Just like in people, a happy gut is important for helping to maintain your pet’s general health and quality of life.

Here are our team’s top tips for supporting your pet’s tummy on a day-to-day basis.

Picking the right diet

For every dog and cat, a complete and balanced diet that is appropriate for their life stage is a must. Other than that, there is no one fits all!

Some pets with “cast iron stomachs” can eat anything from kibble to tinned food to (non-toxic) table scraps, while others may require dietary stability, an easily digestible or reduced-fat diet for a sensitive stomach, or even a prescription hypoallergenic or restricted-protein diet.

For a discussion of the pros and cons of different diets, and personalised recommendations on what could be suitable for your pet, consult one of our knowledgeable vets.

Ensuring appropriate deworming

Did you know that soil sampling from public parks around Australia shows that hookworm, roundworm and whipworm are still very much about (with at least one type of parasite found in 44% of the samples)?

For this reason, we recommend keeping up with a regular deworming protocol for your pet if they go out and about. For advice on safe and effective products, consult our team.

Monitoring your pet’s gut health signs

Checking a pet’s poos is no one’s favourite job, but it can be an important indicator of their gut health, along with their appetite, their degree of “gassiness”, their weight and general condition, and other symptoms such as burping, regurgitation or vomiting.

If you think your dog or cat is showing signs of poor gut health, it’s best to book them for a check-up. We’ll be able to examine them thoroughly, collect a detailed history, and then advise you on any recommended testing, treatments or helpful supplements, such as probiotics, prebiotics, fibre supplements, and more!