Does your dog have a sensitive gut?
The vicious cycle of trying something new
It’s not unusual for dog's to have the occasional loose poo. Perhaps they start becoming a bit fussy with their breakfast. And then there’s wind which can bring tears to your eyes. So, for everyone’s sake, we might try different foods, toppers, supplements, or probiotics to see what helps. The problem is that sometimes this approach can stop the gut from properly settling and prolong the problem.
Let’s look at why.
The sensitive gut: why rest matters
Think of the gut lining like skin. If skin is irritated and you keep rubbing different creams on it every few days, it never gets the chance to properly heal. The same can happen inside the digestive system.
When a dog has a sensitive or inflamed gut, the lining can become:
more reactive to food proteins
less efficient at digesting food
prone to gas, reflux, and loose stools
linked to changes in mood and behaviour
So, if the gut lining is already sensitive, and we try something new, it might initially improve and then the symptoms come back again with a vengeance. Instead, we need to find a way to give the gut an opportunity to rest and recover.
Signs your dog may have a sensitive gut
Many of us have experienced the typically acute gut symptoms of diarrhoea or vomiting in dogs, but often the signs are subtle, intermittent, or appear unrelated to digestion at first glance. This is sometimes called ‘subclinical digestive disease’, meaning the gut isn’t functioning optimally, but the dog still seems bright, active, and mostly normal, so it’s easy to miss the pattern.
🩺 Physical signs
You might notice:
Intermittent loose stools or “second poo softer than the first”
Stool colour or consistency that varies day to day
Mucus on stools
Increased grass eating
Lip licking, swallowing, or burping (especially at night or early morning)
Gurgling tummy sounds
Fussy or inconsistent appetite
Weight loss or difficulty maintaining weight
Dull coat or increased tear staining in some dogs
Restlessness at night
🧠 Behavioural signs
Because the gut and nervous system are closely connected, ongoing digestive irritation can affect behaviour. Dogs may show:
Increased reactivity to noises or movement
Difficulty settling or switching off
Clinginess or separation distress
Lower tolerance for handling or grooming
Resource guarding (especially around food or resting spots)
Restlessness in the evening or overnight waking
And just a little note about the term ‘leaky gut’, which you might have heard of. The medical term is increased intestinal permeability. Emerging science in both humans and animals shows that when the gut lining is inflamed, it can become more permeable than normal. This may allow substances to cross the gut barrier, which can contribute to immune reactions and ongoing irritation.
How an elimination diet can help with a sensitive gut
The aim of an elimination-style diet is to create a predictable, low-reaction environment for the digestive system so inflammation can settle.
There are two types of diet to help with this:
Hydrolysed diets – proteins are broken into tiny fragments that the immune system is far less likely to react to. These diets are often used when food sensitivity or inflammation is suspected.
Novel or limited-ingredient diets – these use a protein the dog hasn’t eaten before and keep the ingredient list short. They can work well, but only if no other proteins sneak in.
Important!
During a gut rest phase, even small additions can restart irritation:
A new topper
A probiotic chew
Dental sticks
Flavoured medications
Treats from a different protein
So, even if stools don’t become dramatically worse, the gut may stay in a mildly irritated state, causing that frustrating “better… worse… better again” cycle.
And another note: while probiotics can help during flare-ups, but they can also temporarily mask symptoms without removing the underlying cause. That’s why they’re often best used short-term unless a vet advises otherwise.
Why appetite can fluctuate (before and during a modified diet)
Appetite often wobbles in dogs with digestive sensitivity. Before a diet change irritated guts can cause mild nausea (often worse in the morning), reflux and bloating. Often dogs may sniff food and walk away, then eat later. Where it gets confusing is similar behaviours during a hydrolysed or elimination diet.
Appetite can still vary during a modified diet because:
The gut is still healing
Therapeutic diets may not be appealing
Previous nausea creates food hesitancy
Normal day-to-day appetite variation
Sometimes it helps for focus more on overall trends, such as firmer stools, better sleep, or a brighter mood, rather than perfect appetite at every meal.
How long does a gut need to settle?
It doesn’t have to be forever, and you should of course follow your vet’s guidance, but most dogs need around 6 to 8 weeks of consistency to allow inflammatory changes to resolve.