If your dog is being anxious, hyper, or uninspired during training, your initial thought could be to blame their personality or lack of discipline. Did you know that your dog's gut health and nutrition are essential for their behavior and, in the end, for how well they learn?
Let's examine how your dog's digestive system impacts their attitude, energy, and learning ability, and explore potential solutions.
People often call a dog's gut its "second brain," just like they do with people. The gut microbiome is made up of trillions of microorganisms that make neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine. These are substances that change mood, motivation, and focus.
A gut that works well means a brain that works well. An unbalanced gut might make you more anxious, stressed, and hyperactive. New research suggests that dogs with bad gut health may have more behavior problems, such as:
The food you give your dog has a direct effect on the bacteria that live in their intestines. A good diet is nutritionally balanced and packed with gut healthy ingredients, such as real meat, healthy grains, fruits and veggies, omega-3s, prebiotics, and probiotics. A properly balanced diet, formulated for gut health will:
On the other hand, many store-bought kibbles are full of fillers, fake preservatives, and low-quality protein sources. These can upset the balance of bacteria in the gut and cause inflammation, not just in the body, but also in the brain.
To train your dog, you need to pay attention, trust them, and be emotionally stable. If your dog has stomach problems or a microbiome that isn't working right, they are less likely to:
It's a good idea to look at what's going on inside a dog's body before calling it "stubborn" or "difficult." A better diet could help your dog become more trainable and sensitive by fixing imbalances in their body.
More than 5 million dog owners have used the positive reinforcement dog training packages through the Dogo App. They report that dogs that eat a regular, high-quality food tend to reach their training goals more quickly.
When dog owners make their pets' diets and gut health better, they typically say:
In summary, eating well makes your training work better.
Want to make sure your dog feels well inside and out? This is how:
Find dog food that has:
Nextrition cold-pressed dog food is made with this in mind: using clean, functional foods that help with digestive and overall health.
Stay away from foods that have:
If you have loose stools, a lot of gas, or bowel movements that aren't regular, it could be an indication that your gut is out of balance. Don't ignore persistent back-end performance issues and what they are saying about your pup’s health.
The leash isn't the first thing you need to train your dog; the gut is. A dog that eats well and has a healthy gut is more focused, emotionally stable, and eager to learn. You are giving your dog a good chance of long-term success by giving them food that is good for their gut and disciplined training.
If you're teaching your puppy to use the bathroom or helping your adult dog break undesirable habits, keep in mind that a happy gut means a happy pup and better training.
Are you ready to improve your dog's health and behavior?
Download the Dogo App for tailored training help and try Nextrition Cold-Pressed Dog Food made with all-natural ingredients and expertly formulated to promote a healthy gut.
Sources:
NIH: The gut microbiome and how it affects behavior
The Gut-Brain Axis in Canine Behavior: Frontiers in Veterinary Science
It is natural for dog owners to want their pets to stay healthy. But like good human health, good dog health doesn't occur by accident. It takes a concerted effort among dog owners to ensure their pooches are taken care of. And it all starts with what dogs are fed. With cold-pressed dog food, you can rest assured that the food your pup is getting a fully nutritious meal every time.
Nextrition's founder, Jim, settled on the cold-pressing method because he believes it results in a better dog food that ultimately leads to healthier dogs. When combined with appropriate exercise and proper hydration, healthy dog food gives dogs the best chance of thriving and living full, complete lives. Cold-pressed dog food is our bread and butter here at Nextrition.
So what makes cold press dog food so different? It's in the science. Let's break it down into bite-size chunks.
The first thing to note is that cold pressing is a process for making dog food. It is substantially different from the process used to make dry kibble. The process is what makes the difference in terms of a food's nutritional value and flavor. There are a couple of key components that make it work:
This process allows manufacturers to create a dog food that does not need artificial preservatives to maintain shelf life. Spoilage is generally not a problem with cold-pressed dog food unless a bag is opened and left exposed to heat and/or moisture where most things will develop mold.
