Pet Digest

The Stomach — The Powerhouse of Digestion After traveling down the esophagus, your dog’s food arrives at the stomach — a muscular, stretchy organ that’s one of the most important players in digestion. This is where food gets broken down chemically and mechanically to prepare nutrients for absorption. What Happens in the Stomach? The stomach acts like a food blender and storage tank. It stores food temporarily and churns it to mix with digestive juices. These juices include: Hydrochloric acid (HCl): Creates a super acidic environment that kills harmful bacteria and activates digestive enzymes. Pepsin: An enzyme that starts breaking down proteins into smaller pieces. Mucus: Protects the stomach lining from the acid and enzymes. Muscular contractions called peristaltic waves churn the food into a creamy mixture called chyme , which then gradually passes into the small intestine. Why the Stomach Is So Important If the stomach doesn’t do its job properly, nutrient...

The Effects of Dry Kibble on Your Dog’s Stomach: What You Should Know Dry kibble is one of the most common feeding choices for dogs today. It’s affordable, convenient, easy to store, and widely available. But just because something is common doesn’t mean it’s ideal—especially when it comes to your dog’s digestive system. Let’s take a deeper look at how kibble affects your dog’s stomach and overall gut health. 1. Dehydration Begins in the Bowl Dry kibble typically contains only 6–10% moisture, which means your dog is getting very little water through their food. This forces the digestive system to draw water from the body to help break down the food. Over time, this constant state of “internal dehydration” can put stress on the kidneys and digestive tract, especially in dogs that don’t drink enough water to compensate. 🔹 Tip: Adding warm water, bone broth, or raw goat’s milk to kibble can help ease digestion and support hydration. 2. Digestive Bloat and Gastric Distress Kibble expands ...