Probiotics are living microorganisms that aid in digestion, help in absorbing the nutrients in our pet’s food effectively and helps in boosting the immune system. These living bacteria help the intestines break down food.
Probiotics are beneficial bacteria used for the prevention and treatment of yeast infections.
Probiotics can cause side effects such as gas and diarrhoea. These symptoms may go away with continued use. This is where Marlo’s Gut Health powder can help as the four herbs (Slippery Elm, Dandelion root, Marshmallow root and Milk Thistle) when mixed to form a creamy paste coats the lining of the digestive tract and reduces the inflammation and acts almost like an internal bandage when mixed with water. It coats and soothes the stomach and digestive tract to help your pet feel better very quickly.
Probiotics for dogs are live organisms that provide health benefits. These good bacteria are found in your dog’s gut, in fermented foods and in supplements.
Beneficial bacteria have a few key jobs in your dog’s body. They help:
- Digest food
- Produce key vitamins (including vitamin K and B vitamins)
- Produce serotonin and influence mood
- Reduce the gut pH & promote overall gut health
- Crowd out harmful bacteria
- Produce enzymes
- Produce fatty acids that discourage the growth of harmful bacteria
- Support the immune system
Prebiotics are made up of carbohydrates that the body cannot digest. They exist as food for the probiotic bacteria that goes into your dog’s body. The use of prebiotics and probiotics together is called microbiome therapy. You don’t need to take a prebiotic for probiotics to work but taking both might make your probiotics more effective. Most dogs and cats’ benefit from probiotic supplementation HOWEVER, if your pet has any kind of Gastro-Intestinal conditions or upset, prebiotics can make the situation worse.
Small Intestinal Bacteria Overgrowth (SIBO)
Most of your dog’s bacteria are meant to live in their colon. Small Intestinal Bacteria Overgrowth ( SIBO) happens when abnormally large numbers of bacteria are found in the small intestine. These bacteria can interfere with digestion and nutrient absorption in the small intestine. SIBO can be caused by a few factors, including:
- Diets that are high in sugar and carbohydrates
- Reduced gut motility
- Drugs that disrupt the microbiome (antibiotics and steroids)
Apparently according to research around 80% of dogs with chronic digestive issues actually have SIBO. The symptoms of SIBO include:
- Chronic or intermittent diarrhoea
- Weight loss
- Gastresophophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- Gas
- IBS (or inflammatory bowel disease)
- Food intolerances
- Skin issues
- Leaky gut
Because SIBO is an overgrowth of bacteria, giving your dog probiotics will be like adding fuel to the fire … depending on the probiotic. So, if your dog’s symptoms get worse with probiotics, it could be a sign he has SIBO.
Sadly, some dogs are just genetically prone to have GI issues, as was the case with Marlo. It does not mean that you as at pet parent are doing the wrong thing but I know how difficult it is to work out the cause, get the right diagnosis and then learn to manage the symptoms. This is the reason behind Marlo’s Gut Health Powder. It’s not a cure but it is a all natural aid to managing Gut issues. Its quick acting and settles inflammation and soothes their tummy which makes your best friend feel so much better. That’s all we want for our furry friend.🐶
Of course, you should always consult your Vet to discuss the management of your pet’s health. I am not a Professional and my knowledge in the above is purely from my own personal experience with Marlo who had so many GI issues and having to navigate all the different therapies holistic and conventional, diets, medications just to give him the best chance to live a happy life.
