Picking up after your dog or cleaning your cat’s litter tray may not be the most enjoyable part of pet ownership, but it offers useful clues about their health. Alongside appetite, weight and behaviour, changes in poo can help you spot when something needs attention.
What does healthy digestion look like?
Digestion breaks food down into nutrients the body can absorb. The gut also contains a community of microorganisms, known as the gut microbiome, which contributes to normal digestive function.
A pet with healthy digestion will generally have a steady appetite, maintain an appropriate weight and pass formed stools comfortably. Poo should usually be brown, moist and firm enough to hold its shape, without being hard or dry.
Frequency varies with age, diet and the individual animal. Knowing your pet’s usual pattern is more useful than expecting every cat or dog to go the same number of times each day. Occasional wind or tummy noises can happen; persistent changes, discomfort or repeated vomiting deserve attention.
Signs that something is not right
Watch for:
Loose, watery or unusually frequent stools.
Hard, dry poo, straining or difficulty passing stools.
Blood, excess mucus or black, tar-like stools.
Repeated vomiting or regularly bringing food back up.
Reduced appetite, unexplained weight loss or a change in drinking.
Unusual tiredness, hiding, restlessness or signs of abdominal pain.
Do not assume recurrent vomiting in a cat is simply down to hairballs. Persistent changes in appetite, toileting or poo appearance should be discussed with your vet.
Why do digestive problems happen?
Sometimes the trigger is straightforward: a sudden food change, scavenging, rich treats or stress. Parasites, infections and food sensitivities can also cause problems.
However, similar signs may occur with underlying disease, including chronic intestinal inflammation, pancreatic problems, kidney or liver disease and, in older cats, an overactive thyroid. Swallowed objects can also cause a blockage, hair ties, socks, underpants and even plastic bags have been removed by this veterinarian!. This is why recurring symptoms should be investigated rather than repeatedly managed at home.
What can you do?
Start with a complete, balanced food appropriate for your pet’s species and life stage. Make food changes gradually, usually over about a week unless your vet advises otherwise. Keep treats modest and avoid fatty leftovers, bones and access to bins.
Provide fresh water at all times. Regular activity, a predictable routine and clean, accessible litter trays also support normal habits. Keep vaccinations and parasite control appropriate to your pet’s needs, with advice from your veterinary practice.
For a brief episode of mildly loose stools in an otherwise bright adult pet, ask your vet whether short-term dietary support is appropriate. Small, frequent meals of an easily digestible diet may be advised. Do not deliberately fast a cat or give human anti-diarrhoea medicines without veterinary guidance.
Keep a note of food, treats, symptoms and any recent changes. A photograph or fresh stool sample, if requested, can help your vet.
When should you contact the vet?
Regular veterinary check-ups provide an opportunity to review weight, diet and changes in digestive habits. If symptoms persist or worsen, arrange a further examination even if a supplement has made the stools look firmer. Your vet may recommend stool tests, blood tests or imaging to investigate the cause. Don’t wait to schedule an appointment if your pet is lethargic or clearly unwell.
Where can digestive supplements fit in?
Once your pet’s needs have been assessed, a digestive supplement may form part of their care. Different products have different roles: fibre contributes to stool consistency, prebiotics provide food for beneficial gut bacteria, and probiotics contain live microorganisms. Para-probiotics contain inactivated microorganisms.
Benefits depend on the formulation and the individual pet. Supplements support care; they do not replace diagnosis or treatment of underlying disease.
Fibiotic Pro is a food-added powder containing a blend of plant ingredients, fibre, nutritional yeast, bentonite clay and para-probiotics. It is formulated for cats and dogs from four months of age and provides beneficial ingredients that support a normal bowel movement and a healthy microbiome. Its especially useful when you pet has an inconsistent poo or is prone to constipation or diarrhoea.
Broadreach Nature+ Advanced Probiotics is an oral paste supplied in a calibrated syringe. It combines: Enterococcus faecium: a live probiotic intended to support the intestinal microbial balance. Fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS): prebiotics that provide a food source for beneficial gut bacteria. Bentonite clay: a binding ingredient included to support stool firmness. This is formulated for cats and dogs from weaning, around four weeks, including senior pets and is ideal for diarrhoea when the animal is still well. It’s a useful first aid supplement to have on hand for dietary indiscretions or when working to improve digestion.
Helping your pet feel their best starts with simple daily habits: nourishing food, fresh water, regular activity and a little attention to what ends up in the poo bag or litter tray! Alongside regular veterinary check-ups, the right digestive support may help you care for their gut health. If symptoms persist or worsen, your vet can help identify the cause and guide the next steps. With a little care and the right advice, you can help your cat or dog get back to enjoying the things they love, from favourite walks to sunny windowsills.
