Hundreds of bacteria live inside your dog’s digestive tract. This collection of different microorganisms is called the gut microbiome. The gut microbiome affects your dog’s weight, digestion, nutrient absorption, and even mental health.
An unbalanced microbiome can lead to severe conditions like inflammatory bowel disease. As a pet parent, you must prevent these disorders and enhance your dog’s gut health and digestion. We list ten tips for dogs’ better digestive well-being.
Provide High-Quality Nutrition
Proper nutrition is the base of your pet’s good gut health. So, providing them with a well-balanced and high-quality diet is crucial. Select pet food with natural, healthful components and a few fillers or artificial additives.
Also, search for choices that balance proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, and minerals, customized to your pet’s specific requirements. Of course, as with any diet alteration, you should consult your veterinarian before introducing an alternative diet for pets. The doctor will provide guidance and recommend appropriate foods for your pet based on their breed, age, weight, and other relevant factors.
Do Regular Exercise
A dog’s digestive system can store much food for extensive periods. This food slowly converts into energy depending on the dog’s physical output. Exercise or energy consumption accelerates the digestive cycle, converting food into caloric energy. Ensure dogs get the correct number of calories and energy from their diet.
Provide Freedom from Stress
Stressed-out or anxious dogs develop unusual eating behaviours. Dogs often chew improbable things, and this can disrupt their digestive tract. Calming components like chamomile, valerian root, and hemp all help to enhance your dog’s mood. They also allow him to relax and maintain good health. Dogs view you as their best friend, so offer your ears and help them solve their problems by staying by their side during times of need.
Use Probiotics
Probiotics are beneficial microbes for dogs. When these organisms live in your dog’s gut, they can transform fiber and plant-based sugars into vitamins and fatty acids. In this way, these small organisms can improve your dog’s biochemistry. Probiotics can also aid in the prevention of respiratory tract and urogenital infections.
Probiotics are often found in meats and yoghurts, but now they are available in many dog food supplements and toppers. Using these supplements is simple, and your dog will get the beneficial microbes it needs.
Use Prebiotics
Prebiotics are non-digestible fibers. They act as nutrition for the advantageous microorganisms in your pet’s gut. They also help to promote the development and activity of these friendly bacteria.
If you want to add prebiotics to your pet’s diet, the most natural approach is to feed them sweet potatoes, oats, and bananas. You can also give your pet a supplement with both prebiotics and probiotics.
Use Fermented Foods
Beneficial bacteria can eat prebiotics through fermentation. This produces many health-promoting elements called postbiotics, such as short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). Fermented foods are good due to their high postbiotic content, which is crucial for digestion, immune cell production, nervous system function, and overall body health.
Canine-fermented food is beneficial, too. Dogs can safely consume low-salt sauerkraut, unsweetened yoghurt, kefir, apple cider vinegar, tempeh, and MSG-free miso in small amounts. You can find simple fermented vegetable recipes that are tailored especially for dogs online.
Choose Smart Supplements
You can only add supplements to your dog’s diet if you pay full attention to it. Consult your vet about your dog’s supplement requirements, and if the answer is yes, then select them carefully.
Sardine Oil and Cold-Pressed Hemp Seed Oil are 100% natural and made with human-grade constituents. They contain high amounts of omega-3 fatty acids like EPA and DHA, which support immunity and keep the heart healthy. The sole distinction between them is that one is vegan, and the other is comprised of fish!