One of the greatest influences on your dog’s health is made up of something you can’t even see. That’s right - the trillions of tiny bacteria, fungi and viruses that live inside the intestines of your dog make up its ‘gut microbiome’ and play an essential role in your dog’s health. These bacteria do so much more than break down food; they also contribute directly to your dogs mental health, metabolism, brain health, and immune system. Your dog’s gut bacterial community is an active system that changes in response to many factors in your dog’s day to day life. Learn how the choices you make about your dog’s diet, health, and environment are connected to your dog’s gut bacteria and ways you can promote your dog’s gut health.
In a city animal shelter, shy or fearful cats are often considered “unadoptable” and are at high risk for euthanasia, but Oakland nonprofit Cat Town gives these vulnerable shelter cats a second chance. By transforming cat rescue in the San Francisco Bay Area community, this unique organization aims to lower euthanasia rates nationwide. AnimalBiome is excited to support Cat Town’s work by covering all adoption fees for the month of September. Find out what makes Cat Town different from other rescue organizations. And then stop in and see for yourself: if you take home a new feline friend this month, your adoption fee is waived!
Hurricane Katrina struck the coasts of Louisiana and Florida on August 29, 2005, causing catastrophic damage as well as the deaths of 1,800 people and about 150,000 pets. But because of the public outcry over these losses, the storm also led to important initiatives to keep dogs and cats (as well as people) safer in future emergencies. On the 14th anniversary of Katrina, we look back at how that storm changed the rules regarding pets in natural disasters, and we offer some tips for keeping your pets safe in case of a hurricane or other weather emergency.
Many dogs develop chronic dermatitis skin conditions associated with inflammation that are often itchy and painful and may reflect an underlying allergy. Skin barrier weakness is often associated with these conditions, which makes your dog’s skin more vulnerable to behaviors like scratching and chewing. As a result these skin conditions are difficult to treat and unfortunately can end up in cycles of relapse. In this article we’ll explore possible root causes of persistent itchy and painful skin experienced by many dogs, and potential treatments to target a possible culprit — the gut microbiome.
Frightening as it might be to imagine a fire in your home or neighborhood, it’s even more painful to think of your dog or cat being injured or lost in a fire. But you can help keep your pet safe by being prepared. In honor of Pet Fire Safety Day (July 15), here are five simple steps you can take right now.
Even the bravest of pets can be frightened by fireworks displays on the Fourth of July. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to help comfort your dog or cat and ease the anxiety caused by fireworks and neighborhood celebrations. Check out these great tips to help your furry loved one cope during Independence Day.
New discoveries continue to expand our understanding of the gut microbiome—that diverse community of bacteria and other tiny organisms that live in the digestive tract. Every year we learn more about how the microbiome affects the health of humans, animals, and the environment. For World Microbiome Day, we highlight some of the latest happenings in the exciting field of microbiome studies, where the complex ecosystem of the gut is proving to be a source of promising new treatments for humans and pets alike.
When your cat hacks up a slimy fur sausage of a hairball, you may be disgusted or annoyed. You may also wonder whether that’s normal. An occasional regurgitated wad of hair isn’t cause for alarm, but frequent hairballs might mean your cat has an underlying health problem, such as anxiety, allergies, or an imbalanced gut microbiome (the community of bacteria in the digestive tract).
World IBD Day takes place on 19 May each year and unites people worldwide in their fight against Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, known as inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). Today and everyday we want to raise awareness about this disease, and show support to the millions of people and pets worldwide that live with inflammatory bowel disease. AnimalBiome is proud to share a guest blog article by film director, Saffron Cassaday. Saffron is directing an upcoming documentary called, “Designer Shit” a film about fecal matters.
Kibble. Canned. Raw. Dehydrated. Freeze dried. Home cooked. With so many options available to feed your dog or cat, it can be really hard to know if you’re making the best choice. And even then, how do you know whether the ingredients are truly benefiting your pet, and making them healthier?
