How to Choose the Right Pet Food for Your Dog’s Gut Health

By Dr. Ashok Pattanaik, Head, Research & Development, Godrej Pet Care (maker of Godrej Ninja pet food for dogs)

As devoted pet parents, we go to great lengths to keep our furry companions healthy — from daily walks and regular vet check-ups to lots of love and attention. But there’s one critical area of pet care that’s often overlooked: gut health.

While most people associate the gut with digestion, it's actually central to a dog's overall well-being. Nearly 70% of a dog’s immune system resides in the gut, and when gut health is compromised, it can show up in many ways — from digestive discomfort and poor nutrient absorption to low energy, skin issues, and even changes in mood and behavior.

The Foundation of Gut Health

A balanced diet is the starting point for a healthy gut. Many pet parents feed their dogs home-cooked meals, believing it’s a healthier option. While homemade food is prepared with love, it often lacks the complete nutrition dogs need. A study by the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association found that 95% of home-cooked dog meals lacked at least one essential nutrient, and 84% had multiple deficiencies. Another study at Indian Veterinary Research Institute reported that typical Indian home-cooked diets are grossly deficient in protein and energy, and fail to provide adequate minerals like calcium, phosphorus, copper and zinc to match a dog’s requirements.

This is where scientifically formulated pet food plays an important role. Just like we carefully plan our own meals with the right balance of cereals, proteins, vegetables, and healthy fats, scientifically developed pet food is designed to provide your pet a well-balanced diet with all the essential nutrients — including proteins, vitamins, minerals, fats, and fiber — in the right proportions for optimal health.

Nutritional benchmark

Just like humans, dogs require tailored nutrition depending on their stage of life. When choosing pet food, it’s important to select formulas that align with your dog’s age and specific nutritional needs.

For puppies, who are in a critical phase of growth and development, look for food that contains at least 20-25% protein and 8-10% fat to support muscle development, immune health, and their high energy demands.

For adult dogs, choose a well-balanced formula that includes around 18-21% protein, 6-8% fat, and 40-60% carbohydrates. This combination helps maintain steady energy levels, supports muscle function, and promotes overall vitality.

No matter the age, make sure the food contains a minimum of 2-4% fiber. Fiber is essential for digestive health — it supports nutrient absorption, regular bowel movements, and helps maintain a healthy gut microbiome.

Feeding Frequency Matters

Feeding frequency is just as important as nutrient composition. Puppies, with their smaller stomach and higher energy needs, should be fed three to four times a day to keep up with their developmental demands. Adult dogs, whose metabolism and energy levels have stabilized, typically thrive on two meals a day.

Essential Nutrients

When choosing the right pet food, look for key nutrients that support long-term health — minerals (calcium, phosphorus, iron, copper, zinc, selenium, iodine, etc.), vitamins (A, D, E, B-complex), and omega-3 fatty acids. Additionally, probiotics, dietary fibre and polyphenols — natural plant compounds that act as antioxidants — support gut and immune health.

The Power of Prebiotics

To maintain a healthy gut, it’s important to support the good bacteria in the gut, which play a key role in digestion, immunity, and overall health and well-being. For these beneficial bacteria to thrive, they need prebiotics — a special type of dietary fiber that acts as their food. Including the right prebiotics in your dog’s diet helps good bacteria stay strong, multiply, and keep the gut environment balanced.

Meet Global Standards

When choosing pet food, look for products made as per global benchmarks and guidelines. Trusted international standards — like those by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) and the European Pet Food Industry Federation (FEDIAF) — help ensure the food is complete, balanced, and safe.

Tailored for India

Local relevance is essential. Pet dogs in India live in different climates, face unique stressors, and have specific needs. That’s why choosing food that is Made and Tested in India —  with global science and local insights — ensures it’s well-suited to our pets. It also builds trust through better transparency and traceability.

(Views are personal)