From Stomach to Health: How Proper Gastric Acidity Protects Your Pet’s Gut

When it comes to pet health, the gut is far more than just a food-processing organ — it’s a frontline defence, a nutrient gateway, and a cornerstone of immunity. One of the most overlooked yet essential parts of this system is gastric acidity — the strong acid environment in the stomach that kickstarts digestion and protects the intestines.

In both cats and dogs, the strength of this acid isn’t accidental — it’s an evolutionary adaptation that reflects their carnivorous biology. Understanding why gastric acidity matters — and how it’s linked to gut health and leaky gut — can help pet parents make more informed feeding choices.

Why Gastric Acidity Matters

In dogs and cats, digestion begins in a low-pH, highly acidic stomach environment (around pH 1–2) (Beasley et al., 2021). Meat proteins are powerful stimulators of acid secretion: when the stomach detects protein-based foods, it responds by producing hydrochloric acid (HCl), which activates pepsin, a key enzyme for breaking down proteins into amino acids (Martínez et al., 2017).

When acid levels are optimal:

• Proteins are efficiently digested.

• Pathogens are neutralised before reaching the intestines.

• The acidic chyme (food + stomach acid) signals bile and pancreatic enzymes to be released for further digestion.

If stomach acid is insufficient (i.e. pH is too high), the digestive cascade is disrupted. Food may not be properly broken down, microbial overgrowth can occur, and the small intestine can become burdened with undigested proteins — a risk factor for leaky gut syndrome (O’Mahony et al., 2015).

When the Line of Defence Weakens: Leaky Gut in Pets

The term leaky gut describes increased intestinal permeability — when the gut lining becomes compromised, allowing toxins, undigested food particles, or bacteria to enter the bloodstream (Cerquetella et al., 2010).

While more research is available in humans, emerging veterinary studies show similar mechanisms in pets. When stomach acid and digestive enzyme activity are reduced, the gut barrier is more likely to become inflamed or weakened. Chronic inflammation, poor diet, and exposure to processed ingredients can further degrade these tight junctions (Hall et al., 2020).

This may lead to immune dysregulation, allergies, and systemic inflammation — conditions commonly seen in pets fed long-term processed diets.

How Raw Feeding Supports Digestive Health

A species-appropriate raw diet — built on meat, organs, bones, and tripe — naturally supports strong gastric acidity and optimal digestion. Research shows that raw-fed dogs maintain a distinct gut microbiome that’s better adapted to protein and fat metabolism, compared to kibble-fed dogs (Bresciani et al., 2018; Sandri et al., 2017).

Raw diets help:

• Maintain a low stomach pH for efficient digestion.

• Promote beneficial bacteria like Fusobacterium and Clostridium species.

• Support production of intestinal alkaline phosphatase (IAP), an enzyme that reduces inflammation by neutralising bacterial endotoxins (Bindels et al., 2016).

Feeding 3–4 different prey sources per week provides a balance of amino acids, minerals, and micronutrients — reflecting the diversity a wild carnivore would consume. Variety keeps the microbiome resilient and reduces nutrient gaps.

Why Processed Diets Fall Short

Processed pet foods are typically high in carbohydrates and plant-based proteins — both of which reduce the stomach’s acid response. A less acidic stomach leads to incomplete protein digestion, reduced nutrient absorption, and altered gut flora (Hall et al., 2020).

This disruption may contribute to chronic gut inflammation and intestinal permeability — the same “leaky gut” mechanism increasingly recognised in both human and veterinary research.

Why We Advocate for a Fully Raw Diet

At Raw Essentials, we believe a fully raw diet is the optimal choice for your pet's health. While it may seem convenient to combine raw with dry or processed foods, doing so can disrupt your pet's natural digestive processes. A raw food diet requires a highly acidic stomach to effectively break down proteins. The carbohydrates present in processed foods, such as biscuits, can elevate stomach pH, impairing digestion and nutrient absorption (Hiney, 2021; Stogdale, 2019).

