Your dog's gut is home to millions of tiny bacteria. In fact, the bacteria inside your dog's body outnumber his cells 10 to 1! It's just as important to care for these bacteria as it is to care for your dog. The NomNomNow Microbiome Testing Kit is helping pet owners understand and care for these gut bacteria.
Bacteria are microorganisms. Inside your dog's gut, these microorganisms find other bacteria that support and benefit them. They form colonies and all of the colonies inside your dog's gut form a microbiome.
While it doesn't sound like a bunch of bacteria could help your dog, the microbiome is actually necessary for your dog's survival. Good gut health is imperative to your pet's overall health and well-being.
Besides being necessary for digestion, your dog's microbiome also supports immune system function, protects against pathogens, and affects your pup's mood. Studies have shown that your environment and the food you feed your pet have a large effect on his microbiome.
If your dog suffers from digestion issues or you're just curious about his gut health, the NomNomNow Microbiome Testing Kit was designed to help owners learn more about the bacteria in their pet's gut. How beneficial is this information? Are the test kits easy to use? Find out in my detailed review below.
RELATED: NomNomNow Fresh Cooked Dog Food Delivery
NomNomNow Microbiome Testing Kit and Probiotics
The NomNomNow Microbiome Testing Kit is a simple DIY test. It is similar to at-home DNA tests. As you can see in the photo above, the instructions are written inside the box. They are easy to follow, and the entire process will only take about 5 minutes.
The kit comes with 2 swabs and 2 vials. It also includes a bag and a self-addressed envelope to mail the sample.
You'll need to collect a fresh stool sample in order to get a microbiome sample. I do this by placing a paper plate underneath my dog when she squats to go to the bathroom. If your dog is cooperative, this is the easiest way to get a sample without having to pick it up off the ground.
Once you've collected the sample, you just have to swab it and place the swab in the vial. Each vial contains a small amount of liquid. Shake the vial until the sample has dissolved in the liquid, and you're ready to mail it back to NomNomNow.
Each kit has a unique sample number, and you'll need to register this number on the company's website. You'll be notified by email when the results of your NomNomNow Microbiome Testing Kit are complete.
RELATED: 11 Stomach Problems In Dogs – How To Prevent and Treat Them
The results show the types of bacteria in your dog's gut, whether the concentration of said bacteria is high or low, and why this type of bacteria is necessary. The kit tests for more than 65 bacteria!
You can purchase the testing kit from the NomNomNow website for $59. I was actually surprised at how affordable the kit is. Most scientific testing kits cost more than $100, depending on what they are testing for. This microbiome testing kit is affordable on any budget.
If your dog's gut health isn't up to snuff, NomNomNow also offers its own probiotic supplement to help get Fido's gut back in check. Their supplement is similar to others on the market. It's available in powder form, which is easy to sprinkle over your dog's meals.
This probiotic supplement contains 20 billion cultures, including strains that were derived specifically from healthy dogs. It is formulated by NomNom's veterinary nutrition and microbiology team.
Ingredients include: Probiotic Blend, Lactobacillus reuteri, Pediococcus acidilactici, Enterococcus faecium, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium animalis, Lactobacillus fermentum, and Lactobacillus rhamnosus. Prebiotic: Inulin. Other ingredients: maltodextrin, tapioca dextrose and silica.
Each bottle contains 30 servings, and there are 12 calories per serving. You can purchase one bottle on the company's website for $45. That's more expensive than most probiotic supplements for dogs on the market, but it's also formulated by a team of experts. Plus, it includes bacteria strains derived from healthy dogs, which is a feature most similar products do not include.
READ NEXT: Top 5 Best Digestive Aids for Dogs
