Do Dogs and Cats Need Digestive Enzymes?

If your dog or cat has gas, loose stools, poor appetite, or recurring digestive problems, you may wonder if digestive enzymes would help. In some cases, they can make a noticeable difference, but not every pet needs them.

After nearly 40 years as a holistic pet nutritionist, digestive enzymes are still one of the supplements I recommend frequently. Before choosing one, I want to know what your pet is eating, what digestive problems they are having, and whether there may be another reason for those problems.

What Are Digestive Enzymes?

Digestive enzymes help break down the food your pet eats so the body can use the nutrients in that food. Different enzymes have different jobs:

• Protease helps break down protein
• Lipase helps break down fat
• Amylase helps break down carbohydrates
• Cellulase helps break down plant fiber
• Lactase helps break down lactose found in dairy products

This is why digestion is such an important part of nutrition. You can feed an excellent diet, but your pet still needs to be able to break down that food and use the nutrients it provides.

Does Your Pet Need Digestive Enzymes?

There is no simple yes or no answer. Some pets may benefit from digestive enzymes, while others may have digestive problems that need to be addressed in a different way.

Signs your pet may need digestive enzymes include:

• Gas
• Loose or frequent stools
• Digestive problems after eating
• Poor appetite
• Difficulty maintaining weight
• Recurring digestive upset

These signs do not automatically mean your pet needs an enzyme. For example, loose stools could be related to the food, a food sensitivity, parasites, medication, or another health problem. Adding digestive enzymes without looking at the reason for the problem may not help.

Choosing the Right Digestive Enzyme

Once you know that your pet may benefit from digestive enzymes, the next step is choosing the right one.

The label can tell you a lot about what you are actually getting. Some products contain flavorings, fillers, peanut flour, potato starch, rice bran, sorbic acid, soy, and sugar, ingredients that do not benefit your pet. I do not choose a product because it has the longest ingredient list or because it has thousands of good reviews. I choose it based on what your pet actually needs.

The Diet Is Just as Important

I always look at everything your pet is eating, including their regular food, treats, and chews. Even something given in a small amount every day can contribute to digestive problems.

Sometimes the diet needs to be changed or simplified, and a homemade diet may also be an option. Other times, the food is not the problem, and adding digestive enzymes may be beneficial.

Digestive enzymes are only one part of the nutritional program, so the diet has to be right too.

When Digestive Problems Keep Coming Back

If you have changed foods several times, tried different supplements, and your pet is still having digestive problems, continuing to try one product after another may not get you any closer to the answer.

This is when I start looking for patterns. When did the problem begin? Does it happen after certain foods? Did anything change before it started? Has your pet taken antibiotics or other medications? Are there treats or supplements being given every day? Could parasites or another health problem be involved?

Sometimes what appears to be a need for digestive enzymes turns out to be something else. Other times digestive enzymes are an important part of the program. The key is figuring out the difference. 

What to Expect From a Consultation

If you are wondering whether your pet needs digestive enzymes or you are standing in front of dozens of products and have no idea which one to choose, this is where I can help.

Prior to the consultation, I review your pet's health records, current and previous foods, treats, medications, supplements, symptoms, and the information you provide on the evaluation form. This gives me a much better picture of what may be contributing to the digestive problems.

During the consultation, I explain whether I feel digestive enzymes would be beneficial, which product I recommend, and why. I also explain what I recommend feeding, which other supplements may be helpful, and any other changes I feel are important. I answer your questions so you understand why I am making these recommendations.

After the consultation, I will send you a detailed written program with everything we discussed. Your program will include commercial food recommendations, homemade recipes, supplements, treats, feeding instructions, and other important information.

If your dog or cat is having digestive problems and you are not sure whether digestive enzymes would help, contact For Pet Health to schedule a holistic pet nutrition consultation. Rather than guessing which supplement to buy, I can help you determine whether your pet needs digestive enzymes, which one to use, and what other nutritional changes may be needed.