Key takeaways:
- Dogs and humans share gut microbes, and fibre is the key fuel that keeps both microbiomes healthy and balanced.
- It’s not just about more fibre, but fibre diversity, which helps beneficial bacteria like Lactobacillus thrive, as seen in BIOME9 data.
- From Pooch & Mutt to Biomel, supporting gut health comes down to simple daily habits and a varied, fibre-rich diet.
We all want our dogs to feel their best, tail-wagging selves. That’s why we spend so much time thinking about their health - from choosing the right food to daily walks and sticking to a good routine.
But what if we told you that supporting canine health isn’t so different from your own?
Hear us out. As gut health fanatics (for good reason), we know that your dog’s gut plays a huge role in their overall wellbeing. From digestion all the way to brain function, behaviour, skin, coat, and joints.
And it’s the same for us humans. Having a balanced gut is a strong foundation for overall health - supporting functions throughout the body, including healthy sleep, skin, immunity and more.
But here’s where it gets really interesting.
Humans and dogs share a surprisingly large number of gut microbes - in fact, around 200 of the same species! Meaning you and your pooch have much more in common than just a home and favourite spot on the sofa…
What’s even more interesting is that many of these bacteria rely on fibre as their main source of fuel.
So while we often think of fibre as helping with digestion (and it does!), it actually plays a much bigger role in supporting a diverse, healthy microbiome - in dogs and humans alike.
Why is fibre so important?
A healthy gut usually starts with a balanced microbiome - the community of bacteria living inside the gut.
This community is made up of trillions of microbes and thousands of different species. These bacteria help with digestion, support the immune system, and overall wellbeing.
When the microbiome becomes unbalanced (known as dysbiosis), certain types of bacteria can begin to dominate while others struggle to thrive. This can happen for lots of reasons, including diet, lifestyle, stress, and age.
One of the biggest ways we can support these beneficial bacteria is through fibre.
As Dr Bushra Schuitemaker, Head of Microbiology at Pooch & Mutt, explains:
"Fibre is not just about stool quality. It's about feeding the microbial ecosystem. Different fibres feed different bacteria, so variety is important for supporting a more balanced and resilient gut microbiome."
In other words, it's not just about how much fibre you and your dog are getting - it's about how many different types of fibre are in your diets.
What we’re seeing in dogs
Every day, our Pooch & Mutt Gut Health Tests give us new insights into dog’s microbiomes.
By analysing thousands of samples (2,896 and counting), our team of microbiologists can identify patterns and learn more about the bacteria linked to a healthy, resilient gut.
This includes Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, Blautia and Prevotella - fibre-associated bacterial groups that play an important role in a healthy microbiome.
Our findings suggest that many dogs may be missing some of these important fibre-loving microbes, showing just how important diet can be for gut health.
For example, in our current dataset:
42% of dogs tested had no detectable Lactobacillus
Only 17% had healthy levels of Lactobacillus
Meaning almost half of the dogs in our dataset lacked key fibre-associated bacteria. That’s a huge number - and an important one when thinking about gut health.
It highlights the important role fibre diversity in the diet plays in supporting these microbes to thrive - remember, the more species of healthy bacteria, the more diversity (which is exactly what we want).
As Dr Bushra says: "This doesn't mean fibre alone is the answer, but it does highlight why fibre diversity, diet quality and microbiome resilience are so important for gut health."
How can we increase fibre diversity?
Increasing fibre diversity in your dog’s diet is a lot simpler than you might think. It comes down to feeding a variety of fibre sources, rather than just one or two fibre-rich foods or recipes - because different types of fibre feed different fibre-dependent bacteria.
That means feeding a mix of fibre-rich foods, including:
Veggies like carrots, broccoli, pumpkin, and sweet potato
Fruits such as apples and blueberries
Fibre Support Supplements that contain a blend of different fibre sources
Choose treats and supplements containing different fibre sources to their main food
So it’s not just about increasing their overall fibre intake, but feeding your dog a range of fibre sources.
What your dog can teach you about your own gut health
In typical dog-owner style, most of us pay a lot more attention to looking after our dog’s health than our own. But when it comes to gut health, supporting our own microbiome isn’t much different to supporting theirs (remember - we share around 200 of the same microbial species!).
So next time you’re feeding your dog a fibre-rich, gut-supporting meal - ask yourself, what am I doing to support my own gut health? Because gut health can have just as much of an impact on our overall health as it can on our dogs.
Our friends at Biomel, specialists in human gut health, see this every day.
In-house Nutritionist, Holly Caske ANutr, explains:
"The human gut is home to trillions of microorganisms that play important roles in digestion, immune function, energy production and even mood.
When the gut microbiome is well supported, people often experience better digestive comfort, more stable energy, and improved overall wellbeing."
How can we support our own gut health?
Taking care of your gut doesn’t need to be complicated.
In fact, the foundations of a healthy gut are surprisingly similar to your dog’s:
Eat plenty of fibre Just like your pooch, eating a variety of fibre-rich foods helps feed beneficial gut bacteria and supports a diverse microbiome.
Stay hydrated
Drinking enough water supports digestion and helps maintain healthy bowel function.
Keep active Those daily W-A-L-K-S aren’t just for dogs - regular movement also supports the human gut-brain axis and overall wellbeing.
Regular mealtimes Keeping a consistent eating pattern can help support digestive rhythm (maybe the dogs are onto something…).
Microbiome-friendly nutrition Foods and drinks containing live cultures and fibre can help support a balanced gut environment.
That’s why we’re delighted to partner with Biomel, who are just as passionate about gut health as we are.
They offer a range of award-winning plant-based drinks, shots, bars, and supplements - because your health should be just as important as your dog’s.
Each product supports the human microbiome with fibre, live cultures, and essential nutrients, designed to make supporting your gut easy.
Plus, Pooch & Mutt customers get 35% OFF their first Biomel order - simply use the code POOCHANDMUTT at checkout.
