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The current flavour of the month when it comes to any discussion regarding nutrition, skin and coat health, digestion and the function of the gut is a full examination of the relevance of the microbiome. But what is the microbiome and what is all the fuss about?
The gut microbiome is the collection of bacteria, fungi and viruses that inhabit the gastrointestinal tract (gut) of the pets, and is not only responsible for many aspects of digestion but influences areas such as mood, disease resistance and well-being. The number of organisms that inhabit the gut is quite surprising; there are more than a trillion of them and over a thousand species, with the diversity of species in the microbiome being higher than that found in a rain forest. Some would claim “the microbiome should be classed as an organ”, or “our pets are 90% bacteria and 10% dog or cat”, but these statements are a little over the top. The reality is the animal is approximately 50% animal and 50% microorganisms with each requiring the other for their survival. In other words, the gut microbiome and the animal enjoy the ultimate symbiotic relationship.
The immune system – up to 90% of the dog’s and cat’s immunity comes from the microbiome working in association with the mucous membrane lining of the gut. It is in this lining, known as “gut-associated lymphoid tissues”, where lymphocytes, T and B cells reside. These cells are the mainstay of the immune system and are vitally important in providing immunity for the animal.
While we commonly think of the brain as being in the skull, what is not so widely known is there is a thin layer of brain cells embedded in the gut tissue and extending the full length of the gastrointestinal tract. Called the enteric system, these neurons are connected to the brain by the vagus nerve, which is a bit like a busy telephone line with messages zooming backwards and forwards all day long. But it’s via the vagus nerve that the gut microbiota appears to have a direct line to the brain, and can control mood by producing hormones such as the feel-good hormone dopamine and the neurotransmitter serotonin. Similarly, if your pet is consuming a disproportionate quantity of one foodstuff, such as sugars, the sugar-loving organisms will multiply and dominate, with the resultant craving (or fussy eating syndrome) for that type of food.
In one remarkable experiment with mice, researchers were able to show that mice infected with Toxoplasma gondii bacteria became strangely reckless and were strongly attracted to cat urine. When the bacterial balance was restored, the mice resumed their normal, cautious behaviour. It seems there is little doubt the Toxoplasma gondii bacteria were hell-bent on populating the cat’s microbiome by modifying the behaviour of the mice. Sounds far-fetched doesn’t it, but it is further confirmation of the “gut-brain axis” which is a popular subject of current research.
Protection from disease-causing pathogens – a healthy microbiome protects the dog and cat by competitively excluding harmful bacteria and viruses. By completely colonising the gut, the good organisms out-compete the bad guys for food and starve them out. Full colonisation also severely limits the opportunities for the pathogens to gain a foothold in the gut from which to populate and expand.
In the same way as pathogens are excluded, the microbiome can form a protective layer that inhibits absorption of harmful substances such as toxins, carcinogens, allergens and drugs, with these potentially dangerous substances simply being eliminated from the body in the faecal waste.
By far the most significant contribution the microbiome makes to the host animal is its assistance in releasing nutrients from the food, as well as producing other essential nutrients at the same time. One example of this is the production by the microbiota of enzymes to assist in the breakdown of the food, without which much of the nutrition contained in the food would not be able to be absorbed into the bloodstream. Once the nutrient breakdown is completed the microbiome actually assists in the transfer of the nutrients from the gut to the bloodstream. Other members of the microbiome are responsible for the production of vitamins, particularly B vitamins, and while these are usually present in the food, the balance of the dog’s requirement is produced in the gut. Another vital area is the fermentation of fibre by Bacteroidetes to produce, amongst other substances, butyrate. Butyrate is an immensely important chemical in gut function because it not only helps to control the growth of cells in the wall of the gut and thus protects against bowel cancer but acts as an anti-inflammatory. While inflammation is the bodies key defence mechanism against infection, long term, low-level inflammation has an adverse effect on the body and is a precursor to many sensitivity and allergy issues in dogs and cats.
This means the starting point in any discussion regarding skin and coat health must be the microbiome. The presence of a long term, low-level gut inflammation causes the immune system to dramatically increase its level of activity, which in turn results in the immune system attacking simple compounds such as pollen and gluten. These attacks are an indication that the microbiome in its present state of diversity is ignorant of what substances are threatening, compared to the substances that pose no threat and can be left alone. It is also an indication that many of the species of organisms that evolved with the animal over millions of years have been lost, and with that loss is the microbiome’s knowledge as to which substances pose the real threat. This loss of beneficial organisms has been exacerbated through the use of antibiotics, while stress, pollutants and highly processed foods all make a contribution.
…the starting point in any discussion regarding skin and coat health must be the microbiome.
Unfortunately, we are seeing more and more dogs displaying skin sensitivity problems, with these problems appearing earlier in the dog’s life. Quite young pups are now regularly appearing with compromised skin and coat health, which suggests this loss of microbiome diversity is continuing unabated.
At Performadog and iPurr we continuously talk about only using ingredients in the food which are sympathetic to the dog. By that, we actually mean the ingredients are required to foster a healthy microbiome, and those ingredients are present in the food at levels that actually encourage the correct balance of microbiota to restore and maximise the symbiotic relationship between the microbiome and the animal.
