Probiotics for Dogs: In recent years, probiotics have taken centre stage in human health, celebrated for their ability to restore and maintain a healthy balance of gut flora. But did you know that these beneficial bacteria can also play a pivotal role in your dog’s well-being? Just like us, our furry friends can reap immense health benefits from a well-balanced microbiome, leading to a happier and healthier life. Let’s dive into how incorporating probiotics into your dog’s diet can make a significant difference.

Introducing Probiotic Strain P.Copri

Christmas is the time of the year to spend time with your nearest and dearest, and to pet lovers, this includes spending extra special time with your pets too! After a busy year, it’s great to sit back, reflect and to acknowledge those who mean the world to you, including those furry family members who are always there. We’ve put together a few ideas below for ways to include your fur babies in the festivities: Take Santa-Paws photos More and more places are now offering Santa Pet photos. If your fur baby is part of the family, why not include them in your yearly Christmas photo session? Most shopping centres and pet stores these days will have a special allocated timeslot where you can bring your pet along to meet the man in the red suit in a comfortable and quiet environment. If your pet is a little timid or isn’t a fan of outings, you could try a photo session at home with a few accessories in front of the Christmas tree. Make them some Christmas candy canes If you’re looking for a cool summer dog treat , this recipe is easy to make and your fur baby will feel included in the festive fun. It doesn’t contain any actual candy canes (which can be toxic for your doggo). Instead, these summer Christmas pops use dog-friendly breath-improving, gut-cleansing ingredients. Ingredients 1 cup of plain Greek yoghurt 1 handful of fresh mint 1 handful of fresh parsley Natural red food colouring TUMMY TIME or PET PARADE (to your pets dosage depending on size) Instructions Add yoghurt and herbs and probiotics to a food processor and blend well. Pour the yoghurt mix into ice cube trays along with two or three drops of food colouring in each cube. You can swirl the food colouring in slightly but don’t mix completely. All the pops must freeze completely before serving to your pup. Spend some quality time with them One of the best parts about having time off work during the holiday season is having time to do the things you enjoy. Whether it’s curling up on the couch to watch a Christmas movie, taking your dog to their favourite doggy beach or bringing them along to their best (furry) friend’s house for a play date, make sure you set aside some time with your pets. Buy them a gift Gifts aren’t just for humans! You don’t want your fur baby feeling left out on Christmas day. Show them how much you love them with a special gift you know they’ll love. Items such as toys, BEG N BARK or PAW N PURR treats, a nice shampoo, such as WOOF WONDER or even a comfy new bed would make the perfect gift. You can also check out our PURRY CHRISTMAS or SANTA PAWS bundles! Donate to those in need Whilst your pets are at home feeling loved and warm, there are many not-so-lucky animals. If you want to do something fulfilling these holidays, consider honouring your pets through a donation to pets in need. This could be through donating food at your local supermarket, providing warm blankets and towels to a shelter or if you have the capacity, even fostering a pet from a rescue group. You’ll get the warm fuzzies knowing you’ve helped a fellow animal during this busy time. Wrapping it up All in all, there is much fun to be had over the festive season – so why should the humans have all the fun? Be sure to follow our socials and share with us how you celebrate Christmas with your furry family members!

The festive season brings many new dangers for cats and dogs, with plants that usually wouldn’t be in your home being a very common one. However, there are some types of decorative plants that are toxic to dogs and cats. In some cases, only mild indigestion and discomfort will result; in other cases, the toxicity can lead to more severe health problems and even fatalities. If you are planning to bring holiday foliage into your home this season, you will need to know which plants are safe, which should be kept out of your pet’s reach, and which should be avoided entirely. Here’s a list of the 6 most common & toxic plants for pets:

