune defence and microbial regulation.
A healthy mucosa facilitates the selective absorption of nutrients while blocking the entry of harmful pathogens and toxins. The integrity of the mucosa is essential to maintaining immune homeostasis as when the barrier is compromised, with increased intestinal permeability, it can lead to systemic inflammation, dysbiosis, and a heightened risk of chronic disease, often known as “leaky gut syndrome”.
The microbiome maintains the mucosal barrier, by strengthening tight junctions between cells, promoting mucus production, and modulating inflammatory signalling pathways. In this way, a well-functioning microbiome directly supports the resilience and effectiveness of the mucosal barrier.
Disruption to the mucosa, be it through dysbiosis, infection, stress, antibiotics, poor diet, or chronic inflammation, can reduce its ability to absorb nutrients efficiently and defend the host6. Clinically, this might manifest as diarrhoea, malnutrition, recurring infections, or systemic signs of inflammation. Supporting mucosal health, therefore, is not just about treating disease but maintaining optimal function in animals across all life stages.
In practice, maintaining mucosal integrity means considering a range of supportive strategies, from dietary fibre and balanced nutrition to microbial support and targeted supplementation.
Products such as ProRestore by Select from NVS, a triple-action symbiotic, assist this approach. ProRestore combines prebiotics to fuel beneficial bacteria, probiotics to replenish microbial populations, postbiotics to deliver beneficial bacterial metabolites that enhance gut barrier function and immune signalling and includes plasma protein, which supports mucosal integrity and immune response, especially during acute gastrointestinal upset or recovery from illness.
Read more - “Understanding the gut microbiome, immunity and digestion in dogs and cats”
The early weeks and months of life are a critical window for immune development in both puppies and kittens. During this time, young animals transition from passive protection provided by their mother to forming their own robust, adaptive immune responses as the gut microbiome and immune system are both developing. Supporting them through this vulnerable period can have a lasting impact on health, disease resistance, and even vaccine responsiveness.
Colostrum intake is essential for any newborn as it facilitates transferring maternal antibodies and bioactive compounds that offer crucial passive immunity. But after weaning, this protection wanes, typically between 6 and 16 weeks, leaving young animals vulnerable7. The gut plays a vital role in the immune system, and establishment of a healthy gut microbiome supports the development of both innate and adaptive immunity. If the gut is disrupted within this window, due to stress, illness or the use of medications such as antibiotics, young animals are at risk of developing infections, or longer-term conditions such as allergies or auto-immune diseases in later life.
Duostart by Select from NVS is a nutritional support that has been developed to provide immune support to young animals with the inclusion of colostrum, probiotics, beta-glucans and nucleotides and vitamin and trace minerals.
The inclusion of beta-nucleoglobulins specifically supports both innate and adaptive immune responses, helping to bridge the gap between passive maternal protection and independent immune competency. This is especially beneficial in animals from large litters, hand-reared neonates, or those entering environments such as shelters or boarding facilities.
Read more in this article “Digestive health in puppies and kittens"
Impacted or dysfunctional anal glands are a frequent concern in small animal practice, particularly in dogs affecting up to 12% of all canines8, and occasionally in cats as well. While sometimes dismissed as a minor nuisance, anal gland problems can cause significant discomfort, secondary infection, and contribute to broader gut health challenges.
GlandVet by Select from NVS is a nutritional supplement targeted for anal gland health as it contains a balanced amount of fibres and probiotics which supports long-term anal gland function.
When the glands do not empty properly, the secretions build up and become thickened, leading to impaction. This can be painful and irritating, commonly seen in behaviours such as scooting and excessive licking of the perianal area. If left unmanaged, impaction can progress to infection (anal sacculitis) or abscess formation.
Fortunately, most cases of anal gland dysfunction are manageable and often preventable, with a focus on digestive health. One of the most important modifiable factors is stool consistency. Firm, well-formed stools provide the necessary pressure to naturally express the anal glands during defecation, reducing the likelihood of impaction.
Dietary fibre plays a pivotal role in achieving this. A balance of soluble and insoluble fibre promotes both bulk and moisture regulation in stools. Soluble fibre ferments in the gut to support beneficial bacteria and produce short-chain fatty acids, while insoluble fibre adds bulk and aids in regular motility.
Beyond fibre, a healthy microbiome is essential. The gut and anal glands are closely interconnected, and dysbiosis can affect inflammation, stool quality, and even perianal skin health. To support the microbiome, probiotics can help restore microbial balance, reduce flatulence, and support regular bowel movements, all of which contribute to healthier anal gland function.
Read more - “The importance of the microbiome in maintaining good systemic health in companion animals”
As natural groomers, cats ingest a significant amount of hair during routine licking. Normally, this hair passes through the gastrointestinal tract and is eliminated in the faeces. However, when the digestive system isn't moving optimally, due to slow gut motility, low fibre intake, dehydration, or inflammation, hair can accumulate in the stomach or intestines, forming hairballs.
