Restore Dog Gut Health with Animal Biome

We have an exciting new product in the Grand Dog shop!  This product is unlike any other products we have. 

This product provides you with tools to assess your dogs gut environment and knowledge to help get to the root of many chronic issues dogs experience.

We believe this will be a valuable tool for you in monitoring your dog's health and get answers that you may not be getting from the vet's office.

 INTRODUCING: ANIMAL BIOME DOGGY GUT HEALTH TEST

We were first introduced to Animal Biome in 2019 at the Raw and Natural Dog Summit in Chicago.  I was drawn to this concept of gut testing, despite the gross way of going about it (stool testing 😵).  But it made so much sense to me.

Research is consistently showing the importance of a healthy gut and how it directly affects a dog's overall health. Creating a healthy gut environment is the foundation of your dog's immune system.  Approximately 70-80% of immune cells live in the gut. 

Poor gut health is connected to many of the ailments affecting dogs today: obesity, allergies, premature aging, yeast infections, chronic digestive issues. 

Animal Biome has always been in the back of our minds as something that would provide great value to our #granddograwpack.  Greg and Joy connected with them again in 2023 at the Global Pet Expo.  After meeting with the team, we decided to include their tests and supplement line in our shop.  Starting first with Doggy Biome.

WHY WE BELIEVE IN THIS PRODUCT

If we know that the state of our dogs gut can tell us so much about their health, it only makes sense to have that information in front of us so we can act accordingly.  

We have endless conversations with people who are frustrated.  Their dog seems to be allergic to everything.  Or their pups loose stool/diarrhea never seems to go away. Constantly dealing with itching and skin issues. 

These are all signs of a gut imbalance.  Without addressing the imbalance of the gut environment, these symptoms may continue no matter how you try to tackle them.

An imbalanced gut is one that has not enough good bacteria, too much bad bacteria, and/or there is not enough diversity of the good bacteria.  Factors like disease, age, diet, stress, and medications—especially antibiotics—can cause an imbalance in your dog’s gut.

The Doggy Biome Gut Health Test takes the guess work out and provides a comprehensive look at your pups gut environment.  This allows you to make an educated decision on how to tackle your pups persistent issues.

Restoring balance in the gut environment can help ease or eliminate these symptoms while also strengthening immune function in your dog.  

THE PROCESS

We tested three dogs; two that are raw fed using food from our shop.  The third dog is fed kibble along with scraps from the little humans in his family.

We will share the results from all three dogs in other posts, but today we are going to focus again on Doozer, my 10 year old Golden Doodle. 

(ICYMI: we also tested Doozer's Essential Vitamin Levels recently.  READ HERE FOR THE RESULTS)

Everything you need comes with the kit along with easy to follow instructions from beginning to end.  

The hardest part is catching your dog in the act of pooping while also having the time take the sample.  I found every time Doozer went to the bathroom, I was in the middle of making dinner (not an ideal time to take a stool sample 😂😩) or other activities and I couldn't get to it right away.

You will need approximately 20 - 30 minutes to take the sample and complete the steps to get it ready for mailing.

I would recommend going over all the pamphlets when you first get your kit.  Familiarize yourself with the process, so when it's time to take the sample you are prepared.

IMPORTANT: If you are giving your dog probiotics, stop 24 hours before testing.  Once you have taken the sample, you can resume probiotics.  Because I had issues finding a good time to complete the process, Doozer was off probiotics for about 3-4 weeks.  For Doozer (as you will see in his results), this was totally fine to do.

The Steps: 

1. Collect

   The gut health test kit includes everything you’ll need to collect a small sample of your dog’s stool, including detailed instructions.

2. Register

   Create an account at app.animalbiome.com, complete your dog’s profile, and enter the six-character ID code listed on the front of your instruction guide.

3. Send

   The kit includes a pre-addressed mailer to send back your sample.

4. Analysis

   Using the latest scientific innovations and techniques, AnimalBiome’s scientists identify the types and proportions of the bacteria found in your dog’s sample and prepare your dog’s unique report.

5. Results

   In about 2-3 weeks (from when they receive your sample), you will receive an email notification when your test results are ready. Access your dog’s report via their online Pet Portal.

Once your results are complete, they will email them to you.  You will then have the opportunity to set up a 15 minute complimentary consultation with a Licensed Vet Tech to go over the report. 

The consult needs to be scheduled within 60 days of the published test report date.

DOOZER'S RESULTS

First, here is a little bit about Doozer: 

Age: 10 Years Old (as of March 2023)

Breed: Golden Doodle (mom was a Golden Retriever and dad was a Poodle)

Diet: Raw dog food since eight weeks old.  Doozer has been eating the food found in our shop from Dogs Choice since the day he first came home with us.

He has never eaten kibble in his life.  

He is given a daily rotation of Four Leaf Rover Protect Soil Based Pre & Probiotics or Adored Beast Love Bugs Pre & Probiotics.

Along with his raw dog food, he gets a rotation of fibre either through our Veggie Raw Dog food blends or I'll add in some fruits and veggies myself.

The fibre rich foods I give him regularly are: apples, blueberries, spinach, pumpkin, kale, strawberries, cucumber. 

Here is a snapshot of Doozer's Gut Health Test results: 

Other items included in the report that I am not showing here:  

• recommendations on how to support your dog's gut based on their report
• suggested items that would address your dog's specific requirements
• Insight into how your dog's food is influencing the bacteria in your dogs gut and changes you can make based on their test results

AFTER THE TEST

Once the test is complete, you have had your consult, and you have made the necessary adjustments now is the time to wait.  Change takes time.

After 30-60 days you can retest to see what changes have occurred after implementing the recommendations.  

This test can be used once a year to monitor your dog.  As mentioned before, the gut environment is always changing.  Testing is especially important after life changes like rounds of medications/antibiotics, a diagnosis, change of environment or food.  

This is a tool to not only help heal chronic symptoms and illness but to monitor your dogs health to prevent illness and chronic conditions from popping up.  Knowledge is power and knowledge can help better inform our decisions for our furry family members.   

We hope that you will share in the excitement of this new addition!  Feel free to ask any questions in the comments below or send us an email at info@granddog.ca .

Thanks for being here and taking the time to read our blog post!  

Amanda Monsma (she/her)

amandam@granddog.ca

If you liked this, you might also like: 

What is High Quality Protein for Dogs and Cats?

Tips for Feeding a Blended Diet of Kibble and Raw Dog food

Probiotics & Prebiotics: Why They are Essential for your Dogs Health

How to Manage your Dogs Weight with a Raw Dog Food Diet

Disclaimer: All information presented on this website is for informational and/or educational purposes only and based on our experience and those shared by our clients. These statements have not been evaluated by a veterinarian. This website is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease and is not intended to be a substitute or replacement for any medical treatment. Please seek the advice of a holistic veterinarian for your dog’s specific health concerns.