The microbiome is the name given to the collection of microbes, mostly bacteria, but also fungi, viruses, and protozoa, that exist within your dog’s gut.

It is a diverse and complex microbial community which can directly affect health and wellbeing. It has been estimated that around 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.

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.

There are many direct links between the microbiome and other areas of the body such as the joints, brain and skin, and a poorly balanced microbiome can have significant effects throughout the rest of the body.

We are testing your dog’s stool for different bacteria and creating a map of their microbiome. We look to see which bacteria are present in your dog’s biome, and whether these levels are normal, higher than normal or lower than normal.

This information will give us an idea of what is going on within their gut now, as well as what issues could arise in the future. We will then give advice on how to improve the balance and diversity of the biome to help it return to optimum health.

Testing and treatment have the potential to help with a whole range of different health complaints. This is because the immune system is very closely associated with the gut and 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.

Some sort of imbalance in the microbiome is found with all digestive issues, so optimising the diet and encouraging a return to a healthy biome will usually improve digestive issues and digestion generally. This may happen quickly or slowly, depending on what condition your dog is suffering from, as well as what other interventions are being taken, such as diet changes, antibiotics, or other medications as needed.

You don’t have to, but we might recommend that you make some changes to help improve the health of your dog’s microbiome.

Sometimes the test results will indicate that the diet your dog is currently eating is not suitable for them, as it is causing an imbalance in their microbiome. For example, you may need to increase protein levels to help encourage a healthy biome. This is very hard to do if you are feeding a low protein food, so we would suggest you switch to a higher protein food, as just adding more lean protein to their diet could lead to an imbalanced diet.

In many cases you will be able to keep your dog on the same, or a similar food, and just make a few tweaks based on our feeding recommendations. For example, adding some extra vegetables to their normal food.

If your dog has a gastrointestinal issue and you have not tried experimenting with feeding different flavours or styles of food, then we would recommend discussing this with your regular vet. There are lots of food-responsive digestive issues, and sometimes finding the right food can resolve your dog’s digestive issues.

We tend to make two types of recommendations.

First, we will recommend a bespoke supplement combination tailored specifically for your dog’s needs, based on the results of the test. This is designed to address any deficiencies in their microbiome, help with any existing or future conditions identified, and boost their overall health.

Second, we will provide a series of dietary recommendations to improve your dog’s microbiome diversity and health.

We recommend retesting in the future so that we can see how our recommendations have affected your dog’s microbiome. Frequency of retesting will depend on the health of your dog and their microbiome. If your dog is generally healthy, then retests will be less frequent. We usually recommend testing every 6 months to monitor their progress. If they have an active disease process, particularly a gastrointestinal disease, then we will recommend more frequent retests until we have things back under control with a healthier biome.

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.

Some pet owners like to test their dog’s microbiome to find out if the diet they are feeding is suitable for their pet, and whether they are at risk of developing any future conditions that could be prevented.

A large proportion of your dog’s immune system is closely associated with the gut, so any imbalance found on the report could lead to future health problems if left untreated. Gut wall integrity and immune system health are both crucial for overall wellbeing and vitality in all mammals, so testing could help you to keep your dog in optimum health, and help them lead a longer and happier life.

Any dog can have a microbiome test performed on their stools, regardless of any conditions they have or treatment they may be receiving. The only exception is if your dog is receiving any chemotherapy drugs, as these are excreted in the stools (this is a health hazard for you and our team at the lab).

Yes. The microbiome is very closely linked with overall health and vitality. There have also been many links made between the microbiome and the health of different body systems, including the skin, the joints and the brain. Finding out the state of the microbiome, and making changes to improve it, could certainly help improve other health conditions. It could also help to improve overall health due to the close association between the immune system and gut health.

You can perform the test if your dog is on antibiotics, but the results may be different to normal. Antibiotics target bacteria, by killing or preventing them from reproducing, so this will have an effect on your dog’s microbiome and their test results.

If your dog is on a short course of antibiotics, two weeks or less, then we would recommend you finish the course before testing, so we know exactly how depleted your dog’s microbiome is before we make changes to encourage a healthier biome. If it is a long course of antibiotics, more than four weeks, then we would recommend you go ahead and test, so we can make changes to start building the microbiome back up as soon as possible.

If your dog is on antibiotics when we first test them, then we may recommend retesting sooner than with other cases, but it will all depend on what the results show.

No. If your dog is currently taking probiotics then there is no need to stop them before testing. We should get a clear picture of your dog’s microbiome regardless, and if they are helping, then we don’t want to interfere unless it would benefit them. The same goes for prebiotics, synbiotics, and postbiotics.

