{"id":3199,"date":"2016-03-21T05:42:06","date_gmt":"2016-03-21T05:42:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.zookie.com.au\/?page_id=3199"},"modified":"2024-01-15T07:10:08","modified_gmt":"2024-01-15T07:10:08","slug":"pet-health-support-your-dog-s-digestive-system","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.zookie.com.au\/caring-for-your-pet\/healthcare-wellbeing\/pet-health-support-your-dog-s-digestive-system\/","title":{"rendered":"Pet health: support your dog\u2019s digestive system"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Frank Van Doore and Dr David Tivey are passionate food scientists and the founders of Dig-In Digestive Gravy Powder<\/a><\/strong> \u2013 an all natural, human-grade health food supplement for your canine chum<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Dig-In<\/a><\/strong> helps to fight against common food allergies and improve dogs\u2019 digestive health<\/strong>, which can save pet owners a packet on vet bills. Zookie caught up with Frank and Tim for a chin-wag about doggy digestion and how dog lovers can support and improve the health of their furry friends.<\/p>\n

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Frank explains that the increase in the number of dogs presenting at veterinary surgeries with food allergies comes down to the sheer number of pets in Australia.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere are estimated to be 4.2 million pet dogs in Australia; 19 dogs for every 100 people. Cats come next with 29% of households owning a cat, an estimated 3.3 million pet cats in Australia and 15 cats for every 100 people.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDuring my teen years, my best and frequently only friend was our Pekinese named Fluffy. He was a beautiful natured dog but he always had severe skin allergies. His illness was so severe that he had scratched off all the hair on his hind quarters. The vets were perplexed and there seem to be no real cure. I remember his suffering and the helplessness that we felt to help him. That memory is still with me to this day \u2013 many, many years later,\u201d Frank tells us.<\/p>\n

\u201cI am a food scientist who has been involved in human and pet food research and development for over 20 years. I met Dr Tivey more than five years ago and we struck up a conversation about his work in allergy reduction in animal foods. After this discussion I realised that his research coupled with my experience in prebiotic\/probiotic and healthy pet foods could help to develop a new product that could alleviate pet suffering<\/strong>. Dig-in was the recipe that we came up with. It not only helps overcome common food allergies but it also helps builds a solid immune system that is essential for longevity.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Frank explains that the biological mechanisms that underpin optimal health and wellbeing in humans are the same in our canine pals<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\u201cA major key to optimal health is support for the digestive system. The digestive system is effectively in contact with the outside world and the environment is hostile. A key component of the digestive system is bacteria and their interaction with the lining of the digestive system. Imbalance can result in environmental conditions that prompt ill health and even cancer<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\u201cFrom a digestive physiology perspective, there are many parallels between dog and man. The biological mechanisms will be similar these being: food for beneficial bacteria, decoys that prevent the binding of pathogens to the gut wall and beta-glucans that balances the immune system. Overall the response is improved bowel function, increased nutrition and a balanced immune system.<\/p>\n

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Advice for health conscious pet parents<\/strong><\/p>\n

Frank offers the following advice to help keep your dog healthy:<\/strong><\/p>\n