With an understanding of how the process works, it is time to talk about cold-pressed dog food and its relationship to healthier dogs. The starting point is understanding that what is true of humans is also true of animals: we are what we eat.
Just like pet owners, dogs need proper nutrition to remain healthy. Their bodies require a specific balance of vitamins, minerals, proteins, fats, etc. Everything a dog puts in its mouth becomes a building block for either good or bad health.
Consider the following:
By preserving nutritional value and flavor, manufacturers like Nextrition can offer recipes that provide everything a dog needs for good health and nothing it doesn't. Fillers and additives don’t actually add any nutrients or vitamins - they’re more like high-fructose corn syrup and food coloring. We aim to keep them out of our cold-pressed dog food to make more room for what matters.
Something that many dog owners either don't know or fail to consider is that digestion affects nutritional value. The better a dog's digestive tract breaks down food, the more of the food's nutritional value is absorbed and utilized. The opposite is also true.
Poor digestion limits nutritional absorption. More food is excreted as waste rather than being used by the dog's body to maintain good health. So it makes sense to ensure that dog food is easily digested.
Once again, there are some key things to consider:
Given how important digestion is to good health, it makes sense to feed dogs food designed from the ground up to be easily digested and absorbed. Cold-pressed dog food is designed to be good for the gut from the ingredients used to how it is digested in the gut.
The crowning achievement of cold pressing is that it produces a food most dogs love. Cold-pressed dog food offers more flavor and a more robust aroma. It actually entices dogs with picky eating habits to eat more consistently. But there is a downside: happy dogs may want to eat too much of it. So owners need to be careful to correctly portion meals so that their dogs don't overeat. Cold-pressed food is more nutrient dense and can be easier for your dog to overeat and cause digestive discomfort – just like we do on Thanksgiving.
Cold pressing makes a very real difference in how dog food is prepared. We are sold on cold pressing because it preserves nutritional value, makes food easily digestible, and gives dogs the flavors and aromas that make eating so enjoyable.
When stored in a cool, dry place, cold-pressed food should stay fresh long enough for your pup to enjoy the whole bag. Make sure to check for the best buy date printed on each bag.
High temperatures alter the natural properties of proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals. This reduces their nutritional value.
Fillers are used in the pet food industry to help bind ingredients together as well as reduce the cost of the meal. Because of the cold-pressed process there is no need to add fillers to help bind the ingredients together. Brands like Nextrition avoid using fillers as they don’t provide much nutritional value.
Traditional kibble absorbs water, bloats and then takes quite some time to break down from there. If you have ever seen a dog throw up an hour or so after mealtime you know what that looks like. Cold-pressed dog food breaks down from the outside in, breaking apart as soon as it absorbs some water into small pieces that can easily be digested and absorbed.
Cold-pressed dog food is often the best food option for dogs with sensitive stomachs. It's also a great option for picky eaters.
Cold pressed dog food is revolutionizing canine nutrition by combining gentle preparation with functional ingredients that actively support digestive health. Unlike traditional kibble—cooked at high heat and prone to causing bloating—cold pressed recipes preserve essential nutrients and break down naturally in the stomach. When enriched with prebiotic fibers like pumpkin and chicory root, these foods fuel beneficial bacteria in the gut, creating a healthier microbiome and improving nutrient absorption. Nextrition’s cold pressed dog food takes it a step further with a complete system of prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotics that nourish, balance, and protect your dog’s digestive health from multiple angles. The result is a more comfortable mealtime, reduced gas and bloating, and long-term wellness for your four-legged companion.
Cold pressed dog food is made using a unique, low-temperature process that sets it apart from standard kibble. Instead of being exposed to extremely high heat and steam—methods that can destroy delicate nutrients such as live probiotics—ingredients in cold pressed food are gently prepared and then compressed without high heat or steam into firm, dense bites. Preserving nutrients and heat sensitive nutrients like probiotics.
This process matters for several reasons:
Pet parents often notice the difference quickly. Dogs that previously struggled with gassiness or inconsistent stools often transition to cold pressed food with visible improvements in just a few weeks.