Yes. You can perform the test on your dog if they are on any type of medication, except chemotherapy drugs, as these are excreted in the stools (this is a health hazard for you and our team at the lab).

You will be asked to provide us with the details of any symptoms or conditions your pet is suffering from, and any medication they’re taking, during the test activation process. This is so we can provide accurate recommendations in relation to your dog’s results.

No. This test is specifically checking the levels of bacteria in your dog’s gut. It’s not designed to check for any parasites. If you’re concerned about the possibility of your dog having a parasite, you can ask your vet to provide a separate test for this.

It is better to wait at least a month after deworming before performing the test. If your dog is due to be dewormed, then this could be done immediately after taking your sample.

No, you’ll need to have a separate allergy or intolerance test for this, which is carried out via different methods. If you're interested in this, you should speak to your vet to find out more information. 

Collecting a stool sample is very quick and easy using our GutDiscovery® test kit, which contains everything you need to safely take a suitable sample. The whole process takes just a couple of minutes from scooping the sample up into the collection tube to sealing it securely in the postal packaging and sending it off to our laboratory.

Place the return address label on the back of the box and put it in your nearest postbox. Please make sure to send within 3 days.

It’s best if you return your dog’s sample as soon as possible, so that you receive the most accurate results.

We recommend that you return your dog’s sample to our lab within 3 days of your dog defaecating, as the sample quality will degrade the older it is, which could affect the accuracy of the results.

Although we recommend you return your dog’s sample within 3 days, if you have been unable to return it to our lab sooner, you can still return it to us up to 60 days after your dog defaecated. The preservative we use will hold DNA stable for up to 60 days, if stored at room temperature.

If it has been more than 60 days since the sample was created, please contact help@biome9.com, as it’s likely our lab won’t be able to successfully analyse your dog’s sample and provide accurate results.

Currently, our BiomeBites® our only available on our tailored, 6 month supplement plan.

The plan is designed using your dog’s test results, to ensure they are receiving the most optimal combination for their health needs. As a result, we’re not able to offer the BiomeBites® until your dog has been tested.

You will receive a bespoke dosing schedule for your dog based on their GutDiscovery® test results and their size.

You can also find this information on the back of the BiomeBites® packaging.

If you have any questions, please contact support@biome9.com.

The weight bandings are a guide only. As the BiomeBites® are made from entirely natural ingredients, there is no risk to your dog if they receive a slightly lower dose.

If your dog has lost or gained weight since taking the test, which puts them in a different weight category, you can adjust their dose accordingly. The details of the weight bandings are on the back of the BiomeBites® packaging.

If, as a result of changing the daily dosage for your dog, you have, or will have, too many or too few BiomeBites® remaining, please contact support@biome9.com.

As the BiomeBites® are made from entirely natural ingredients, there is no risk to your dog if they receive a slightly lower dose.

There is also a very low risk of causing harm if you accidentally give your dog a higher dose, especially if it was just the once. If you have given your dog a higher dose than recommended, keep an eye on them and take them to your vet if they seem unwell.

We don’t currently offer this option.

If this is a product you would like us to offer, please contact support@biome9.com to let us know, so we can consider offering this in the future.

Yes, BiomeBites® are completely safe for dogs, with the only potential exceptions being if your dog has a very specific allergy or intolerance to one of the ingredients.

It is important that you answer any questions we ask about your dog’s health as accurately as possible, as the ingredients vary between the different types of BiomeBites®.

Make sure to always check the back of the BiomeBites® packaging before feeding any to your dog, as this is where you will find the ingredients list, along with any conditions or medications that may need to be considered.

If you are in any doubt, we advise checking with your vet and showing them the detailed ingredients list for your dog’s BiomeBites® before feeding them to your dog.

BiomeBites® have been formulated by our team of vets, nutritionists and food production experts.

Each product has been designed to deliver specific health benefits using carefully researched active ingredients and based on the latest scientific evidence on efficacy and safety.

As well as their functional profiles, each formulation has been extensively taste-tested with our panel of picky eaters to ensure that they are as palatable as possible to make feeding easy and enjoyable.

BiomeBites® contain very few calories and so will not have a significant impact on your dog’s overall energy intake, so they can be fed as part of a low-calorie diet without causing any problems.

It is very unlikely that your dog would have an allergic reaction to BiomeBites®, as they are made from all natural ingredients.

If you suspect your dog is suffering from an allergic reaction, you should first consult your vet. If your vet suspects your dog is allergic to an ingredient in BiomeBites®, stop feeding them to your dog immediately and contact us at support@biome9.com.

