Pet poo might not be the most glamourous of topics to be talking about, but for both dog and cat owners, it’s one of the clearest indicators of digestive health. The size, consistency, frequency, and smell of your pet’s stools can reveal how well their food is supporting their body. And seeing as clearing up those "jobbies" isn't anyone's favourite activity we at Content would like it help make it a firmer, less smelly experience.
One of the biggest factors influencing healthy stools in dogs and cats is the quality of ingredients in their food.
Pet foods like Content Pet Food, which focus on real meat and vegetables, minimal processing, and no unnecessary additives, are designed to support digestion in a way that becomes very noticeable — even at litter tray or poo-bag time.
Why Poo Is a Key Indicator of Digestive Health in Dogs and Cats
A healthy digestive system allows pets to properly absorb nutrients and eliminate waste efficiently. When digestion is working well, stools are firm, well-formed, easy to manage, and relatively mild in smell.
High-quality pet foods that prioritise digestible animal protein and natural fibre sources — like Content Pet Food — help both dogs and cats absorb more of what they eat, resulting in less waste overall.
When pets are fed low-quality or heavily processed food, their digestive systems often struggle, leading to loose stools, strong odours, and inconsistent habits.
The Problem With Low-Quality, Highly Processed Pet Food
Many commercial pet foods rely on fillers, artificial colours, flavourings, and preservatives. While these ingredients may reduce production costs or extend shelf life, they offer little nutritional value and can be difficult for both dogs and cats to digest.
Common signs a pet’s food may not be supporting digestion include:
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Soft, loose, or inconsistent stools
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Strong or lingering odour
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Larger amounts of waste
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Changes in toilet habits or frequency
Ingredient quality and processing methods play a key role in digestive health — which is why brands we focus on transparency and simplicity; every single ingredients used are listed on our clearly on our packaging and is included because it has a positive nutritional value for your pet.
Why High-Quality Meat & Vegetable Food Makes a Difference
Both dogs and cats benefit from diets built around high-quality animal protein. Protein supports muscle maintenance, immune health, and overall wellbeing, while vegetables provide natural fibre that supports gut function — particularly for dogs.
Foods that use real, human grade, meat and vegetables and gentle processing methods to retain nutrients, make it easier for pets to digest and absorb.
While cats are obligate carnivores and require a higher proportion of animal protein, they still benefit from clean, minimally processed ingredients with no unnecessary additives.
What Pet Owners Notice First
One of the first things pet owners mention after switching to Content Pet Food is how well their pets eat it. Dogs show renewed enthusiasm at mealtimes, while cats often become more consistent and content with their food even those fussy pussy's that are adamant wet food cats devour our slow roasted kibble.
Shortly after, many owners notice changes in their pet’s stools.
Reports of firmer, more consistent poo — and noticeably less smell — are common. These changes often appear within a few weeks of feeding a diet based on real ingredients and minimal processing.
It’s a practical, everyday sign that the food is supporting digestion effectively.
The Digestive Benefits You’ll See in the Poo
1. Smaller, Firmer Stools
When pets absorb nutrients efficiently, less waste is produced. This often results in smaller, better-formed stools for both dogs and cats.
2. Less Smelly Poo or Litter Trays
Reducing fillers and artificial additives limits gut fermentation, one of the main causes of strong odours.
3. More Consistent Toilet Habits
Minimal processing supports digestive balance, leading to more predictable bowel movements and litter tray use.
4. Happier Guts, Happier Pets
A clean ingredient profile supports a healthy gut microbiome, helping reduce gas, bloating, and digestive discomfort.
Why Minimal Processing Matters
Highly processed pet food can strip ingredients of their natural nutritional value. Gentle processing, helps preserve nutrients so pets gain more benefit from every bite without placing unnecessary strain on their digestive systems.
Less processing supports better digestion, nutrient absorption, and stool quality.
No Nasties, No Guesswork
Removing artificial colours, flavours, preservatives, and unnecessary fillers simplifies ingredient lists and reduces the risk of sensitivities and long-term digestive issues.
Pet foods formulated with this approach focus on ingredients that serve a clear nutritional purpose rather than cosmetic or shelf-life enhancements.
What Does Healthy Pet Poo Look Like?
Healthy stools for dogs and cats should be:
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Firm but not hard
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Well-formed and consistent
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Easy to clean or scoop
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Mild in smell
If this describes what you’re seeing, your pet’s diet is likely supporting digestive health effectively.
Final Thoughts: Better Food, Better Poo (for Dogs and Cats)
Pet poo may not be a favourite topic, but it’s one of the most reliable indicators of digestive health. Feeding dogs and cats a high-quality food made with real meat and vegetables, minimal processing, and no nasties — such as Content Pet Food — can lead to visible improvements in digestion and overall wellbeing.
Sometimes, the clearest signs of better health are found in the most ordinary places.