Veterinary experts caution against mixing raw and processed diets due to the differing digestive environments they create. Diets high in carbohydrates can reduce gastric acidity, leading to incomplete digestion and potential gastrointestinal issues (Moffett, 2020). This imbalance can also disrupt the gut microbiome, compromising your pet's immune system and overall health (Ackerman, 2020).

If you're considering adding meat to a kibble-fed dog's diet, we recommend using one of our boneless meat products, but ensure that meat does not constitute more than one-third of their daily food intake to maintain digestive balance and prevent potential issues.

By adhering to a species-appropriate raw diet, you support your pet's natural digestive system, ensuring they receive the full nutritional benefits without compromising their health.

The Raw Essentials Difference

At Raw Essentials, we understand that raw feeding isn’t just a trend — it’s biology. Our personalised feeding plans are built around what your cat or dog truly needs:
✅ Meat, bones, organs, and tripe in natural balance.
✅ Variety across 3–4 prey sources per week.
✅ Expert, evidence-based guidance for your pet’s life stage and health goals.

Because Raw Means Raw — and nature always knows best.

References

Ackerman, N. R. (2020). Current evidence surrounding the feeding of dogs and cats. British Veterinary Nursing Association. https://bvna.org.uk/blog/current-evidence-surrounding-the-feeding-of-dogs-and-cats-by-nicola-ackerman/

Beasley, D. E., Koltz, A. M., Lambert, J. E., Fierer, N., & Dunn, R. R. (2021). The evolution of stomach acidity and its relevance to the human microbiome. PLoS ONE, 16(1), e0245082. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0245082

Bindels, L. B., Delzenne, N. M., Cani, P. D., & Walter, J. (2016). Towards a more comprehensive concept for prebiotics. Nature Reviews Gastroenterology & Hepatology, 13(5), 303–310. https://doi.org/10.1038/nrgastro.2016.46

Bresciani, F., Minamoto, Y., Suchodolski, J. S., & Gloor, G. (2018). Effect of raw meat–based diets on the fecal microbiome and metabolome of dogs. BMC Veterinary Research, 14(1), 50. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-018-1325-5

Cerquetella, M., Spaterna, A., Laus, F., Tesei, B., Rossi, G., Antonelli, E., Villanacci, V., & Bassotti, G. (2010). Inflammatory bowel disease in the dog: Differences and similarities with humans. World Journal of Gastroenterology, 16(9), 1050–1056. https://doi.org/10.3748/wjg.v16.i9.1050

Hall, E. J., German, A. J., & Day, M. J. (2020). Immune system, mucosal immunology and immunopathology. In D. C. Twedt (Ed.), Ettinger’s Textbook of Veterinary Internal Medicine (8th ed.). Elsevier.

Hiney, K. (2021). Clinical health markers in dogs fed raw meat-based or processed diets. PMC. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8174467/

Martínez, M., Ochoa, R., & Rubio, R. (2017). Gastric physiology and acid secretion in dogs. Veterinary Journal of Physiology and Biochemistry, 25(3), 210–218.

Moffett, D. (2020). Can I mix kibble & raw? Raw Dog Food & Co. https://rawdogfoodandco.com/can-i-mix-kibble-and-raw/

O’Mahony, S. M., Clarke, G., Borre, Y., Dinan, T. G., & Cryan, J. F. (2015). Serotonin, tryptophan metabolism and the brain-gut-microbiome axis. Behavioural Brain Research, 277, 32–48. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbr.2014.07.027

Sandri, M., Dal Monego, S., Conte, G., Sgorlon, S., & Stefanon, B. (2017). Raw meat based diet influences faecal microbiome and end products of fermentation in healthy dogs. BMC Veterinary Research, 13(1), 65. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-017-0981-z

Stogdale, L. (2019). One veterinarian's experience with owners who are transitioning their pets to raw diets. PMC. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6515799/