We have conducted extensive palatability testing on our BiomeBites®, however if your dog is refusing any of our formulations, please contact support@biome9.com.

We would recommend contacting your vet for advice in the first instance.

Our supplements are made from natural products and are designed to boost your dog’s health and vitality, so it is unlikely that they would cause any significant negative effects. However, if you’re concerned, please contact support@biome9.com so that we can support you.

We would also recommend re-testing your dog sooner, to enable you to track how they are progressing.

Marshmallow Root

Chamomile

Rosemary

Thyme Leaf

Vitamin B12

Vitamin C

Enterococcus faecium

Bifidobacterium animalis

Vitamin B6

Spirulina Powder

Turmeric

Ginger Root

Oregano Leaf Powder

Thyme Leaf Powder

Matcha Green Tea Powder

Vitamin C

Vitamin B12

Enterococcus faecium

Meadowsweet Powder

Bifidobacterium animalis

Vitamin B6

Dandelion Root

Beta-glucan

GMBx6™ Multibiotic Blend with Bacillus velezensis

Glucosamine HCL

NaturAlgae

Boswellia Serrata

Turmeric Root Extract

Ginger Root

Chondroitin

Vitamin C

Yucca

GMBx6™ Multibiotic Blend

Vitamin E

Manganese

NaturAlgae

Turmeric Root

Burdock Root

Cordyceps Mushroom

Arctic Blueberry

Ashwaganda Root

Vitamin C

Selenite

Vitamin E

GMBx6™ Multibiotic Blend with Bifidobacterium animalis and Bacillus velezensis

Inulin

Sugar Beet Fibre

3 Strain Yeast-based Postbiotic

Enterococcus faecium

Bacillus velezensis

Inulin (Jerusalem Artichoke Soluble Fibre)

Inulin (Chicory Root Soluble Fibre)

Psyllium Husk

Sugar Beet Fibre

Vitamin C

Arctic Blueberry

Humic Acid

Vitamin A

Vitamin B1

Vitamin B12

Vitamin B2

Vitamin B3

Vitamin B5

Vitamin B6

Vitamin B9

Vitamin C

Vitamin D3

Vitamin E

Copper

Iodine

Iron

L-Arginine

Choline

L-Lysine

Magnesium

Manganese

Zinc

Potassium

Sodium

Sulphur

3 Strain Yeast-based Postbiotic

Echinacea

Apple Cider Vinegar

Astragalus Root

NaturAlgae

Inulin

Quercetin Dihydrate

We can currently deliver our GutDiscovery® Tests and BiomeBites® to the United Kingdom (including Northern Ireland) only. This excludes the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man.

If you have already ordered from the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man, please contact support@biome9.com.

Unfortunately, we don’t supply our products to any countries outside of the UK yet.

Next Day Delivery - £4.99 - order before 1pm for next day delivery

Tracked 48hr Delivery - Free

We don’t currently deliver to the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man or any countries outside the UK.

All of our GutDiscovery® tests include a free return address label, to be attached to the back of the box, so that they can be posted back to our lab for analysis.

If your order hasn’t yet been despatched, please contact support@biome9.com.

If your order has already been despatched, unfortunately we are unable to amend any details.

Yes. When your order is despatched, you’ll receive an email with the tracking number.

You can choose either a refund to the original payment method you used to purchase the item(s), or we can issue a discount code to the value of the item(s) being refunded, which you can use to purchase other items on our store.

Your refund will be in your account within 5 - 7 working days of the date it was issued. We will send you an email when we issue your refund to let you know.

If you have chosen a discount code instead of a refund to the original payment method, this will be emailed to you when the refund is authorised and will be available to use as soon as you receive the email.

We’re so lucky to hear positive change stories from owners who have seen improvements in their dogs following their GutDiscovery®.

We’re so confident that our recommendations will make a difference to your dog, that we offer an improvement promise guarantee. If you follow all our BiomeVitality® Care Plan recommendations and don’t see an improvement in your dog's next GutDiscovery® test results, we’ll give you your money back.

If you have followed all of our BiomeVitality® Care Plan recommendations and don’t see an improvement in your dog's next GutDiscovery® test results, we will refund the full cost of your purchase:

- Your original GutDiscovery® Test Kit

- 6 months of BiomeBites®

- Your follow-up GutDiscovery® Test Kit* bought after 6 months on our BiomeVitality® Care Plan

*Please note, this excludes any delivery fees and associated lab costs.

To claim, you must have completed the following:

- Purchased and successfully received the results from the a GutDiscovery® Test Kit for your dog.

