Gut health has become an increasingly prevalent conversation topic. You are unlikely to go anywhere without being reminded about probiotic supplements advertised or seeing your friends tout their latest “gut-health” tea at dinner parties.
Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that keep harmful bacteria at bay and enhance gut function, commonly used as therapies for diarrhea and gastrointestinal distress. Recent research shows they can also aid urinary tract infections, anxiety disorders and immune system disorders.
Contents
1. Yogurt
Probiotic bacteria found in yogurt can help rebalance and improve your pup’s gut flora, as well as providing calcium and protein sources. It’s also an ideal treat option!
Yogurt can help maintain healthy gut flora and can prevent digestive issues like diarrhea or constipation in dogs. When selecting plain or low-fat yogurt for this purpose, ensure it doesn’t contain added sweeteners that could interfere with probiotic effectiveness.
Look for yogurt that contains Bifidobacterium animalis as it helps crowd out unfriendly bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract, has been shown to reduce inflammation associated with digestive diseases, boost immunity, reduce stress and anxiety in dogs due to its role in gut-brain axis, etc.
2. Kefir
Kefir is a fermented milk which contains beneficial bacteria and yeasts. Research shows it to help establish and support a healthy gut microbiome as well as boost immunity by providing probiotic bacteria such as Enterococci (E. coli), Lactobacillus, and Bifidobacterium; furthermore it’s rich source of Vitamins B12 and D and known to prevent gastrointestinal disturbances while managing bad breath, maintaining stool quality, and strengthening immunity.
Start slowly when giving kefir to your dog, adding small amounts to their meals gradually to avoid digestive upset and allow time for adjustment. As with all new foods, be on the lookout for any signs of intolerance or allergy; make sure it contains no onion, garlic and chives which could potentially be toxic; look for products which list specific bacterial strains and species and avoid products with artificial sweeteners or added sugars as much as possible.
3. Fermented Vegetables
Fermentation is an excellent natural method for producing probiotics – healthy bacteria known as probiotics – which promote a balanced gut environment, aid digestion and inhibit the formation of problematic organisms in your dog’s gut health. Think of probiotics as the superheroes of his gut health!
Thurner began making fermented vegetables from her kitchen scraps to give her dogs an additional probiotic boost, as well as break down vegetable scraps more easily so they could digest and absorb. This practice helped strengthen both their digestive health and that of their pups!
When purchasing commercially made fermented vegetables, look for products with a high CFU count. At least 10 billion CFU should be present if treating digestive or immune conditions such as food allergies or yeast infections; higher counts (up to 50 billion) may also be beneficial if treating specific digestive or immune ailments like food allergies or yeast infections.
Lacto-fermented sauerkraut is an easy and convenient probiotic source, featuring Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus bacteria strains as well as Saccharomyces boulardii probiotic strains which have been shown to effectively treat intestinal parasites and leaky gut.
4. Burdock Root
Burdock root is an excellent liver tonic and blood cleanser that can improve liver function while eliminating toxins from the system. Additionally, burdock is often recommended to combat inflammation conditions as well as skin issues like dry, scruffy coats, sores or boils in dogs. Furthermore, burdock is one of the safest herbs you can give to your pet (although beware if your pup is diabetic or pregnant).
Burdock root contains inulin, an effective prebiotic that boosts beneficial gut bacteria by increasing secretion of digestive enzymes and improving nutrient absorption. Burdock contains vitamins C, E and B1 along with calcium, chromium, magnesium potassium zinc iron selenium selenium as well as an abundance of antioxidative chemicals like superoxide dismutase for protecting against oxidative stress. We combine burdock with chlorella and bentonite clay tincture in Protect formula tincture which helps bind heavy metals or toxic materials for safe removal from our bodies while being available tincture form makes this perfect to use on pet skin or mixed into food or even used brewed as tea!
