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How does food move through a dog’s digestive system?

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A Labradoodle dog runs energetically through grass with a stick in its mouth, ears flopping and tail raised. — dog A Labradoodle is a cross between a Labrador Retriever and a Poodle, a mix intended to incorporate the Poodle's intelligence and low-shedding coat with a Lab's energy and determination.

In a dog, the digestive process begins when food is taken into the mouth. Unlike many other mammals, dogs rarely chew their food, instead gulping or swallowing it directly.1

Once swallowed, the food passes through the esophagus into the stomach. In the stomach, digestive enzymes begin the process of breaking down the food. Most of the subsequent digestion and nutrient absorption occurs in the small intestine, supported by the pancreas and the liver. The pancreas secretes enzymes necessary for the digestive process and regulates glucose, while the liver produces bile, which is essential for the absorption of fat. The liver also plays a critical role in metabolizing proteins and carbohydrates and excreting toxins from the bloodstream.1