Digestion is the cornerstone of overall health in dogs. It determines how well nutrients from food are absorbed and used for growth, energy, immune function, and even behavior. A dog might eat a “nutritious” diet, but if its digestive system can’t break down and absorb those nutrients, the benefits are lost.
When digestion is functioning optimally:
On the other hand, poor digestion leads to more than just stomach upset. Signs like dull fur, lethargy, weakened immune system, and even heightened anxiety can stem from an unhealthy gut. Cold pressed dog food by Nextrition supports this crucial process by being easier to digest and by actively nourishing the microbiome with prebiotics, probiotics and postbiotics.
Prebiotics are non-digestible fibers that serve as fuel for beneficial bacteria in the gut. For dogs, natural sources such as pumpkin and chicory root provide prebiotic fibers that work behind the scenes to maintain balance in the digestive system.
Here’s what happens when a dog eats food enriched with prebiotics:
The impact for your dog includes:
Without prebiotics, the gut microbiome can fall out of balance. This often leads to issues such as gas, diarrhea, or even long-term immune challenges. By including prebiotics in cold pressed dog food, Nextrition helps ensure your dog’s digestive health is supported with every meal.
A dog’s gut is home to trillions of microorganisms that together make up the microbiome. It’s a vast and dynamic system that influences far more than digestion. Research continues to show that the microbiome affects immune response, energy levels, and even mood regulation.
When the microbiome is balanced:
But when harmful bacteria dominate, the consequences can include digestive distress, skin irritations, food sensitivities, or frequent illness. Cold pressed food enriched with pumpkin and chicory root prebiotics directly supports a healthier microbiome by feeding good bacteria and keeping this hidden powerhouse working in your dog’s favor.
While many foods now boast about containing prebiotics, Nextrition goes further by combining the benefits of prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotics—a trio often referred to as the “three P’s” of digestive wellness.
Together, this system creates a feedback loop of digestive support. Each element enhances the other, resulting in stronger gut lining health, more efficient digestion, and reduced risk of common problems like bloating or diarrhea.
Owners who make the transition often observe tangible benefits that reinforce why cold pressed food is worth it:
Switching to cold-pressed food is not just a dietary change; it’s often the first step in a long-term improvement to quality of life.
Cold pressed dog food represents a significant leap forward in pet nutrition. By preserving nutrients and preventing food from swelling in the stomach, it supports a smoother, more comfortable digestive process. Add in prebiotic fibers like pumpkin and chicory root, and you fuel the beneficial bacteria that make up your dog’s microbiome.
When paired with probiotics and postbiotics, as in Nextrition’s formula, you create a three layered system that protects your dog’s gut health, boosts nutrient absorption, and reduces discomfort. For pet parents looking to improve their dog’s wellness from the inside out, cold pressed food is more than just a feeding choice—it’s a commitment to long-term health.
They act as fuel for good gut bacteria, improving digestion, reducing inflammation, and enhancing nutrient absorption.
Yes. Because it doesn’t expand in the stomach and Nextrition contains prebiotic fibers, probiotics and postbiotics. Cold pressed food significantly reduces bloating and digestive discomfort.
Absolutely. The gentle cold-pressed process and gut-supportive fibers make it an excellent choice for dogs with sensitive digestion.
This combination ensures a balanced gut microbiome, stronger digestive health, and maximum nutrient absorption—helping dogs feel their best.
Yes. Better digestion and nutrient absorption often lead to shinier coats, healthier skin, and overall improved appearance.
Some improvements, like reduced bloating or smaller stools, can appear within weeks. Long-term benefits such as improved energy and coat quality often take a little longer.
Mass production makes it possible to buy kibble at just about every grocery and department store. And of course, pet stores are packed to the gills with nearly every brand of dog food under the sun. We do things differently. Not only do we offer a better alternative to kibble, but we also deliver directly to you.
As long as you're placing online orders and waiting for delivery drivers to arrive, you might just as well include dog food delivery in your normal routine. When you order from Nextrition, you can get both cold-pressed dog food and our delicious Tummy Treats without ever having to visit a grocery or pet store.
