UNDERSTANDING LEAKY GUT AND ITS IMPACT ON PET HEALTH

DR. MARLENE SIEGEL, DVM

MARCH 2025

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The integrative and functional medicine health movement has helped to educate people on the importance of the gut lining and the microbiome as it relates to overall immunity and longevity. "Leaky Gut" (when the gut lining becomes abnormally permeable) is now recognized as the leading contributor to inflammation and all health challenges.

According to a study published in the Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, gastrointestinal disorders are among the most common reasons for veterinary visits, with cats and dogs showing signs of gastrointestinal upset at some point in their lives.
A report from the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) indicates that approximately 30% of veterinary prescriptions are for antibiotics. Overuse of these medications is linked to gut dysbiosis, contributing to conditions like leaky gut.

What is Leaky Gut?

The gut lining in healthy animals acts as a strong barrier that selectively permits beneficial nutrients to enter the body while keeping harmful substances out.

Leaky gut, also known as increased intestinal permeability, occurs when the gut lining becomes damaged, allowing toxins, undigested food particles, and harmful pathogens to pass through the gut barrier, into the bloodstream where they are transported to the liver. The liver recognizes these substances as foreign material and mounts an inflammatory response to destroy them.

Chronic degenerative and autoimmune conditions increase when a poor diet and lifestyle lead to “leaky gut,” triggering excessive inflammation that drives many health issues.

70% of the immune system lives in the gut, primarily within the Gut-Associated Lymphoid Tissue (GALT). The GALT is a critical part of the immune system, acting as the first line of defense against harmful bacteria, viruses, and toxins that enter through the digestive tract. It helps regulate the immune response, ensuring the body can distinguish between harmful invaders and beneficial substances. A healthy gut lining supports the proper functioning of the GALT, reducing inflammation, and promoting overall immune resilience for both pets and humans.

Leaky Gut

Leaky gut allows toxins and pathogens through damaged intestinal lining.

The Protective Role Of The Gut Membrane

The gut lining acts to separate the outside world (the contents passing through the intestines) from the inside world (inside the body). Much like a piece of cheesecloth is used to strain a soup, separating the broth from the vegetables and herbs, the gut lining is the body's first line of defense from invaders.

In leaky gut syndrome (like a cheesecloth with holes), the “tight junctions” that hold the cells together become compromised, causing the cells to move apart and become “leaky.”

Some of the common health issues associated with leaky gut in pets include:

Allergies and Skin Problems: When toxins and undigested food particles enter the bloodstream, the immune system reacts by releasing histamines and cytokines, which can lead to allergies, itchy skin, and inflammation.
Chronic Infections: A weakened gut barrier allows harmful bacteria and pathogens to enter the bloodstream, leading to recurring infections and a reduced ability to fight off illness.
Autoimmune Diseases: When the immune system is constantly triggered by foreign invaders leaking through the gut lining, it can start attacking the body’s own tissues, resulting in autoimmune disorders.
Digestive Issues: Pets with leaky gut often experience symptoms like diarrhea, vomiting, gas, and bloating due to the imbalance of gut bacteria and inflammation of the digestive tract.
Joint Pain and Arthritis: The inflammation caused by leaky gut can also lead to joint pain and contribute to arthritis in pets, particularly in older animals.

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Causes of Leaky Gut in Pets

There are several key contributors to leaky gut syndrome in pets, many of which are linked to modern lifestyles and feeding habits:

Processed Foods: Highly processed pet foods (Commercial kibble and canned diets) are enzymatically dead, and are often filled with fillers, preservatives, GMOs, synthetic vitamins, and low-quality proteins, all of which can damage the gut lining and disrupt the gut microbiome.
Overuse of Antibiotics: While antibiotics can be lifesaving, their overuse kills beneficial gut bacteria, leading to dysbiosis (an imbalance of gut bacteria), which compromises the gut’s integrity.
Stress: Stress affects pets just as much as it does humans. Elevated stress hormones like cortisol weaken the gut lining and suppress the immune system.
Environmental Toxins: Exposure to toxins such as pesticides, herbicides, and chemicals in household cleaners can contribute to the degradation of the gut lining.

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How to Support Gut Health And Prevent Leaky Gut

Leaky gut can be managed, and in some cases, even reversed:

Feed a Species-Appropriate Balanced Grass Fed/ Grass Finished Diet: The foundation of a healthy gut begins with feeding a biologically appropriate diet. Raw, unprocessed food that mimics what a dog or cat would eat in the wild (raw meat, fat, bone, and organ meat) supports the gut microbiome and immune health.
Probiotics and Prebiotics: Organic fermented foods provide probiotics, which are beneficial bacteria that help balance gut flora and support the immune system. Prebiotics, on the other hand, are indigestible fibers that serve as food for these good bacteria, helping them thrive and maintain a healthy gut environment. Together, probiotics and prebiotics promote better digestion, nutrient absorption, and overall immune health.
Limit Antibiotics and Medications: Whenever possible, avoid the overuse/misuse of antibiotics and medications that can disrupt the balance of gut bacteria. If antibiotics are necessary, ensure probiotics (in the form of fermented foods) are given simultaneously to protect/restore the gut flora.
Reduce Stress: Ensure pets have plenty of exercise, mental stimulation, and a peaceful environment to thrive in.
Mitigate EMF exposure: Test for exposure and use devices to mitigate the interference with the body.
Minimize Toxin Exposure: Avoid exposing pets to hormones, chemicals, and pesticides that can harm gut health. Opt for natural, non-toxic products for the home and yard.

Controlling epigenetic (lifestyle) influences can prevent chronic dis-ease. Join the movement of pet parents who are creating a proactive lifestyle that promotes vitality and longevity. Take the first step today–enroll in The Empowered Pet Parent Course at www.transformingvetmedicine.com

References:

https://vivo.library.tamu.edu/vivo/display/n840942SE

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/j.1939-1676.1996.tb02027.x

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10093362/

https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/one-health/antimicrobial-use-and-antimicrobial-resistance