A perfect example of this is the discussion that centres around the use of grains in pet food. More and more products are appearing on the market boasting a “grain free” status, with proponents of grain-free diets making a claim that “you never see a dog chewing on a head of wheat”. While this may be true, it doesn’t take into consideration the evolving status of our domesticated dogs and cats that are now quite capable of digesting starch, plus the fact that resistant starch is also a valued nutrient for organisms in the large intestine where it is fermented to produce butyrate. The other interesting snippet regarding starch is that all dry foods contain starch, whether they be grain free or grain based. Grain free foods typically rely on carbohydrate sources such as potato, pea flour and tapioca to provide the starch with which to bind the food together to make a crunchy kibble, whereas foods containing grain use rice or groats or similar for their starch supply. The critical factor here is how much starch is in the food in total, and whether it is balanced to the needs of the microbiome. It goes without saying that excessive amounts of starch, or starch in the wrong balance, can cause low-level gut inflammation which as we now know is a precursor to skin and coat issues in our pets.
The term “probiotic” was first coined by a US researcher to describe the effect of infusing the gut with live, beneficial bacteria. The word soon gained general use as a noun, and is now defined by the World Health Organisation as “live microorganisms, which when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host.”Today, there are many pre and probiotic supplements on the market for a variety of applications not only in our dogs and cats but for humans and as a useful additive in the nutrition of many other domesticated animals.
Pre and Probiotics are available in a number of forms; powder, tablets, liquids or gels. Regardless of the form of the pre and probiotic, it should always be remembered that we are dealing with live bacteria. In the case of powders and tablets, the bacteria are in a freeze-dried form, and while being shelf stable, longevity is enhanced through storage in the refrigerator. They are far more stable than the gel or liquid forms which have a relatively short shelf life. Next time you are in the supermarket, check the “use by date” on the yoghurt, and that will give you a good indication of how long these liquid types of probiotics will keep.
Of course, we now know all of these problems are associated with disruptions to the balance of the microbiome, so it shouldn’t come as a big surprise that seeding the gut with beneficial bacteria will make a difference to the health and well-being of our pets.
Many pet owners have resorted to using yoghurt as an emergency probiotic, but here at performadog and iPurr, we prefer to feed our Purple Carrot, pre and probiotic formulation specifically created for animals. Please see this product on our link called Why Purple.
While the microbiome of dogs, cats and humans are quite similar, a wider range of bacteria and yeast appear to be superior to the use of the more limited range found in natural yoghurt and human probiotic supplements. Examples of the type of bacteria to look for when contemplating purchasing a probiotic supplement are:
It would be unusual to find all eleven of these strains in the one preparation, but a good mix of any of the above should be suitable for your dog.
Clean up the dog’s environment, both the internal and the external environment. As touched on earlier, chemicals ingested internally or chemicals in the dog’s surrounding environment can have a detrimental effect on the microbiome. Problematic chemicals and medications include:
These medications do not discriminate between good bacteria and harmful bacteria, and while being essential in the treatment of bacterial disease, antibiotics also devastate the population of the microbiome. Feeding a probiotic supplement together with natural food sources that promote a healthy biome is essential following a course of medication.
Excessive use of shampoos and conditioners, or the use of the wrong types (for example, using human shampoo rather than a canine shampoo) can decimate the skin microbiome, which is closely connected to the gut microbiome via what is called the skin-gut axis. In other words, changes in one microbiome affect the other, and the negative impact on one will translate to the other.
Flea, tick and worm medications can have a significant effect on the microbiome, with the resultant modification of the microbiota balance being the precursor to skin and coat problems. Heartworm medication, particularly the injectable form which is administered annually, is a particularly harsh chemical that can cause an over-active immune system to go into meltdown. We never inject for heartworm and aim to use more natural or gentler methods of administering anthelmintic treatments.
Abound in our environment from air born pollutants to household cleaners and disinfectants. Many of these chemicals are blamed for the decline in microbiome diversity, and their avoidance where possible can only assist in maintaining the health and well-being of our pets.
Many of the dogs we see with skin conditions show a seasonal allergy to grasses and pollen. For dogs suffering this type of problem a quick and easy aid in their treatment is to wipe them down with a damp cloth on returning home from a walk. Just removing the offending irritants from the feet, toes, muzzle and chest can be a great help while we work to get the diet, blood nutrient levels and the microbiome back in balance.
We are not the only ones to suffer stress-related disorders. Our pets can also suffer, and the microbiome is probably the first part of the body system to be affected. Stress comes in many forms for our canine companions, with one of the most common being nutritional stress from a poorly balanced diet. Other stresses such as separation anxiety can also impact upon the health and well-being in the same way as previously discussed.
So far, this whole discussion has centred on the relevance and impact of the gut microbiome on the health and well-being of our pets.
While it follows that sympathetic ingredients in the food will give rise to a healthy and well-balanced microbiome, we still have to ensure the nutritional balance within the food accurately matches the dog’s particular needs relative to its age and stage of physiological development.
To achieve this outcome, Performadog and iPurr food ingredients are analysed for their essential nutrient content before the ingredients are mixed and matched to provide the perfect balance of essential nutrients in the correct ratios to one another. This method, known as nutrient ramping (see the separate article Nutrient Ramping) ensures the correct levels of nutrients are available for use in the body proportionally to the rate of energy expenditure.
The thrust of this nutritional approach is to identify and optimise each process in delivering essential nutrients to the body by optimising each stage of the entire process.
What all this means is that the maintenance of good health and well-being is not just a one-dimensional process. It is the sequence of events whereby the ingredients are matched to the microbiome while the nutrients are matched to the animal. In other words, it is like a team effort with each member of the team optimised for the best possible outcome for both you and your dog, so it’s a bit like turning a team of champions into a champion team!
Hopefully, this article has shed a little light on canine nutrition. Should you require additional information or would like to comment on any of the above, please email us at info@performadog.com.au or info@ipurrcatfood.com.au.
Bill Wiadowski
Watch Bill discuss and answer questions on Pet Nutrition on our YouTube Channel.
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