At Mersey Raw, we often get asked how long raw food takes to digest... especially by new customers switching to raw from kibble. Dogs go to the toilet frequently throughout the day, but what they poop out likely won’t be from their last meal. Just like humans, a dog's body must digest their food. However, the digestion timeline varies widely depending on their diet. Read on to find out how long raw dog food takes to digest.
What is Digestion in Dogs?
Digestion in dogs is the process of breaking down food into small molecules, which are later absorbed and used to generate energy and promote overall growth. The process contains a few key steps, starting at the mouth and ending in poop. A dog's digestive system has several purposes, and if it isn’t functioning properly, your pooch may experience potential digestive issues such as bloating, diarrhoea, and sickness.
Raw Food Digestion Timeline
Your dog’s digestive system involves different organs and functions, which help them get food from one end to the other. Let’s take a look at the digestion timeline in greater detail.
1 - Mouth (Immediate)
The digestive system begins at the mouth, where your dog breaks down food by chewing and swallowing. Saliva is produced during the initial stage of digestion, helping your dog swallow easily as food travels through the oesophagus.
2 - Oesophagus (Seconds)
The oesophagus is a muscular tube that’s connected to your dog's stomach. When your dog swallows food, its next destination is through the oesophagus, and directly down towards the stomach. This is where the food can begin to break down properly!
3 - Stomach (roughly 1-2 hours)
The main part of digestion takes place in the stomach. A dog’s stomach is more acidic than a human's, more so during digestion. This highly acidic gastrointestinal fluid aids digestion and fights bacteria, breaking up food into a thick liquid called chyme, which is passed to the small intestine.
4 - Small Intestine (roughly 2-4 hours)
During digestion, a dog's small intestine plays an important role. The small intestine works hard to complete the digestive process by absorbing nutrients from food. It's these nutrients that keep our dogs healthy. Unlike humans, dogs' intestines are shorter. This not only allows for quicker absorption of essential nutrients but also faster digestion.
5 - Large Intestine (roughly 1-2 hours)
The large intestine contains the cecum (the part where the small intestine meets the larger one), the colon, and the rectum. The large intestine works to absorb any final nutrients and electrolytes before forming the remains into waste. The solid waste is then stored in the rectum until it's time for your dog to go to the toilet.
6 - Poop (During elimination)
We’ll all be familiar with the final stage of your dog's digestion - poop! Once your dog does their business, digestion is complete, and the process will start again the next time they eat.
Please note: The full raw food digestion timeline can take several hours, depending on the dog, of course. Each dog is different, and some dogs take a shorter or longer time to digest food than others, varying based on a few factors.
Factors Affecting Food Digestion Timeline
If your dog digests food slower or faster than others, don’t worry too much! Several factors could potentially be affecting the digestion timeline:
- Size
- Breed
- Age
- Health
- Activity levels
- Diet
As mentioned above, these are just potential factors that could affect a dog's digestive timeline. While the digestive process can vary between each dog, there are ways we can encourage healthy digestion if they’re showing signs of any issues.
Tips for Healthy Digestion
We all want the best for our dogs. If your dog has had toilet troubles or is showing obvious signs of poor digestion, follow our top tips for some help:
- Swap your dog's diet to a species-appropriate raw diet
- Provide them with more water to ensure hydration, or consider incorporating natural hydration boosters like bone broth, which supports digestion and gut health
- Walk them more regularly
- Keep a calm, stress-free environment
- Consult a vet if poor digestion continues
In most cases, your dog's diet has a lot to answer for when it comes to poor digestion. You can try all the tips and tricks, but if you don’t change your dog's diet, you likely won’t see real improvements.
Does Raw Dog Food Help Digestion?
Yes, raw dog food has the potential to help digestion. We believe that the best diet for your dog is a species-appropriate diet consisting of raw protein, packed with vital nutrients and vitamins. Dogs on a raw diet have healthier, less smelly, and firmer stools, which indicates great digestion. A natural, protein-rich diet can also help your dog to digest food more easily and build a stronger immune system.
Key Takeaways
- Raw dog food takes between 4–6 hours to digest
- Your dog's diet has a lot to answer for when it comes to poor digestion
- A raw diet for dogs is best for easy digestion
Raw Dog Food for Improved Digestion
At Mersey Raw, we provide all-natural, raw food for dogs. Our raw mince meals are high-quality, packed with healthy protein and vitamins to aid digestion. We want the best for your dog, which is why we’re dedicated to providing nutritious raw meals that offer numerous benefits to our beloved dogs. Watch your dog thrive on a raw diet, as they show signs of a stronger immune system, a happier mood, and improved digestion.
Explore our digestion-friendly raw meals, or contact our friendly team for personalised support.