5 Steps to Restoring your pets Gut Health If you read and enjoyed our last blog, about the scoop on your dogs poop then this will definitely catch your attention!!
All of those symptoms are those of Gut Health Issues!! Could your dog be affected?! A healthy dog has a normal amount of flora in their intestines, consisting of 80% beneficial bacteria! When your dogs body runs low on flora, it makes it harder for your pet to digest his/her food and even causing internal reactions (throwing up etc.) Poor Nutrition is one of the main causes of these issues, Healthy gut bacteria in the gut produce enzymes that improve digestion and the absorption of nutrients, decrease the risk of chronic diseases such as colitis and IBS (irritable bowel syndrome). These conditions are very uncomfortable for your pet and may lead to worse infections such as urinary tract, constipation, skin problems and poor immune function, kidney failure etc. Results of untreated gut health issues can be fatal!! This is WHY we must make sure our pets are getting the nutrients they need!! How?! Here are 5 tips to Restoring your pets Gut Health!!!  1. Go Grain FreeAlthough many people still feed their pets grain infused kibble, there is proof that states grains are inflammatory for many pets. In addition, grains are one of the top ingredients that can cause sensitivities and allergies in pets. While some dogs can process grains easily, there are many canines that cannot. Therefore, eliminating grains is an easy first step to take if your dog is suffering from gut-related problems.  2. Feed them a Raw Food Diet Have you tried feeding your dog raw?? Raw food meals have digestive enzymes that break down food inside your dogs stomach so that it can be absorbed and utilized by the body. Raw food contains abundant enzymes which supplement those produced by the body. When your dog eats RAW it receives plenty of enzymes from the natural ingredients, supplements are always welcome to add if needed! When dogs eat cooked food, which is devoid of enzymes, the enzyme-producing organs must work overtime to compensate. It doesn't matter what you put into the body if the digestive system is not equipped with enough enzymes to break it down and process it!! Read More on the Benefits of Feeding Your Dog Raw on our previous blog post!  3. Try Adding Supplements!!  There are many additives that will improve and restore your pets digestive health, without changing the diet too much asides from removing grains and any bad ingredients! In our store we carry Flora 4, it Is the digestive enzyme that your pets body needs!! You can add Flora4 to every meal to supply all your dog’s non-meat nutritional requirements. Or if you already mix foods like tripe, green leafy & root vegetables into your dog’s raw diet, try using Flora4 every couple of days to “fill in the gaps”. That way, you can be sure that you’re not missing any essential vitamins & minerals with your homemade recipes. Flora4 is extremely versatile. It can be sprinkled into raw, home-cooked food or commercial kibble to boost nutrition and complete the diet. If your main pet food contains vitamin/mineral additives, then you should consider supplementing the diet with doses of Flora4 every day or two, to make sure your pet is getting really bio-available nutrients from food – not just synthetics. Flora4 contains guaranteed levels of live probiotics (18 billion cfu/kg) and enzymes (1 million U/kg); effective doses of 26 essential vitamins & minerals; and high levels of Omega 6 & 3 fatty acids – all from raw food – that combine to provide a variety of health benefits for dogs and cats. Ingredients: ground organic sprouted seeds (barley, flax, green and red lentils).  4. Pumpkin!!Delicious for both pets and humans!!! Pumpkin is Good for both diarrhea and constipation both caused by gastrointestinal issues or other gut health related problems.. canned pumpkin (not raw, not the sugary, spicy pie filling) is loaded with fiber and beta-carotene, which the body converts to vitamin A. Don't give your pup a lot of it—too much is highly toxic to dogs —but a couple of teaspoons a day for little pups, or a couple of tablespoons for the big ones should be a good amount!!  5. Homeopathic Remedies! Talk to the Pro's!If you are worried about your pets symptoms but aren't sure if its diet related or worse, don't hesitate to Come into our holistic pet store where one of our pet health consultants can give you the appropriate remedy for your dog’s individual condition. We also do One on One health consultations as we know discussing your pets life takes time and listening ears!! Diarrhea and vomiting can be symptomatic of many conditions. All the above remedies can be helpful in restoring gastrointestinal health, but all acute conditions should be seen by your veterinarian. Consider an annual wellness check-up for your animal so you can catch any potentially serious problems early. 
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 As a caring dog owner, I look at my dog’s stool each day to know exactly what’s going on with his body (just kidding...sort of just kidding...maybe every other day). A lot can be discovered by just taking a look! Your dog’s poop provides you with clues that will help you to determine how they are digesting their food. Is your dog healthy? Did he or she eat something they shouldn’t have? (socks, sticks, toys.. they eat anything and everything) Every animal is an individual and they have specific dietary requirements. Understanding what your dog’s poop is telling you will help you adjust the diet to suit their needs. We only want our fur baby's to be happy and healthy!!  Small Firm PoopThis is a normal, ideal poop for your dog. This Stool...
This stool is indicative of the small amount of waste produced by a dog or cat that is using much of the nutrients they take in. All that is left is a small amount of waste. The colour can vary depending on what your dog is eating, but the size and firmness is key when classifying a healthy poop.
Large & Soggy PoopWe often refer to this stool as “kibble poop”. This stool has a very pungent and offensive scent and leaves a residue when it is picked up. You’ll know when you step on one of these, as it will follow you everywhere. The large size of this stool indicates a pet that is not fully digesting their food. The waste is full of nutrients that the body wasn’t able to absorb. This is also why your dog enjoys the kitty litter buffet. They are enjoying all of the undigested material that your cat has left for them.
Diarrhea vs Loose StoolIt is important to distinguish between diarrhea and loose stool when assessing the health of your pet. Dogs and cats that are experiencing diarrhea often don’t have the ability to control their bowel movements. This stool has no form and can sometimes be explosive. Plus it may mean that your pet is likely to be dehydrated and lethargic and you should be prepared to seek veterinary advice. Loose stool, on the other hand, is soft and sometimes unformed, but it is usually not a medical concern. These stools have a number of causes including stress and eating something that didn’t agree with them. Diet related causes include too much fat, above ground vegetables, fruit, or poor water quality. Medications and toxins in the environment can also loosen stool. It is important to determine the cause in order to responsibly monitor the situation.
It is important to monitor your pet’s overall health to ensure that you don’t miss a serious condition. While most owners will experience several of these examples throughout the life of their pet, veterinary care is recommended if an unhealthy poop is coupled with other symptoms or if the problem persists for longer than 24 hours. Other symptoms may include vomiting, lethargy, abnormal gum colour (pale or blue/purplish), dehydration, not drinking/eating, restlessness, increased respiratory or heart rate, etc. It’s always better to be on the alert side of caution than to miss a serious condition and not get to the vet on time. The Best Kind of Poop is Raw Food PoopThinking of feeding your dog raw? Here are some of the changes that occur with your dogs bowel movements!! Raw food diets usually produce..
Some people have gone back to feeding kibble, because no one explained that their dog’s poop would radically change on a raw food diet! On a raw diet, multiple piles of soft, stinky poop from dry kibble is a thing of the past. Please remember to pick up your dog’s poop. Earth Rated Poop Bags and other reliable bio degradable bags are available with a handy dispenser and refill rolls. Sold in our store!!! Ask us about unscented and compostable options as well!!
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