New research suggests that a significant percentage of dogs are dealing with some side effects of COVID-19–in the form of separation anxiety and mental health issues. It’s more important than ever to make sure your dog’s gut health is in great shape, as the gut-brain axis in dogs makes a difference in their outlook.
We’re all sick of covid
At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, it might have been said that dogs everywhere were rejoicing. Their hoomans were home, and though they weren’t exactly sure why, if honest? They didn’t care! Hoomans home was a great thing.
But, our dogs are intuitive, and they pick up on our moods and our anxieties. And, lots of research suggests they wear them as their own. In fact, a survey done by Purina Petcare in the UK looked at 1,005 dog owners and found that nearly half (49%) believed that the last year had an impact on their pets. Additionally, nearly a third of the dog parents said that their dogs have become more anxious, and almost 40% of the pet parents were concerned about their dog’s health as a result.
Are you in or are you out?
As if dogs aren’t capable of picking up on our moods and worries , they also got good at having separation anxiety when many of us were able to get back to the office or workspaces. After having us to themselves for so long, our dogs didn’t necessarily understand it was time to get back to ‘normal’ (as if that’s a thing now) and suffered from the symptoms of canine anxiety.
So, what’s a dog (or his hooman) to do?
Easy. Focus on gut health!
How do you know if your dog is anxious?
If your dog is suffering from anxiety, you may likely see the following symptoms:
- Pacing – Does it seem like your dog just can’t get settled? Increased panting and pacing like he’s nervous? That’s likely canine anxiety.
- Accidents in the house – Is he all of a sudden having accidents? Does he seem nervous about them? That could be anxiety.
- Increased vocalization – Does it seem like your dog whines or howls more, especially if you leave the room or the house? Does he ‘talk’ more when you are not with him?
- Destructive tendencies – Is your pup normally a gentle giant but when you leave turns into a weapon of mass destruction?
- Decreased appetite – Do they seem like they’re not eating as much or not touching their food if you’re not there with them?
- Depression – Do you feel like you’re breaking your dog’s heart if you just walk out to the mailbox and don’t take him with you? Depression can be another sign of doggy anxiety.
Good dog gut health can help the symptoms of canine anxiety
The key to good mental health for your dog is good dog gut health. In humans and dogs alike, the gut is called the ‘second brain.’ This is because your dog’s gut produces many of the same neurotransmitters that his brain does. Specifically, dopamine, serotonin and gamma-aminobutyric acid make a huge difference in your dog’s mental health and anxiety and good gut health ensures balanced production.
The best way to make sure your dog has good gut health is to give him Bernie’s Perfect Poop. The high-quality fiber helps him digest his food and feed the helpful bacteria in his gut. The digestive enzymes in Perfect Poop make sure his food is broken down for optimal nutrient absorption, which is important for his overall health and immune system.
But possibly most important in supplementing with Bernie’s Perfect Poop is the addition of premium pre- and probiotics to your dog’s gut flora. As research continues to show the connection between balanced guts and a healthy brain, ensuring that your dog’s microbiome is flourishing with beneficial bacteria can battle anxiety they suffer. The pre- and probiotics Perfect Poop has are able to withstand your dog’s digestive tract and the harsh conditions that sometimes kill off other bacteria, making sure they get the full beneficial effects with every bite.
It seems that NONE of us have escaped some of the effects from COVID, even if we’ve never been infected. This is especially true for our furry best friends, but the good news is that we can take care of them with every meal we feed them. Giving them Bernie’s Perfect Poo will help their guts be the healthiest they can be, and those healthy guts will help their brains be healthier too.
After all, we’re all in this together, and we know we couldn’t have made it through this mess without them…so let’s be sure to take care of them the best we can!
