Maintaining a healthy digestion
Supporting everyday gut function and long term wellbeing in dogs and cats
In recent years, we have come to understand that the gastrointestinal (GI) tract is far more than just a digestive organ. The gut is home to a complex ecosystem of trillions of microorganisms known as the gut microbiome, and the microbiome has an influence not only on digestion but also on an animal’s overall health, including immune function, skin health, mental well-being, and metabolic balance.
It is therefore understandable that for both dogs and cats, maintaining their gut health is critical. Whereas a healthy gut microbiome has positive effects on an animal’s wellbeing, dysbiosis (an imbalance of the microbiome) can lead to systemic issues such as chronic enteropathies, skin issues, behavioural disturbances, or reduced immunity (need reference). Disturbances in the gut environment can arise from diet, stress, antibiotics or disease.
The gut microbiome refers to the trillions of microorganisms, mostly bacteria, but also fungi, viruses, and protozoa, that inhabit the gastrointestinal tract. The microbiome is central to supporting the GI tract, both in GI health and digestion. Some of its many roles include:
Digestive support – The microbiome aids in breaking down food, including fermenting dietary fibres into short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and extracting nutrients
Vitamin synthesis – notably B vitamins and vitamin K
Barrier protection – The gut microbiome interacts with the epithelium through various mechanisms to maintain intestinal epithelial integrity
Immune modulation – guiding immune cell development and inflammatory responses. The microbiome also influences the local production of antibodies[i]
While dogs and cats both rely on a balanced microbiome for health, species differences in GI anatomy and diet influence their microbial populations. Cats, being obligate carnivores, have shorter GI tracts and a distinct fermentative capacity compared to more omnivorous dogs.
Several variables can impact the microbiome:
Diet composition – especially fibre content and protein source
Medications – notably antibiotics, which can induce dysbiosis
Life stage – microbiota diversity evolves with age
Stress and environment – travel, hospitalisation, or boarding can disturb microbial balance
Many diseases, both systemic and localised, are associated with an imbalanced microbiome, or dysbiosis. Although causation is yet to be proven, and it may be that dysbiosis is a symptom of disease rather than cause, we know that dysbiosis is associated with metabolic diseases, intestinal inflammation, diarrhoea, obesity, cancer, neurologic dysfunctions, poor coat quality, pruritic and many other conditions[ii].
Approximately 70–80% of the immune system resides in the gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT). This means the GI tract is not only a digestive organ but also a critical hub for immune regulation. Microbial signals help the immune system distinguish between harmless antigens and true threats, shaping the body’s tolerance and inflammatory responses. Dysbiosis is increasingly linked to chronic diseases in pets:
Chronic enteropathies (e.g. IBD)
Dermatological conditions (linked via the gut–skin axis)
Behavioural changes (via the gut–brain axis)
Obesity and insulin resistance
Immune dysregulation, including poor vaccine responses
There are several therapies that can support a healthy balance of the gut microbiome in dogs and cats. The first is nutritional supplementation of probiotics and postbiotics. Probiotics contribute live beneficial microbes to help restore balance within the microflora. Postbiotics are functional metabolic by-products of gut fermentation, and include short chain fatty acids, enzymes and vitamins. Along with pre and probiotics, they help support the microbiome.
Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) involves transferring healthy gut bacteria from a donor (healthy) dog to another, compromised dog. It has the potential to transfer an entire ecosystem of flora and should be done under the guidance of a veterinary professional.
Diet underpins a healthy microbiome, and the gut microbiome is extremely sensitive to dietary inputs. Diets rich in fermentable and insoluble fibres, polyphenols, and bioactive compounds can foster positive microbial diversity and function.
Key Dietary Strategies:
Fibre supplementation – both soluble and insoluble forms improve stool quality and promote SCFA production
Digestive enzymes – enhance nutrient absorption and reduce fermentative burden
Functional proteins – hydrolysed or novel proteins may reduce GI inflammation
Polyphenol-rich fruit extracts – provide antioxidant and anti-inflammatory support
The gut microbiome profiles in different species reflect their diet composition, although in dogs, the individual ingredients appear to be less important than the overall macronutrient content in terms of influencing the microbiome. Protein, fibre and starch have the most influence on altering the microbiome; however, in cases of disease where the level of dysbiosis is high, additions of probiotics can be helpful to improve microbial diversityii.
