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balance their microbiome

GOOD GUT HEALTH SUPPORTS THEIR WHOLE BODY

Taking care of your dog’s gut can help them live a happier, healthier life. And it’s not just about firmer poos! Better gut health can have an impact on many aspects of their health and wellness.

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO KEEP YOUR DOG’S GUT BALANCED?

The gut microbiome is made up of microorganisms (such as bacteria) that help keep your dog’s digestive and immune systems healthy – with wide-ranging impacts on the rest of their body.

If there are more ‘bad’ microorganisms in their microbiome than ‘good’, it can cause an upset tummy, skin or joint issues, and even affect their behavior. On the other hand, keeping their microbiome ‘healthy’ or ‘balanced’ can help keep the whole body functioning properly.

THREE WAYS A BALANCED GUT SUPPORTS HEALTH AND WELLNESS

1. Supported immunity

Good bacteria in the gut compete against other potentially harmful bacteria, making it harder for them to multiply and less likely they’ll cause issues for your dog.

2. Regulated behavior

Research is increasingly showing a link between the gut microbiome and some neurological and behavorial disorders.[1-5] Therefore, keeping your dog’s gut balanced could support their mental wellness. It could also help them avoid stress-related diarrhea during periods of upheaval (such as kenneling).[6,7]

3. Better digestion

Research shows probiotics can lead to a general improvement in stool quality in most dogs.[8] There's also good evidence probiotics can help with a range of gastrointestinal issues, from basic diarrhea[9-13] to more serious conditions such as parvovirus.[14]
HOW DO PROTEXIN BIOTICS SUPPORT A HEALTHY GUT?

TOP TIPS FOR TAKING CARE OF YOUR DOG’S GUT HEALTH

BALANCED DIET

A complete, balanced diet that includes adequate fiber and is tailored to their life stage will help support and maintain your dog’s gut and whole-body health. For more advice, read our article here.

FEEDING ROUTINE

Sticking to a consistent feeding routine could help you spot any changes in their appetite that might indicate a health problem faster. It can also help make sure they’re not getting too many non-healthy treats throughout the day.

REGULAR EXERCISE

Regular walks are essential for your dog’s physical health and mental wellness, including their digestion. It’s best not to walk them straight after a meal though. Like us, they need plenty of time for their dinner to go down!
  1. Mondo et al. (2020) Gut microbiome structure and adrenocortical activity in dogs with aggressive and phobic behavioural disorders. Heliyon. DOI10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e03311
  2. Ambrosini et al. (2019) The gut-brain axis in neurodegenerative diseases and relevance of the canine model: a review. Frontiers in Ageing Neuroscience. DOIhttps://doi.org/10.3389/fnagi.2019.00130
  3. Jeffery et al. (2017) The association of specific constituents of the fecal microbiota with immune-mediated brain disease in dogs. PLoS One. DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0170589
  4. Kubinyi et al. (2020) Gut microbiome composition is associated with age and memory performance in pet dogs. Animals. DOIhttps://doi.org/10.3390/ani10091488
  5. Garcia-Belenguer et al. (2021) Gut microbiota in Canine Idiopathic Epilepsy: Effects of Disease and Treatment. Animals. DOIhttps://doi.org/10.3390/ani11113121
  6. Kelley et al. (2012) Effects of Varying Doses of a Probiotic Supplement Fed to Healthy Dogs Undergoing Kenneling Stress. Journal of Applied Research in Veterinary Medicine. 10:3 205-216
  7. Rose et al. (2017) Efficacy of a Probiotic-Prebiotic Supplement on Incidence of Diarrhea in a Dog Shelter: A Randomised, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine. DOI10.1111/jvim.14666
  8. Lee. AH et al. (2022) Dietary supplementation with fiber, “biotics” and spray-dried plasma affects apparent total tract macronutrient digestibility and the fecal characteristics, fecal microbiota, and immune function of adult dogs. Journal of Animal Science 100(3). DOI:https://doi.org/10.1093/jas/skac048
  9. Kelley et al. (2009) Clinical benefits of probiotic canine-derived Bifidobacterium animalis strain AHC7 in dogs with idiopathic diarrhea. Veterinary Therapy. DOIhttps://doi.org/10.5167/uzh-31198
  10. Herstad et al. (2010) Effects of a probiotic intervention in acute canine gastroenteritis – a controlled clinical trial. Journal of Small Animal Practice DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1111/j.1748-5827.2009.00853.x
  11. Gomez-Gallego et al. (2016) A canine-specific probiotic product in treating acute or intermittent diarrhea in dogs. A double-blind, placebo-controlled, efficacy study. Veterinary Microbiology. DOI https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetmic.2016.11.015
  12. Nixon et al. (2019) Efficacy of an orally administered anti-diarrheal probiotic paste (Pro-Kolin Advanced) in dogs with acute diarrhea: A randomised, placebo-controlled double-blinded clinical study. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1111/jvim.15481
  13. Schmalberg et al. (2019) A randomised double-blinded placebo-controlled clinical trial of a probiotic or metronidazole for acute canine diarrhea. Frontiers in Veterinary Science. DOIhttps://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2019.00163
  14. Arslan et al (2012) Therapeutic effects of probiotic bacteria in parvoviral enteritis in dogs. Rev Med Vet-Toulouse, 2(163), pp.55-9
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