Hill's Science Plan Adult Dog Food Variety Pack is composed of 12 loaf cans: 6 with Chicken, 3 with Beef & 3 with Turkey. It is a complete pet food for adult dogs 1–6 years old.
Chicken recipe, small breed dry dog food with for the weight support and balanced nutrition for overall health. With small kibble size for tiny mouths, quality protein for lean muscle.
Hill's Science Plan Sensitive Stomach and Skin Small & Mini Adult Dog Food with Turkey is a complete premium pet food for small breed adult dogs aged 1–6 years. This deliciously soft mousse is enriched with ingredients that support digestive health & skin care.
Chicken recipe dry cat food with L-carnitine and fewer calories for ideal weight management in adult cats. Packed with high-quality protein, omega-6s, and vitamin E for shiny fur and healthy skin.
Hill's Science Plan Sensitive Stomach & Skin Adult Wet Cat Food with Turkey is a complete pet food for adult cats, aged 1–6 years. This highly digestible wet food comes in a pouch and supports healthy digestion, as well as nourishes skin and promotes a thick and lustrous coat.
Hill's Science Plan Sterilised Adult Dry Cat Food with Salmon has a unique weight management formula to help burn fat, build muscle and keep sterilised cats lean. Made with high-quality, easy-to-digest ingredients.
In people, the right diet is very important. If you are eating the wrong way for your metabolism, activity level, age and lifestyle you could end up with health issues.
To make a protein, amino acids are linked together in a long chain. The chain is then bundled into to a three-dimensional structure, like a tangled ball of yarn.
Learn what your pet's microbiome is, how it contributes to your pet's gut and overall health, and why nutrition is important in maintaining healthy microbiomes.
Dr. Sarah Wooten
|October 20, 2020
Did you know that the micro-organisms living in and on your body outnumber your body's own cells? The same is true for our pets. Science shows that the community of microbes — the dog microbiome and the cat microbiome — have a mutually beneficial relationship with pet’s bodies. In other words, the microbiome and the body are great partners that work to maintain your pet’s overall health and wellness.
"Micro" means extremely small, while "biome" refers to a natural community of living things that inhabit an ecosystem. Think of a dog microbiome or a cat microbiome as a microscopic population of billions of bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa that live and thrive in their ecosystem -- their body.
The particular mix of micro-organisms is unique to each dog or cat, just as it is in humans. Interestingly, even though these micro-organisms may vary in different individuals, they often do the same things. One example from the human microbiome is metabolic function, as discussed in this Nature Communications article. Another article in Nature explained that people and their pets actually exchange and share their microbes with each other.
While you will often hear about the gut microbiome, there are also microbes that live on the skin, in the oral cavity, in the lower female reproductive system, and in the respiratory tract, among other places. Each of these places is inhabited by different types of microbes that are ideally suited to its features and conditions. That means each part of the body has its own unique microbiome.
Within the ecosystem of the digestive tract, there is a thriving gut microbiome. While gut microbes can be found in the stomach, small intestine and upper large intestine, the majority live in the colon.
Dogs and cats are not born with a microbiome. Puppies and kittens start building one immediately after birth.
They get their microbes from:
As puppies and kittens grow and mature, their microbiomes change and mature as well. The microbiome remains stable in most adult dogs and cats unless they become unhealthy from illness or improper nutrition.
Young pets may need several visits in their first year for vaccinations. Adult pets generally benefit from annual check-ups, while senior or special-needs pets might require more frequent visits.
The microbiome can affect almost every organ in your pet's body, making a balanced microbiome vital for overall health.
For example, gut bacteria don't just aid digestion. According to researchers at Texas A&M University's Gastrointestinal Laboratory, they also:
In healthy dogs and cats, the microbiome doesn't change very much. Many diseases are associated with gut dysbiosis, which means there are changes in the composition (amount and type) of the gut microbiome that impact its function. Treatment with antibiotics can also affect composition and may be detrimental to the gut microbiome. The microbiome can also be affected by nutrition.
Food has a big influence on the health and population of the dog and cat microbiome. Even something as seemingly harmless as quickly switching a dog's or cat's food can alter their microbiome. Differing levels of protein, fat, carbohydrates, soluble fiber and insoluble fiber can all influence and alter a dog’s or cat’s microbiome balance.
Even eating table scraps or getting into the kitchen trash can cause digestive upsets in pets, originating from an upset microbiome. As different foods enter the colon, gut bacteria are affected, producing excess gas with bad-smelling compounds, or impacting the pet's stool quality. Therefore, it is best to transition your pet to a new food slowly, giving the gut bacteria time to adapt and maintain balance.
When you feed your pet, you are also feeding their microbiome. While still in the early stages of research, new discoveries are being made every day that reveal how feeding a pet's microbiome affects their overall health.
At Hill's Global Pet Nutrition Center, a team of pet scientists and nutritionists are linking the effects of certain nutrients on your pet's microbiome as well as their cells. Understanding the relationship between these nutrients and bacteria is helping us to formulate foods that promote healthy microbiomes. The micro-organisms living in our pets must be properly balanced to promote their health and wellness. What you feed your pet supports their health and helps to maintain the health of their microbiome, which is essential for their overall wellness.
Dr. Sarah Wooten graduated from UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine in 2002. A member of the American Society of Veterinary Journalists, Dr. Wooten divides her professional time between small animal practice in Greeley, Colorado, public speaking on associate issues, leadership, and client communication, and writing. She enjoys camping with her family, skiing, SCUBA, and participating in triathlons.
Hill's Science Plan Sensitive Stomach and Skin Small & Mini Adult Dog Food with Turkey is a complete premium pet food for small breed adult dogs aged 1–6 years. This deliciously soft mousse is enriched with ingredients that support digestive health & skin care.
Chicken recipe, small breed dry dog food with for the weight support and balanced nutrition for overall health. With small kibble size for tiny mouths, quality protein for lean muscle.
Science Plan's breakthrough nutrition supports ultimate digestive well-being & healthy microbiome
Hill's Science Plan Adult Dog Food Variety Pack is composed of 12 loaf cans: 6 with Chicken, 3 with Beef & 3 with Turkey. It is a complete pet food for adult dogs 1–6 years old.
Understand what effect feeding your pet table scraps really has on their daily caloric intake with this easy to understand human equivalent chart.
Learn why nutrients like antioxidants & amino acids can help improve your pet's immune system, as well as top antioxidants to look for in pet food.
In people, the right diet is very important. If you are eating the wrong way for your metabolism, activity level, age and lifestyle you could end up with health issues.
To make a protein, amino acids are linked together in a long chain. The chain is then bundled into to a three-dimensional structure, like a tangled ball of yarn.
Our low calorie formula helps you control your pet's weight. It's packed with high-quality protein for building lean muscles, and made with purposeful ingredients for a flavorful, nutritious meal. Clinically proven antioxidants, Vitamin C+E, help promote a healthy immune system.
Our low calorie formula helps you control your pet's weight. It's packed with high-quality protein for building lean muscles, and made with purposeful ingredients for a flavorful, nutritious meal. Clinically proven antioxidants, Vitamin C+E, help promote a healthy immune system.