Does your furry friend sometimes seem a bit uncomfortable after a meal? Maybe you notice extra gas, loose stools, or just a general lack of pep in their step. These little signs can sometimes point to a bigger issue: trouble digesting their food properly. It’s tough seeing your happy dog feel less than their best!
Choosing the right digestive enzyme supplement for your dog can feel like navigating a maze. There are so many brands, different ingredients, and confusing labels. You want to help your pup, but you don’t want to guess which product will actually work or if it’s safe.
This post will cut through the confusion. We’ll break down what dog digestive enzymes are, why they matter for your dog’s health, and how to pick the best one for their specific needs. By the end, you’ll feel confident in choosing a supplement that supports a happy tummy for your best friend.
Top Dog Digestive Enzymes Recommendations
- Digestive Enzymes for Dogs helps support diet change and a healthy digestive tract.
- Veterinarian formulated with Alpha-Amylase, Protease, Lipase and Cellulase to help hydrolyze starches, proteins, triglycerides and break down cellulose.
- Tasty soft chews that taste like a treat, packaged with a re-sealable jar to ensure freshness.
- Since 1994, NaturVet has been manufacturing products to offer the superior quality of life your four-legged family members deserve
- Alpha-Amylase will help hydrolyze starch
- Protease will hydrolyze proteins
- Cellulase will break down cellulose
- Lipase can hydrolyze triglycerides
- Probiotics support healthy digestion
- Designed for Pets Struggling with EPI - Does your dog battle constant weight loss, loose stools, or poor appetite? Watching them struggle can be heartbreaking. Our Pancreatic Enzymes support pets with EPI and digestive issues, helping them absorb nutrients properly so they can regain strength, maintain a healthy weight, and feel like their old selves again. Enjoy a happy, thriving companion by your side
- High-Potency Formula for Maximum Digestive Support - With 10X-strength porcine pancreatic enzymes, our formula delivers the essential digestive support your dog needs. It helps break down fats, proteins, and carbohydrates efficiently, reducing bloating, discomfort, and nutrient loss—so every meal fuels their health, not their struggles
- Triple-Enzyme Support for Optimal Nutrient Absorption - Our Pancreatic Enzymes for Dogs with amylase, protease, and lipase, this enzyme supplement mimics the natural digestive process, making food easier to digest and nutrients easier to absorb. The result? Healthier weight, better stools, a shinier coat, and more tail-wagging joy at mealtime
- asy to Use - Ideal for pets over six weeks of age, our digestive enzymes for dogs and cats are perfect for every meal—just mix this low-odor, acetone-free Tablets into your dog’s moist food and let it sit for 15 -20 minutes. Safe for all breeds and life stages, from playfully to aging seniors, it’s the hassle-free way to support their digestive health
- Trusted by Vets, Loved by Pets: Our pancreatic enzyme Tablets for dogs undergoes rigorous testing to ensure safety and effectiveness. Specially formulated to support digestion and promote optimal gut health, it helps your beloved companion stay happy, healthy, and full of life
- Promotes Digestive Health: This probiotic for dogs is specifically formulated to maintain a healthy gut in dogs of all sizes. They help combat common issues like diarrhea, constipation, and upset stomachs.
- Advanced Probiotic & Prebiotic Formula: Each chew is packed with essential dog probiotics and digestive enzymes, along with fiber ensuring your canine companion gets the full spectrum of digestive support
- Ease Stomach Discomfort: Our pet probiotics for dogs contain ingredients known for providing relief from gas, acid, and loose stool, helping your dog feel comfortable and happy. Dog probiotic, probiotic for dogs
- Formulated for All Dogs: Created with every dog in mind, our probiotic chews for dogs are perfect for all ages and sizes - from playful puppies to wise seniors - so your loyal companion gets the nutrients they need at any stage of life
- Veterinarian Developed & USA Made: Trust in the premium quality of our dog digestive support supplement, which are formulated by veterinarians and manufactured in the USA within an FDA-registered facility
- Something Yummy for a Happy Tummy! - Probiotic Bites are functional soft chew dog supplements that support gut flora and immune support for your canine companion.
