Posted by Holistic Pet Info on 6/13/2019 to General Topics
People and pets produce enzymes by the saliva glands, stomach, and pancreas. Enzymes are also present in raw and unprocessed foods and these active enzymes work together with digestive enzymes to break down food during the digestive process. 

When foods are cooked at high temperatures, as most commercial pet foods are, the enzymes are destroyed and so pets must rely on their own limited supply of enzymes to break down the food. Also, as dogs and cats age, their production of digestive enzymes decreases either because of the slowing of their metabolism or from conditions affecting the pancreas. 

This deficiency in enzyme levels can lead to a host of digestive problems including:
  • Undigested food which can ferment in the stomach 
  • Bloating and gas 
  • Malnutrition or vitamin deficiency because nutrients aren't absorbed 
  • Coprophagia (when a cat or dog eats its own stool) 
  • Irritable Bowel Syndrome 
  • Low energy levels or sluggishness  

Some of these digestive disorders can also be linked to an overgrowth of bad bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract. Probiotics are often used with digestive enzymes to promote healthy digestion and restore balance in the gastrointestinal tract. By giving your pet a digestive boost and keeping his intestinal microflora in balance, you can be assured that your favorite friend is getting the maximum nutritional benefit from his food. Best of all, with improved digestion, your pet’s energy will rebound, giving him the quality of his life he deserves.