Does your dog have an upset stomach, loose stools, or digestive problems? Here's what's really going on.
If your dog has been experiencing loose stools, excessive gas, poor appetite, or an unsettled stomach, you are probably frustrated. You have likely already tried changing their food, removing treats, or waiting to see if it resolves itself. Sometimes it does. But when digestive problems keep coming back, or never fully clear up, the issue is almost always the same thing: an imbalanced gut microbiome.
The good news is that this is one of the most well-researched areas of canine nutrition, and the solution is simpler than most people realise.
Why gut health is the foundation of everything else
A dog's gut is home to trillions of microorganisms, bacteria, fungi, and other microbes, that collectively form the gut microbiome. When the balance of this microbiome is healthy, your dog digests food efficiently, absorbs nutrients properly, maintains a strong immune system, and even regulates their mood and behaviour more effectively.
When the microbiome is out of balance, a state known as dysbiosis, the opposite happens. Digestion becomes erratic. Immunity weakens. Nutrient absorption drops. And the symptoms you see in the bowl or on the grass become a daily problem.
What causes dysbiosis in dogs? A poor diet is the most common cause, particularly diets high in processed carbohydrates and low in natural fibre. Antibiotics are a significant trigger, wiping out beneficial bacteria alongside harmful ones. Stress, environmental changes, and sudden food switches can all tip the balance as well.
The most effective way to restore and maintain a healthy gut microbiome is through prebiotic fibre, a specific type of dietary fibre that feeds beneficial bacteria and allows them to outcompete the harmful ones.
Probiotics versus prebiotics: what is the difference and which does your dog need
The difference matters, and most supplements get this wrong.
A probiotic introduces live bacteria into the gut. The idea is that these bacteria will colonise the gut and shift the microbiome toward a healthier balance. The problem is that most probiotic bacteria do not survive the journey through the acidic environment of the stomach in sufficient numbers to have a meaningful effect, particularly when delivered in a supplement that has been sitting on a shelf.
A prebiotic takes a different approach. Rather than introducing new bacteria, a prebiotic feeds the beneficial bacteria that are already present in the gut. It provides a food source that harmful bacteria cannot use as effectively, which means the beneficial bacteria grow and the harmful ones diminish. This is a more reliable and more durable approach to improving gut microbiome balance.
The most well-evidenced prebiotic for dogs is chicory root inulin, a natural fibre derived from the chicory plant that has a consistent and substantial body of research behind it for improving canine gut health.
What the research supports for dog gut health
Chicory root (inulin) is the most studied prebiotic fibre in canine nutrition research. It selectively feeds Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus species, the beneficial bacteria most associated with digestive health, immune function, and mood regulation in dogs. Multiple peer-reviewed studies have demonstrated its effectiveness at improving stool consistency, reducing digestive discomfort, and improving overall gut microbiome balance in dogs.
Postbiotics are the byproducts produced by beneficial gut bacteria when they ferment prebiotic fibre, and they represent one of the most significant recent developments in gut health research for both humans and dogs. When chicory root inulin is fermented by Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus in the gut, the postbiotics produced include short-chain fatty acids such as butyrate, acetate, and propionate. Butyrate in particular has a well-documented and substantial effect on gut health, serving as the primary fuel source for the cells that line the gut wall, strengthening the gut barrier, reducing intestinal inflammation, and regulating the immune response within the gut. Unlike probiotics, which have to survive digestion before they can do anything, postbiotics are already in their active form and are produced directly in the gut as a consequence of a well-fed microbiome. Supporting the conditions that generate postbiotics, by providing the prebiotic fibre that beneficial bacteria need to produce them, is one of the most effective and evidence-backed approaches to long-term canine gut health.
B vitamins play a critical supporting role in gut health by supporting the metabolic processes that allow gut bacteria to function effectively and by maintaining the integrity of the gut lining.
Vitamin C provides antioxidant support that reduces oxidative stress in the gut lining, supporting recovery from inflammation caused by dysbiosis.
How CAN9 supports your dog's gut health
CAN9 includes chicory root prebiotic at a meaningful dose as one of 18 active ingredients in a single daily formula. Rather than addressing gut health in isolation, CAN9 covers gut health alongside eight other areas of canine wellbeing including joints, immunity, coat, cognition, heart health, dental health, and energy metabolism.
The formula was developed by pet nutrition specialists and is manufactured in a BRC-certified facility in the United Kingdom. Every ingredient and every dose is published. There are no proprietary blends, no fillers, and no ingredients included at doses too low to have any effect.
Most owners with dogs experiencing digestive issues notice an improvement in stool consistency and digestive comfort within two to four weeks of consistent use.
What dog owners are saying
"Tried this on my dog Tito as he's on a specialist diet but as a fussy eater he's not been finishing his new food. All that has changed since I've been adding CAN9 to his food and he now can't get enough of it. Happy Tito and a very happy owner."
"Use this on my 8 month old Parsons Jack Russell's wet food every morning and she licks the bowl clean. Really easy to use and convenient and a great way of getting nutrients to an active dog."
Works with any dog, any diet, any age
CAN9 is formulated for all breeds and life stages including dogs showing early signs of joint stiffness, senior dogs, and large breeds at elevated risk of joint problems. It works alongside any diet, whether kibble, wet food, or raw, mixed into food once daily.
Most owners notice early changes in mobility and energy within four to six weeks of consistent use.
Made in the UK. BRC certified. Every dose published.
CAN9 is manufactured in a BRC-certified facility, the highest food safety standard available in the UK. Every ingredient is third-party tested. Every dose is published on the label and on the website. No shortcuts. No compromises.