The Nextrition team knows that not every dog appreciates the same kind of food. So to make sure pet owners have enough choices, we offer four fantastic recipes:
Each of our recipes is designed around a single protein source. Then we add a variety of fruits, vegetables, and healthy grains, along with essential vitamins and minerals. We do not put any artificial flavors, or preservatives in our food, only quality all-natural ingredients.
Dog food delivery from Nextrition is even better than grocery store kibble when you consider our recipes are both delicious and gentle on the stomach. Our low-temperature cooking and cold pressing guarantees it.
Nextrition developed a patent-pending process that compresses over 12 pounds of all-natural ingredients into a 4.5lb bag, preserving the natural nutrients and flavors. On the other hand, kibble's high-temperature cooking and extrusion rob food of both. So given the choice between kibble and cold-pressed dog food, which do you suspect your furry friend would prefer?
We’ve invested time, energy and resources into discovering our practical yet still nutritious recipes for our cold-pressed dog food. But our team isn't content to stop there. Once we perfected our four recipes, we moved on to treats. Now our customers can purchase Tummy Treats, which are even more delicious using quality all-natural ingredients.
Tummy Treats come in two recipes: chicken and beef. We selected ingredients that are proven to help calm an upset stomach but are also super tasty and healthy to use every day. Check out any product page here on our website for a full list of ingredients. It is all good.
Nextrition dog food delivery offers the perfect combination of great food and superior convenience. Our choice of ingredients tells you everything you need to know about the quality of our dog food and treats. As for convenience, it is hard to beat online ordering and home delivery.
Because we deliver, you have the opportunity to order whenever it's most convenient for you. Maybe you're up in the middle of the night because you can't sleep. You suddenly remember that Fido needs more food. No worries. Pull out your laptop or phone and place an order.
Nextrition dog food delivery can be arranged as a one-time purchase or with our subscription model as well. With a subscription, you receive regular deliveries based on your dog's needs. How cool is that? You get food that is better than kibble directly from us, and it is delivered right to your door in a timely manner.
Watching your dog throwing up food isn't a pleasant experience. You feel bad for him while also dreading to clean it up. You wish there was something you could do to help him feel better. And for some dog owners, there could be some guilt that perhaps the food being served in the bowl every day is responsible for the vomiting.
Have you ever asked yourself, "Could the food I'm feeding my dog make him throw up?" If so, you are not alone. Here's the good news: it is likely that your dog's food is not causing the problem directly – unless the animal has an unknown food allergy or digestive sensitivity.
Let us talk about some things that cause dogs to throw up. While you're reading, bear in mind that Nextrition cold-pressed dog food and Tummy Treats are ideal for dogs with sensitive stomachs. If sensitivities are at the heart of your canine companion's digestive problems, switching to Nextrition could be the answer.
When food is the direct cause of a dog throwing up, there tend to be food sensitivities and intolerances in play. Maybe your dog's stomach reacts poorly to certain proteins, grains, fruits, veggies or artificial fillers. Unfortunately, what is a proven, healthy ingredient for dogs could be an issue if your dog has an allergy to that ingredient. Nextrition recipes were formulated with the intention of having at least 1-2 recipe options available for dogs with common allergies.
A dog throwing up food could simply be reacting to abrupt dietary changes. Think of it this way: if a dog owner switches from one brand to another, the different ingredients between the brands could cause digestive upset. Throwing up would be a symptom.
This is why veterinarians and most dog food brands recommend making dietary changes gradually. Switching from one food to another should be accomplished over a 7–10-day span, or longer for an extra sensitive stomach. Going gradually is easier on a dog's stomach.
Dogs can overeat just like humans. And if a dog eats more than his digestive system can handle, he may experience enough discomfort to cause him to start throwing up food. The solution to this problem is pretty easy: put the dog on a feeding schedule and tightly control the volume of food he eats.
