Understanding your dogs Gut Health: How Tummy Troubles Affect Your Dog’s Skin & Coat & overall wellbeing

As groomers, we often see the outside signs of what’s happening inside your dog’s body and one of the biggest influences on coat health is gut health. When the digestive system isn’t working properly, it can lead to issues like dull coats, flaky skin, or excessive shedding. Two common underlying conditions that affect gut balance are IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) and IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease).

What’s the Difference Between IBS and IBD?

IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome):

A functional digestive disorder where the intestines don’t move food properly through the digestive tract. It’s often linked to stress, anxiety, or sudden dietary changes.

IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease):

A chronic inflammatory condition that damages the intestinal lining, affecting nutrient absorption, and mal absorption of the gut and causing ongoing digestive upset.

Both can lead to poor nutrient absorption which means your dog’s skin and coat may not get the vitamins, proteins, and fatty acids they need to stay healthy and shiny.

Signs of Gut Health Problems

If you notice these symptoms in your dog (especially combined with coat changes), it may be time to look deeper:

Frequent diarrhea, constipation, or vomiting

Gas, bloating, or a noisy stomach

Weight loss or poor appetite

Dull, brittle, or greasy coat

Itchy, flaky, or dry skin

Increased shedding or patchy fur

Lethargy or irritability

How Gut Health Affects the Coat

When digestion is compromised, nutrients like omega fatty acids, zinc, and biotin aren’t properly absorbed and those are the very nutrients that support coat shine, healthy skin, and strong hair growth.

So, even the best grooming products and treatments can only go so far if your dog’s gut isn’t functioning well.

Supporting Gut & Skin Health

Here are a few ways to support both your dog’s tummy and their coat health:

Work with your vet to identify food sensitivities or possible underlying issues.

Feed a balanced, high-quality diet with easily digestible ingredients.

Add probiotics or prebiotics (with veterinary guidance) to promote healthy gut bacteria.

Reduce stress routine grooming, gentle handling, and a calm environment make a difference!

Keep your dog hydrated water helps regulate digestion and skin moisture.

From the Inside Out

As a professional groomer, I can often tell when a dog’s coat and skin are reflecting internal imbalance as well as externally Remember a glossy, healthy coat isn’t just about grooming products; it starts in the gut! What you put in comes out through the skin and coat!

Dogs that are also eating way to fast could also create issues , bloat which is dangerous and it can cause the above through not digesting their food properly so not passing through the gut normally and having time to digest.

This can make your dog very hungry and also not allowing the nutrients to pass through the gut properly.to.go to the vital organise for the body to process.

If your dog struggles with ongoing digestive or coat issues, talk to your vet or a pet nutritionist , Once the inside is healthy, regular grooming can help bring out the best in their coat making them look and feel their absolute best.

Hope that gives you some insight on your dogs gut health.

Any more questions please ask me direct on my facebook page here