In recent times, the role of the gut in overall health and wellbeing, for both humans and their pets, has become a high priority. When we talk about the gut, we are referring to the gastrointestinal system – the stomach, small intestine and colon – and since most of our immune system is located in this region, a bacterial imbalance could cause serious digestive upset. Like humans, gut health plays a major role in feline health and happiness. Cats, too, have hundreds of varied single-celled microorganisms (bacteria and other microbes) in their digestive tract. This microbiome is crucial for aiding digestion, obtaining nutrients from food, protecting against germs, and breaking down meals to release energy and produce vitamins. How does poor gut health affect your cat? Ensuring proper gut health is an important issue for concerned cat owners. The steady rise in pet-related inflammatory diseases and chronic digestive disorders, such as feline inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), has become a major issue and can be attributed to an over-exposure of broad-spectrum antibiotics, antimicrobials, food additives, medications, and more. However, there are several simple lifestyle changes which can help to improve and maintain your kitty’s gut health. It’s worth noting that when making changes to your cat’s diet and care, it’s always a good idea to touch base with your vet. 1. A well-balanced diet Clearly, the first place to start when improving your cat’s gut health is to start with their stomach. There are certain foods which should be avoided such as garlic, chocolate or avocado which are toxic to cats, and other foods like cabbage and beans can cause uncomfortable bloating and wind. Foods to avoid Raw meat and bones Chocolate Caffeinated drinks Eggs Milk and dairy products Alcohol Raw dough Grapes and raisins Try to limit feeding your feline any human tidbits and be careful how much you feed them to avoid excessive weight gain. Also, high-carb cat food with ingredients like rice or potatoes often have microbiomes with excessive amounts of carb-loving bacteria which are linked to inflammation and more serious health issues. Try opting for specially formulated cat foods which support natural defences and contain ingredients like heat-treated lactobacilli, which has been proven to help support natural antibody production in the intestinal tract, and Omega-6 acids which support healthy skin and a shiny coat. 2. Regular exercise Despite not being as active as dogs, cats also need to have daily exercise routine. Not only does it stimulate digestion and regulate bowel movements, but it also helps to manage your kitty’s weight and stress levels. Purchase some cute cat toys and engaging in special playtime sessions. This is a fun and easy way to keep your cat fit, active, engaged and purring. We recommend at least 20 minutes a day, split into two different sessions to boost energy levels and to strengthen the special bond between you and your feline fur baby. 3. Hydration Cats are fussy about many things and water is no exception! Typically, they need about half a cup of water per 5 pounds of body weight each day, so if you have a 10-pound cat, they should be consuming about 1 cup of water a day. To avoid dehydration, encourage your cat to drink by placing several bowls of fresh water in various locations around your home, just make sure they aren’t located near the litter box. The water must be fresh and changed at least twice a day. Another way to incorporate more water into your cat’s diet is by giving them high-grade wet food, as wet or canned food contains about 80% water whereas dry food only contains about 10%. Also, if your cat only drinks running water from a tap, it’s worth investing in a kitty water fountain. 4. Grooming Our precious kitties love to be pampered, so make the most of it and groom them regularly with a soft brush. Not only will you love hearing them purr, but by grooming them you will also help prevent them from ingesting large quantities of hair, which can cause constipation and affect their gut health. Plus, no one likes coughing up a hair ball! 5. Probiotics Probiotics are live, beneficial bacteria that promote balance in the intestines. Like us, cats have their own unique microbiome, and with their digestive system making up around 80% of their immune defence, gut health should be a top priority. When the bacteria in your cat’s microbiome is unbalanced, health issues like diarrhoea, diabetes, gum disease or skin problems can start to appear. IPROMEA’s Paw N’ Purr high-protein treats help keep your cat healthy through probiotics by keeping harmful pathogens at bay and is scientifically proven to support gut health.

How can I help treat my dog’s diarrhoea at home? Diarrhoea in dogs is commonplace problem. Very simply, diarrhoea in dogs is caused by gastrointestinal distress. This can occur from changes in your dog’s diet, scavenging spoiled food, new medicines, food allergies, and even sickness. It is important to understand that the primary purpose of diarrhoea in dogs, from a physiological point of view, is to eliminate the cause of the upset. Before you think about trying different treatment options, you need to try and figure out the underlying cause of your dog’s bowel problem. While diarrhoea may simply be caused by something bad they have eaten, it can also be a sign of more serious health complications so we recommend getting your vet’s advice before you start trying to treat them. What causes diarrhoea in dogs? There are many different things that can upset a well-balanced digestive system and cause diarrhoea in your dog. Some things are more serious and can be life-threatening, while others can be less serious. Dietary indiscretion e.g., garbage ingestion or an abrupt diet change Inflammatory diseases e.g., diet intolerance or allergies Intestinal Parasites , such as roundworms, hookworms, giardia Infections with common viruses, such as parvovirus and distemper Bacterial infections, such as salmonella Illnesses, such as kidney and liver disease, colitis, i nflammatory bowel disease , and cancer Antibiotics and other medications Poisonous substances or plants Swallowing an indigestible foreign body, like a toy or socks Stress or emotional upset