Although sometimes considered a minor grooming side effect, for some cats, recurrent hairballs can indicate a deeper issue with regards to intestinal health. Proactive management is key with hairballs and regular grooming as well as correct diet and hydration are vitally important.
Additional gut mobility support may be required to ensure efficient transit and to prevent hair accumulation. Nutritional supplements that help lubricate the digestive tract and promote gentle mobility, such as Movipet by Select from NVS, can also be highly effective.
Read more - “Supporting Healthy Gut Motility in Companion Animals”
Toxin ingestion is one of the most common emergency presentations in veterinary practice1,2 and cases can range from mild to life-threatening within a matter of hours. Dogs are notorious for eating first and asking questions later. Cats, although more selective, are still at risk from grooming off topical substances, chewing plants, or ingesting human medications.
The wide variety of possible toxins, from spoiled food to cleaning products, and the often-uncertain timing of ingestion means
early, broad-spectrum intervention is critical. When toxin ingestion has occurred, activated charcoal becomes a frontline tool.
Activated charcoal is widely used in veterinary toxicology due to its high surface area and adsorptive capacity. When administered promptly after ingestion, it can bind to a range of toxins in the gastrointestinal tract, preventing their absorption into the bloodstream and significantly reducing systemic exposure and therefore reduces clinical severity.
Formulations such as Activated Charcoal by Select from NVS include not only a high concentration of charcoal but also ingredients that support hepatic and renal function, such as turmeric extract, piperine, and sorbitol, which acts as a mild laxative.
This broader approach is particularly valuable when the toxin involved is not clearly identified or when hepatic stress is anticipated. The ease of administration and palatability further enhance its utility in general practice.
Read more “Effective adsorption of toxic ingestion in pets: Are you using the most suitable products?"
Adsorbents work by binding an unwanted substance in the gut to reduce the amount available for absorption onto the system. The bound substance then travels through the gut an is excreted in the faeces. In some instances, repeat dosing is required to combat the entero-hepatic recirculation, which results in the substance re-entering the gut through the bile. It is important to be aware that not all adsorbents will bind to all toxins and understanding the nature of the toxin is important when choosing the correct binder to use.
While activated charcoal plays an important role in cases of many toxin ingestions, there are some situations where it is ineffective. For these moments, when the owner is unsure of the toxin, or in cases when the vet is unsure if the toxin is acidic or alkaline in nature, using a broad spectrum binder such as Duotox by Select from NVS is beneficial.
While activated charcoal binds acidic substances and those that are poorly water soluble, disomectite is more effective for alkaline and hydrophilic toxins. Duotox contains both activated charcoal and disomectite for complete coverage, making it an ideal product to reach for in cases involving unknown toxins.
Gastrointestinal disorders are another highly seen condition, with the prevalence of enteropathies in dogs reported to be 10%3 and in cats approximately 8.5%4. Whereas historically, antibiotics were heavily prescribed in cases of diarrhoea, we now know that most acute cases of diarrhoea are not caused by pathogenic bacteria5. Instead we have seen a shift to treating dysbiosis with dietary modifications and nutraceuticals.
Diarrhoea is caused by reduced water absorption by the GI tract or increased water secretion which can result in disturbances including; dehydration, loss of electrolytes, dysbiosis, changes to the intestinal mucosa and inflammation. It makes sense that fluid replacement is central to treating cases of diarrhoea, as is also the restoration and support of the microbiome, and correct dietary modification.
A low fat and highly digestible gastro-intestinal support diet is beneficial, along with products that supply pre and probiotics, such as Probiotic Digestive Paste by Select from NVS. This product also includes disomectite, which helps to absorb water and potential pathogens, dextrose and glucose as energy sources, and electrolytes to help restore and maintain those that have been lost through dehydration.
To conclude, the microbiome is incredibly important and understanding how it links multiple systems is advantageous when approaching cases of digestive upset. It is still vitally important however, to consider the unique demands and challenges of each part of the digestive system and have the tools to support pets in all aspects of digestive health.
Read more “Acute diarrhoea: a common presentation”
Click here for references
Complementary feed with colostrum and beneficial bacteria to support the natural development of new-born puppies and kittens.
Discover more
To support healthy intestinal movements and aids in the removal of hairballs.
Triple-action symbiotic combining multispecies prebiotics, probiotics and postbiotics to help restore gut microbiota and gut immunity.
Tasty chicken flavoured soft chews for targeted GI support for anal gland health and associated problems such as itching and discomfort.
A formulation with a high concentration of activated charcoal to help with absorption and excretion and promote good hepatic and kidney function.
Duotox is a broad-spectrum toxin binder containing a combination of Activated Charcoal and Diosmectite. A complimentary feed to help with adsorption and excretion, it is suitable for dogs, cats and fur animals.
Probiotic Digestive Paste combines Diosmectite with prebiotics and probiotics for the reduction of acute intestinal absorptive disorders during periods of and recovery from acute diarrhoea.
