What you need to know about pet gut health and how to support it
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The digestive system or gut is responsible for doing so much more than digesting food. A whole ecosystem of microbiomes resides inside the winding tubes of the gut. Providing the right supply of food and environment to these tiny organisms is crucial for maintaining optimal pet gut health. Keep reading to learn the significance of pet gut health.
The Benefits Of Health Gut For Pets
- Gut health can significantly impact pets’ overall well-being, similar to humans. Optimal gut health can provide various benefits to your pet, including:
Improved Immune Functions
- The gastrointestinal tract serves as the largest immune organ in the body; at least 70% of pets’ immune system is in their guts. Therefore, the better the gut health, the better the pet can fight infections and diseases.
Stronger Bones And Joints
- The digestive system’s role is to digest and supply nutrients in food to the body. Additionally, it is also responsible for synthesizing some nutrients on its own. For instance, the good bacteria in the gut produce vitamin K.
Vitamin K plays an essential role in calcium metabolism. Moreover, the digestive enzymes break down and absorb minerals from the food, resulting in stronger pet bones and joints.
Supports Improved Dental Health
- Since the mouth is a part of the GI tract, the microbiome living there can significantly impact your pet’s oral and dental health. For instance, healthy oral bacteria help keep off bad breath and a host of dental issues.
Increased Energy
- Pets with healthy guts are generally more active. This is because, in addition to absorbing nutrients from food, healthy gut bacteria produce B vitamins, contributing to overall energy levels.
Weight Management
- Another noteworthy advantage of good gut health is weight management. A healthy gut helps to keep blood sugar levels in check by keeping them in a healthy range. In addition, it produces satiety hormones which signal the brain that the stomach is full, reducing the need to eat more food. This ensures that your pet enjoys its food without being left with the need to want more. These factors combine to keep your pet’s weight in an optimal range.
Balanced Emotions
- It may come as a surprise, but gut microbiome can help regulate a pet’s mood and emotions. For example, healthy gut bacteria actively produce neurotransmitters such as serotonin which make your pet feel good and reduce anxiety and stress by regulating the cortisol hormone.
Tips To Support Your Pet’s Gut Health
Here are simple tips to improve your pet’s gut health and relieve digestive issues:
Prebiotics And Probiotics Supplements
- Probiotics are the healthy gut bacteria, and prebiotics is the food those bacteria need to thrive in your gut. So you can support a healthy gut biome by giving prebiotic and probiotic supplements to your pet.
High-Quality Pet Diet
- A well-balanced diet with the right proportions of protein and fiber support healthy digestion and a happy gut.
Treat Food Allergies
- Like humans, pets are sensitive to some food ingredients. Therefore, consuming these foods can lead to food allergies and pet intolerances. Work with your vet to identify the problematic ingredients and watch out for the signs of allergies.
Decrease Stress
- Healthy bacteria present outside in nature can also support a healthier microbiome. So, frequently take your pet for a walk or hike in the natural surroundings.
If your pet has digestive issues, contact Autumn Trails and Veterinary Center. We provide comprehensive pet care and strategies to promote optimal pet health. Contact us to get precise guidelines for your pet. We are located in Charlottesville, VA. Appointments are conveniently available. Call us at (434) 971-9800.