- Featuring DE111 - This chewable supplement contains DE111, which is a clinically studied Bacillus subtilis that supports gut health and immune system function for your doggy.
- For a Healthy Gut - Fido can continue to digest with more zest! Probiotic Bites help support gut flora and normal digestive function for small, medium, and large breeds – whether an adult or senior!
- Immune System Support - At a total of 3 billion CFU per chew, the probiotics in these Probiotic Bites provide paw-erful support for your dog's immunity.
- Good Gut Bacteria - These chewables include pawsome probiotic strains such as Lactobacillus acidophilus, L. plantarum, L. brevis, L. fermentum, and Lactococcus lactis.
- A preventative maintenance supplement to help maintain normal healthy cartilage and joint function. Tart cherries help avoid discomfort by supporting the body's normal inflammatory Response. Contains Glucosamine and MSM for added joint support.
- 🐶 Designed for Dogs with Frequent Gas: This dog fart remedy is specially formulated for dogs that experience frequent or strong-smelling gas. By supporting digestion and gut balance, it helps address common contributors to dog flatulence such as inefficient digestion and intestinal imbalance—making daily life more comfortable for both dogs and owners.
- 🌿 Supports Digestive Function & Gut Balance: Frequent dog farts are often linked to digestive sensitivity. This dog gas relief formula combines probiotics and digestive enzymes to support normal digestive processes, help regulate intestinal activity, and reduce excessive gas buildup that can lead to unpleasant odors.
- 🔬 High-Potency Probiotics for Ongoing Gut Support: Each gram provides 4 billion CFU of Pediococcus acidilactici, along with Bifidobacterium, to help maintain a balanced gut environment. These beneficial bacteria support healthy intestinal flora and may help reduce fermentation commonly associated with smelly dog farts.
- ⚙️ Enzyme-Enhanced Formula for Better Digestion: Digestive enzymes help break down proteins, fats, carbohydrates, and fiber more efficiently. Improved food breakdown means less undigested material in the gut—helping limit gas formation and support smoother digestion for dogs with sensitive stomachs.
- 🍎 Gentle Fiber Support & Easy Daily Feeding: With added pumpkin powder and apple powder, this dog fart relief formula provides mild fiber support to promote smooth digestion and reduce residual fermentation. The palatable powder mixes easily with food, making it suitable for picky eaters and daily digestive support.
- Number one probiotic supplement recommended by veterinarians (Kantar Veterinary Tracker, 2020)
- Probiotic supplement for the dietary management of puppies and adult dogs with diarrhea
- Contains a probiotic for dogs proven to promote intestinal health and balance
- Promotes a strong immune system and contains antioxidants for dogs
- Easy-to-feed dog supplement powder
Your Dog’s Tummy Troubles? A Guide to Digestive Enzymes
Does your dog often seem uncomfortable after eating? Maybe they have gas or loose stools. Digestive enzymes can really help your dog’s body break down food better. This guide helps you choose the best enzyme supplement for your furry friend.
Key Features to Look For
When shopping for dog digestive enzymes, several features matter most. You want a product that works well and is safe for your pet.
1. Enzyme Variety and Potency (Activity Levels)
- Broad Spectrum: Look for products with a good mix of enzymes. The main ones are protease (for protein), amylase (for carbs/starches), and lipase (for fats).
- Activity Units: Enzymes are measured in units like USP, FCC, or activity units (e.g., LU for lipase). Higher numbers usually mean stronger action. Check the label to see if the product provides enough for your dog’s size.
2. Delivery Method
- Powder vs. Capsule: Powders mix easily into wet food. Capsules are convenient for owners who prefer pre-measured doses.
- Guaranteed Freshness: Enzymes break down over time. A quality product guarantees the stated potency right up to the expiration date, not just when it’s bottled.
