Your dog’s microbiome is crucial to her overall health, but what does this mean? Microbiome is the last buzzword, and with good reason. When we know better, we do better, and we now know a healthy microbiome affects everything.
Dr. Betsy Redmond brings nearly 20 years of clinical laboratory education and research expertise. As the founder of Innovative Pet Lab, she knows all about pets' microbiomes. She explains that a dog’s microbiome consists of trillions of bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms that live mostly in the gut.
“Looking at the gut microbiome can suggest associations with health, but we prefer to look directly at the function,” Dr. Redmond shares. “For example, some gut microbiome patterns are associated with inflammation, but looking at fecal calprotectin can identify the actual level of inflammation.
Here’s everything you need to know about your dog’s microbiome, the role of diet, and how to support a healthy gut.
Imagine a population of bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa living deep in your dog’s body. When a puppy is born, she does not have a microbiome. This is why puppies are very prone to illness and disease at first. Puppies start building their microbiome from their mother, the people around them, and their home.
As your puppy matures, her microbiome will change but remain stable unless something causes an imbalance.
“Canine and feline gut microbiota (mostly bacteria) have a significant impact on health, just like in people,” Dr. Redmond says. “When the gut microbiota is imbalanced, called dysbiosis, it can negatively impact health.”
A disruption occurs when your dog’s beneficial microbes are lacking or harmful ones are abundant. Here are some signs that your dog’s microbiome is out of balance:
Sometimes, there are no signs that your dog’s microbiome is out of balance. This is when gut microbiome testing can be helpful. Thanks to technological advancements and companies like Innovative Pet Lab, pet parents can determine what’s going on in their pet’s gut.
*Of note, since 70 percent of the immune system is in your dog’s gut, any threat to it will likely cause problems.
The old adage that we are what we eat applies to dogs, too. A balanced, high-quality diet that includes whole foods and essential nutrients fosters a diverse
Dogs who eat a diet high in quality proteins and healthy fats that nourish beneficial bacteria tend to have a strong, diverse microbiome. Because dogs are naturally inclined to digest animal proteins, this also helps regulate their gut flora.
Diets that can negatively impact your dog’s microbiome include:
An air-dried, human-grade dog food from Elevate Pet Provisions promotes a healthy gut environment. The gentle air-drying technique preserves 93 percent of the food’s nutrients, including natural enzymes and probiotics for digestion.
The Elevate Pet Provisions Sensitive Stomach formula includes pumpkin, which provides soluble fiber to aid in regular bowel movements and promote a healthy microbiome.
In addition to avoiding the wrong type of dog food, there are other habits that can disrupt your dog’s microbiome.
Lack of Exercise: Movement through activity promotes good digestion, which positively impacts the gut microbiome. With your veterinarian's guidance, adjust your dog’s mental and physical exercise routines.
Exposure to Environmental Toxins: Chemicals, pesticides, and pollutants harm the microbiome of both people and pets. This includes lawn treatments, household cleaners, scented candles, flea and tick chemical preventatives and more. Try to go green and use less chemicals on and around your pets.
Stress and Anxiety: Stress has a direct impact on gut health. If your dog is alone for long periods or exposed to stressful situations or family arguments, she may experience digestive upset, diarrhea, inappetence, a weakened immune response, and microbiome imbalance.
Feeding Table Scraps and Inappropriate Food: Not all ‘people food’ is bad for pets. However, dogs and humans process food differently. People require less protein and more carbs and can consume foods that most dogs cannot.
Excessive Use of Medicines or Supplements: Some medications, like steroids or long-term medications, can decrease the number of beneficial gut bacteria. You should always talk to your veterinarian about what supplements you want your dog to take, as some may upset the microbiome.
Watching her senior dog suffer inspired Chief Scientific Officer Dr. Betsy Redmond to help other pets through Innovative Pet Lab.
“Ensure that your dog’s teeth are properly cared for,” she reports. “A diet rich in enzymes and natural nutrients can help maintain a healthy balance of the microbiome in both the mouth and the gut.”
Integrating supplements for optimal health can help improve gut health. Dr. Redmond says CoQ10 has been linked to healthier gums, while omega-3 fatty acids may help manage periodontal inflammation.
In a recent post, Dr. Katie Woodley outlines some of her favorite recommendations for pet gut and oral health.
For more information about Elevate Pet Provisions and feeding your dog a healthy air-dried diet, visit ElevatePet.com.
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