Gut health is having a moment! And for very just reason. Science and research is increasingly showing the impact that microbiome and gut health has on the entire body, from immunity to allergies and mental health. Our pets are no exception to this. As a Vet with post-graduate Certification in Veterinary Natural Nutrition, and having worked with various wildlife, exotic pets and community animals over the years, I find that so many animal health problems can be influenced by nutrition, husbandry (how we keep animals), hygiene and poor gut health.

 

These are my top 5 reasons to support your dog’s gut health:

– stress – routine changes like travel, moving house, a new pet or visitors can have a bigger impact on the body than just the obvious behaviour changes that we can see. And, on the other hand, optimal gut health has also been shown to improve how the body handles stress.

– upset tummy – get the gut microbiome back on track after vomiting, diarrhoea or antibiotics.

– food changes – diet changes, whether intentional or not, can disrupt gut flora. Providing gut support allows a faster transition to a new diet or to recover from eating something they shouldn’t have.

– sensitive skin or gut – itchy skin, yeast overgrowth, allergies and reactions to some foods can be improved by better gut health.

– everyday benefits – Did you know that 70-80% of your dog’s immune system is in their gut?! So supporting gut health helps regulate immunity and metabolism, reduce inflammation and keep our furry friends generally healthier and happier.

 

So, practically, how can we improve gut health in dogs?

My favourite ways to improve your dog’s gut health, are:

– feed a balanced fresh diet

– limit highly processed foods and preservatives

– add a probiotic – these are the beneficial, or ‘good’, bacteria to outweigh any harmful bugs. Specific veterinary probiotic chews or paste are available, or try a teaspoon of plain Greek yoghurt (making sure it doesn’t contain xylitol).

– include prebiotics – this is fibre and fuel that nourishes the good bacteria. Great examples are pumpkin, sweet potato or psyllium husk.

– and, lastly, postbiotics – these are bioactive substances which assist digestive function and provide nutrients like vitamins, amino acids or fatty acids. They are usually left over after the probiotics have done their thing with the prebiotics, but if you’re looking for an extra option then nutritional yeast is one that you may be familiar with.

Not everyone has time to make a balanced homemade diet for their dog, but there are some excellent quality premade lightly cooked fresh diets now available in Australia. And, if you’ve been thinking about adding a daily supplement, then Zesty Paws Pre, Post & Probiotic Chews are a simple and practical way that you can supplement your dog’s diet to help improve their gut health. I love that they are Australian-made and don’t need to be kept in the fridge.

Check them out at Zesty Paws and use our code VETINAVAN20 for 20% off