In both humans and animals, the gut microbiome—a community of trillions of bacteria and other microorganisms that live in the digestive tract—is important for numerous aspects of overall health, including proper digestion and a strong immune system.
Different types of beneficial bacteria in the gut play different roles, so when some bacterial groups are missing or the various populations are out of balance (not present in the right amounts), the microbiome can’t perform all of its important functions.
The result can be a variety of distressing symptoms, such as diarrhea, constipation, bloating, skin problems, obesity, and even behavioral issues.
Gut microbiome testing can give you valuable information about what’s going on in your pet’s gut, reveal bacterial imbalances that may be causing troublesome symptoms, and even show you how to prevent potential health problems before they start.