The Ultimate Guide to Dog Gut Health: From Raw Diets to Regenerative Farming
The No Bad Dogs Podcast with Rob Ryan | December 30, 2025
For dog owners, the quest for optimal health often begins with the bowl. What we feed our canine companions is the cornerstone of their vitality, longevity, and happiness. In a revealing conversation between entrepreneur Rob and dog trainer Tom Davis, a wealth of knowledge about canine nutrition, gut health, and the pitfalls of the modern pet food industry comes to light. This guide synthesizes that deep dive into actionable insights, helping you navigate the complex world of dog nutrition to build a foundation of wellness that starts from the gut.
The Entrepreneur’s Journey to Canine Wellness
Rob’s story is a testament to how passion shapes purpose. A lifelong entrepreneur who started his first business at 14, his path eventually led him to his true calling: improving the lives of dogs. After a successful stint in digital marketing and event production, a personal crisis with his Black Labrador, Buddy, ignited his mission. He hired Dr. Ian Billinghurst, the “father of raw feeding,” for consultations and witnessed a “miraculous” transformation in his dog’s health within just four weeks.
This experience laid the foundation for his deep dive into canine nutrition, culminating in the creation of Gussie’s Gut, a fermented superfood supplement born from a need to heal his dog Gus after a traumatic incident involving a swallowed bottle cap. Rob’s journey underscores a key principle: personal experience and dedicated research are often the most powerful catalysts for innovation in pet wellness.
The Raw Feeding Revolution: More Than Just a Trend
The debate between kibble and raw diets is heated, but the conversation between Rob and Tom sheds light on the physiological reasons behind the raw movement.
Key Takeaway: Species-appropriate feeding means mimicking what a dog’s ancestors—wolves—ate for millions of years: whole prey, including raw meat, organs, bones, and fat.
Rob explains that dogs have a resilient, high-acid stomach built to handle bacteria like salmonella and process raw food efficiently. When you cook bones, you change their molecular structure, making them splinter and dangerous. Raw bones, however, break and can be crushed easily, providing essential calcium and nutrients.
Practical Tip: Don’t be overwhelmed by starting a raw diet. You don’t need perfection every day. As Dr. Billinghurst teaches, “you’ll achieve balance or perfection over time” by rotating proteins and ingredients over weeks.
Real-Life Evidence: The Poop Test
Both Rob and Tom share the most tangible proof of raw feeding efficacy:
- Tom’s Experience: His St. Bernard would eat four cups of kibble and poop out four cups. On four pounds of raw food, the dog produced tiny, firm nuggets.
- Rob’s Experience: Feeding Gus 1.5-2 pounds of raw meat, organs, and bones results in poops that are only about a quarter of a pound. The rest is absorbed as fuel.
This drastic reduction in waste indicates superior nutrient absorption. The body is using the food, not just processing it through.
Understanding Kibble vs Raw: A Comparative Look
| Aspect | Traditional High-Processed Kibble | Biologically Appropriate Raw Diet |
|---|---|---|
| Processing | High-heat cooking, extrusion, often includes synthetic vitamins, petrochemical dyes, and preservatives. | Minimal processing. Usually just ground, mixed, and flash-frozen. |
| Primary Ingredients | Often grains, meat meals, by-products, and artificial fortifiers. | Whole muscle meat, raw meaty bones, organs (liver, heart), and sometimes fermented plant matter. |
| Nutrient Absorption | Lower. High waste output indicates much food passes through undigested. | Exceptionally high. Low waste output shows the body is utilizing most of the food as fuel and building blocks. |
| Impact on Gut Health | Can be inflammatory. May feed pathogenic bacteria with sugars and simple carbs. | Supports a diverse, healthy microbiome. Raw bones and fermented foods promote gut integrity and good bacteria. |
| Convenience | High. Easy to store, measure, and feed. | Requires planning, storage (freezer space), and handling. Freeze-dried raw offers a middle ground. |
| Cost | Often lower upfront cost. | Can be higher upfront, but with much higher absorption, you may feed less overall. |
The Gut: The Cornerstone of All Health
The conversation powerfully pivots to gut health, which Rob calls the “terrain.” A healthy gut lining allows good nutrients in and keeps pathogens, viruses, and toxins out.
Key Takeaway: An unhealthy gut can manifest in countless ways: chronic ear infections, paw licking, skin rashes, allergies, anxiety, and low energy. Healing the gut is often the first step to resolving these peripheral issues.
Rob’s product, Gussie’s Gut, is a “kitchen sink” approach featuring 19 fermented superfoods. Fermentation is the magic:
- Pre-digests the foods, making nutrients more bioavailable (up to 6-10x better absorption).
- Creates natural probiotics (good bacteria).
- Generates postbiotics, the beneficial metabolites of fermentation that are crucial for gut health.
Practical Tip: You don’t need to buy a supplement to start. Introduce mild, fermented foods like a spoonful of high-quality, grass-fed kefir or yogurt into your dog’s diet. Even small amounts mimic the fermented gut contents of prey animals.
The Supplement Dilemma: Food-Based vs. Synthetic
Rob highlights a critical distinction in the supplement world:
- Food-Based Supplements (like fermented greens): The body recognizes them intelligently. It takes what it needs now and stores the rest for later. It’s very difficult to overdose.
- Synthetic/Solvent-Derived Supplements (many common vitamins): The body often doesn’t recognize them as well. They can be made from petroleum by-products or processed algae in labs. It is possible to overdose on these, and they may not be utilized efficiently.
