Wellness from Within: Make a resolution to prioritize gut health with Get Joy™

Dogs have more than just kibble in their bellies. There are trillions of bacteria, fungi, viruses and other organisms mingling with their latest meal and the gut microbiome in their digestive tract has a significant impact on your dog’s health.

Your dog’s gut microbiome influences their metabolism, protects against pathogens and aids the immune system. Research shows that 92 percent of dogs experienced at least one symptom of gut microbiome imbalance in the last 12 months. Diarrhea or soft stool, bad breath, vomiting, appetite change, weight changes and skin issues are the most common signs that your dog’s microbiome is out of balance.

Our friends at Get Joy have cracked the code when it comes to a complete dog wellness ecosystem with gut-healthy nutrition at their core that prioritizes your companion’s health as much as you do our own.

How to Make 2024 the Year of Good Gut Health

Maximize mealtime:

Eating the same dried kibble at each meal isn’t just boring; it could also be hurting your dog’s health.

Everything from steroid and anti-fungal medications to stress and environmental toxins can take a toll on canine gut health; the wrong diet can also impact the gut microbiome. Poor gut health contributes to health issues like chronic inflammation, heart disease, skin problems, weight issues and a compromised immune system, leaving your dog feeling less than their best.

Switching to a freeze-dried food can help. One study found that dogs that were fed freeze-dried meals experienced improvements in their fecal microbiome and skin and coat health compared to those that ate conventional kibble.

Most conventional kibble is cooked at extremely high temperatures, which strips dog food of most of its nutritional value. That’s where Get Joy™ freeze dried foods are different. Get Joy’s recipes (developed by a team of ACVN Board Certified Veterinary Nutritionists) uses human-grade ingredients and freeze-dries them to lock in 97 percent of the nutritional value of raw, fresh food while removing water to preserve it; additional safety procedures eliminate bacteria to create a delicious food with the scoopable, storable convenience of kibble and the health benefits of fresh food. They also have developed their fresh and freeze-dried meals, superfood treats and chews to include pre, pro, and postbiotics, which are essential to a healthy and balanced gut microbiome. This food is scientifically proven to optimize your dog’s digestion, immunity, and overall wellness.

Exclusive for Whistle, enjoy 60% off your first 3 Get Joy autoship orders with code WHISTLE60

Good food, good mood:

There is an undeniable connection between the foods your dog eats and how they feel.

Switching to a diet rich in gut-healthy foods like turkey, chicken, whitefish, eggs, sweet potatoes and berries triggers the production of serotonin, a “happy chemical” that is linked with improved mood, cognition, reward systems, learning and memory. It’s estimated that 70 percent of serotonin is made in the gut. As Get Joy knows well, joy starts from the inside out.

Go outside:

Nature is filled with bacteria that support a healthy microbiome. Taking your dog for a hike, scheduling doggie play dates and just breathing in fresh air will expose your dog to a diversity of microflora that supports good gut health.

Limit exposure to bad bacteria:

Your veterinarian may prescribe medications like steroids, antifungals or drugs that suppress the immune system to treat certain health issues. It’s essential to provide proper veterinary care when your dog isn’t feeling well, but these medications can harm their gut microbiome and should only be given when necessary.

Add prebiotics and probiotics:

Prebiotics are dietary fibers that promote the growth of beneficial gut bacteria while probiotics contain bacteria that are normally found in your dog’s gut. You could buy chews or supplements that contain pre-and probiotics, but Get Joy’s freeze-dried meals include pre, pro, and postbiotics—the three bacterial communities essential for a healthy gut microbiome—in all dog foods.

Exclusive for Whistle, enjoy 60% off your first 3 Get Joy autoship orders with code WHISTLE60

Monitoring matters

It’s a great sign when your dog gobbles their treats and licks their bowl clean after supper but a healthy appetite is not the only way to monitor your dog’s health and wellbeing.

All Whistle smart devices make it easy to track your dog’s exact location, physical activity, health symptoms, weight and more in an easy-to-use app.

Whistle smart collars monitor your dog 24/7 and translate billions of data points into insights that will show you if your dog is eating or drinking less or scratching or licking more—behaviors that could be a sign that they aren’t feeling well. The smart collars also have GPS trackers with real time location updates so you’ll always know your dog’s whereabouts.

It’s technology that lets you deliver a whole new level of care so your dog will stay healthy and happy in the New Year and beyond.