09/24/2026
Every so often, new research comes out that makes me extra excited about what we do. This is one of those studies, and yes, we’re going to talk about p**p. 💩
A new peer reviewed study followed 16 adult Labrador Retrievers for 6 months, comparing a fresh frozen diet with traditional kibble.
Dogs eating the fresh frozen diet had firmer, more consistent stools, with improvements seen as early as one week after switching. While p**p may not be the most glamorous topic, stool quality can tell us a lot about how well a food agrees with a dog’s digestive system.
The researchers also found interesting changes happening inside the gut. Dogs eating the fresh frozen diet had higher levels of butyrate, a beneficial fatty acid produced by certain gut bacteria. Butyrate helps nourish the cells lining the intestines and supports a healthy gut environment, which plays an important role in smooth digestion, nutrient absorption, and immune health. In fact, much of your dog’s immune system is closely connected to their gut.
The researchers also saw changes in the gut microbiome, including more bacteria associated with producing these beneficial compounds.
Studies like this are exciting because they give us another look at how the food in your dog’s bowl can affect their health from the inside out. At NutriCanine, it’s another reason we believe fresh, real ingredients matter, right down to what happens in your dog’s gut with every meal.
Swipe for the findings, and tell me: what would you like me to unpack next?
— Coco
Canine Nutritionist, NutriCanine
Source: Melby et al., Journal of Animal Science (2026).
https://doi.org/10.1093/jas/skag303
