Digestive System of a Prairie Dog

Digestive Basics

• The prairie dog is accustomed to eating a very low-protein diet that consists of grasses, roots, and cactus. Like in other mammals, the prairie dog stomach houses beneficial bacteria that break down food and turn it into useful energy. The bacteria in the prairie dog stomach is able to turn basic grasses into all of the amino acids the prairie dog needs.

Physical Digestive System

• The prairie dogs digestive system is typical of other rodents and mammals. Food is predigested in the mouth through chewing and saliva then swallowed. In the stomach, acids and bacteria work to digest the food further. The digested food is then passed through the intestines where the nutrients and amino acids are absorbed through the walls and used in the body's processes. Waste material is then passed through the rectum both as solid pellets and as moist fecal matter.

Diet

• Wild prairie dogs sustain themselves by foraging for various plants. Generally, wild grass, flowering plants, and prickly-pear cactus are the staples of the wild prairie dog diet. When kept as pets, the diet should mimic the natural diet as much as possible to avoid illness in your prairie dog. High-fiber hays are the primary ingredient in captive prairie dog diets. Treats, such as vegetables or small insects, can be given to captive prairie dogs sparingly. Prairie dogs will not self-limit the amount of food they eat and can quickly become overweight.

Digestive Care

• In captivity, prairie dogs are susceptible to digestive problems. Improper diet, such as one with too much protein, can cause obesity in prairie dogs. Obesity can cause serious problems for prairie dogs, including exacerbating the respiratory problems to which they are prone. Diarrhea, vomiting, and loss of appetite are all symptoms of digestive illnesses that can generally be addressed by proper diet.