Alongside a well-balanced diet, one way to support their microbiome, or “good bacteria” is by incorporating pre and probiotics into their diet. In this blog, we’ll explore the benefits of pre and probiotics for dogs, how they work, and how you can introduce them into your dog’s daily routine.

So whether you’re dealing with digestive issues or simply looking to boost your pet’s health, pre and probiotics might be the answer you’ve been searching for!

What are prebiotics and probiotics?

Probiotics are live bacteria, often referred to as “the good bacteria”, and can be found to have various health benefits which contribute to healthy gut function, enabling proper digestion and boosting the immune system.

While probiotics are naturally occurring in the body, they can be supplemented to manipulate the gut bacteria to a more favourable balance of good bacteria.

Prebiotics are “the food” for the probiotics. They are specialised fibres that help support the probiotics already present in the gut. They act as nourishment for the probiotics, stimulating their growth and aiding their effectiveness.

Why are pre and probiotics important for dogs?

Promoting a well-balanced ecosystem of gut bacteria is fundamental for your pet to have a healthy gut and body. An imbalance can contribute to a range of common health challenges in pets such as digestive issues, allergies and weakened immunity. Probiotics can support the digestive system, helping with issues like diarrhoea, constipation and food sensitivities. They can also aid in supporting strengthening the immune system as well as skin and coat health.

In short, pre and probiotics are an essential part of a healthy gut and a happy, thriving pet.

How can pre and probiotics support behaviour in dogs?

The expansive microbiome support health benefits such as good digestion and strong immunity, but they can also play a role in dogs’ behaviour. As part of their metabolism, they communicate with the brain via neurotransmitters. The gut and brain can also communicate via neural and immune pathways in a two-way direction. This is known as the gut-brain axis.

Research is showing that the composition of the gut microbiome can have an effect on the cognitive abilities of dogs, and that a healthy gut microbiome could support positive behaviour in dogs.

What are the health benefits?

• Improved digestion
• Relief of diarrhoea and constipation  
• Can help support anxious dogs via the gut brain axis
• Can help with higher energy levels and alertness
• Helps boost the immune system
• Healthy skin
• A shiny, soft coat

Types of probiotic supplements for dogs

Probiotics for dogs can come in many forms, some of the most common are powders, pastes, chews and tablets. The best form of supplement will be down to your individual pet based on their preferences and needs. For help on choosing the right supplement, speak to your vet for advice.

One option is Omniflora, a symbiotic that combines probiotics, parabiotics, postbiotics, prebiotics, adsorbing agents, simple amino acids and electrolytes, in amounts that favour the balance of the microbiota, provide intestinal nutrition and support the restoration of electrolyte losses. Omniflora comes in paste and tablet form to cater to different pet preferences.

How to introduce probiotics into your pet’s routine

• Start with small doses to monitor tolerance.
• Mix with food or treats for easy consumption.
• Gradually increase the dose as recommended.

It is always best to consult your vet before starting your pet on any supplements, but when you have a plan in place, see our top tips on introducing them into your pet’s routine:

Do you have any questions on pet probiotics? Reach out to a member of our team today, or have a look at our probiotic for dogs, Omniflora, an excellent solution to support gastrointestinal health and balance.

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Although summer is a time for lots of fun, it also brings unique challenges to pet owners and their furry friends.

What seasonal stressors should you be on the lookout for? Read on to learn our top 5 hazards to pets this summer and how you can keep your pet happy and healthy all season long.

1. Ensure Proper Hydration

One of the most important summer pet care tips is ensuring proper hydration for your pet. Just like we need to up our fluid intake when it’s hot, your pet should have access to a constant supply of fresh water to prevent dehydration. Make sure to provide multiple water sources throughout your home and, if possible, in the shade outside too. For pets that live outdoors, such as some rabbits and guinea pigs, ensure that their water bottles remain topped up with ample amounts of water throughout the day and remember to replace this regularly to keep it fresh and cool.

