Download Digestive Health in Dogs and Cats

Digestive Health in Dogs and Cats
More than 6.5 million dogs and 12.4 million cats suffer from chronic digestive problems*. The symptoms they
experience include gas, diarrhea, bloating and nausea. Many more pets suffer the occasional digestive upset due to
changing to a new food, antibiotic use or stress. Having intestinal discomfort is no fun for our pets, or for us, but
there are effective means to help make them more comfortable and to strengthen their digestive system, naturally.
*MRC Omnibus Study
The Importance of Digestive Enzymes
Digestive enzymes help breakdown and deliver nutrients from a pet’s food to every part of the body. As Pet
Parents we try to do the right thing for our pet, but there are many factors that can lead to a decrease the amount
of enzymes available to our pets. Enzyme drains include; age, strenuous exercise, illness, stress, processed diet,
genetic factors or antibiotic use. Pets experiencing any of these enzyme drains will benefit from supplementation.
The four key enzymes for dogs and cats are:
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Protease for Muscle: Provides protein digestion in the stomach and small intestine to build muscle
Amylase for Energy: Digests starchy foods to release simple sugars for energy.
Cellulase for Fiber: Provides dogs and casts with the enzyme to digest cellulose, reducing the bulking
effect of fibrous foods.
Lipase for Overall Health: Digests fatty acids allowing the pet to absorb Omega-3 Fatty Acids and
Vitamins A, D, E and K.
Deposit Enzymes for a Rainy Day
Enzymes are destroyed in the normal processing of most commercial pet foods. Supplementing with enzymes is an
effective way to replace the loss due to heating and processing but there are significant differences in enzymes.
Plant based enzymes are stable at the pH of a dog and cat’s digestive system and will start working in the
esophagus and continue to the tail. Many industrial or animal based enzymes are effective only at pH levels that
are not commonly found in the body, and therefore are of less value. Because vitamins, minerals and hormones
cannot do their jobs without enzymes, a deficiency will affect not just digestion, but the pet’s overall health.
Common signs of enzyme deficiency and poor digestion include; excessive itching, shedding, hair balls, body odor,
rash, bad breath, diarrhea, constipation, infection and poor immune system. Supplementing with digestive
enzymes can not only address a digestive deficiency, but can also aid in creating stores in the body that will benefit
immune function and the pet’s overall health.
Increase Native Friendly Bacteria to Improve Gastrointestinal Health
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Your pet’s digestive system is home to hundreds of different species of both beneficial and potentially harmful
bacteria. These intestinal bacteria exist in a delicate balance that influence the way your pet digests food and
absorb nutrients. An optimal balance of power between friendly and unfriendly bacteria must be maintained for
good health.
Your pet’s friendly bacteria play a critical role in many aspects of immune responses. They help to resist
infection, and keep the potentially harmful bacteria at bay by helping control their population. They also fight
toxins and other internal stresses that can threaten a pet’s health.
Adding a prebiotic to your pet’s food helps friendly bacteria thrive. Prebiotics are the fast food for these friendly
bacteria. Prebiotics do not have to be refrigerated and will selectively feed the beneficial, native bacteria in the dog
and cat’s system. Prebiotics such as fructooligosaccharides (FOS) are natural and safe. FOS is found naturally in
mother’s milk.
Whether you are changing to a new food, your pet is on antibiotics, or you just want to keep their digestive system
healthy, supplementing with a digestive supplement helps keep your pet comfortable and at the top of their health.
Author: Rebecca Rose, president of In Clover, Inc. Ms. Rose is a biochemist and the developer of animal health
products. She is the author of three patents on the composition and method for treating joint disorder in
vertebrates. Rebecca is a member of the National Animal Supplement Council’s Executive Committee and chairs
the Membership Committee. In Clover is the maker of OptaGest™, a complete digestive supplement of clinicallyproven levels of the prebiotic FOS and four plant enzymes.