Gut health is a hot topic in human health and wellbeing, but have you considered your pet’s digestive health? Discover the advantages of a healthy digestive system for your pet—and how to get one.
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What exactly is gut health?
“Gut health” has become a phrase that’s bandied around a lot online (and frequently without any explanation), so let’s take a closer look at what it truly means.
Gut health refers to the overall health of the gastrointestinal system (or GI tract)—the organs that transport food from the mouth, down the esophagus, through the stomach and intestines, and out the other end. These organs are largely in charge of breaking down the food we consume and providing nutrients to our bodies, and their performance has a significant impact on your and your pet’s general health.
One of the most important aspects of gut health is the microbiome that lives in the gut, not the digestive system itself. There are millions of helpful bacteria that dwell in our GI tract and play an important role in digesting. Although the thought of bugs in our body may make some people cringe, believe us (and science!) when we say that the healthy bacteria in your gut microbiome are buddies you can’t live without.
An sick stomach may have ramifications beyond feces sweeping. Bad gut health may lead to a variety of health problems, including poor digestion, a weakened immune system, diabetes, and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Supporting your pet’s intestinal health, on the other hand, may pay off big time in terms of their health and happiness!
The Advantages of Gastrointestinal Health in Pets
We all want what is best for our pets, and your cat or dog’s gut health may have a significant influence on their overall health! Taking care of your pet’s gut health has a broad range of impacts, from the obvious (such as improved feces) to the completely unexpected (like less stress and anxiety for your pet). These are some of the significant advantages of a healthy stomach for your pet:
#1. Excellent Digestion
Better gut health means improved digestion, which may seem apparent. This results in fewer belly rumbles, more solid poops, and improved nutrient absorption, which improves your pet’s general health (hello, lustrous fur!). Better gut health also means less vomiting and hairballs for the horking kitties out there!
#2. Improved Immune Function
Did you know that your pet’s stomach contains at least 70% of their immune system? The GI tract is the body’s biggest immunological organ, and it has a significant influence on your pet’s capacity to fight infections and dangerous microorganisms.
#3. Healthy Bones and Joints
The digestive system not only provides nutrients to the body from food, but it also synthesizes certain nutrients! The healthy bacteria in your pet’s stomach create vitamin K, which aids in the metabolization of calcium, as well as digestive enzymes that aid in the breakdown and absorption of minerals that enhance bone and joint health.
#4. Better Dental Health
The mouth is a component of the GI tract, and the microbiome that lives there has a significant influence on oral and dental health. Maintaining good oral flora helps to prevent bad breath and a variety of dental disorders (but remember to keep those teeth clean as well).
#5: Increased Energy
If your pet has lost some of their young vitality as they’ve aged, improving their gut health will help to restore it! In addition to ensuring that your pet takes as many nutrients as possible from their diet, good gut bacteria may actually generate B vitamins, which contribute to your cat’s energy levels.
#6. Improved Weight Management
Proper gut health helps to maintain good blood sugar levels, aids in the generation of hormones that inform the brain when the stomach is full, and ensures that your pet gets the most out of all the food they consume and isn’t left wanting more. All of this contributes to your pet’s overall health!
#7. Improved Emotional Balance
Believe it or not, your pet’s gut flora may assist manage his or her emotions! Good gut bacteria create feel-good neurotransmitters such as serotonin and may lower stress and anxiety by regulating cortisol levels, which cause tension. Besides, who doesn’t feel better when digestion is smooth and simple?