Have You Heard Of The Microbiome?
This is a #sponsored post for Procanicare but all views are my own!
The microbiome is the collective term for the organisms that live in our pet’s intestines. Bacteria, viruses, fungi and other lifeforms are all thriving in there! In fact there are TEN TIMES more microbial cells living in the guts than there are cells in the body! (They are much smaller which is why they don’t take over!
This incredible internal ecosystem helps our pets in the most remarkable ways, from digesting food to protecting them from illness and even influencing how the rest of the body functions
The bugs live off the food our dogs eat but they don’t steal nutrition, in fact they give it back! The byproducts of the bacterial digestion give our pets nourishment they wouldn’t otherwise be able to access like essential fatty acids, vitamins and antioxidants
They are also a vital part of the body’s immune system, protecting our dogs from invading pathogens as well as strengthening their other defences. There is even a suggestion the microbiome could influence our pets behaviour but that research is in its very early stages
We are very much at the beginning of our journey into learning all incredible ways the microbiome influences our dog’s heath and there is a great deal we don’t know but there is loads we DO know
We know that every dog has their own unique microbiome, there is no one ‘perfect’ balance that gives good health. However, there are bacteria that are more likely to be present in a healthy microbiome and we know how to help them flourish
We also know the kinds of things that can have a negative impact on the microbiome and therefore on our dogs themselves. Age, stressful events like kennel stays or long car journeys, antibiotics and obesity can all upset the gut
And we know that good quality gut support products can help redress these issues, allow the microbiome to thrive and have a fabulously positive impact on our dogs overall health
If you are considering using something like this to support your dog, always chose a brand backed up by solid clinical research from a reputable company
If you would like to know more about the microbiome, intestinal health and how to help your dog, speak to your vet and ask for their advice and you can also visit the Procanicare website!
This is the first in a series of posts about the microbiome and how amazing it is, look out for more coming soon!
This is a #sponsored post for Procanicare but all views are my own!
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