Prevention is the key to protecting your pet's gastrointestinal health

The human intestine is approximately 8 meters long, sufficient for digestion and absorption. However, a dog's intestine is only half that length (approximately 4.5 meters), and a cat's is even shorter, at approximately 2 meters. Therefore, furry friends' digestive and absorption abilities are weaker than humans', meaning they are more susceptible to indigestion and other related gastrointestinal issues.

Common Causes of Gastrointestinal Problems in Dogs and Cats

• Changes in feeding habits
  Changing brands may cause gastroenteritis. It is recommended to adopt a gradual approach when changing food, gradually adding small amounts of new food every day for a week, and closely observe the dog or cat's mental state and bowel movements.
• Imbalance of intestinal flora
  An imbalance in the intestinal flora (more bad bacteria than good) can cause digestive problems. This can be caused by a poor diet, frequent food changes, or the consumption of unclean foods.
• Food Allergies
  Intolerance or allergy to certain food ingredients may cause loose stools or diarrhea. Furry pet owners need to pay attention to food ingredients and eliminate ingredients that may cause discomfort.

How to measure the gastrointestinal health of pets?

Common signs of digestive problems in your pet include vomiting and loose stools. If you notice these warning signs, immediately record the frequency and duration of these episodes. It's also recommended to take photos of the vomit and stool, carefully documenting their contents, color, and shape. This information will allow you to initially identify and analyze the root cause of the problem, facilitating subsequent treatment and diagnosis.

You can judge the health of your dog or cat's feces by observing its shape and texture :

• Grade 1-2: Dry, hard, granular, easy to pick up, not sticky. May indicate dehydration or constipation.
• No. three To Grade 3-4: Strip-shaped, medium texture, intact or occasionally broken, not sticky.
• No. Grade 5: Soft and moist, with some sticky surfaces. This may indicate food intolerance or immune problems, especially when accompanied by symptoms such as poor spirits, loss of appetite, and vomiting, suggesting gastroenteritis.
• Grade 6: Loose, shapeless, still has texture, mostly sticky. Usually gastroenteritis .
• Grade 7: Watery, shapeless, completely sticky. Symptoms of severe gastroenteritis .

Things to note when your pet has gastrointestinal problems

Observe the overall situation

In addition to noticing abnormalities in stool, owners should also monitor their pet's mental state, appetite, and activity level. If your pet appears depressed, has a poor appetite, or is less active, consult a veterinarian as these may be signs of health problems.

Recording and taking photos

If you find abnormal stool, it is recommended to record its color, texture, odor, and defecation frequency in detail and take photos for safekeeping. This information can help your veterinarian understand the condition more accurately and make a diagnosis, thereby improving the success rate of treatment.

Seek medical attention promptly

If the stool contains blood, is black or grayish white, or has other serious abnormalities, you should take it to the hospital immediately. If If your pet exhibits symptoms such as poor spirits, loss of appetite, vomiting, or abdominal pain, seek professional medical assistance as soon as possible. This is especially true for puppies, kittens, elderly pets, or pets with chronic illnesses. If diarrhea persists for more than 24 hours, seek medical attention promptly to prevent the condition from worsening.

Hill's Digestive Care Prescription Food* Protects your pet's gastrointestinal health

The digestive tract's microbiome ecosystem contains billions of microorganisms, both beneficial and harmful. Hill's Digestive Care formulas are formulated with a variety of active fibers to actively revitalize the intestinal microbiome and maintain healthy digestion.