- Bought and completed a full 6 month plan of BiomeBites® for your dog (either upfront or on our subscription plan) as recommended in their first GutDiscovery® Test Kit results

- Followed all of the dietary and daily BiomeBites® supplement recommendations for your dog, including correct daily dosages, for a full 6 months, as recommended in their first GutDiscovery® Test report.

- Purchased a second GutDiscovery® Test Kit, collected a sample from your dog, and returned this to our laboratory after completing the full 6 months of dietary and BiomeBites® recommendations, and within 7 months of receiving the results from your dog's first GutDiscovery® Test Kit

- Received an InvisibleHealth® Score from your dog's second GutDiscovery® that is more than 10% lower than your dog's first InvisibleHealth® Score.

- Not one of your dog's health indicators have shown an improvement.

If you have completed all of the above, please contact support@biome9.com to make a claim on the money back guarantee. Please include the following in your email:

- Your name

- Your dog's name

- Your order numbers

- The activation codes for both GutDiscovery® Test Kits

- Both InvisibleHealth® Scores and a list of Health Indicators that are lower in the second test than in the first test.

- Proof of postage for the second GutDiscovery® Test Kit

Once we receive your claim, we will review this within 5 working days. If successful, you will receive a full refund for both GutDiscovery® Test Kits, and the full 6 month plan of BiomeBites® supplements to your original payment method within 10 working days of approval.

Please note, we will not be able to issue a refund under the money back guarantee if:

- You have already received full or partial refunds for either of the two GutDiscovery® Test Kits or any part of the 6 month BiomeBites® supplement plan

- You have not paid for either of the two GutDiscovery® Test Kits or any part of the 6 month BiomeBites® supplement plan

- You did not purchase the full 6 month BiomeBites® supplement plan, or you changed or withheld or delayed any products from the plan, or did not administer the correct dosage

- You administered supplement products, either homemade or manufactured by other companies, to your dog between submitting the sample for your dog's first GutDiscovery® Test Kit and collecting the sample for their second GutDiscovery® Test Kit

- You did not implement all of the dietary recommendations from the first GutDiscovery® Test Kit for any reason

- Your dog received antibiotics or any other medication or treatment, either medical or surgical, or had a new veterinary diagnosis that we consider to have had a possible impact on the health of your dog's microbiome between submitting the sample for your dog's first GutDiscovery® Test Kit and collecting the sample for their second GutDiscovery® Test Kit

- The full 6 month dietary and BiomeBites® supplement recommendations from your dog's first GutDiscovery® Test Kit weren't completed before you collected the sample for your dog's second GutDiscovery® Test Kit

- The sample for the second GutDiscovery® Test Kit was not submitted to our laboratory within 7 months of the date you received the results from your dog's first GutDiscovery® Test Kit

- Either the first or second sample collected for your dog fails to pass our laboratory analysis

- The InvisibleHealth® Scores in dispute are not from your dog's first and second GutDiscovery® Test Kits

- You are not the named account holder

- You do not provide any one of the items of information we require (listed above) when submitting your claim

Please note, we will not be able to issue a refund under the money back guarantee if:

- You have already received full or partial refunds for either of the two GutDiscovery® Test Kits or any part of the 6 month BiomeBites® supplement plan

- You have not paid for either of the two GutDiscovery® Test Kits or any part of the 6 month BiomeBites® supplement plan

- You did not purchase the full 6 month BiomeBites® supplement plan, or you changed or withheld any products from the plan, or did not administer the correct dosage

- You administered supplement products, either homemade or manufactured by other companies, to your dog between submitting the sample for your dog's first GutDiscovery® Test Kit and collecting the sample for their second GutDiscovery® Test Kit

- You did not implement all of the dietary recommendations from the first GutDiscovery® Test Kit for any reason

- Your dog received antibiotics or any other medication or treatment, either medical or surgical, or have had a new veterinary diagnosis that we consider to have had a possible impact on the health of your dog's microbiome between submitting the sample for your dog's first GutDiscovery® Test Kit and collecting the sample for their second GutDiscovery® Test Kit

- The full 6 month dietary and BiomeBites® supplement recommendations from your dog's first GutDiscovery® Test Kit weren't completed before you collected the sample for your dog's second GutDiscovery® Test Kit

- The sample for the second GutDiscovery® Test Kit was not submitted to our laboratory within 7 months of the date you received the results from your dog's first GutDiscovery® Test Kit

- Either the first or second sample collected for your dog fails to pass our laboratory analysis

- The InvisibleHealth® Scores in dispute are not from your dog's first and second GutDiscovery® Test Kits

- You are not the named account holder

- You do not provide any one of the items of information we require (listed under 'How do I make a claim on the money back guarantee?') when submitting your claim