Your dog has a unique collection of different types of single celled microorganisms in its digestive tract, referred to as the gut microbiome. Gut bacteria are crucial for digestion and obtaining nutrients from the food your dog eats. From weight to mental health your dog’s microbiome affects almost every aspect of their health and happiness. When gut bacteria are out of balance disorders such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) irritable bowel and diarrhea can result. Modern society is seeing a rise in microbiome-associated disorders not only in our dogs but within ourselves. So how can we help take care of our dogs’ digestive health?

Feeding our dogs a well balanced diet, like Heed Foods Cod, Peas, and Apple formula, one created from high quality ingredients that has a source of probiotics is the key to maintaining not only the overall health and wellness of your dog but is the most important thing you can do to maintain a proper gut microbiome. Probiotics are colonies of living organisms that are beneficial to a well-balanced gut flora. Natural foods that are probiotic rich such as apples, kelp and flaxseed just to name a few, and can be found in Heed Foods’ formulas. Carbohydrates that contain fiber also play a healthy role in digestion and bowel health and research has shown that they are a great tool in regulating bowel movements and for weight control. By feeding your dog high quality food that incorporates natural probiotics as well as carbohydrates from real food sources you are helping your dog to maintain a healthy gut everyday.