Believe it or not, a dog throwing up food could have problems because he is eating too quickly. Some dogs gulp their food as if it is their last meal. We see this a lot in larger breeds. The problem with gulping is that dogs take in too much air along with the food. The air gets trapped in the digestive system only to be released via gas or vomiting. Try feeding smaller portions more often or purchase a slow feeder.
A dog with a habit of eating spoiled or inappropriate foods is a candidate for throwing up. Anything spoiled is bad for a dog's digestive system. As for inappropriate foods, think of things like table scraps. Anything that is rich in fat or contains excessive carbohydrates can cause problems.
Finally, dogs observed throwing up food on a regular basis might be dealing with an underlying medical condition. A dog might have a legitimate food allergy. But he might also be dealing with an infection, a digestive illness, or even something more serious.
If your dog is throwing up food on a regular basis, it is probably best to visit with your vet and work with them on modifying its diet. They can help you get to the bottom of things. You might even give
Nextrition cold-pressed dog food to try.
We humans know what it's like to deal with a sensitive stomach. We've all experienced stomach upset, nausea, cramps, etc. Did you know that your dog can suffer some of the same things? If your dog has a sensitive stomach, their food could be causing them to feel uncomfortable.
That is one of the motivations behind Nextrition cold-pressed dog food and dog treats for sensitive stomachs. All our recipes are designed to be easy on the stomach and digestive system. So if you are looking for the best dog food for a sensitive stomach, we hope you will consider Nextrition. In the meantime, let us discuss five simple ways to support your dog's sensitive stomach.
Nextrition dog food and treats are ideal as the daily drivers of your dog's diet. But in the midst of a bout of digestive discomfort, the go-to vet recommendation is to feed your dog bland foods that are easily digested. Lean meats, like chicken, are particularly good. White rice and potatoes are also fairly gentle on canine stomachs. They are good choices when a dog is experiencing vomiting or diarrhea.
Dogs with sensitive stomachs tend to have more difficulties when switching foods or introducing a new food. Let's say you are going from kibble to Nextrition cold-pressed dog food. It's probably a bad idea to make the switch all at once. It takes time for a dog's digestive system to get used to new food. Making the change all at once will almost always cause digestive discomfort.
Start by giving your dog just a little cold-pressed food or some of our delicious dog treats. A couple of days later, increase the amount. Gradually increase the cold-pressed food while you decrease the kibble. It will make for an easier transition with fewer digestive issues. If your dog’s gut is extra sensitive we recommend feeding the kibble and cold-pressed food at separate times during the day, resulting in smaller and more frequent meals while transitioning.
Whether it is a raw diet, homemade food, or a prepackaged product from the pet store, be careful about ingredients. Dogs with sensitive stomachs tend to do better with single protein sources and limited carbohydrates. For the record, you can find all the ingredients in Nextrition dog treats and cold-pressed dog food here on our website. When you choose Nextrition as your brand, you never have to wonder about what your dog is eating.
Before moving on, a quick word about allergies is in order here. Food allergies are not the norm for dogs, but they can occur. For example, some dogs are allergic to chicken. We offer four different single-protein sourced recipes – chicken, beef, lamb, and salmon – so you are bound to find something that's suitable for your dog. If your friend has a legitimate allergy, your vet can help you come up with an appropriate diet.
Next, there are certain types of things that are known triggers for stomach sensitivities. A big one is table scraps. Never feed a dog with a sensitive stomach from the table. In addition, stay away from fatty foods and treats that are not made specifically for dogs.
Although some dogs prefer 'free-range' feeding, most dogs do better with a consistent schedule. A consistent feeding schedule can help reduce digestive discomfort by reducing stress and giving your dog a routine it can rely on. As a bonus, feeding on a schedule allows you to more closely control how much your dog eats. If your dog’s digestive system struggles with 2 meals a day, try feeding 3-4 smaller meals throughout the day.
There are still other things you can do to support your dog's sensitive stomach but remember Nextrition. Our dog treats and food are both made with sensitive canine stomachs in mind.
