Digestive issues can affect our pets in a range of ways, and it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the amount of information available online when you type your pet’s symptoms into a search engine. In this blog, we’ll explore some of the common causes of tummy troubles and outline some simple interventions which can make a huge difference to your pet’s gut health, without any costly or stressful trips to the vets.
Common symptoms that may indicate a digestive health issue include:
· Diarrhoea
· Vomiting
· Constipation
· Excessive Gas or Flatulence
· Loss of Appetite
· Weight Loss
· Abdominal Pain, Swelling or Distension
· Lethargy
Unfortunately, there are dozens (if not hundreds!) of potential causes for your pet experiencing one or more of the above symptoms, however there are steps that you can take to address many of the common ones. Here are our top 4 tummy tips:
Introduce Fibre-Rich Foods
It may sound really simple and often it is. Maintaining digestive regularity is crucial to maintaining a healthy digestive system and fibre is crucial to keeping everything moving as it should. Consider introducing fibre-rich foods like pumpkin, sweet potatoes or broccoli into your pet’s diet. Getting enough fibre in their diet will help prevent constipation and promote a healthy colon, contributing to a well-functioning digestive system.
Crunchy treats like carrots or apples are also another great source of fibre, whilst being packed with loads of other beneficial vitamins and minerals. It’s important to introduce any new foods gradually to your pet’s diet in order to identify any intolerances and explore what works best for your four-legged friend.
Tackle Tummy Troubles Head-On
Inevitably however, your pet can (and likely will!) eat something that doesn’t agree with them. Just like with humans, this is often the most common cause of digestive issues. The good news is that these issues can often be resolved quickly and easily without a visit to the vets and without going down a search engine wormhole and googling a worst-case scenario.
If your pet experiences an upset stomach, diarrhoea, vomiting or any of the other symptoms listed above, we would recommend using our Tummy Settler as a first port of call. Ideal if your pet is
dealing with an acute episode or needs relief quickly, the 100% natural formula can be added to food or given directly into the pet’s mouth, helping to settle their stomach and prevent further distress.
Using a natural clay called Bentonite, our Tummy Settler binds unwanted waste, helping to create firmer healthier stools, making it ideal if your pet has watery or loose bowel movements. Ingredients like Ginger, Fenugreek and Aloe Vera then help to soothe and protect the gut lining, promote healing along the gastrointestinal tract, increase digestive enzyme production and help clear the body of unwanted toxins.
A staple of pet owner’s cupboards across the UK, our Tummy Settler is intended for short-term use only and in the event that symptoms persist after using the product for more than 2-3 days, we would always recommend that you consult your vet.
Introduce Supplements Where Necessary
Some pets will just have a sensitive stomach and need a bit of extra support to keep on top of their digestive health, whilst others will have iron stomachs and can seemingly eat anything without any adverse reaction. This is completely normal as all pets are different, each having differing needs based on their own unique set of circumstances.
Fortunately, there are lots of natural ingredients that can be added easily and conveniently into your pet’s diet to give them that little bit of extra digestive support. Products like our Digestive Support Powder include ingredients like Slippery Elm Bark, Marshmallow Root and White Poplar Bark, which are all beneficial to your pet’s digestive health.
- Slippery Elm Bark increases mucus production in the gut, helping to maintain good bowel regularity and stool consistency.
- Marshmallow Root helps maintain gut health by forming a protective layer in the digestive tract, soothing and assisting gut transit.
- White Poplar Bark supports healthy digestive function and helps to increase your pet's appetite.
Many pet owners find that regular supplementation of their pet’s diet with our Digestive Support Powder is an effective way of keeping on top of their pet’s digestive health. Others may find that supplements containing ingredients like Chicory Inulin or Psyllium Husk Powder to be more effective for their pet.
Psyllium Husk Powder is a natural source of soluble fiber, aiding in maintaining bowel regularity. This supplement absorbs water, forming a gel-like substance that softens stools and facilitates smoother digestion. Chicory Inulin on the other hand acts as a prebiotic, nourishing the beneficial bacteria in your pet's gut. This natural compound supports the growth of probiotics, further enhancing digestive health.
Explore Probiotics for Gut Harmony
Probiotics are the superheroes of digestive health, fostering a balanced gut microbiome essential for nutrient absorption and overall health and wellbeing. The gut microbiome is the ecosystem within
your pet's digestive tract, containing billions of microbes and other microorganisms, including both good and bad bacteria. The microbiome can affect your pet’s immune system and impacts on the healthy functioning of almost every organ in their body. This is why we often talk about keeping pets healthy from the inside out!
The benefits of probiotics in human supplements is well known and is becoming increasingly popular within pet supplements also, with ‘probiotics for dogs’ being one of the top pet health search terms according to Google.
Ideal for all pets, regardless of if they have developed digestive issues or not, Probiotic supplements are a great addition to your pet’s daily wellness routine. Our Pre and Probiotic Powder combines a unique probiotic blend alongside Chicory Inulin and Psyllium Husk Powder to help maintain the balance within your pet's gut, supporting their overall digestive health and maximising their nutrient intake. What this essentially means is that it allows your pet to better absorb and process the nutrients from their food, maximising the health benefits that each of these bring.
As our most popular digestion product, the Pre and Probiotic Powder helps to reduce the risk of constipation, avoid irritating anal gland issues and strengthen your pet’s immune system too. Our formula is 100% wheat, grain and gluten free, three common food intolerances and triggers for digestive issues developing.
Conclusion
As we have already touched upon, there is no magic wand or miracle cure that will avoid or eliminate digestive issues altogether and there is always going to be the risk of your cat or dog ingesting something that they shouldn’t when they’re out exploring unsupervised. With that said, through harnessing the power of natural supplements and fibre-rich foods, you can actively contribute to your pet's digestive health, manage existing digestive issues and minimise the risk of future issues developing.
We hope this blog has been helpful and you feel more comfortable and confident in addressing your pet’s tummy troubles should they arise. For further helpful advice on a range of health and wellbeing topics, visit our pet advice blog or contact us directly with any questions at support@petspurest.com. Our friendly customer care team will be happy to help.
