How to Test Dog Gut Health at Home
Dog gut health matters because at least 70 percent of your dog’s immune system is in the gut. An imbalanced gut can lead to health issues like diarrhea, constipation, gas, bloating, and itching (yes, itching!). Chronic gut issues also contribute to conditions like Inflammatory Bowel Disease and food sensitivities. If you catch something before it flares up, how incredible is that?!
My first Cocker Spaniel, Brandy Noel, was diagnosed with Irritable Bowel Disease in her senior years. Testing dog gut health was not as prominent back then, but times have changed. Looking back, if only I had access to an at-home gut health test that didn’t require yet another veterinary visit. In conjunction with her veterinarian and internal medicine vet, I would have tested her right away.
The folks at Innovative Pet Lab (IPL) reached out to me and asked if they could send me a test kit at no charge. After researching the company and their background, I happily agreed.
Here’s what you need to know about your dog’s gut health, why dogs without symptoms should be tested, and what happened when we put IPL’s comprehensive gut health check to the test.
Some of the links in this article are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. I am also an Etsy and Chewy affiliate.
The Role of Microbiome in Dog Gut Health
Microbiome is a really fancy word that is super important to understand. It’s not complicated at all. I talked to Dr. Betsy Redmond, co-founder of IPL about the symptoms of poor gut health in dogs. Sometimes, there are no signs until the condition worsens. Wherever your dog is in their gut health journey, it’s important to understand their microbiome–a word that seems to be getting a lot of buzz.
A dog’s microbiome is a complex community of bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa living primarily in their digestive tract. This microscopic ecosystem plays a crucial role in your dog’s overall health, influencing everything from digestion and nutrient absorption to immune function and even behavior.
When a puppy is born, they start with a nearly sterile gut, which is why young puppies are particularly vulnerable to illnesses and infections. From birth, they begin to develop their microbiome through exposure to their mother, surroundings, and environment. This natural process helps establish a balanced gut microbiome that supports a strong immune system.
As your puppy grows into adulthood, their microbiome continues to evolve but typically reaches a stable state. However, certain factors—like diet changes, stress, antibiotics, or illness—can disrupt this balance, leading to a condition known as dysbiosis.
According to Dr. Redmond, “Canine and feline gut microbiota (mostly bacteria) have a significant impact on health, just like in people. When the gut microbiota is imbalanced, called dysbiosis, it can negatively impact health.”
Maintaining a balanced microbiome is key to promoting your dog’s well-being, and regular monitoring through gut health tests, such as those offered by Innovative Pet Labs, can help identify and address potential issues before they affect your dog’s health.
Symptoms of Poor Gut Health in Dogs
Having raised multiple Cocker Spaniels and been a dog owner my entire life, I know it can affect their entire well-being when a dog’s gut is out of whack. Here are some common signs of poor gut health in dogs:
Here are some common signs your dog or cat may have gut issues.
No signs at all: You read that correctly. Pets can show no outward signs of poor gut health, even with an imbalance. This is due to slow-onset symptoms, changes are being overlooked, or hidden balances in the microbiome.
Stool check: What does your pet’s stool look and smell like? A decreased appetite, change in stool color, consistency, or frequency may indicate gastric problems.
Bloating and gas: Is your pet extra gassy? Do they seem bloated? It could be an issue.
Weight fluctuations: Weight gain or loss is a tell-tale sign that something is wrong, and it might be gastric-related.
Changes in behavior: If your pet seems to be ‘off’ or not acting normally, it can be a sign of an inflamed gut!
Vomiting: Especially after meals, vomiting is usually indicative of something gastric.
Bad breath: Often associated with dental issues, bad breath in pets may indicate many harmful bacteria in the gut.
Skin and coat changes: Does the coat look dull? Is the skin itchy? An unhealthy gut can trigger an inflammation response, directly impacting skin and coat.
Chronic ear infections: Anyone with floppy-eared dogs or pets with frequent ear infections should look to the gut. Food intolerances can cause inflammation, wreaking havoc on the digestive system.
The above symptoms can indicate other health concerns, so always talk to your veterinarian.
Why We Tried Innovative Pet Lab’s Gut Health Test for Dogs
Let’s face it–there are many at-home test kits available these days. However, Innovative Pet Lab was founded by actual scientists and is unlike any other gut health test for dogs.
“We go beyond just analyzing gut bacteria—we provide a complete picture of your pet’s functional gut health by measuring key biomarkers that indicate inflammation, immune function, intestinal permeability, and digestive efficiency,” Dr. Betsy Redmond shared. “Unlike AnimalBiome, which primarily focuses on microbiome composition, IPL’s tests give actionable insights into underlying health issues like gut strength, food sensitivities, chronic stress, and overall gut function.”
My Cocker Spaniel, Sir Alvin, is three years old. He has a sensitive stomach and has been taking a probiotic under veterinary orders since about a year old. I know that not all health issues present with symptoms. A high-quality, at-home gut health test reveals underlying imbalances or potential problems before they are serious.
Preventative healthcare is important to me. By establishing a baseline of my dog’s gut health, it’s much easier to detect changes in the future.
Innovative Pet Lab also provides actionable insights without trying to sell you supplements or products. The results help pet parents identify potential issues and suggest specific dietary and supplement recommendations tailored to your pet’s needs.
