It’s the New Year, and chances are you set a personal resolution you’re determined to keep — meal prep on Sundays, read one book per month, start going to yoga (again) – and if you’re a pet parent, you want to ensure your fur-friend kicks off the new year right, too. When setting New Year’s resolutions for your dog, you may find your goals aren’t so different after all! Here are three ways you and your dog can work together to maintain and promote a healthy gut so you can both have your best year yet.

The Importance of Gut Health

It is a well-known fact that a healthy digestive system is essential for all-round wellbeing, as it plays a role within the entire body. There are trillions of microorganisms that live inside your dog’s digestive tract –This collection of bacteria and microbes is known as the gut microbiome, and has effects on weight, digestion, nutrient absorption, and even mental health. An unbalanced microbiome can cause disorders, such as inflammatory bowel disease, immune system reactions and diabetes. To prevent disorders, it’s extremely important to ensure the levels of bacteria that live and work in the gut, the ‘microbiome’, are as it should be. 

4 Simple Ways to Improve Your Pup’s Gut Flora

1. Feed your pup variety.

Dogs are carnivores by nature and require meat protein in order to maintain optimal health. Raw meats, organs, and bones with organic fruits, vegetables, and food-based vitamins provide a nutrient-dense diet. Raw meat contains live enzymes that create a perfect environment for complete digestibility and absorption of nutrients. 

2. Introduce Prebiotics and probiotics.

Probiotics are often recommended to help restore balance in the digestive system after an upset stomach, and particularly after a course of antibiotics that, by their very nature, kill bacteria (and are not very selective about it). Probiotics make the process of breaking down and digesting food work smoothly and efficiently; while prebiotics allow beneficial gut bacteria to grow and thrive. 

One of our favorite food toppers that aids in supporting and maintaining healthy gut flora is Animal Essentials Healthy Gut Tincture. This all-natural, inulin-rich prebiotic is made using special types of fiber derived from chicory root, marshmallow root, fennel seed, and yucca root that help to supply nutrients to the strains of bacteria already thriving in a dog’s digestive tract. And as we just mentioned, when these beneficial bacteria are healthy, they have a positive effect on digestive health in the GI tract and the overall health of your pets.

3. ADD BONE BROTH TO THEIR FOOD TO INCREASE NUTRIENT ABSORPTION. 

Bone Broth provides collagen through its easily digestible liquid gelatin. The collagen contains antioxidants, mainly glutathione, which helps to detoxify the liver and restore the gut lining. Adding bone broth to your pet’s meals increases the absorption of nutrients and creates the perfect environment for gut flora to thrive. It’s also rich in amino acids, including glycine, which is known for anti-aging benefits.

*Added bonus: Bone broth helps your pet obtain their daily need for moisture!

4. MAINTAIN DAILY EXERCISE AND PLAY TO REDUCE STRESS.

Boost your pup’s physical and mental health with exercise and playtime. Every dog is different when it comes to their recommended level of exercise, and their needs will change throughout their lives, so it’s important to find the right level of activity for the life stage of your fur baby to ensure you aren’t over-exhausting them. Reducing stress via exercise will not only keep them entertained and fit, but also curb the amount of cortisol their body creates. This hormone can weaken the immune system and cause inflammation. Offering toys and other animals to engage with can also help your pupper stay fit and feel their best!