3. Added Support Ingredients
Some supplements include extras that help digestion even more:
- Probiotics: These are the “good bacteria” that support gut health alongside the enzymes.
- Prebiotics: These feed the probiotics, making them stronger.
Important Materials and Formulation
What the supplement is made of is crucial for safety and effectiveness.
Source of Enzymes
Most high-quality dog digestive enzymes come from one of two sources:
- Pancreatic Tissue (Animal-Sourced): These are often very effective because they closely match what a dog naturally produces. Ensure they come from healthy, inspected animals.
- Plant/Fungal Sources: Ingredients like bromelain (from pineapple) or papain (from papaya) are plant-based alternatives. These are often preferred by owners feeding raw diets or those worried about animal byproducts.
Fillers and Binders
Always check the “Other Ingredients” list. Poor quality products often use unnecessary fillers.
- Avoid: Artificial colors, strong artificial preservatives, or excessive amounts of cheap grain fillers if your dog has sensitivities.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
The manufacturing process significantly impacts how well the enzymes work in your dog’s stomach.
Factors Improving Quality
- Stomach Acid Stability: Enzymes must survive the dog’s stomach acid to reach the intestines where most digestion happens. Look for enteric-coated capsules if the product isn’t naturally stable.
- Proper Storage: Heat and moisture destroy enzymes. Good brands ship and store their products correctly.
Factors Reducing Quality
- Heat Exposure: If enzymes are manufactured or stored in high heat, their activity levels drop significantly. The product may look fine but be useless.
- Incorrect Dosing Information: If the manufacturer doesn’t clearly state how much to give based on weight, the product is harder to use correctly.
User Experience and Use Cases
How owners use these supplements shows their real-world value.
Common Use Cases
- Older Dogs: As dogs age, their natural enzyme production often slows down. Enzymes help them absorb nutrients from their regular food.
- Dietary Changes: If you switch your dog to a new food (especially switching from kibble to raw, or vice versa), enzymes help the gut adapt without distress.
- Specific Food Sensitivities: Dogs that struggle to digest high-fat meals benefit greatly from added lipase.
What to Expect from Good Results
When you use the right enzyme product, owners often report:
- Less gas and bloating shortly after meals.
- Firmer, more consistent stools.
- Overall better energy, as the dog is absorbing more nutrition from the food they eat.
10 Frequently Asked Questions About Dog Digestive Enzymes
Q: What exactly are digestive enzymes for dogs?
A: They are natural substances that help break down food into smaller pieces so your dog’s body can easily absorb vitamins and nutrients.
Q: Are these the same as probiotics?
A: No. Enzymes help break down the food itself. Probiotics are living bacteria that support the healthy environment inside the gut.
Q: How long does it take to see results?
A: Many owners see minor improvements in stool quality within a few days. Major changes in energy or reduced gas might take one to two weeks.
Q: Can I just give my dog human digestive enzymes?
A: It is not recommended. Dogs have different pH levels in their stomachs, and human dosages are usually too weak or too strong for canine needs.
Q: Should I mix the powder into wet or dry food?
A: Mix powders into wet food or slightly moisten dry kibble. Enzymes need moisture to start working.
Q: Do I give the enzyme right before or during the meal?
A: You must give the enzyme immediately before or at the very start of the meal so it mixes with the food before it hits the stomach acid.
Q: What if my dog has pancreatitis? Can they take these?
A: If your dog has a diagnosed serious condition like pancreatitis, always ask your veterinarian first. They may recommend specific prescription enzyme products.
Q: Do I need to refrigerate enzyme supplements?
A: Most shelf-stable products do not require refrigeration. Always check the label instructions for storage details.
Q: Will these enzymes make my dog gain weight?
A: No. They help the dog absorb the calories already present in the food better, which can help underweight dogs reach a healthy weight.
Q: What if my dog refuses to eat the food with the powder mixed in?
A: Try using a smaller dose first, or mix it into something very tasty, like a spoonful of plain yogurt or canned wet food.