This concurs with the growing trend in companion animal health with the use of nutraceuticals designed to modulate the microbiome and improve gut function.
Dietary supplementation for GI support now often integrates three classes of bioactive ingredients: Pre, pro and post biotics. Prebiotics are non-digestible carbohydrates that are beneficial ‘food’ for the microbiome. Probiotics are live organisms, primarily bacteria and yeasts, that help populate the microbiome, and postbiotics are bioactive compounds produced from probiotic fermentation.
Prebiotics - Fuel for the microflora
FOS (fructo-oligosaccharides) – stimulate Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli
MOS (mannan-oligosaccharides) – help prevent pathogenic adhesion and modulate immune responses
Beta-glucans – derived from yeast; activate immune cells via Dectin-1 receptors
Probiotics- Live beneficial microbes
Enterococcus faecium – improves stool consistency and microbial balance
Lactobacillus acidophilus – supports mucosal immunity and digestion
Postbiotics: Bioactive molecules from non-living microbes
Include short-chain fatty acids, peptides, and cell wall fragments
Offer benefits without requiring colonisation
Strains like L. helveticus, L. paracasei, L. plantarum provide anti-inflammatory and barrier-protective effects
When we talk about the microbiome it is often when discussing GI health or digestive upset. We also often reference it when linked to systemic issues such as pruritis or even behaviour. The microbiome has a far-reaching influence, and within the digestive system this reaches to the anal glands.
Anal gland issues are a frequent concern in small animal practice, particularly in dogs affecting up to 12% of all canines[iii], 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.
Anal gland issues are often linked to poor stool consistency or chronic inflammation of the perianal region. Fortunately, most cases of anal gland dysfunction are manageable and often preventable, with a focus on digestive health.
Dietary modification, specifically increased fibre, helps to produce firm well-formed stools which provide the necessary pressure to naturally express the anal glands during defecation, reducing the likelihood of impaction.
Dietary Fibre:
Helps produce well-formed stools
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
Insoluble fibre adds bulk and aids in regular motility
The gut and anal glands are closely interconnected, and a healthy microbiome is essential. 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.
GlandVet 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.
GlandVet Composition:
Insoluble fibre (white oat fibre) – promotes bulky, well-formed stools that naturally express anal sacs
MOS and beta-glucans – enhance gut immunity and reduce localised inflammation
Psyllium husk – adds stool moisture and supports motility
Nucleotides – support mucosal repair and immune cell regeneration
Fruit extracts – rich in enzymes and polyphenols with anti-inflammatory and digestive benefits
Probiotics – E. faecium and L. acidophilus to reinforce microbial balance
By improving stool quality and digestive efficiency, GlandVet contributes to a healthier gut environment and more consistent, natural expression of anal glands. This makes it suitable for dogs with recurrent impaction or inflammation.
Whether addressing chronic diarrhoea, food sensitivity, post-antibiotic recovery, or anal gland dysfunction, supporting gut health should be a core part of the therapeutic strategy.
Recommendations for practice:
Choose evidence-based supplements with defined ingredients and strain-specific probiotics.
Assess stool quality, frequency, and composition as key indicators of GI health.
Tailor fibre type and source to individual patient needs.
Integrate nutraceuticals like GlandVet alongside dietary and medical management.
The GI tract and its microbial inhabitants influence far more than digestion—they shape immune responses, inflammation, skin integrity, behaviour, and even glandular function. By investing in gut health through targeted, evidence-based supplementation, vets can support their patients’ resilience from the inside out.
With advanced products like GlandVet, we can now deliver multi-dimensional support for gut health, addressing a wide spectrum of clinical needs through a nutraceutical lens. In doing so, we help redefine what preventive and integrative care looks like for modern companion animals.
Click here for references
Tasty chicken flavoured soft chews for targeted GI support for anal gland health and associated problems such as itching and discomfort.
Helps to reduce anal sacculitis
Helps to improve microbiome
Chicken flavour
Key ingredients:
Feeding & Use
<5kg
Glandvet Chews Select
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Gastrointestinal (GI) motility - the rhythmic movement of the digestive tract - is fundamental to the digestion and absorption of nutrients and the efficient elimination of waste. Despite its importance, this process is often only addressed when clinical signs such as constipation, flatulence, vomiting or hairball formation become apparent. In clinical practice, however, supporting intestinal motility should be viewed as a preventative priority, contributing to the broader health and wellbeing of pets.
