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Showing posts with the label gut health

Dog Supplements 2025: Functional Chews from Royal Canin & Vitail

Supplements Go Functional: Everyday Wellness Trends in 2025 Supplements aren’t just for senior dogs anymore. In 2025, functional supplements became one of the fastest-growing categories in pet care. Instead of pills and powders, brands are rolling out tasty chews designed to be part of a dog’s daily routine — much like a multivitamin for people. This shift marks a major evolution in how pet parents view wellness: not just about solving problems, but about proactive, preventive care for dogs of all ages. From Medicine Cabinet to Daily Routine Traditionally, supplements for dogs were used in very specific cases — glucosamine for arthritis, probiotics for diarrhea, fish oil for skin conditions. They were usually powders sprinkled on food or pills hidden in peanut butter, often reserved for older pets or those with health issues. But just as human wellness has embraced probiotics, collagen, adaptogens, and daily multivitamins, pet care is now catching up. According to industry surv...

Science Diet’s Microbiome Support: Worth the Hype?

Science Diet’s Microbiome Launch — What Does It Really Change? Science Diet recently introduced its new “Microbiome” formulas, featuring prebiotics and specialty fiber blends (ActivBiome+). Many pet parents are wondering: does this update meaningfully improve the food — or is it mostly a marketing refresh? What Is Microbiome Nutrition? The gut microbiome is the community of trillions of microbes living in the digestive tract. These bacteria influence: Nutrient absorption Immune system regulation Skin and coat health Behavior via the gut–brain axis Hill’s ActivBiome+ adds prebiotics (fermentable fibers) intended to feed beneficial gut bacteria, which can help with stool quality and gas control when paired with an overall balanced diet. Why quality matters in dog food: would you rather feed better? The Ingredient Concern Despite the microbiome-forward marketing, many Science Diet formulas still list corn, wheat, or animal by-pro...

The Effects of Dry Kibble on Your Dog’s Stomach: What You Should Know

The Effects of Dry Kibble on Your Dog’s Stomach: What You Should Know Dry kibble is one of the most common feeding choices for dogs today. It’s affordable, convenient, easy to store, and widely available. But just because something is common doesn’t mean it’s ideal—especially when it comes to your dog’s digestive system. Let’s take a deeper look at how kibble affects your dog’s stomach and overall gut health. 1. Dehydration Begins in the Bowl Dry kibble typically contains only 6–10% moisture, which means your dog is getting very little water through their food. This forces the digestive system to draw water from the body to help break down the food. Over time, this constant state of “internal dehydration” can put stress on the kidneys and digestive tract, especially in dogs that don’t drink enough water to compensate. 🔹 Tip: Adding warm water, bone broth, or raw goat’s milk to kibble can help ease digestion and support hydration. 2. Digestive Bloat and Gastric Distress Kibble expands ...

Why Rotational Feeding Is One of the Best Things You Can Do for Your Dog

Why Rotational Feeding Is One of the Best Things You Can Do for Your Dog --- One Bowl, One Brand, Forever? Not Anymore. For years, pet owners were told to never switch their dog’s food—that it would cause stomach upset or make them picky. But just like us, dogs thrive on variety. That’s where rotational feeding comes in—and it might be one of the smartest choices you make for your dog’s long-term health. --- 🥩 What Is Rotational Feeding? Rotational feeding is the practice of switching your dog’s food on a regular basis. This could mean rotating: Proteins (like chicken, beef, turkey, duck, or fish) Carbohydrates (rice, oats, barley, lentils, sweet potato) Formats (kibble, raw, gently cooked, freeze-dried, etc.) Brands (especially when supporting independent or transparent companies) You can rotate weekly, monthly, or even every bag—as long as the diets are complete and balanced. --- ✅ Benefits of Rotational Feeding Here’s why more pet nutrition experts and holistic vets support it: ---...