What if your pet is reluctant to drink? Some animals, such as cats, require less water than others to stay hydrated, but they must be still offered a constant supply of water that they can easily access.

How can you encourage your pet to drink more?

• Regularly top up their water.
• Carry a water bottle and a convenient collapsible bowl on walks and when away from home.
• Consider using a pet water fountain to keep water moving and fresh. These are particularly popular among cats.
• For small animals, introduce leafy greens with a higher water content to their diet alongside their existing water supply.
• Use ice cubes or frozen water bottles to keep water cooler for longer, especially if you know you may not be around to replace it as frequently.

• Keep your pet cool

Keeping your pet cool during the hot summer months is essential to prevent heatstroke. Different pets require different methods of keeping cool, but all pets need access to a shaded resting place to escape the heat.

If you have a pet that lives outside, make sure that their home or hutch is situated out of the direct sunlight at peak times of day, and in the shade as frequently as possible. For dogs, cats and other pets that live indoors, make sure that they have access to the coolest rooms in your home. This could be tiled rooms, rooms with fans or just rooms that let the least direct sunlight in throughout the day. If you don’t have trees or other natural shrubbery providing shade, use umbrellas or tarp to make a shady area for your pet to rest outside the house. For birds, ensure their cages are kept out of direct sunlight and mist them lightly with water to help them cool off.

• Consider the time of day that you exercise your pet.

Exercising your pet is important for maintaining their health and happiness, but it can be more challenging to find the right time in the summer when working around more intense heat.

Early mornings and late evenings are typically the best time to take, or let, your pet out for some fresh air. If you aren’t an early riser, try going out with your pet as soon as possible, before the mid-day heat. The earlier you can get out with your pet, the less time the ground has to warm up, making it more comfortable for their sensitive paw pads. To test if the ground is safe to walk your dog on, place the back of your hand on the pavement to test ground heat. If the ground is uncomfortably hot for you, it’s uncomfortably hot for your pet too.

If you must go out in the heat of the day, consider protective boots for your pet, take plenty of water with you and avoid any high intensity exercise that could tire your pet.

• Don’t neglect the SPF

Did you know that pets can get sunburn?

Particularly for pets with short fur or a light-coloured coat, sunburn can be a real concern during the warmer months. Over exposure to the sun’s rays can lead to burns, skin damage and an increased risk of cancer in pets.

For dogs and cats, protect areas of exposed skin – such as the nose, ears and tummy – with a pet safe sunscreen. Apply the sunscreen before they go outside, as per the recommendations on the packaging.

Smaller animals and birds are also susceptible to sunburn, but it may be more of a challenge to douse them in sunscreen. This is when it’s especially important to place their cage or hut in the shade, especially during the peak hours of the day such as in the early afternoon.

If you do notice that your pet shows symptoms of sunburn or heatstroke, don’t delay getting help. Contact your vet if you have any major concerns about your pet’s health. Or, for superficial sunburn, use a high-quality wound healing cream to aid your pet’s recovery.

• Be on the watch for flystrike

Flystrike is a condition that can affect several pet species during the warmer months of the year. Small animals such as rabbits and guinea pigs are typically associated with the disease, but dogs are not immune. Flystrike occurs when flies lay eggs on an animal, and the larvae from these eggs burrow into the skin. This can cause severe pain, infection and even death if left untreated.

To prevent flystrike, maintain excellent hygiene for your pet. Ensure that their huts, cages and items such as blankets are clean. Frequent grooming and daily checks for signs of these eggs can help you notice and remove them before they burrow into the pet’s skin. In particular, check around some of the most common areas where flies might lay eggs, such as their bottom, open wounds, damp fur and skin, matted or tangled fur and skin folds. These areas are all ideal breeding grounds for flies, so make sure your pet’s fur is trimmed and dry, particularly in these areas.

