07/15/2025
Raw fed dogs have a stronger, more diverse microbiome ๐๐๐
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๐๐๐๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐ซ๐๐๐ญ๐ข๐๐๐ฌ ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐ข๐๐ซ๐จ๐๐ข๐๐ฅ ๐๐๐จ๐ฅ๐จ๐ ๐ฒ: ๐๐ง๐ฌ๐ข๐ ๐ก๐ญ๐ฌ ๐๐ซ๐จ๐ฆ ๐๐๐ฐ ๐ฏ๐ฌ. ๐๐ข๐๐๐ฅ๐ ๐๐ข๐๐ญ๐ฌ ๐ข๐ง ๐๐จ๐ ๐ฌ
The gut microbiome plays a key role in canine digestion, immune regulation, inflammation, and neurological health. Recent studies show that diet, especially fresh, animal based raw food compared to highly processed dry food, significantly shapes microbial composition and activity in dogs.
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Raw-fed dogs consistently show higher microbial diversity than kibble-fed dogs. This is associated with greater metabolic resilience and decreased risk of dysbiosis. Dry food or kibble fed dogs often show a narrower, carbohydrate-driven microbiota due to starch-heavy formulations and overall reduced ingredient variety.
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Raw diets support an increase in beneficial taxa such as Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, Clostridium hiranonis, and Lactobacillus spp. โ known for anti-inflammatory effects and gut barrier integrity.
In contrast, kibble-fed dogs often show a rise in Escherichia/Shigella and other Enterobacteriaceae, organisms more associated with fermentable carbohydrates and gut barrier stress.
F***l Profiles Show Functional Changes
Raw-fed dogs tend to produce:
- More short-chain fatty acids (like butyrate), vital for colon health
- Lower f***l pH, which inhibits pathogen growth
- Reduced markers of protein putrefaction, such as ammonia and branched-chain fatty acids
These patterns suggest improved fermentation and mucosal health.
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Interestingly, even with clear microbiome shifts, systemic inflammatory markers (e.g., CRP, IL-6) remain stable in healthy dogs, regardless of diet. This suggests that microbiome changes may not directly alter baseline inflammation in the absence of clinical disease โ though this may not hold true in dogs with chronic gastrointestinal or immune issues.
๐ด๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐บ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ฐ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐
๐๐ ๐ฎ๐ฐ ๐๐๐
๐ฐ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ฐ๐๐๐๐๐
- IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease)
- Food-responsive enteropathies
- Antibiotic-responsive diarrhea
- Dysbiosis-associated diarrhea or colitis
In these populations, dietary interventions โ particularly transitioning from processed kibble to raw or fresh food โ can have a measurable impact on systemic inflammation. The gut microbiota is typically already disrupted โ showing reduced diversity, low levels of beneficial species (e.g. Faecalibacterium, Blautia), and elevated pathogenic or pro-inflammatory strains (e.g. Enterococcus, Clostridium perfringens). These imbalances contribute to mucosal inflammation and systemic immune activation. Safely moving these animals over to a fresh food diet can correct this imbalance overtime and reduce overall systemic inflammation.
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To support gut microbial diversity through food, consider rotating in:
- Green tripe (unbleached): natural source of enzymes and probiotics
- Fermented vegetables (e.g., sauerkraut, kefir โ in moderation)
- Prebiotic-rich plants: burdock root, Jerusalem artichoke, dandelion greens, chicory root
- Fibrous vegetables: pumpkin, zucchini, broccoli stems, leafy greens
- Low-sugar berries: blueberries, cranberries (for polyphenols and antioxidants)
- Bone broth with cartilage: supports mucosal healing and gut lining integrity
- Raw eggs with yolk: choline, lecithin, and complete amino acids
- Organ meats (rotated): particularly liver and spleen for micronutrient support
Note: Introduce new foods gradually, especially fermented items, and monitor stools for tolerance.
Raw or fresh whole-food diets appear to support a more eubiotic, stable, and diverse gut microbiome in dogs โ with positive shifts in microbial taxa and f***l metabolites. While systemic markers remain unchanged in healthy dogs, these microbial differences may influence long-term health, especially in dogs predisposed to GI or immune issues.
For dogs who are on a mainly dry food diet, look at adding fresh foods to assist with improving microbial diversity. These include some of the foods listed above. For details and specifics, download the free Make Your Dogโs Food Better ebook in the โFree Contentโ section of the Functional Canine website.