If you’re familiar with our website, you likely know about our testimonial section on the homepage. It is where you'll find short videos from real Nextrition customers talking about their success with our cold-pressed dog food. These are real people with real dogs who have real stories about trying our food.
We are convinced that the best form of marketing for our dog food is word-of-mouth. But since our dogs cannot actually speak, we humans have to do the speaking for them. That's where you come in. If you and your dog have discovered the joy that is cold-pressed food, tell everyone you know about it. And if not, it's time for you to get a Nextrition sample. It is time for you to learn what the whole dog-loving community is coming to know about cold-pressed food.
There are lots of ways to make dog food. We have chosen the cold-pressed method because we feel it strikes the perfect balance between the convenience of kibble and the nutritional purity of a raw diet. Your furry friend gets the best of both worlds in a recipe that is packed with nutrition.
Cold pressing is the key. We prepare a recipe's ingredients by choosing the right combinations and proportions. All of the ingredients are combined and compressed down into nutrient-dense pieces. In fact, every 4.5lb bag contains the nutrients from over 12 pounds of whole-all natural ingredients.
The low temperature process is what preserves the nutritional value. High-temperature cooking, which is what kibble manufacturers prefer, decreases nutritional value significantly. That is why they need to add fillers and additives to their food. We do not. You and your dog only get the natural ingredients we put together prior to cooking.
High-temperature cooking also robs dog food of its flavor. That means more additives. But flavor is not a problem for cold-pressed dog food. All of the ingredients maintain most of their natural flavors under our low-temperature process.
Wrap it all up and you have a nutritionally dense food most dogs find delicious. It is food your dog will actually want to eat. The icing on the cake is that you can feed your dog up to 30% less than kibble because it is more nutrient dense.
In our customer testimonials, one thing you will hear a lot of the pet owners talk about is how our food is good for their dogs' digestive systems. That is by design. We have purposely formulated all our recipes to be easily digestible.
Kibble takes an awful long time to digest. Meanwhile, it swells in the stomach to create excess gas and bloat. If dogs could talk, how many of them would say they really don't like the side effects of eating kibble? We don't know. But we do know that cold-pressed dog food does not swell. It starts to break down in the gut very quickly.
It is the perfect food for a dog with a sensitive stomach. Dogs with certain food allergies can benefit from cold-pressed food as well.
Still not convinced? Listen to the real stories from customers who have tried Nextrition cold-pressed dog food for themselves. They can tell you just how good it is. Best of all, their stories can become yours when you try Nextrition.
Gut health may not be something you talk about every day. But when it comes to your dog’s health, it’s worth paying attention to. A balanced gut can influence everything from digestion and immunity to energy levels and even mood.
That’s why we care so much about making dog food that supports a healthy microbiome.
Your dog’s gut microbiome is the community of microorganisms living inside the digestive tract. It includes bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other microbes—don’t worry, they’re supposed to be there. These tiny organisms play an essential role in digestion, nutrient absorption, immune response, and more.
Here’s the key: the gut microbiome works best when it’s both diverse and balanced.
At Nextrition, we design every recipe with that goal in mind. From our ingredient list to our cold-pressing process, everything is built to support your dog’s digestive health and promote a balanced gut.
A healthy gut microbiome does more than break down food. It helps regulate the immune system, fight off harmful pathogens, and plays a big role in metabolism. And yes, it can even affect your dog’s behavior. When your dog feels better inside, they act better on the outside. 70% of your dog’s immune system is impacted by how healthy their gut is.
What your dog eats has a direct impact on what grows (and thrives) in their microbiome. Here are three key dietary factors to keep in mind:
Your dog’s gut microbiome plays a big role in their overall health. At Nextrition, we believe in feeding dogs in a way that supports that delicate internal ecosystem. Our cold-pressed recipes are thoughtfully crafted to be both nutritious and easy to digest—no fillers, no harsh processing.
If you’re ready to support better gut health from the bowl up, Nextrition’s cold-pressed recipes are a smart place to start.
No one enjoys hanging out with a dog that’s constantly gassy. Excess gas isn’t just unpleasant—it could be a sign that something’s not quite right with your dog’s diet or digestion.