Real-Life Example: Rob mentions that most caffeine in energy drinks is petroleum-derived, created by having microorganisms consume petroleum by-products. This illustrates how common synthetic ingredient production is.
The Critical Importance of Sourcing: Regenerative Over Organic
Where food comes from matters as much as what it is. Rob passionately advocates for regenerative farming, a step beyond organic.
Key Takeaway: Regenerative farming focuses on soil health, creating a rich carbon cycle that produces more nutrient-dense plants. This results in healthier animals and, ultimately, more nutritious food for your dog.
| Term | What It Means | Why It Matters for Your Dog’s Food |
|---|---|---|
| Conventional | Animals may be grain-fed (often GMO corn/soy), housed in confinement. Soil is often depleted of nutrients. | Meat and fats are higher in inflammatory omega-6 fatty acids. Lower levels of beneficial nutrients like omega-3s and CLAs. |
| Organic | Certified to have no synthetic pesticides, herbicides, or GMOs. Animal welfare standards are improved. | Eliminates exposure to harmful chemical residues. A significant step up from conventional. |
| Grass-Fed/Finished | Animals eat their natural diet of grass for their entire life, not just part of it. | Meat has a optimal fatty acid profile: high in anti-inflammatory omega-3s and CLAs, lower in omega-6s. More vitamins A & E. |
| Regenerative | Organic practices + active soil restoration. Uses rotational grazing to improve soil carbon, biodiversity, and water retention. | The pinnacle of sourcing. Produces the most nutrient-dense grass and, consequently, the healthiest animals. Supports ecosystem. |
Rob sources treats from White Oak Pastures, a Savory Hub regenerative farm. He notes, “They’re not organic certified, but they’re better than organic… The things that are grown on that dirt is going to be healthier.”
Practical Tip: You don’t have to be perfect. If you feed kibble, adding a spoonful of regenerative ground beef or a pasture-raised egg can provide a massive nutrient boost. Start by finding one better ingredient to incorporate.
Busting Common Myths and Navigating Pushback
Tom shares that he gets more criticism for posting about raw food than about his balanced dog training methods. This is common. Here’s how to navigate it:
- Myth: “You’re not a nutritionist!” Response: “I’m a dedicated dog owner who has seen profound results through research and application. Let me share what I’ve learned.”
- Myth: “Kibble is complete and balanced.” Response: “It’s designed to be survivable, not optimal. ‘Complete’ is a marketing term that often means ‘supplemented with synthetic vitamins after high-heat processing destroyed natural ones.'”
- Myth: “Raw is dangerous because of bacteria.” Response: “A dog’s digestive system is designed to handle it. The real danger is in cooked bones that splinter.”
Key Takeaway: Approach conversations with humility and a “yes, and” mentality. You can hold your viewpoint while understanding others make different choices based on their resources and knowledge. As Rob states, his North Star is simply “to improve the lives of the dogs we serve.” The goal is education, not guilt.
A Simple Action Plan for Better Dog Gut Health
You don’t need to overhaul everything overnight. Follow this staggered approach:
- Audit the Kibble: If you feed kibble, research the brand. Look for ones with named meat meals (not “meat by-products”) and minimal fillers like corn and wheat.
- Add One Whole Food: Introduce a single, high-quality whole food. This could be:
- Raw egg (with shell crushed for calcium).
- Spoonful of green tripe.
- Small piece of raw liver (rich in vitamins).
- Chunk of 100% grass-fed beef.
- Introduce Fermentation: Add a probiotic boost. Use a bit of sauerkraut juice (make sure it’s unpasteurized with just salt and cabbage) or a splash of kefir.
- Upgrade Your Fats: Swap out low-quality fats for healthier ones. Add a drizzle of olive oil, a thin slice of grass-fed butter, or a bit of coconut oil to the meal.
- Consider a Food-Based Supplement: If you want a comprehensive gut boost, research fermented superfood blends like Gussie’s Gut. Remember, consistency for 90 days is key to seeing results.
- Re-Evaluate Protein Sources: When possible, choose grass-fed, pasture-raised, or regeneratively farmed meats. The nutrient density is profoundly different.
The Holistic View: It’s All Connected
The discussion reveals that dog health mirrors human health trends:
- The Fall of “Science”: Be skeptical of studies funded by big industries (like the sugar industry demonizing fat). “Follow the money,” as they say.
- Preventative vs. Reactive Care: The traditional veterinary model often treats symptoms (allergies, ear infections) with drugs. A holistic model asks, “What’s causing this inflammation in the first place?” and often points to diet and gut health.
- The Power of Lifestyle: Exercise, play, and sniffing time in nature all contribute to a healthy microbiome. Let your dog be a dog—sniffing dirt and rolling in grass introduces beneficial environmental bacteria.
Final Thought: Start Where You Are
Whether you feed kibble, raw, or something in between, the most important step is to become a more informed advocate for your dog. Ask questions, read ingredients, and never stop learning. As Rob’s journey shows, a single step towards better nutrition can set forth a lifetime of improved health and vitality for your canine companion. Your dog’s health journey begins in their gut—and it starts with their very next meal.
Download the FREE Weekly Checklist and transform your dog’s health in just 7 days! Stop guessing what to feed and start following a proven, step-by-step plan for superior gut health. Grab your printable guide now and build the habits that lead to a happier, more vibrant dog for life.
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