and nutrients are lost.
In your dogs digestive track, (as they age) are probiotics (healthy bacteria) Also knows as: Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifido-Bacterium bifidum and Lactobacillus bulgaricus. This healthy bacteria is VITAL for your dogs good health. They aid in the digestive process and provide enzymes and support an overall healthy immune system = healthy, longer-living dog!
But there are also not-so-good bacteria that live in your dogs digestive track, this causes weak stomachs, digestive upsets, and can ultimately lead to compromising the immune system, and disease.
In healthy pets, the preferred balance is 85% good bacteria to 15% bad bacteria.
So what makes your pet have an unhealthy digestive track? The most controllable is diet: IMPROPER DIET- Feeding a cheap, low quality dog food, is the fastest way to degrade your pets health. Look for a food that has no corn, wheat, soy or by-products in it. Human grade meat, and a company that stands by their product. Some premium brands I love are: Wellness, Merrick, Innova, Orijen, Solid Gold, and Timberwolf Organics.
Note- if your pet has been prescribed antibiotics, that can also change up their digestive track. Antibiotics are helpful when needed to get rid of infection, but they also do no know good bacteria from bad, therefor killing both the GOOD and bad bacteria. (other influences are: stress, too much exercise, and illness)
Your dog should have firm stools, and a healthy gut.
To strengthen your pets digestive health, consider putting him/her on a good probiotic supplement, giving fresh foods, feeding a high quality dog food, exercise & love :) I also like a tablespoon or two of Stoneyfield Farms plain organic yogurt with my breakfast!
This post is dedicated to my pal Jaspee, who gets an upset tummy very easily. Take it easy pal, and start on those probiotics!
