The gut microbiome plays a significant role in your dog's overall well-being. The result of an unhealthy microbiome can lead to Leaky Gut Syndrome (LGS). The consequences of LGS are far-reaching throughout the body, including gastrointestinal disruptions, cancers, and food intolerances.

Leaky Gut Syndrome, also known as increased intestinal permeability, is a condition in which the lining of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract becomes more porous than usual. The intestinal tract is a monolayer of epithelial cells (skin cells) dependent upon the mucosal lining and the gut microbiome to protect its integrity. 

When the gut microbiome functions correctly, it lines the intestinal walls and aids in maintaining a tight barrier that controls what is allowed to pass into the bloodstream. If the gut microbiome is not healthy, the mucous membrane layer shrinks; large cracks or holes in the gut lining can form, allowing partially digested food, toxins, yeast, allergens, or pathogens to penetrate the tissues beneath it. This causes an immune response that triggers inflammation throughout the entire body.

Causes of Leaky Gut Syndrome for Your Dog

Leaky Gut Syndrome in dogs can have various underlying causes, often resulting from a combination of factors. Anything that can compromise the gut microbiome is a potential cause of LGS. Routine vaccinations, flea, tick, and heartworm preventative medications, exposure to toxins, aging, and eating an ultra-processed diet high in starch or fat all disrupt your dog's gut microbiome. Specific areas of concern include a poor diet, environmental toxins, prescription medications, stress, and other underlying health conditions. 

A diet lacking in quality nutrients or containing inappropriate ingredients may contribute to inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract. Many commercially available kibble ingredients have high levels of glyphosate, the active ingredient found in herbicides used by farmers, especially those containing soy, oats, wheat, potatoes, legumes, and other grains. Mycotoxins, the cancer-causing molds that grow on the grains and legumes used in kibble, have been shown to cause an increase in intestinal permeability.  

Prolonged or frequent use of antibiotics or the long-term use of Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) can disrupt the balance of the gut microbiome, potentially leading to inflammation and intestinal permeability. The first thing most veterinarians do for a dog with diarrhea or any pain level is reach for the prescription pad! 

The vicious circle of persistent infections in the gastrointestinal tract treated by antibiotics can compromise the integrity of the intestinal barrier. The constant antibiotic assault on the gut microbiome destroys the balance between harmful and beneficial bacteria, causing the mucosal lining to shrink and forming cracks in the intestinal wall.

Your dog encounters many environmental stressors daily. Your home likely has many products that contain harmful substances. Household cleaning products, laundry soap, and fragrances used in products, especially air fresheners, often include toxic ingredients such as ammonia, ethylene glycol, monobutyl acetate, sodium hypochlorite, and trisodium phosphate.

The great outdoors has a separate set of hazards. Lawn chemicals, herbicides, and pesticides are found in yards and parks. Think of all the times you tossed that tennis ball in the park. If the grass has been sprayed with chemicals, your dog encounters them orally on the ball and when cleaning his paws later! Urban toxins also include diesel fumes. 

Research has shown that dogs experiencing stress have altered gut microbiomes. The stress can be multifaceted, from generational stress and trauma imposed on your dog from birth to anxiety created by current living conditions. Finding the root cause of stress that creates gut dysbiosis is crucial to healing LGS.

As dogs age, they can become more susceptible to gut dysbiosis and LGS. They often have a weakened immune system, leading to increased illness and infections. The vicious cycle of gut dysbiosis continues if your dog is placed on medications for ailments.

Consequences of Leaky Gut Syndrome in Dogs

Many diseases and disorders are often considered clinical signs of a leaky gut when, in fact, they are the consequence of it. Food allergies and intolerances result from food particles crossing the intestinal wall. Likewise, skin disorders such as allergies and atopic dermatitis result from allergens escaping the intestinal barrier.

Other diseases directly linked to LGS are chronic joint disorders, arthritis, irritable bowel disease (IBD), thyroid disorders, behavioral disorders including aggression and anxiety, liver dysfunction, pancreatic insufficiency, cancer, seizure disorders, diabetes, weight gain due to chronic fatigue, low energy, and slow metabolism, and chronic infections such as yeast infections of the skin, ears, and paws.

The most significant consequence of LGS is the dysfunction of the intestinal wall. The lining of the intestines usually is selective about what substances it allows to pass through. But as this barrier becomes compromised by LGS, it will enable the entry of substances into the bloodstream that should be contained within the digestive system.

The passage of unwanted substances into the bloodstream triggers an inflammatory response from the immune system, leading to chronic inflammation that contributes to various health problems. The immune system becomes overactive or compromised due to chronic inflammation and exposure to foreign substances, leading to a higher susceptibility to infections and autoimmune disorders.

The primary treatment of LGS focuses on healing your dog's gut. The way to start is by changing his diet through a slow transition to a fresh food diet. Start by replacing 10% of the ultra-processed foods in your dog's diet with natural, whole foods (preferably organic). Increase the percentage of fresh food over a few days until your dog no longer eats any kibble.

Ultimately, if feeding a Real Ancestral 6X Diet™ , your dog's bowl should consist of the following:

63-65% Muscle meat, ideally from organically pasture-raised animals

10% Seafood- small fatty fish like sardines, capelin, or anchovies.

The addition of prebiotics and probiotics will aid in healing the gut lining. As the beneficial bacteria colonize the gut lining, they will overrun the harmful bacteria.

Avoid low-quality treats that include fillers, dyes, or preservatives. Use whole natural foods as treats, such as fruits, vegetables, or air-dried or dehydrated organs.

Prevent exposure to known toxins. Try to be as "green" as possible in your choice of cleaning products, including laundry detergent made from natural products. Restrict the exposure to pesticides and herbicides.

If your dog is on long-term medications, consult a holistic veterinarian to discuss alternative remedies. You must avoid antibiotics unless absolutely necessary. 

You can replace anti-inflammatory medications with natural anti-inflammatories. Supplements known to be anti-inflammatory include small fatty fish loaded with Omega-3 fatty acids, licorice root, marshmallow root, slippery elm, chamomile, ginger root, quercetin, curcumin, and aloe juice.

Treatment of a leaky gut can take several months, and a strong commitment by the dog parent to adhere to a strict program of proper diet, stress reduction, and minimizing exposure to toxic substances. A leaky gut can cause debilitating or even fatal diseases if left unresolved.

Leaky gut syndrome affects the gastrointestinal tract and your dog's entire body.

You must address the causes of LGS for it to be resolved.

LGS can lead to significant illness or reduced dog longevity if left unresolved.

Current Research on the Pathogenesis of NAFLD/NASH and the Gut-Liver Axis: Gut Microbiota, Dysbiosis, and Leaky-Gut Syndrome 

The Gastrointestinal disorders and leaky gut syndrome in endurance athletes | Journal of Education, Health and Sport 

Partners in Leaky Gut Syndrome: Intestinal Dysbiosis and Autoimmunity - PMC     

Leaky Gut Syndrome in Dogs | VCA Animal Hospital  

Partners in Leaky Gut Syndrome: Intestinal Dysbiosis and Autoimmunity 

Leaky Gut in Pets and Why It Matters More than Ever - The Natural Pet Doctor - Holistic Veterinarian 

The <a href="https://feedreal.com/glossary/gut-microbiome">gut microbiome</a> plays a significant role in your dog's overall well-being. The result of an unhealthy microbiome can lead to Leaky Gut Syndrome (LGS). The consequences of LGS are far-reaching throughout the body, including gastrointestinal disruptions, cancers, and food intolerances.

Leaky Gut Syndrome in Dogs

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