Many dogs experience digestive problems — from gassiness and loose stools to itching, bad breath, or inconsistent appetite. Often, the root cause isn’t the food itself, but how well your dog is digesting it. That’s where digestive enzymes can help.
At Healthful Pets, we’re passionate about supporting pets naturally from the inside out. Digestive enzymes are a simple, powerful way to support your dog’s gut health, and can make all the difference for some dogs.
What Are Digestive Enzymes?
Digestive enzymes are proteins that help break down food so the body can absorb nutrients properly. There are several key types:
- Protease – breaks down proteins into amino acids
- Amylase – breaks down carbohydrates into sugars
- Lipase – breaks down fats into fatty acids
- Cellulase – helps break down plant fibres
- Invertase – breaks down sugars
- Ox bile – not technically an enzyme, but aids fat digestion by emulsifying fats so lipase can work more effectively
Note: You may also see 'pancreatin' referred to as a digestive enzyme — this is just the combination of lipase, amylase and protease.
Dogs do produce these enzymes naturally, but the digestive process can become strained — especially in dogs eating processed food, those with chronic digestive conditions, or older pets. That’s when supplementation may be beneficial.
Why Might Dogs Need Digestive Enzymes?
- Modern diets are enzyme-poor
Commercially processed foods are cooked at high temperatures, which destroys natural enzymes. Even many raw feeders don’t include gut organs — the richest natural source of enzymes. - Digestive stress or insufficiency
In dogs with conditions like pancreatitis or Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency (EPI), the pancreas can’t produce enough enzymes to support digestion. In these cases, supplementing with enzymes can make a real difference.
Note: For dogs with these conditions, we would always recommend following the advice of your vet or specialist.
- Digestive symptoms
Loose stools, gassiness, bloating, bad breath or food sensitivities can often trace back to poor digestion. Supporting the breakdown of food can ease these symptoms. - Immune and skin issues
When food isn’t digested properly, large particles can pass through the gut lining, otherwise known as leaky gut syndrome. This can potentially trigger inflammation, itchy skin, food sensitivity and digestive upset. - SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth)
Digestive enzymes may help prevent excess fermentation of undigested food in the small intestine. Poor enzyme production can often be linked to SIBO, and symptoms may present in a similar way.
Choosing the Right Digestive Enzyme Supplement for Pets
At Healthful Pets, we offer a curated range of enzyme-based supplements — including blends that also contain probiotics, prebiotics, and gut-soothing nutrients. Here’s a guide to help you choose the best one for your pet (or shop our full range of digestive enzyme supplements for pets):
Bark & Whiskers® Digestive Enzymes, £19.95
Specifically designed to help kibble-fed pets digest the heavy carbohydrate load in their diet, this product contains both pancreatic and plant-based enzymes. Whilst this product was designed for pets on a kibble diet, it is suitable for those that have been fed on a meat-based diet too.
Best for:
Dogs on kibble, cooked or processed diets, or with general digestive strain. Recommended for pets with sensitive stomachs.
Bark & Whiskers® Probiotics + Enzymes, £38.95
Combines an enzyme blend from pancreas, papaya and pineapple with 8 strains of beneficial bacteria for microbiome support. A convenient dual-action powder for everyday use to support gut health, immune function and general wellness.
Best for:
General digestive maintenance and all-round support.
ProDog Digest – Gut Health Support, as low as £21.99
A British-made powder featuring digestive enzymes, probiotics, prebiotics and gut-soothing herbs. Designed to support working, raw-fed, or transitioning dogs.
Best for:
Dogs experiencing acid reflux, improving appetite, aiding effective fat and nutrient absorption and assisting healthy weight management.
ProDog Protect – Itch & Allergy Support, as low as £23.99
A vet-approved supplement containing pre + probiotics, digestive enzymes and ProDog's unique skin support blend, for targeted itch and allergy relief. With quercetin, turkey tail and sea moss, this supplement is designed to support immune health and nourish healthy skin to keep irritation and sensitivity at bay.
Best for:
Dogs suffering with itchy skin, paw chewing or hair loss. Please note, this supplement is designed to support the body's immune response and promote healthy skin condition — but it's important to minimise allergen exposure too.
Dr Brady’s Gut Regen12, as low as £24.95
A targeted gut repair blend with marshmallow root, boswellia, S. boulardii probiotics and digestive enzymes. Designed to restore the gut lining and overall digestive balance.
Best for:
Dogs suffering from long term gut conditions including IBD, dysbiosis and acid reflux.
Pet Plus for Dogs & Cats, as low as £18
A wholefood super supplement combining digestive enzymes, essential fatty acids omegas-3,6,9, CoQ10, probiotics, antioxidants and vitamins. Developed by holistic vet Dr Susanna McIntyre, designed to be highly bioavailable and suitable for both cats and dogs.
Best for:
Daily wellbeing support for dogs and cats, suitable for use from weaning to support healthy development.
Tips for Using Digestive Enzymes
- Add enzymes just before serving meals — avoid heating after mixing. Heat denatures enzymes, which can make them ineffective.
- For dry food, moisten slightly or mix the enzyme powder with a splash of water.
- If you are supporting a dog diagnosed with EPI, it is sometimes recommended to mix the enzymes with your dog's food and allow it to 'incubate' for 20-60 minutes. This can help to speed up the breaking down process, making it easier for dogs with compromised digestive function. Always follow your vet's advice and the recommendations on the label of your chosen supplement.
Digestive enzymes can be a transformative addition to your pet’s routine — helping them break down food more efficiently, absorb nutrients better, and reduce common gut-related symptoms. Whether your dog is thriving and you want to keep it that way, or you're managing a specific digestive concern, there’s a natural option to suit their needs.
