Gut Check: Why Digestive Health Matters for Your Pet
When the Itch Isn’t Just Skin Deep
Does your dog or cat constantly scratch, lick their paws, or suffer from chronic ear infections or allergies? While these symptoms may seem like skin-deep issues, the root cause often lies in the gut.
In fact, more and more pet parents and holistic vets are realizing that many common health issues—including allergies, itchy skin, dull coats, and even anxiety—can be linked to an imbalanced or leaky gut. The good news? Supporting your pet’s digestive health can be surprisingly easy.
In this blog, we’ll cover:
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What “leaky gut” is and how it impacts overall health
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Signs your pet may have gut issues
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Why gut health matters for skin, coat, and immune strength
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Natural remedies and food-based solutions we trust
What is Leaky Gut in Pets?
Leaky gut—also known as intestinal permeability—occurs when the lining of the digestive tract becomes damaged. This allows toxins, undigested food particles, and bacteria to leak into the bloodstream, triggering inflammation and immune reactions throughout the body.
According to holistic veterinarians, leaky gut can be caused by:
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Processed or low-quality pet food
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Overuse of antibiotics or medications
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Environmental toxins and stress
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Food sensitivities or allergens
Once this cycle begins, pets may experience symptoms like:
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Chronic itching or licking
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Red or irritated skin
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Hot spots or rashes
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Ear infections
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Digestive upset (loose stools, gas, bloating)
The Gut-Skin Connection
The gut plays a major role in your pet’s immune system, and when it’s inflamed, the effects show up on the skin. An unhealthy gut can:
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Weaken immune defenses, making pets more reactive to allergens
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Disrupt nutrient absorption, leading to poor skin and coat quality
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Increase systemic inflammation, which manifests as chronic itchiness or redness
Addressing skin problems without healing the gut is like bailing out a boat with a hole in it—you’ll be stuck treating symptoms instead of fixing the root.
Simple Additions That Support a Healthy Gut
Improving your pet’s digestive health doesn’t require a total food overhaul. You can see meaningful results just by adding one or more of these powerful, whole-food supplements to their existing diet:
🐾 1. Pawse Mushroom Bundle
This carefully curated supplement combines a powerhouse blend of mushrooms, including turkey tail, lion’s mane, reishi, and chaga, which have been shown to:
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Support the gut microbiome and help reduce inflammation
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Promote immune balance, helping your pet better respond to allergens
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Aid in detoxification, flushing out harmful substances that may aggravate the gut
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Improve skin health by calming histamine responses and providing adaptogenic support
Perfect for pets with chronic allergies, seasonal itchiness, or autoimmune issues.
🥛 2. Answers Pet Food Fermented Raw Goat Milk
Raw goat milk is a probiotic-rich superfood that supports gut flora and delivers enzymes and nutrients in a highly digestible form. The fermentation process used by Answers enhances the probiotic content, making it a gut-healing powerhouse.
Benefits include:
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Replenishing beneficial bacteria in the gut
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Aiding digestion and nutrient absorption
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Soothing inflammation linked to allergies and leaky gut
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Naturally supporting the skin, coat, and nails through bioavailable vitamins and minerals
Many pets love the taste, making it easy to pour over meals or serve as a standalone treat.
🍲 3. Open Farm Bone Broth
This humanely-sourced, slow-simmered broth is rich in collagen, gelatin, and amino acids that help restore the lining of the gut and support joint and skin health.
Why we love it:
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Collagen and glycine help repair intestinal tissue damaged by leaky gut
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Boosts hydration and supports detoxification
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Great for pets recovering from illness, chronic inflammation, or poor digestion
Bone broth is especially gentle on sensitive stomachs and a nourishing option for dogs of all ages.
Getting Started is Easy
Healing your pet’s gut doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. In fact, most pets begin to show signs of improvement within weeks of introducing just one of these items into their diet.
Whether you add goat milk to breakfast, mix mushroom powder into dinner, or use bone broth to encourage hydration and healing, every small step helps.
📍 Visit Braxton’s to chat with our knowledgeable staff about which product is right for your pet—or try all three for a powerful, well-rounded gut health plan.
✨ Need extra guidance? Book a nutrition consultation with Liz, our certified pet nutrition consultant, to create a personalized plan for your pet. For a limited time, we’re offering an hour-long consultation + Ucari intolerance test for just $115 (normally $160). It’s the perfect way to pinpoint food and environmental triggers affecting your pet’s digestion, skin, and overall health.
Learn more or schedule your session here: Nutritional Counseling