The Value of Digestive Health in Dogs And Cats

The father of modern medicine, Hippocrates, is credited with saying that “all disease begins in the gut.” Let food be your medicine and medicine be your food, the saying goes. The microbiome, or the trillions of bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other organisms living inside the gut, plays a critical role in the mental and physical well-being of not only humans but also our dogs and cats. More than two thousand years later, it appears that modern science is finally catching up with him.

What is a Healthy Gut?

Nothing is more critical to keeping one’s health than having a healthy stomach. The digestive system, which was once thought to be a rather “basic” bodily organ consisting mainly of one long tube through which food would flow, be absorbed, and then eliminated, is now known for performing much more than just digesting and expelling food.

A complete ecosystem of organisms that cooperate to maintain an individual’s health exists inside its winding tubes. The microbiome is no different from any other living thing in that it needs the proper environment and a steady supply of excellent food to survive. True gut health and the key to giving all pets a lifetime of happiness lie in maximizing the balance of the trillions of organisms that reside in the digestive tract.

The Microbiome

The billions of bacteria that inhabit the gastrointestinal system are specifically referred to as the “gut microbiome.” While some bacteria can be detrimental to the health of our pets, the majority are extremely advantageous and even necessary for a healthy body.

A pet’s microbiome is determined by genetics at birth, but as the puppy or kitten starts interacting with the outside world, extrinsic variables start to come into play. Consequently, a pet’s nutrition, environment, lifestyle, and medications (especially the use of antibiotics, which can reduce gut bacteria) can have both favorable and unfavorable consequences.

As a result, each dog and cat has its microbiome, and maintaining the ideal balance of these small creatures is essential for health. Or, to put it another way, our pets can thrive when both the good and the bad microbes are in balance, but their health suffers when they are out of balance.

The Advantages of a Healthy Microbiome and Digestive System

The complete effects of the gut microbiome are still being investigated by scientists and veterinarians, but it is widely acknowledged that it has a significant impact on the digestive system, food absorption, immune system, physical condition, and numerous critical hormonal reactions in dogs and cats. Key advantages of a pet with a balanced microbiota and a healthy digestive system include:

The microbiota of your pet needs enough food to remain healthy for optimal digestion and nutrient absorption. You will notice frequent, healthy, and firm stools in the litter box or backyard because these organisms can break down undigested portions of your pet’s food, such as dietary fiber, into smaller components that can stay inside your cat. After which it can be utilized as more fuel. More nutrients from your pet’s meal can stay inside of your pet with enhanced nutritional absorption, resulting in regular, healthy, and firm feces in the backyard or litter box.

Immune Health

Since your pet’s digestive tract contains 70% of its immune system, maintaining a healthy bacteria balance is essential to ensuring that its immune system works at its peak. It is also more difficult for “bad bacteria” to settle down and infect your pet when they have a h2, highly diversified microbiome.

Vitamin Production

The microbiome’s bacteria assist in the production of vitamins such as Vitamin K, B vitamins (such as B12, thiamine, and riboflavin), and the B vitamins (including thiamine and riboflavin), which all function as micronutrients crucial for sustaining health and wellness.

Healthy Microbiome

Maintaining a healthy microbiome can help prevent excessive inflammation or itchy skin. Your pet will receive all the essential nutrients required to maintain healthy skin and a lustrous, smooth coat when coupled with a diet rich in animal proteins and omega-fatty acids.

Vitality and Energy

A pet can readily digest and absorb the high-quality nourishment they eat to turn it into energy that supports their daily activity and play when their nutrient absorption is optimal.

How Can i Tell if My Pet’s Digestive Tract is in Bad Shape?

A sick stomach can manifest in a variety of ways. Obvious signs of a sick stomach can include loose stools, increased gas, constipation, or diarrhea. Other, less visible reasons could be that your pet has developed certain dietary intolerances, may have skin irritations or may have trouble absorbing certain nutrients from its food.

So How Can You Maintain a Healthy Digestive System in Your Pet?

The gut is like the majority of other body components in your dog or cat. For it to function at its best, it must consume a balanced diet that includes foods that support digestive health. You can support your pet’s microbiota, support the health of their digestive system, and most importantly, promote their overall welfare by altering what you give them.

You can make sure your dog or cat is getting the best possible digestive health nutrition by looking for a full and balanced formula that includes the following essential ingredients:

To maximize nutrient absorption and encourage good digestibility, use high-quality animal proteins and whole grains.

Beet pulp fiber, for example, can aid to encourage the production of regular, healthy, firm stools.

Prebiotics like FOS and MOS promote the development of beneficial bacteria

Probiotics, or purported extra “good” bacteria, support the microbiome’s balance.