Probiotics for dogs explained There are many benefits to giving your dog probiotics. But first, we must explain what probiotics are and then we will talk about what they do. Probiotics are live microorganisms, which consist mainly of bacteria and some yeasts that live in the gastrointestinal system. These healthy gut bacteria balance the internal environment to prevent disease and promote health and well being in your pet. Probiotics that have been proven to work and are safe for dogs include strains such as: Bifidbacterium animalis subsp. lactis Lactobacillus acidophilus Lactobacillus plantarum Lactobacillus rhamnosus Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis Enterococcus Faecium A probiotic doesn’t need to include every bacteria strain listed above to work, but it should contain at least one or two of them. What are the benefits of giving your dog probiotics? A major part of your pet’s health derives from the intestine. The ‘healthy gut’ is known to be crucial for the physiology and wellbeing of your dog. Any disturbances within the gut microbiota may lead to the development of a multitude of diseases and disorders e.g. diarrhea, allergies, obesity, and stress symptoms. Your body is full of trillions of different types of bacteria, viruses and fungi, collectively known as the microbiome, and just like us our dogs have their very own. But are probiotics good for dogs? The short answer is yes, probiotics provide benefits to the bacteria in the digestive system, balancing out the microbiome so that gut health can be maintained. A healthy balance of bacteria is important for your dog’s immunity. There are certain signs to look out for indicating your dog’s gut is unbalanced. What are the symptoms to look out for when your dog’s gut is out of balance? There’s a range of health issues that can arise when the microflora (or good bacteria) in your dog’s gut is unbalanced, so here’s a few signs to look out for: Gas Diarroea Constipation (hard stools) Bloating Stomach pain or discomfort UTI’s Yeast infections Ear infections or smells Bad breath Skin issues or loss of fur Overweight/obese or underweight Behavioral/mood disorders Probiotics can help with your dog’s general wellbeing, but it’s important to consult with your veterinarian if you are concerned. It’s always good to check if there’s something more sinister going on if your pooch is really unhappy. What are the causes of unbalanced bacteria for dogs? There’s a range of external and internal factors that can lead to your dog’s unbalanced gut. Bacteria shifts in the digestive system can be caused by some of the following: Ageing Toxins Drugs/medications Antibiotics A high starch or carbohydrate diet A high fat diet Drinking water Sleeping/living hygiene What’s the best type of probiotic to give your dog? The type of probiotic you give your dog really depends on their individual health and needs. Probiotics for dogs come in many forms. How long does it take for probiotics to work in dogs? Every dog is different. Some dogs respond in a day or two, and others may take up to 6 weeks with regular use. If you’re not seeing improvement by a few weeks, you may have the wrong product or you may need to change your dosage. One thing you need to know is that giving your dog a human probiotic probably won’t help with their health and wellbeing. Probiotics and postbiotics for pets come in different strains and there are some strains better suited for humans and some that are better suited to animals, or more specifically dogs. If your dog loves to get treats – you can find some clean treats with the added benefit of probiotics. Trust us, your dog will be begging for more! Alternatively, you can get probiotic broths or powders that can be added to their regular meals and your furry friend will be getting all the benefits without even realising it! Another way dogs can get a dose of probiotics, especially if they are having skin/fur issues, is via a probiotic enhanced shampoo. Ipromea is powered by Probiotics Australia, see more info here: https://www.probioticsaustralia.com.au/pet-and-animal-health/#pet-probiotics Gut health for your dog should be a top priority With their digestive system making up around 80% of their immune defense, gut health for your dog should be a top priority. Gastrointestinal disorders are one of the main reasons owners bring their pets to the vet for healthcare. As you know, owning a pet can be expensive. Especially if there are any health complications. That’s why giving your dog probiotics should be one of your top priorities, because it means keeping your dog healthy, improving their immune system and general health. A probiotic can help restore and maintain this balance of good and bad bacteria and let the digestive system operate at its full potential. Not only are you providing benefits to your dog if you give them probiotics, but you are also benefiting from them too. The health and well-being of your dog, just as their owner, depends on the gut microbes. We share a large proportion of microbiota with our pets living in the same household. Sharing bad bacteria can lead to problems for everybody – furry family members and all. It’s time to restore you dog’s natural microbiome from head to tail and everywhere in between. For more information about quality Australian made and manufactured probiotics for pets products, please view Ipromea’s range here: https://ipromea.com.au/products/