Healthy digestion in cats and dogs: what is normal, when to worry and how to help
Picking up after your dog or cleaning your cat’s litter tray may not be the most enjoyable part of pet ownership, but it offers useful clues about their health. Alongside appetite, weight and behaviour, changes in poo can help you spot when something needs attention.
What does healthy digestion look like?
Digestion breaks food down into nutrients the body can absorb. The gut also contains a community of microorganisms, known as the gut microbiome, which contributes to normal digestive function.
A pet with healthy digestion will generally have a steady appetite, maintain an appropriate weight and pass formed stools comfortably. Poo should usually be brown, moist and firm enough to hold its shape, without being hard or dry.
Frequency varies with age, diet and the individual animal. Knowing your pet’s usual pattern is more useful than expecting every cat or dog to go the same number of times each day. Occasional wind or tummy noises can happen; persistent changes, discomfort or repeated vomiting deserve attention.
Signs that something is not right
Watch for:
Do not assume recurrent vomiting in a cat is simply down to hairballs. Persistent changes in appetite, toileting or poo appearance should be discussed with your vet.
Why do digestive problems happen?
Sometimes the trigger is straightforward: a sudden food change, scavenging, rich treats or stress. Parasites, infections and food sensitivities can also cause problems.
However, similar signs may occur with underlying disease, including chronic intestinal inflammation, pancreatic problems, kidney or liver disease and, in older cats, an overactive thyroid. Swallowed objects can also cause a blockage, hair ties, socks, underpants and even plastic bags have been removed by this veterinarian!. This is why recurring symptoms should be investigated rather than repeatedly managed at home.
What can you do?
Start with a complete, balanced food appropriate for your pet’s species and life stage. Make food changes gradually, usually over about a week unless your vet advises otherwise. Keep treats modest and avoid fatty leftovers, bones and access to bins.
Provide fresh water at all times. Regular activity, a predictable routine and clean, accessible litter trays also support normal habits. Keep vaccinations and parasite control appropriate to your pet’s needs, with advice from your veterinary practice.
For a brief episode of mildly loose stools in an otherwise bright adult pet, ask your vet whether short-term dietary support is appropriate. Small, frequent meals of an easily digestible diet may be advised. Do not deliberately fast a cat or give human anti-diarrhoea medicines without veterinary guidance.
Keep a note of food, treats, symptoms and any recent changes. A photograph or fresh stool sample, if requested, can help your vet.
When should you contact the vet?
Regular veterinary check-ups provide an opportunity to review weight, diet and changes in digestive habits. If symptoms persist or worsen, arrange a further examination even if a supplement has made the stools look firmer. Your vet may recommend stool tests, blood tests or imaging to investigate the cause. Don’t wait to schedule an appointment if your pet is lethargic or clearly unwell.
Where can digestive supplements fit in?
Once your pet’s needs have been assessed, a digestive supplement may form part of their care. Different products have different roles: fibre contributes to stool consistency, prebiotics provide food for beneficial gut bacteria, and probiotics contain live microorganisms. Para-probiotics contain inactivated microorganisms.
Benefits depend on the formulation and the individual pet. Supplements support care; they do not replace diagnosis or treatment of underlying disease.
Fibiotic Pro: a fibre-based powder
Fibiotic Pro is a food-added powder containing a blend of plant ingredients, fibre, nutritional yeast, bentonite clay and para-probiotics. It is formulated for cats and dogs from four months of age and provides beneficial ingredients that support a normal bowel movement and a healthy microbiome. Its especially useful when you pet has an inconsistent poo or is prone to constipation or diarrhoea.
Broadreach Nature+ Advanced Probiotics: a palatable paste
Broadreach Nature+ Advanced Probiotics is an oral paste supplied in a calibrated syringe. It combines: Enterococcus faecium: a live probiotic intended to support the intestinal microbial balance. Fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS): prebiotics that provide a food source for beneficial gut bacteria. Bentonite clay: a binding ingredient included to support stool firmness. This is formulated for cats and dogs from weaning, around four weeks, including senior pets and is ideal for diarrhoea when the animal is still well. It’s a useful first aid supplement to have on hand for dietary indiscretions or when working to improve digestion.
Helping your pet feel their best starts with simple daily habits: nourishing food, fresh water, regular activity and a little attention to what ends up in the poo bag or litter tray! Alongside regular veterinary check-ups, the right digestive support may help you care for their gut health. If symptoms persist or worsen, your vet can help identify the cause and guide the next steps. With a little care and the right advice, you can help your cat or dog get back to enjoying the things they love, from favourite walks to sunny windowsills.