Efficient GI motility plays several vital roles in both dogs and cats:
Prevents the accumulation of ingested material, such as food and hair, in the stomach and intestines
Supports a balanced and diverse intestinal microbiota
Reduces the risk of constipation and associated gastrointestinal discomfort
Promotes stools of optimal consistency and frequency
Minimises secondary signs such as nausea, inappetence and lethargy
Hairballs (trichobezoars) are a natural consequence of grooming behaviour, particularly in cats. The ingestion of hair is normal, but when GI motility is suboptimal, these hairs can accumulate in the stomach and form compact masses.
The typical presentation involves the regurgitation of elongated, matted hair masses that have passed through the oesophagus. Although occasional hairball elimination is considered physiological, frequent or sudden increases in frequency may be indicative of underlying GI pathology, dermatological conditions, or stress-related overgrooming.
Hairball issues are significantly more prevalent in longhaired cats, but even in shorthaired breeds, chronic or frequent regurgitation should not be dismissed as normal. Owners often underreport this issue, assuming it to be benign.
Veterinary professionals should specifically inquire about hairball elimination during routine history taking, particularly in patients presenting with gastrointestinal signs, weight loss, or recurrent vomiting. A history of frequent hairball expulsion may warrant further investigation or dietary modification, rather than solely symptomatic treatment.
Predisposing factors for hairball formation include:
Overgrooming due to stress or insufficient environmental enrichment
Seasonal shedding
Long hair coat
Conditions that impair intestinal motility
Although the complications associated with hairballs - such as intestinal obstruction - are rare, they can be severe.
While hairballs are uncommon in dogs, reduced GI motility can still result in occasional constipation, flatulence, or abdominal distension. These issues are more frequently observed in elderly dogs, those with reduced activity levels, or animals fed diets low in dietary fibre. Supporting motility can improve overall gastrointestinal comfort and quality of life.
Gastrointestinal motility is intricately linked to the health of the intestinal microbiota. A sluggish intestinal transit time may allow for the overgrowth of pathogenic bacteria, predisposing the animal to dysbiosis and inflammation. Regular motility supports a stable microbial environment, promoting gut integrity, immune function and systemic health.
Furthermore, the gut has well-documented connections with other systems, including the skin, immune system, kidneys and central nervous system. Nutritional strategies that gently support intestinal transit can therefore have systemic benefits, from coat quality to behavioural stability.
Movipet® is a palatable nutraceutical paste designed to support healthy gastrointestinal motility in companion animals. It combines multiple active ingredients with mild laxative and microbiota-supportive properties, making it an ideal tool for both the prevention of hairball formation and the management of mild constipation.
Key Active Ingredients:
Malt ExtractDerived from the germination of barley, malt is rich in carbohydrates such as maltose and contains mannan oligosaccharides (MOS), which function as prebiotics. MOS promote the growth of beneficial gut bacteria, contributing to microbial balance and intestinal health. The slightly sweet flavour also contributes to the paste's high palatability.
White Mineral OilMineral oil is a well-established lubricant laxative that coats the intestinal mucosa and the stool, preventing excessive water absorption. This promotes softer stools and facilitates the passage of hair through the gastrointestinal tract, especially in cats predisposed to hairball formation. When used appropriately and in veterinary-formulated products, it is both safe and effective for short-term use.
Soya OilSoya oil is a source of omega-6 fatty acids, which helps modulate inflammatory responses. It also provides lubrication to the stool, complementing the effects of mineral oil in supporting transit.
Vitamin EA fat-soluble antioxidant, vitamin E supports immune health and cellular protection. It also plays a role in maintaining mucosal integrity and modulating the immune response along the gut–associated lymphoid tissue.
Indications and Use
Movipet® is suitable for:
Regular use in cats prone to hairball formation
Short-term support in mild cases of constipation in dogs or cats
Promoting gut health and motility in ageing animals or those with reduced physical activity
Enhancing stool passage in cases where softer stools are temporarily desirable
Importantly, the paste's palatability ensures ease of administration, and its gentle formulation allows for flexible use within preventive care plans or in response to mild gastrointestinal signs.
To support healthy intestinal movements and aids in the removal of hairballs.
Cats
Movipet Select
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