healthy VITALITY

THE DIGESTIVE TRACT OF YOUR DOG is a vital component of his well-being. Almost 70 percent of a dog’s immune system is in the digestive tract, so it is
important it stays healthy.

Maintaining a strong digestive tract can be done in several ways, including:

• integrating prebiotics and probiotics into the diet
• offering highly digestible meals
• keeping your dog’s snout out of the garbage can
• avoiding fatty snacks
• including fibre in your dog’s food

PROBIOTICS
Probiotics are living micro-organisms that help keep a healthy balance of bacteria in
the body. The living probiotic is able to survive digestion and work in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract to suppress unhealthy bacteria. Canine-specific probiotics are available through your veterinarian in the form of a nutritional supplement.

Dr. David Kozuch, a technical services veterinarian warns that “When the immune system isn’t optimally supported by good digestion and a healthy GI tract, our pets can be more susceptible to diseases, and not be as well protected by vaccines.”

Once the probiotics have been restored in your dog, your dog should be fed a dog food containing prebiotics to maintain a healthy digestive system.

PREBIOTICS
There are over 500 species of bacteria in a dog’s GI tract and prebiotics help to keep
the tract healthy.

FOS (fructooligosaccharides) is an example of a prebiotic nutritional fibre. This fibre promotes the growth of good bacteria in the digestive tract and can be found in some dog foods.

Dr. Kozuch explains, “The GI tract needs to be very healthy to have a healthy, resilient, happy dog. Prebiotics nourish beneficial bacteria, maintaining a healthy balance in the GI tract, and therefore support the immune system, and keep a dog ‘regular’. That makes poop and scoop a lot easier.”

SYMPTOMS
There are several signs to look for when it comes to GI troubles:

• vomiting
• diarrhea
• inconsistent stools
• weight loss
• less energy
• poor coat (not shiny)
  

If your dog is exhibiting one or more of these signs, a trip to the veterinarian is a good idea.

BLOCKAGES
Intestinal blockages are serious and dangerous. Dogs are curious beings and tend to ingest items they shouldn’t, such as coins, stones, marbles, beads and pieces of toys. Certain dog chews and rawhides can also cause intestinal blockages.

The symptoms of a blockage can worsen quickly so do not hesitate when it comes to making an appointment with your veterinarian.

FIBRE
Fibre is a vital ingredient in maintaining a healthy digestive system. There are two types of fibre.

Nonfermentable: remains undigested and provides bulk to help move waste through the intestines.

Fermentable: is digested and provides energy to the cells that line the intestine.

It is best to give your dog a dog food that contains moderately fermentable fibre.