The good news? You can help your dog feel better (and smell better) with a few smart changes. Let’s walk through some simple tips that could make a big difference.
Diet is one of the biggest contributors to gas in dogs. Some ingredients—like beans and high-carb fillers—can be tough for dogs to digest. Ingredients like soy, corn, and animal by-products tend to cause bloating and flatulence. For some dogs, eating highly processed food can also contribute to gas.
Switching to a cleaner, less processed and more digestible food can help. Nextrition cold-pressed dog food is made without fillers and pressed at low temperatures to preserve nutrients and improve digestibility. Easier digestion means less bloating—and less gas.
Your dog’s gut is home to a microbiome: a community of bacteria that helps with digestion. The ideal gut will have lots of good and diverse bacteria which will lead to a more healthy digestive system. When more bad bacteria enters the gut or the range of the good bacteria is diminished, the balance gets disrupted, and gas and other digestive issues can follow.
Prebiotics, postbiotics and probiotics help restore that balance. You can use a supplement, but a simpler solution is choosing a food that includes them from the start. Nextrition includes probiotics, prebiotics, and postbiotics in every recipe, supporting a healthy and diverse microbiome right in the bowl.
Some dogs eat way too fast, which causes them to swallow extra air. That air can get trapped in the digestive system and lead to—you guessed it—more gas.
If your dog gulps meals down in seconds, try elevating their bowl or using a slow-feeder dish. These simple tools encourage slower, more mindful eating.
Daily movement keeps digestion flowing. Regular walks, playtime, and exercise help prevent gas from building up and improve your dog’s overall health.
If your dog is dealing with frequent flatulence, their food may be to blame. Switching to a dog food that’s easy on the stomach is a great place to start.
Nextrition cold-pressed dog food is crafted to support better digestion and reduce gas. If you’re ready to help your dog feel better (and make your home smell a lot nicer), we’ve got the food that can help.
Dog owners want what’s best for their pets. That’s why so many people start exploring options and will quickly be faced with a decision about “grain-free” diets. Grain-free diets are generally straight-forward on what it means but is it a smart choice for your dog.
Let’s break it down.
A grain-free diet excludes common cereal grains like:
Instead, these grains are typically replaced with ingredients like peas, lentils, and/or potatoes. For those pet parents looking for a grain-free diet it is typically fairly easy to find an option with a pre-packaged food in the store. Some pet owners will choose to go even further and feed a raw diet which almost always excludes grains.
Most of the time, going grain-free comes down to perceived health benefits or food allergies. Some pet parents report that switching to a grain-free diet helped with skin issues, digestive discomfort, or energy levels. Others believe grain-free is more natural, since dogs are related to wolves who are carnivores.
In certain cases—like dogs with diagnosed grain allergies or intolerances—avoiding grains can make a real difference. But the number of reported grain allergies is rare. According to research, less than 1% of dogs actually have a true grain allergy.
The fact is that certain grains offer lots of quality nutrients for dogs and can be a perfectly healthy part of their diet.
Grain-free food might help in specific situations:
But for the average healthy dog, removing grains may not offer any added benefit. In fact, what matters most is the overall quality of the ingredients—not whether grains are on the list.
A few misconceptions tend to crop up around the grain-free conversation. Let’s clear them up:
Dogs are carnivores like their wolf ancestors – dogs and their digestive system have evolved over centuries and dogs are classified as omnivores not carnivores. Meaning that they can easily consume and digest both meat and plant-based foods.
That’s a personal decision—and one worth discussing with your vet if your dog has health concerns. We’re not here to push you in one direction or another.
What we can say is this: if you’re looking for a high-quality, non-kibble dog food made with transparent ingredients, Nextrition is a great place to start. We’ve built every recipe to support better digestion and long-term wellness, with a focus on ingredient integrity and nutritional balance. Our cold-pressed recipes use carefully selected grains as a portion of our diets to contribute necessary nutrition that will benefit your pup.