Bonus: Many veterinarians are now running Innovative Pet Lab tests in their practices, as this testing is specialized and unavailable elsewhere.
Our Overall Assessment of Innovative Pet Lab’s Gut Health Test
Pet parents often reach out to me to ask what causes poor gut health in dogs. Their Cocker Spaniel may be experiencing diarrhea, allergies, or something else. In my 30+ years of experience, I’ve learned it can be many things and that no two dogs are alike.
I’ve dealt with older dogs and their issues and learned that prevention is easier than treating a huge problem. The more I can improve my dog’s health and well-being, the better.
Here’s a step-by-step easy guide to how Innovative Pet Lab tests work:
- You order a test kit online by visiting Amazon or Chewy.
- The kit arrives, you scoop a sample of your dog’s poop into the provided container, mail it back in the postage-paid box, and wait around two weeks.
- You’ll receive an email telling you all about your dog’s results, along with recommendations and what to talk to your veterinarian about.
It’s that simple. And so worth it.
Sir Alvin’s IPL gut health test showed completely normal results. This also helps me understand that hsi itchiness is likely not caused by food, but rather environmental issues, as evidenced on other allergy testing we performed.
What We Liked
- Ease of Use: I was able to test my dog’s gut health from the comfort of home.
- Trust: These are real human scientists at a women-owned company. I knew their collective 100+ years in human medicine lent itself well to a pet-centric health company/
- Bridges a Gap: By offering detailed reports and personalized recommendations, Innovative Pet Lab enables proactive management of pet health. Their approach bridges the gap between pet parents and veterinarians, fostering a collaborative effort in maintaining optimal pet wellness. The more the merrier!
- Catching Problems Early: If only the Comprehensive Gut Health Test for Dogs was around when my first Cocker Spaniel had gut issues. I prefer catching issues early.
- Action Points: If your dog (or cat) has something brewing, IPL will find it and provide an honest assessment and recommendations moving forward.
- Affordability: Compared to expensive in-office testing, IPL’s tests are affordable for most budgets.
- Veterinary Collaboration: Innovative Pet Labs work with veterinarians, providing credible and professional insights into your dog’s gut health.
Things to Consider
- Poop Sample: A fecal sample is required. Most dog moms and dads I know are picking up their pet’s poop anyway. You get gloves and the tools necessary to place a small amount of dog poop into a container.
- May Not Be Covered by Pet Health Insurance: Some pet health insurance companies may not cover the test, which makes it an out-of-pocket expense.
- Retesting: Like any test in life, IPL’s gut health tests for dogs are not one and done. IPL recommends retesting your pet every 6 to 12 months. This will help monitor your dog’s gut so you can act early.
Which Innovative Pet Labs Test Kit is Best for My Dog?
Your dog’s gut may be out of balance even without symptoms. The team at Innovative Pet Lab understands a pet’s microbiome and why identifying early signs of gut imbalance is crucial.
Innovative Pet Lab offers simple at-home kits that require a small sample of your dog’s poop. Pet parents receive easy-to-understand results after collecting a sample and mailing it back to the lab.
Testing your dog’s gut health isn’t about addressing immediate problems (although that does help); it is also a proactive approach to overall wellness.
Innovative Pet Lab at-home gut health kits can test the following: (click each link to shop)
Comprehensive Overall Gut Health for Dogs: (and a separate one for cats): I chose this one and highly recommend it because it gives pet parents an in-depth picture of gut health.
Inflammation and Immunity: Ideal for identifying and calming inflammation in the gut.
Leaky Gut: Discover if your pet’s gut is strong enough to protect them from disease and infection.
Digestion and Detox: Find out if the food and supplements you give your dog are working properly for optimal health.
Basic Gut Check: Helps expose hidden problems to keep your pet’s gut healthy.
Cortisol Stress Test: The newest test to the company, uncover your dog’s stress level and take steps to manage their overall health. We are doing this test now with Sir Alvin; stay tuned for updates.
The convenience of testing at home with veterinarian-approved test kits means you can monitor your dog’s gut health without making a clinic appointment.
FAQs
If you’re considering testing your dog’s gut health with Innovative Pet Lab or simply want to learn more about how a healthy microbiome can impact your pet’s overall well-being, you likely have a few questions. Here are some frequently asked questions about IPL and the gut health of your pets.
Any of the above test kits can be purchased on Amazon, Chewy, or directly from Innovative Pet Lab.
I didn’t know my dog had gut issues until one day she was pooping diarrhea and could not stop. A healthy gut is a key indicator of overall wellness. If your dog shows no problems, it is ideal to have a healthy baseline early on. You will know what happened in the time frame between tests to narrow down the cause better.
Dr. Betsy Redmond says it best. “Unlike AnimalBiome, which primarily focuses on microbiome composition, IPL’s tests give actionable insights into underlying health issues like gut strength, food sensitivities, chronic stress, and overall gut function.”
Cortisol is often called the stress hormone. When out of balance, it can indicate underlying health issues or things like Addison’s, Cushings, or anxiety. Cortisol testing is useful for dogs who presently have anxiety, behavioral changes, or unexplained health issues.
Yes, Innovative Pet Labs offers the following at-home test kits for cats: Cortisol Stress Test, Basic Gut Check, Leaky Gut, Inflammation and Immunity, and a Comprehensive Gut Check for Cats.
