The microbiome is home to trillions of species of bacteria, these support the health of your pet in multiple ways, with links to many of today's common ailments including itchiness, gastric discomfort and food sensitivities. Imbalances of the gut bacteria are common, caused by lifestyle, diet, stress and medications. Many of our pets have low levels of good gut bacteria and high levels of bacteria that cause inflammation. This test will accurately pinpoint low levels of all the good gut bacteria and make personalised recommendations on how best to increase them through dietary changes.
1. Order the TestOrder the Kit: Once you’ve selected the service, order the microbiome test kit. The kit will be delivered to your home and includes instructions, a sample collection tube and a return envelope or box. 2. Collect the SamplePrepare for Sample Collection: Follow the instructions provided in the kit carefully. It’s important to collect the sample as soon as possible after your pet has defecated, to ensure the sample is fresh.Wear gloves if instructed, and use the collection tool we send you Note the Timing: If your pet is on antibiotics or any other medication that could affect their microbiome, let us know in the pet health form. 3. Packaging the SampleSeal and Secure: Once the sample is collected, place it in the provided tube. Follow the instructions to ensure the sample is properly sealed and preserved. Prepare for Shipping: Place the sealed sample into the return box and ensure it's securely packaged for mailing. Send to us, sit back and we will do the rest. 5. Wait for ResultsProcessing: The lab will process the sample and analyse the microbiome to identify the types and quantities of bacteria, fungi, and other microbes present in your pet’s gut. Results: Results typically take 2-4 weeks from when we receive the test. We will then take the data and put it into an easy-to-read report. The report will be emailed to you. Once you have received your report you can book your one-to-one consultancy. 6. Review the Recommendations Follow-up Recommendations: Once the results are ready, you will receive dietary and supplement recommendations based on the findings.
Our tests take between 2-4 weeks to get your results to you from when we receive the sample.
The test is completely non-invasive, so there’s no risk to your dog, no matter their condition. All that’s required is a small sample of their faeces, which we’ll send to our lab for analysis. We’ll take care of the rest. Any dog, regardless of their health status, can be tested. However, certain medications, such as antibiotics, may affect the results or prevent us from accurately analysing the sample. We recommend you wait four weeks after taking the antibiotics before getting tested.
Biome4Pets (Petbiome) is the most professional microbiome testing service available. Established in 2018 with research projects and university collaborations since 2014, we now own the largest population database in the UK and Europe and use it to give an accurate real time snapshot of the health of your pet. The Biome4pets report is prepared personally by our in-house Gut Microbiologists. We are the only microbiome test that offers a free consultation with our experts to ensure you get the most out of the results. We've always worked with the Institute of Biological Environmental and Rural Sciences and Professor Gwenin at Bangor University, between the two, it took two years to develop a collection kit that would replicate accurate results, which we still use.Since then, commercial faecal collection kits have become easier for the consumer and nicer looking but produce very variable results. There has also been a significant increase in the number of commercial labs but also produce very variable results, standardisation is sorely needed. We rely entirely on our extensive database to produce an accurate report, these closely align to published literature, though frequently bear no resemblance to results produced by other testing services.
A balanced gut microbiome is essential for a pet's overall health, impacting digestion, immune function, behaviour, and more. Disruptions, such as from antibiotics, poor diet, or stress, can cause imbalances that lead to health problems. Maintaining a healthy gut through a well-balanced diet, probiotics, and careful management of medications can help keep your pet in optimal health.
Biome4pets tests mainly cats and dogs but we can also test rabbits. Our sister company Equibiome tests horses.
You can still test your dog but let us know in advance on the pet health questionnaire so we have the background information and can advise around this. If your dog has been on antibiotics recently, we recommend waiting at least 4 weeks before collecting a sample. This will give their microbiome time to repopulate, ensuring a more accurate test result. Antibiotics work by eliminating bacteria, which is helpful when treating infections. However, they can’t differentiate between harmful bacteria and the beneficial ones your dog needs. As a result, if your dog is currently on antibiotics or has recently taken them, the sample may not contain enough bacteria for us to analyse.
We will recommend when to do a retest in our reports. It will either be at 6 months or 12 months depending on what we see in the report.
Yes, you can, however we highly recommend you taking the microbiome test first so that we can point you in the right direction when it comes to next steps.
Gut bacteria, or the microbiome, play a crucial role in the health of both cats and dogs. These microorganisms help maintain a wide range of bodily functions that are essential for overall health. Here are some key ways in which gut bacteria are important for pets: 1. Digestive Health Gut bacteria help break down food, especially complex carbohydrates and fibers, that the animal's body may not be able to digest on its own. This process aids in nutrient absorption and the production of beneficial compounds like short-chain fatty acids. 2. Immune System Support A healthy gut microbiome is integral to a pet's immune system. Beneficial bacteria help regulate the immune response and protect against harmful pathogens, reducing the likelihood of infections and allergies.3. Metabolism and Weight Regulation Gut bacteria influence metabolism and how the body processes and stores fat. An imbalance in the microbiome can contribute to obesity or weight-related health issues. 4. Brain and Behaviour The gut is sometimes called the "second brain" because of its connection to the brain via the gut-brain axis. The gut microbiome has been linked to mood, behaviour, and cognitive function. An unhealthy microbiome may contribute to issues like anxiety or aggression in pets. 5. Protection Against Pathogens A diverse and balanced gut microbiome acts as a barrier to harmful bacteria, preventing them from overgrowing and causing disease. Good bacteria can crowd out pathogenic organisms and produce substances that kill or inhibit harmful microbes. 6. Skin and Coat Health The microbiome affects skin health as well. Imbalances in gut bacteria can lead to skin conditions like allergies, itching, or infections. 7. Anti-inflammatory Effects A healthy gut microbiome helps regulate inflammation in the body. Chronic inflammation, often due to an unhealthy microbiome, is linked to various diseases, including arthritis, autoimmune disorders, and even some cancers.
The test also includes a one-to-one consultation with our gut biologists who will guide you through the report and answer any questions that you have. We will make recommendations and clear next steps if your test finds any imbalances.
Take the oral test for dogs with poor oral health, inflamed gums, tooth loss and bleeding gums. Take the gut microbiome test for dogs with gastric symptoms, itchiness, food sensitivities, allergies and bad breath.
From years of research, we have found that the best way to feed our products is powders for multiple reasons. Firstly, this means that the ingredients are in their rawest form with limited processing, as well as being easier to digest. Typically does will eat these mixed into their foods easier than trying to get them to swallow kibble etc.
If your dog is refusing to eat the powders, let us know. We have other options, such as the FMT.
We recommend taking the powders for a minimum of 6 months. Which is why we created our Biome Boost programme.
The biome Boost can be bought once you have taken the Microbiome test and includes a bespoke 6 month programme for your pets to follow. We send everything you need for the 6 month programme with clear guidance of when and how to take it. Includes the recommended products.
