Catering to the needs of older pets’ guts and their microbes may help address some of the declines that come with advancing years.

The surface area of a dogs’ intestines covers more than enough space for a good game of fetch. Among all the interesting snippets of information about pet’s microbiomes, Richard Murphy, Ph.D., research director for Alltech European Bioscience, finds not only the range of microorganisms astounding, but also the size of the gastrointestinal tract’s surface area. All that habitat allows a complex community of bacteria and other organisms to live in animal’s intestines. All that complexity leads to a great deal of variation between species and individuals. Read more.

---

Wall, Tim. “Prebiotics May Help Older Dogs’ Guts Avoid Inflammation.” Www.Petfoodindustry.Com, http://www.petfoodindustry.com/articles/9421-prebiotics-may-help-older-dogs-guts-avoid-inflammation. Accessed 23 July 2020.

‌

A new study looking at canine dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and a possible link to grain-free pet food corroborates what many in the industry have been saying since July 2018, when the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) first announced its investigation into this matter: There is no clear or confirmed link. Read more.

---

“DCM Study: No Link to Grain-Free Pet Food, No Closure.” Www.Petfoodindustry.Com, http://www.petfoodindustry.com/blogs/7-adventures-in-pet-food/post/9329-dcm-study-no-link-to-grain-free-pet-food-no-closure. Accessed 13 July 2020.

‌

The ultimate causes of canine dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) may be diverse, complex and specific to each case, as opposed to a simple cause and effect with certain grain-free dog foods.

The ultimate causes of canine dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) may be diverse, complex and specific to each case, as opposed to a simple cause and effect with certain grain-free dog foods. Among more than 150 published studies related to DCM, a pet industry consulting group’s researchers didn’t find any firm connection among cases of DCM and grain-free dog food. However, in their analysis of existing studies published in in the Journal of Animal Science, the scientists did note recurring dietary and genetic factors that need more attention. Read more.

---

Wall, Tim. “Diet, genetics play roles in canine DCM; Mysteries remain.” PetfoodIndustry.com, PetfoodIndustry.com, 1 July 2020, https://www.petfoodindustry.com/articles/9362-diet-genetics-play-roles-in-canine-dcm-mysteries-remain

‌