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Resilience and why it is the key to good gut health.

In our GutDiscovery® report, you will see a few references to the ‘resilience’ of your dog’s Gut Microbiome. But what actually is resilience in the context of gut health, how is it measured, and why is it so important?

October 10, 2024 • 2 min read

Bushra Schuitemaker

Lead Microbiologist

The ‘resilience’ of your dog’s gut, or the durability of the gut wall, refers to how well your dog bounces back from illness or other stresses, and within the gut, how well the microbiome recovers from these disturbances. It is also about how well the gut microbiome can adapt and maintain balance as the microbiome changes. These changes can occur through illness, injury or antibiotic use, but also changes in diet, environment or even stress.

With poor gut wall resilience, your dog is more at risk of leaky gut, pathogens, infections and diseases, all of which can heavily affect their overall wellbeing. Good gut resilience = healthy happy dog.

So what does a ‘resilient’ gut look like, and how is it measured?

A ‘resilient’ gut is one with a healthy gut wall lining, full of beneficial bacteria that work to protect the gut wall against harmful pathogens, and contribute to nutrient absorption, which is vital to a strong immune system.

Some of the key bacteria we look for in a resilient microbiome are Lactobacillus, Fusobacterium, Faecalibacterium and Clostridium, among others.

We focus specifically on biofilm-forming bacteria, which play a crucial role in gut health. Biofilms are tightly-knit bacterial communities that work together to create a physical barrier, much like the iridescent film seen on stagnant water or the plaque that forms on teeth when not brushed. This biofilm lining in the gut is highly desirable because it is difficult to disrupt and effectively prevents pathogens from colonising. Additionally, it facilitates quicker recovery following microbiome disruptions.

By counting these gut wall warriors, we can garner how many of them are protecting the gut wall. A count within their ‘optimal’ range equals a more resilient gut and a stronger immune system. A count that is too low (or in some cases too high) reflects poor resilience, and possible contribution to poor gut health and a weaker immune system.

Improve the resilience of your dog's gut health through the introduction of more beneficial bacteria, either through pre and probiotics, or through a diverse diet with lots of dietary fibre to help that beneficial bacteria grow.

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Frequently asked questions

The microbiome is the name given to the collection of microbes, mostly bacteria, but also fungi and protozoa, that exist within your dog’s gut. It is a diverse and complex microbial community which can directly affect health and wellbeing. We know that 90% of a human’s body cells are microbes, with only 10% being human cells – it’s just that human cells are markedly larger than the microbes. It’s similar for our four-legged friends. Testing the microbiome gives us an idea of exactly which bacteria are present in your dog’s gut and this can help indicate existing or future health problems.
A healthy diversity within the microbiome has been found to be an accurate indicator of overall health and wellbeing. If your dog appears healthy, but has an imbalance in their microbiome, then this could be an indicator of a potential future health issue. If your dog has any existing health complaints, then improving the health of their microbiome can help to improve immune system health and overall wellbeing, as well as improving disease symptoms.
Testing and treatment have the potential to help with a whole range of different health complaints. The immune system is very closely associated with the gut, so any imbalance in the microbiome can influence immune system health, overall vitality and wellbeing. Our supplement recommendations are also tailored to your individual dog, with specific ranges designed to help with gastrointestinal inflammation, joint problems, allergies and skin complaints, to name a few.
All you need to do is order a kit online and fill in our questionnaire about your dog and their general health. We will then send the kit out to you by post. You then just need to collect a sample and return it to us, again by post. Once the test is performed, we will email the results directly to you.
You do not need to get your vet’s permission to test, or talk to them about performing the test beforehand. We do recommend that you pass on a copy of your test results to your regular vets, as it may help them in understanding your pet’s current health, and any future complaints they may have.