[Pet Name]

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Mild Imbalance

Microbiome shows early signs of imbalance. The primary focus should be to reestablish balance and prevent more significant disruptions from emerging.

Overview Understanding Results Next Steps Customized Solutions Bacterial Breakdown

Overview

Your pet's microbiome is mildly imbalanced. While many beneficial bacteria are still present, some bacterial groups are shifting away from the levels that we would expect to see in a healthy pet.

The good news is that the microbiome is dynamic, and the mild imbalances found in your pet’s sample can often be resolved with targeted at-home strategies.

Taking steps now to restore balance can help strengthen your pet's microbiome and reduce the risk of more significant imbalances developing over time.

Understanding Your Pet’s Results

What does a mild microbiome imbalance mean?

Animal Biome maintains a reference database of hundreds of healthy pets, allowing us to compare your pet's microbiome to the bacterial communities typically observed in healthy pets. Based on our understanding of feline and canine gut microbiomes, your pet's results suggest some bacterial groups are outside the normal range for what is typical for a healthy pet.

What may have caused my pet’s microbiome to become imbalanced?

There are many possible factors that can cause your pet’s microbiome to become imbalanced. Sometimes the reason is simple, such as probiotics from food or treats that weren't stopped before collecting the sample. Other common causes include food sensitivities, medications (especially antibiotics), an illness or underlying health condition, and stress. In many cases, there's no single cause, and multiple factors can contribute to changes in the microbiome.

What are common symptoms in pets who have a mild microbiome imbalance?

There is a wide spectrum of symptoms observed in pets with a similar imbalance. Some have occasional flare ups of soft stool or diarrhea, especially in response to sudden dietary changes or stressful events. Others have much more persistent and severe gastrointestinal and skin problems.

The microbiome is just one part of your pet's overall health, and many other factors, including diet, medications, stress, food sensitivities, parasites, and underlying health conditions, can influence both the severity of your pet's symptoms and their microbiome.

Particularly if your pet’s symptoms are frequent and/or severe, we recommend speaking with one of our Microbiome Health Advisors and your veterinarian. They can help determine if other factors may be playing a role, and whether microbiome support is appropriate for your pet's care.

Will this microbiome imbalance worsen if it’s not addressed?

It depends. Your pet's results are a snapshot of their microbiome at the time the sample was collected, so they cannot tell us whether the microbiome is improving, staying the same, or becoming more imbalanced.

For example, this type of imbalance could be seen in a pet whose microbiome is recovering after a course of antibiotics, or in a pet with a long-standing underlying health issue, such as a skin condition.

Because mild imbalances are generally easier to correct than severe ones, we recommend taking proactive steps to support your pet's microbiome now. This includes addressing any underlying health concerns with your veterinarian.

When should I test my pet's microbiome next?

We recommend retesting your pet's microbiome in 3-6 months to monitor for changes, or sooner if symptoms worsen or if antibiotics are needed.

Next Steps for Your Pet's Gut Health Journey

Book a Consultation

Every pet is unique, and so is their microbiome. Meet with a Microbiome Health Advisor to review your pet's results, get any questions addressed, and develop a detailed plan to help correct the imbalances in your pet’s microbiome.

Schedule a Call

Complete the Picture

Your pet's microbiome is only one piece of their overall health. Review your pet's lifestyle and daily regimen with your vet to identify any factors that may be negatively affecting their microbiome.

Ensure an Appropriate Diet

Your pet's nutritional and energy needs change throughout their life. Review your pet’s diet to ensure that it is still meeting their unique nutritional needs.

Add Targeted Support

Prebiotic and probiotic supplements can help nourish beneficial bacteria and support microbial balance. The best approach is one that's tailored to your pet's microbiome and overall health.

Customized Solutions

Answer a few questions about your pet's health to receive customized product recommendations that are based on both their symptoms and their microbiome results.

Animal Biome products are developed based on a deep understanding of pet microbiome science. They work synergistically to support the microbiome health of cats and dogs. Our goal is to provide the best option to support your pet's comfort, while helping restore a healthy, balanced microbiome.

When multiple products are recommended, each is designed to support a different aspect of your pet’s microbiome restoration and symptom management. To provide the most comprehensive support for your pet, these should be taken together.

Customize My Solution