TL;DR
Amanda Smith, a functional canine nutritionist with over 20 years in the veterinary field and founder of Canine Gut Solutions, explains why roughly 70-80% of a dog's immune system lives in the gut, meaning itchy skin, ear infections, and even anxiety often trace back to gut health rather than "allergies" alone. She shares simple, practical ways to start improving gut health (swapping a small percentage of kibble for whole foods, rotating proteins) and confirms that elevated bowl height can support neck posture and digestion, calling it especially kind for brachycephalic dogs.
In this episode, we dive into one of the most overlooked root causes of common dog health issues: gut health. From itchy skin to ear infections and low energy, we explore how what goes into your dog’s bowl directly impacts their wellbeing. Joined by functional canine nutritionist Amanda Smith, we unpack simple, realistic ways to start improving your dog’s health without overwhelm.
Guest Bio:
Amanda Smith is a functional canine nutritionist with over 20 years of experience in the veterinary field. After working across multiple roles in clinical practice, she shifted her focus to nutrition and gut health. Today, she helps dog parents identify the root causes of health issues and guides them in transitioning from processed diets to more balanced, whole food approaches.
Takeaways:
- The inside-out connection: most issues like itching, behavior changes, and immunity start in the gut
- It’s not just “allergies”, signs like licking, stress, and even poop changes can point to gut imbalance
- You don’t need to overhaul everything, start by adding simple foods like sardines, eggs, and blueberries
- Rotation matters more than perfection when it comes to nutrition
- Overfeeding and lack of variety are some of the biggest mistakes dog parents make
- Testing can give direction, but your dog’s behavior and stool already tell you a lot
- There’s no one-size-fits-all, everything from food ratios to bowl setup should suit your dog
Relevant links mentioned in the episode:
Timestamps to relevant points within the episode:
[00:00] - Intro and product update
[02:28] - Meet Amanda Smith
[03:14] - Amanda’s journey from vet tech to nutritionist
[05:37] - Why dogs need whole, fresh foods
[07:13] - Where to start without feeling overwhelmed
[09:45] - Why gut health is the root of many issues
[11:04] - Gut testing and how it works
[13:44] - Signs your dog has gut imbalance
[15:13] - The “poop police” discussion
[16:15] - Common feeding mistakes
[19:22] - Easy ways to upgrade your dog’s bowl
[22:32] - Keeping it simple and realistic
[25:50] - Bowl height and posture
[30:52] - Preparing for allergy season
[32:51] - What improvements look like
[35:42] - First steps to take today
FAQ
Why does my dog keep getting ear infections or itchy skin even though we've ruled out allergies?
Recurring ear infections and itchy skin are often connected to underlying gut health rather than a true environmental or food allergy, since roughly 70-80% of a dog's immune system is based in the gut.
How can I start improving my dog's gut health without a big diet overhaul?
Start small by swapping about 20% of your dog's kibble for whole foods like sardines, eggs, or blueberries, and focus on rotating proteins and food sources over time rather than aiming for one "perfect" diet.
Can gut health affect my dog's anxiety or behaviour?
Yes, gut health has a connection to a dog's emotional and behavioural state, so persistent anxiety or stress-related behaviours are sometimes linked to underlying gut imbalances.
Does the height of my dog's food bowl really affect digestion?
Yes, feeding at a more neutral neck height can support better posture during eating, which in turn can support digestion, particularly for brachycephalic breeds.
Are brachycephalic dogs like French Bulldogs and Pugs more sensitive to feeding setup?
Yes, because of their compressed airways and neck structure, brachycephalic dogs often benefit even more from an elevated feeding setup that reduces strain during meals.
What are some easy first foods to add to my dog's diet for gut health?
Sardines, eggs, and blueberries are simple, accessible whole-food "toppers" that can be added in small amounts to support gut health without a full diet change.
Is rotating my dog's food better than sticking to one type consistently?
Yes, rotating proteins and whole-food sources supports greater gut microbiome diversity than feeding the exact same diet indefinitely.
About the Author: Mariska Nell
Mariska is the founder of Tails and Tones, a design-led, sustainable dog product brand. She's also the host of the Tails and Tones podcast, where she explores dog health, product design, and intentional pet parenting with experts, veterinarians, and fellow dog parents.
Background: Mariska holds a Master's degree in Sustainable Design, a Bachelor's in Interior Design, and a Postgraduate qualification in Environmental Science. She's spent over 10 years working as a sustainability designer and strategist across the UAE, Australia, South Africa, the UK, and India. Her previous work includes collaborations with brands like Nespresso, Costa Coffee, and Dubai Airport, and she founded Design By Mariska, known for trash-to-treasure art exhibited at Dubai International Airport. She's also the host and founder of Mama Earth Talk, a sustainability podcast with 200+ episodes on zero waste and climate action, featuring guests including Dr. Sylvia Earle and the late Dr. Jane Goodall. She created the free Living Lighter course for practical sustainable living.
Piper: Mariska shares her life and work with Piper, her French Bulldog rescue dog. Piper joined the family in 2021 at 5 months old and has been the Chief Paw-duct Tester for everything Tails and Tones creates. Piper's journey, including cleft palate repair, luxating patella, arthritis risk, and recent mobility challenges, directly shaped the founding mission of Elevé (Tails and Tones' first product: a modular, height-adaptive feeding system).
Mission: We are on a mission to help modern dog parents simplify everyday care and elevate life with their pets, without sacrificing style or sustainability. Tails and Tones exists to build products that show up for dog parents, beautiful, sustainable, and robust enough to support you on the worst days. Not just the easy ones.
You can find Mariska at @tailsandtones on Instagram, or visit tailsandtones.com to learn more about Elevé and the Tails and Tones mission.
