Each dog is unique. Just as each pup has their own personality and traits, each dog breed has a myriad of factors that affect their digestive system. In fact, according to PetMD, the canine digestive system takes anywhere from 8 to 10 hours to digest a meal fully, but it can take as long as 12 or as quick as four depending on your dog’s breed and the type of food consumed.
Even with these varying digestion cycles, we still find that there are key digestive factors you can monitor that are ubiquitous across dog breeds:
The size of your dog – The size of your dog is one of the most significant factors that go into how long it takes your dog to digest food. Depending on your breed, a full grown adult dog can range from a chihuahua of 5lbs to an anatolian shepherd of 120 pounds.
Breed of dog – Breed is the single most affecting element to any variance in dog traits. That being said, while sizes are interchangeable, dog breeds are not. Understanding what weights are typical for your dog can help protect their digestive health before any problems become significant.
Age is the x-factor – Since the size of your dog and the breed of the dog are connected biologically, age is the x-factor in determining the characteristics that go into your dog’s digestive health. Just as puppies tend to use the restroom more often, and the aging dog’s metabolism wanes, age is the key variable in understanding the length of the digestive process. Generally, the older the dog, the longer the process (just like us!).
The role exercise plays – Exercise is an important factor to your dog’s overall health and well-being. But it affects the digestive process of your dog as well. The more energy your dog expends, the faster their body will take the energy stored in their stomach and send it through their intestinal tract. There, it’s burned into caloric energy supplemental to the output of physical strength. Always keep a close eye on managing their energy input and output. Just like you; if you’re not active and yet you’re eating your weight in calories, your digestive system isn’t going to be happy. Yet, if you’re extremely active, you’ll need the proper caloric intake for balance.
What they are eating – While this might seem obvious, different foods digest at different speeds. For example, larger amounts of grain are digested slower than those meals full of protein. A dog’s digestive tract will crave certain foods based on where it is in the process. Take an extra look at your feeding strategy. It could make all the difference.
When it comes to dogs, it’s more than just what goes in and out of their mouth. The reality is, while your dog’s stool can tell you a lot about their current digestive health, understanding the digestive process ensures you’re up to date with any possible symptoms affecting these areas. While the dog digestion time is dependent on a number of different factors, here are the stages within the gastrointestinal tract.
The Mouth – Just like human beings, the very first step in the digestive process is chewing the food. It can be the first area where a digestive problem occurs. This is also where you can first identify foods that may affect your dog’s digestive cycle.
The Esophagus – The esophagus is the designated pathway where food and water pass from the mouth to the stomach. Keep a close eye for any problems occurring in this area. They generally need to be treated by your veterinarian immediately.
The Stomach – The stomach is where partially-digested food is stored. It is also where your dog’s body produces acids and digestive enzymes to break these foods down. Sometimes, as your dog ages, they need help from supplements or additives in your dog’s diet to digest their food properly.
The Intestines – The intestines are a connection of small and large organs where food is broken down and digested as absorbable nutrients.
The Colon – The unsung hero of all digestive tracts, the colon is where pet food and waste become fecal matter, stored there until the doggy bag comes out. Inspecting your dog’s stool is paramount to understanding if they currently have a healthy digestive cycle. Picking up after your dog might be a chore, but it’s the least of your worries when it comes to the colon.
Dog Digestive Cycle – It’s important to take a look at your dog’s digestive cycle as a whole. The process not only has an affect on your dog’s overall health and well-being, it is something that has to be monitored and nurtured over time. Your dog’s digestive needs will change based on their age, breed, and exercise routine. Be prepared to help promote their health by understanding their digestive needs.
The Type Of Food Your Dog Eats
The type and volume of food intake obviously affects your dog’s digestion. The protein content of the food is a big factor in how long it takes to digest. How the food has been processed also makes a difference.
When it comes to commercial pet foods, tour dog can digest wet food more easily than dry food, because water helps it move faster through the GI tract. Wet dog food can be broken down in four to six hours, whilethe digestive process for dry dog food takes between eight and ten hours.
Raw dog food is the most digestible food for dogs. It’s the most natural food for your dog’s digestive system. And, unlike processed foods, raw food isn’t full of starchy grains and sugars. Raw food contains live enzymes that aid efficient digestion. Overall, your dog takes less time to digest raw food.
One thing you can do to help your older dog’s digestion is to feed them smaller portions. This can make it easier on their stomach to digest the food.17
There are special senior dog foods designed with less fat or sodium levels, but speak to a vet before making any changes to their diet.18
How Long Does It Take a Dog to Digest Food?
When it comes to good dog gut health, it’s important to know how long it takes for a dog to properly digest dog food. Why’s that? Well, nutrient absorption is KEY for your dog’s immunity and overall health, and the best nutrient absorption happens when the canine digestive system is working efficiently and effectively!
Continue reading to find out the answer to the “how long does it take a dog to digest food” question!
Even with these varying digestion cycles, we still find that there are key digestive factors you can monitor that are ubiquitous across dog breeds:
Many older dogs have special requirements based on pre-existing conditions that influence what they need in their diet.16