Want to see what’s inside? Our product pages list everything you need to know—no guesswork required.
No surprise, we’re going to say cold-pressed dog food is better than kibble—we make cold-pressed food. But here’s the thing: we believe that it actually is better. This doesn’t mean kibble is outright bad, with most things there is a bit of nuance to the topic.
When it comes to dog food, what matters is the ingredients that are in the bag and how those ingredients are handled, cooked, and preserved. There are kibble brands who use quality ingredients and brands who don’t. At Nextrition, our aim isn’t to make a kibble buyer feel bad but rather provide a better than kibble option. We did this by choosing quality ingredients and cold-pressing them to retain more nutrition and make digestion easier for your dog.
You are what you eat—and the same goes for your dog. That’s why we build our recipes around whole, natural ingredients you’d actually recognize.
For protein, we use real beef, chicken, lamb, and/or salmon as our #1 ingredient. Then we add things like healthy grains, nutrient-rich fruits and vegetables. What we leave out matters just as much: no fillers like corn, wheat or animal by-products, no artificial flavors, and no unnecessary additives.
Our recipes are built with purpose—and our process allows us to keep it that way.
The way dog food is made has a big impact on how much nutrition actually survives the process. Traditional kibble is cooked at extremely high temperatures, which will destroy a lot of the natural nutrients and flavor. That’s why kibble makers often add flavoring after cooking—otherwise it would have been too bland for your pup to be interested in eating.
We take a different path.
Nextrition food is cold-pressed at temperatures up to three times lower than kibble resulting in bite-sized, shelf-stable food. That means more nutrients stay intact, and the flavor stays real. No tricks, no shortcuts.
Here’s where the difference really shows: digestion.
Kibble tends to swell in the stomach, leading to discomfort, bloating, and more difficult digestion. In comparison, cold-pressed food breaks down faster and more efficiently. In fact, we made a video showing it in action: cold-pressed food breaks down quickly in the stomach, while kibble just expands and lingers.
Faster breakdown means better nutrient absorption—and that means your dog actually gets the benefits of those ingredients.
Cold-pressed food is easier to digest, preserves more of the natural nutrients and flavors, and skips the unnecessary fillers and additives. We didn’t set out to improve on kibble—we set out to make something better from the ground up.
We’re proud of what we’ve built at Nextrition. And once you see the difference (and your dog feels it), we think you’ll agree. Try out our gut-healthy recipes with a trial pack or see the difference yourself with our Tummy Treats.
Yes—we make dog treats, too. They’re called Tummy Treats, and they’re packed with the similar digestible ingredients and gut-friendly benefits as our cold-pressed dog food.
If you’re buying treats anyway, why not choose ones that are actually good for your dog’s digestion? Tummy Treats are made with real ingredients and no unnecessary junk—just tasty, wholesome snacks your dog will be excited about.
You’ve probably seen the treat aisle. There’s no shortage of options. Biscuit-style, chewy, jerky, rawhide, dental chews—the list goes on. Let’s break it down a bit:
Tummy Treats are considered a jerky treat, made at low temperatures to preserve the nutrients and flavors. The number 1 ingredient in our Tummy Treats is real meat from the USA so it has a soft meaty texture that most dogs love and can easily enjoy. No freeze-drying, no mystery meats, and definitely no synthetic stuff.
When we created Tummy Treats, we kept one priority front and center: quality ingredients proven to help calm a sensitive stomach.
Our two flavors—chicken and beef—use simple proteins paired with gut-friendly ingredients like:
These aren’t just fillers. Every ingredient in our treats is all-natural and chosen with intention—no artificial flavors, no weird preservatives, and nothing to irritate your dog’s system.
You care about your dog. That’s why you’re here. And if you’ve already made the switch to better food, why settle for mediocre treats?
Tummy Treats were made for pet parents who want every bite to count—even the little ones between meals. They’re tasty, simple, and backed by the same quality standards as everything we make.
So if you're already grabbing treats, why not choose ones that are actually good for your dog? Tummy Treats are an easy upgrade—and your dog will love you for it.
