While you might spend hours digesting a meal, your dog’s system is lightning fast by comparison. And when things go wrong—like with diarrhoea or vomiting—it helps to understand what’s going on inside.
Here’s what you need to know about your dog’s digestive system, how it differs from yours, and what to do if they get sick.
How the Dog Digestive System Works
A dog’s digestive tract starts at the mouth and ends at the anus. In between, the process is surprisingly efficient.
Mouth: Chewing breaks down food into smaller pieces
Oesophagus: Pushes food into the stomach
Stomach: Uses strong acid to break down proteins and kill bacteria
Small intestine: Extracts and absorbs nutrients
Large intestine: Absorbs water and forms stool
Anus: Where waste leaves the body
Supporting this system are the liver, pancreas, and gallbladder. These organs produce enzymes and bile to help your dog digest fats and carbohydrates.
How Dog Digestion Differs from Ours
Dogs are built for speed when it comes to digestion.
Their stomach acid is far stronger (pH 1–2), letting them break down raw meat and bones
Their digestive tract is shorter, meaning food passes through in just 6 to 8 hours
Humans take much longer—between 24 and 72 hours to digest a meal
This is one reason dogs can safely eat raw food when it’s properly prepared. At Poppy’s Picnic, all meals are balanced to meet FEDIAF guidelines, using fresh, natural ingredients that support digestion at every stage.
What Affects Digestion Speed?
Several factors influence how quickly your dog digests food:
Size: Smaller dogs digest faster than larger breeds
Diet: High-protein diets move through quicker than fibre-rich foods
Hydration and stress: Dehydration or anxiety can slow things down
Dogs with a healthy digestive system will usually poop within a few hours of eating, depending on their schedule and meal type.
Diarrhoea and Digestive Upsets
If your dog has diarrhoea, their system is working in overdrive to flush something out.
Possible triggers include:
Eating spoiled food, rubbish or foreign objects
Stress (moving house, new pets, loud noises)
Bacterial or viral infections
Worms or parasites
Sudden change in diet
Veterinary surgeon Dr Michael Padraig-Acton says, “Diarrhoea is your dog’s way of clearing something out. But if it lingers, the risk of dehydration is real, especially in small breeds.”
If your dog’s only mildly unwell, offer water, rest, and a bland meal like cooked chicken and white rice. If the symptoms last more than 24 hours, or your dog seems lethargic or won’t eat, get help from your vet straight away.
How to Support Your Dog’s Gut
Keeping your dog’s digestion in top shape is simple with a few daily habits:
Feed at the same time each day
Avoid table scraps and processed treats
Make sure water is always available
Add probiotics after a course of antibiotics
Use a nutritionally balanced raw diet like RAW POWER, MIGHTY MINCE, or POWERBALLS
A healthy digestive tract means better nutrient absorption, stronger immunity, and fewer upset tummies. If your dog regularly suffers from digestive problems, talk to your vet about switching to a simpler, natural diet.