“Your gut is linked to nearly every facet of your health, from the immune system to your mood.” – Dr. Amy Carmichael
The gut digests and absorbs nutrients from food and excretes waste.
In the past, George had bouts of feeling sick every so often. He has improved greatly in the last couple of years, but I have never been able to connect it to anything specific. So when BIOME9 approached us to do a gut test, I was more than keen to try it out. Not only for George but also for Lulu, as I wanted to be sure her gut is healthy—as I don’t know what her diet consisted of when she was used as a breeding dog in China.
BIOME9 is made by the UK’s top scientists and backed by veterinary science. Their mission is to redefine pet health by applying cutting-edge life sciences with the help of their proprietary bioinformatic AI. It provides:
- Feeding, superfood & supplement recommendations
- Unique health insights into common problems
- Help support your dog’s digestion, skin, joints & behaviour
- Track health improvements with InvisibleHealth®
I decided to try it to help George and Lulu live their best lives.
The BIOME9 letterbox-friendly test kits are super easy to use at home.
After collecting George and Lulu’s stool samples, I sent them back by return mail. Within weeks, we received detailed results.
In creating the reports, their UK lab analysed millions of data points from their gut microbiome to provide insights into specific aspects of their digestion and how well their gut ecosystem supports their wider health.
George’s InvisibleHealth® Score, which integrates the Microbiome Population Scoreboard with the Health Indicator Analysis, is 60% – which is Average. There are a few areas of priority to improve his microbiome profile:
- His ability to digest protein is below average. It is advised to feed him high-quality raw food, which we do with Honey’s Real Dog Food, occasionally adding eggs.
- Gut inflammation is moderate. To reduce gut inflammation, diets rich in fibre and omega-3 fatty acids, including fermented foods.
- Ability to digest lipids (fats) – moderate
- Ability to digest carbohydrates – moderate
George’s superfoods include – Oily fish (salmon, mackerel, sardines), tuna, apples, linseed, fermented vegetables.
Lulu’s InvisibleHealth® Score, is 45% which is slightly below average. Her areas of priority to improve her microbiome profile:
- Her ability to digest protein is poor
- Ability to digest carbohydrates is moderate.
- Gut inflammation is moderate.
- Vitamin and mineral absorption is moderate.
Lulu’s superfoods include oily fish (salmon, mackerel, sardines), tuna, chia seeds, fermented vegetables, and almonds.
Foods to avoid for both are sugary treats, butter and dental hygiene chews. I have noted that they both get a bad tummy whenever they have dental chews.
Thankfully, there’s nothing of genuine concern. BIOME9 provides a Supplement Programme to improve the areas of concern and suggests re-testing after six months.
I am relieved to know that they are both okay and that adjusting their diets slightly will help. If you want to ensure that your dog’s guts are in good stead, give BIOME9 a try. Use our code MISSDARCY for a 15% discount.
What is Microbiome?
The gut microbiome is a susceptible and diverse ecosystem of microorganisms. Its composition includes many species of bacteria, fungi, and archaea that live in harmony within your pet’s gastrointestinal tract.
These microorganisms work with the host and one another, impacting many aspects of your pet’s health, including digestion, cognitive function, immune response, and even cardiovascular support.
Understanding the gut microbiome population can prove highly insightful and indicate simple nutritional changes and supplementation support to help your dog’s digestive and total health.
One Response
I have long realised the importance of gut microbiome and the foods we feed as well as the effects from vaccinations and chemical pesticide exposures
I realised very early on when my cockapoo pup was about 9 months old that for her health I had to go all raw and holistic, not use flea tick wormers or anything toxic on her and no booster vaccinations which meant no pet passports or leaving the uk 🇬🇧for us as a rabies free country … to titre test not vaccinate and fecal wormcount screening and natural protocols to keep an un compromised immune system
We have fed raw for 8 years now. The health and gut starts with diet as I quickly learnt. We love paleo ridge raw and diy diets, combinations are endless. Soil based probiotics and herbs and mushrooms, bone broth, raw bones, leafy veg, tcm feeding, seasonal detoxes have helped purged toxins
I spent some time tweaking her raw diet and understanding her gut microbiome and immune system. Through our journey I have got to know many of the industry professionals and attended seminars to learn more to help guide me in my dogs health. Instrumental professionals were dr Nick Thompson DVM and dr Conor Brady from dogs first who have helped me and my dog 🐶 to understand about diet and the immune system, detoxes and canine illness and diseases for which I am truly grateful to them for 🙏🏼🐶 xx
The fb group saving one pets life at a time the original with Kelly bone has also been a huge part of our journey with my cockapoo care 🙏🏼🐶
Cam4animals is another great resource 🙏🏼🐶