Logs — Ingredient research

Pumpkin's soluble fibre absorbs excess intestinal water to firm loose stools, while the same fibre draws moisture into the colon to soften hard stools. It is one of very few single ingredients that addresses both diarrhoea and constipation through the same mechanism — fibre-mediated water regulation.

Pumpkin contains prebiotic compounds including soluble fibre and beta-glucans that selectively nourish beneficial gut bacteria, supporting microbiome stability. A well-nourished microbiome contributes to more consistent digestive function and immune resilience.

Pumpkin contains naturally occurring enzymes that assist food breakdown, improving digestive efficiency and reducing the risk of bloating, gas, and discomfort — particularly relevant in dogs with sensitive digestion or dietary transitions.

High fibre content produces bulkier stools that enable dogs to naturally express their anal glands during defecation. Anal gland impaction — a painful and common issue — is frequently caused or worsened by low-fibre, soft-stool diets.

Flaxseed meal contains both soluble fibre (which feeds beneficial bacteria and regulates loose stools) and insoluble fibre (which adds bulk and promotes bowel regularity). This full-spectrum fibre contribution complements pumpkin and psyllium husk to create a three-source fibre system.

Soluble fibre in flaxseed feeds the microbiome in the dog's digestive tract — a system linked to nutrient absorption, brain function, and mood. Veterinary nutritionists confirm ground flaxseed supplements improve gut biome balance and can help maintain regular bowel movements.

Flaxseed is rich in ALA, a plant-based omega-3 fatty acid documented in the Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition as contributing to improved health outcomes in dogs. ALA provides anti-inflammatory properties that support gut wall integrity and immune function, complementing the marine EPA/DHA from sardines.

Flaxseed is the world's richest plant source of lignans, which are antioxidant compounds that boost immune function and reduce inflammation. A healthy immune system improves the gut's ability to resist infection, maintain healthy motility, and support efficient digestion.

When psyllium husk enters the digestive tract, hemicellulose mucilage and arabinoxylans absorb water and form a gel. Psyllium husks can bind up to 40× their own weight in water — creating bulk that regulates intestinal transit time, whether the issue is diarrhoea or constipation.

Beneficial gut bacteria ferment portions of psyllium fibre to produce short-chain fatty acids — particularly butyrate. SCFAs are the primary energy source for colonocytes (colon lining cells) and are critical for maintaining the intestinal barrier, reducing permeability, and preventing systemic inflammation.

Psyllium's mucilage content coats and soothes the gut lining, reducing irritation and supporting healing during gastrointestinal distress. This protective action makes it particularly suitable for dogs recovering from illness, post-antibiotic gut restoration, or those with chronic digestive sensitivity.

Multiple established pet supplement brands (including PetLab Co. and Animals Matter) specifically combine psyllium husk with pumpkin as a recognised gold-standard fibre pairing for canine digestive health. This combination is already validated in the marketplace and by peer-reviewed veterinary sources.

L. acidophilus DSM 13241 was assessed by the European Food Safety Authority with no safety concerns identified for use in dogs. Supplementation has demonstrated improved fecal quality and reduced coliform counts in clinical settings. One of the two most studied Lactobacillus strains in companion animal research.

A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of 60 dogs with acute diarrhoea demonstrated that a product containing L. plantarum VET 14A and L. rhamnosus VET 16A produced normalised stool consistency and reduced pathogenic bacteria (ScienceDirect, 2016). L. rhamnosus also features in a separate peer-reviewed systematic review of 17 canine probiotic studies (PMC, 2019).

E. faecium is the single most studied probiotic strain in canine research — appearing in 4 of 17 studies in the PMC systematic review. Two E. faecium strains were specifically assessed by EFSA for safety in dogs. A 2025 study (PMC 12115767) showed E. faecium reduced stress hormones and improved gut microbiota balance during canine transport stress.

Bifidobacterium species are among the dominant genera naturally present in healthy canine feces. A 2023 PMC review found that probiotic blends containing Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium strains increased fecal microbiota diversity, improved microbiota structure, and regulated microbial functional pathways in dogs with diarrhoea.

Beef liver contains naturally occurring digestive enzymes that assist food breakdown and promote gut health. These enzymes improve digestive efficiency and are particularly beneficial for dogs with sensitive stomachs or conditions where the digestive tract is compromised.

Beef liver is the most concentrated natural food source of the full B vitamin complex (B2, B3, B5, B6, B9, B12). B vitamins support digestive function, energy metabolism, red blood cell formation, and nerve health. Vitamin B12 (cobalamin) specifically aids digestive processes and is referenced by multiple veterinary nutrition sources as a gut health nutrient.

Approximately 70% of the canine immune system resides in the gut. Beef liver's zinc and copper content directly strengthens immune function, and immune health and gut microbiome health are closely interdependent. Copper is also antimicrobial — helping combat pathogens in the gut environment.

Iron and zinc in beef liver are present in highly bioavailable organic forms — absorbed more efficiently than plant-based or synthetic mineral sources. This makes liver an efficient delivery mechanism for gut-supporting minerals that maintain the intestinal lining, oxygen transport, and cellular repair.

Unlike plant-sourced ALA, sardines deliver EPA and DHA in biologically active form — no conversion required. EPA and DHA directly modify the intestinal environment to reduce inflammation and improve gut barrier function. Animal studies consistently show omega-3 supplementation reduces gut inflammation and permeability, relevant to conditions including leaky gut and IBD.

EPA and DHA from sardines modify the intestinal environment to favour bacteria that produce short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), further enhancing gut barrier function. Research confirms omega-3s create an environment where beneficial bacteria thrive while harmful microbes are suppressed — directly supporting the probiotics in the No. 2 formula.

The Cleveland Clinic identifies sardines as providing one of the highest levels of omega-3 and lowest levels of mercury of any fish. As small, low-food-chain species, sardines accumulate far fewer environmental toxins than larger fish — making them the safest marine omega-3 source for regular supplementation in dogs.

Sardines provide all 9 essential amino acids plus Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) — a cellular energy antioxidant and one of the very few natural CoQ10 sources available in pet nutrition. They also supply Vitamin D (which dogs cannot synthesise from sunlight), Vitamin B12, selenium, calcium, and phosphorus.