In conclusion, ensuring that your pet is topped up with fresh water, shady spots, pet-safe sunscreen and regular exercise during the cool parts of the day will help them to remain happy and healthy all summer long.

Got any questions? Reach out to a member of our team today, or have a look at our wound healing cream, Omnimatrix, an excellent solution to cuts, grazes and sun damage.

Get in touch with a member of our team.

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The post Five Summer Pet Care Tips appeared first on Vita Animal Health .

First aid for a bleeding animal

1. Establish where the bleeding is coming from.
2. Apply firm pressure to the area with a clean cloth or towel where it is safe to do so.
3. Apply a bandage (see our bandaging guide) to the area if possible (unless the wound is around the neck).

First aid for an animal with a burn

1. Move your pet away from the cause of the burn.
2. Apply cold water (ideally running water) to the affected area for a minimum of 5 minutes.
3. DO NOT apply any creams or ointments until you have spoken to a vet.
4. Extensive burns can cause loss of fluid and be prone to infection. Keep the area clean and you may need to apply dressings.

First aid for a pet having seizures or loss of conciousness

1. Remain calm and quiet.
2. Do not try and restrain your pet.
3. Remove any objects from the immediate area to prevent injury.
4. If they are fitting, reduce all noise and light in the area to reduce stimulation.
5. If they have muscle tremors, keep them cool – open a window or use a quiet fan.
6. Make notes of the time, number of seizures or feinting episodes, how long each one lasted and what occurred (did your pet lose consciousness / paddle their legs / salivate / twitch etc).
7. If safe to do so, check the colour of their gums to see if they are red, pink, pale, bluish, yellow or brown.

First aid for pets with suspected broken bones

1. Avoid touching the area.
2. Be careful when moving your pet – you can try putting a towel under the belly to help them walk with an injured leg.
3. Do not try and apply a bandage or splint, or any cream or ointment.
4. Call your vet for advice and to request an appointment.

First aid for a pet who has had a bee/wasp sting

1. Apply cool water or ice to the area if possible.
2. Bee stings are barbed and usually left in the skin; try to remove the sting by scraping rather than pulling to avoid releasing more toxin.
3. Give calm, quiet reassurance.
4. Monitor for swelling, especially inside the mouth or around the neck.
5. Speak to a vet before giving any medication.

First aid for a pet who has suffered electrocution

1. Turn off the power source before approaching or use a dry, non-metallic/conducting pole to distance your pet from the electrical source.
2. Check your pet is breathing and conscious – if they are not call a vet immediately.
3. Check your pet for burns; these may be delayed and appear after several days. Treat as burns above.
4. Keep your pet warm.

First aid if your pet is choking

1. If it is safe to do so, check if there is something obvious in their mouth or throat.
2. Check the colour of their gums – if they are pale or bluish call the vet immediately.
3. Remain as calm as possible and keep your pet calm.
4. If you try to remove an object use extreme caution to avoid getting bitten. It can be very easy to accidentally push the object further in and damage the delicate tissues of the throat.
5. If you cannot easily remove the object place your pet on their side, place both hands on your pets ribs cage and push quickly and firmly with the flat of your hand three to four times – you are trying to push air out of the lungs to dislodge the stuck object.

First aid for animals involved in a Road Traffic Accident

1. Stay calm and move the animal to a safe place when it is safe to do so.
2. Move slowly and avoid sudden movements.
3. Use a blanket to help pick up an animal which is injured, to avoid getting scratched or bitten if they are in pain.
4. If possible, apply a lead for control and consider using muzzle before moving a dog.
5. Assess for any bleeding.
6. Keep them warm.
7. Always consult a veterinary surgeon – even if no external injuries can be seen.

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Exercise

Feeding

Grooming

Playtime

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What causes ear infections in animals?

What are they symptoms of ear disease in dogs, cats and rabbits?

How do I know if my pet has an ear infection?

How do I treat an ear infection in my dog, cat or rabbit?

How to clean ears in dogs and cats:

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