A balanced gut is the key to a healthy pet

Functional nutrition and your pet

Like humans, pets rely on balanced nutrition to support their bodies in every way, from providing energy to promoting immunity, well-being, brain function and even reproduction. This means that for optimal health, pets need a diet full of essential nutrients and functional ingredients.

Modern pet nutrition begins with solutions for the gut, where the animal’s food is initially absorbed and utilized. Without a healthy gut, all other body systems suffer — and the key to maintaining pet gut health is introducing beneficial bacteria.

We may think of bacteria as a bad thing, but in fact, all animals rely on beneficial bacteria for health. The bacteria in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract constitute the gut microbiome, which needs to maintain enough good bacteria to keep the bad bacteria in check. With a good gut microbiome balance including diverse and healthy bacteria, nutrients from food are readily absorbed and utilized, maximizing nutrition and minimizing food waste.

Of course, a healthy gut supports healthy digestion, helping your pet avoid common GI issues such as loose stools. But a strong gut barrier and gut immune response also have benefits across multiple body systems. With a strong microbiome, your pet is more likely to have healthy skin and a glossy coat, plenty of energy, and overall comfort and well-being.  

From giving a puppy or kitten the best start in life to supporting a senior pet’s changing needs, and at every stage in between, providing the right diet is essential. It can also help a pet’s GI system recover when it is damaged due to illness, infection or antibiotic treatments.

The gut health and immunity connection

The gut has a strong influence on immune response. It is often the first system to “recognize” pathogens and respond to infections. Disruptions to gut health can compromise these immune functions and increase the animal’s susceptibility to disease. In fact, research has found that 90% of diseases can be traced back to problems with gut health and the microbiome. This highlights the significant benefits of a healthy gut for resistance and resilience against illness and infection.

The power of prebiotics

You may have heard of probiotics, but what about prebiotics? These innovative fiber supplements boost microbial diversity, strongly supporting your pet’s natural defenses.

Microbuild™, from Alltech, is a prebiotic fiber supplement that nurtures gut health and overall pet well-being. This nutritional technology is based on a specific strain of yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, which has been specifically selected and cultivated by Alltech scientists for maximum efficacy in promoting intestinal health.

Microbuild, launched in 2023, got its start in the revolutionary science of nutrigenomics, which studies the unique relationship between nutrition and gene expression. It’s also based on decades of Alltech research and development, using yeast-based solutions to address a broad range of health issues across multiple species.

Even during bacterial challenges, Microbuild works to increase microbial diversity in the gut, sustaining pet health across the lifespan. With the simple inclusion of Microbuild in a balanced and nutritious diet, pet owners will see a real and lasting difference in their pets’ health.

To learn more about how Microbuild works and how you can use it to promote a happier, healthier life for your pet, contact us at alltech.com/microbuild.

About the author: 

Steve Elliott serves as global vice president, corporate accounts and pet, at Alltech. Prior to this role, Elliott was Alltech’s global director of the mineral management and enzyme divisions. He has worked with Alltech for nearly 30 years.

Elliott sits on the executive board of the American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) and also serves on its equine committee. He is an active member of the American Registry of Professional Animal Scientists (ARPAS). Elliott has authored or co-authored numerous articles for professional journals and trade publications about trace mineral status and how it can affect the well-being of animals and local populations. His current research focuses on the various ways that organic trace minerals — and selenium in particular — can improve the health and performance of modern livestock.

Elliott holds an undergraduate degree in animal science and a graduate degree in nutrition from the University of Florida.