Do Boarding Kennels & Dog Sitters Stress Your Dog?


by Dana Grove October 15, 2016

The image of a man with his dog by his side has become a timeless one, found over and over again throughout history.  Dogs are truly loyal creatures, and they happily follow along at the heels of their humans…

And while life alongside their people makes any dog’s day; separation from their people can be quite stressful.  We know that dogs are social creatures who live and thrive in groups, from packs of wild dogs to domestic family pets – dogs simply thrive in a group setting.

While most dogs adjust to their owner’s regular schedule, there are times that call for more than a few hours away.  When pet owners plan to travel, their canine companions are often placed in the care of a dog sitter, boarding kennel, or another type of caregiver.

If you’ve ever had to leave your dog with someone else for a few days, you have probably also come home to find out your dog has experienced some level of stress…  It’s not unusual to hear that stress has presented itself in some pretty, um, unpleasant ways.

Many humans and canines alike experience digestive issues when they are stressed.  Stress leads to changes in the microbes in the gut, which can cause imbalances in the bacterial community within the microbiome.  When these changes occur, the repercussions are often impact digestion.  When our pets are stressed, issues with loose stool or diarrhea are quite common.  This isn’t only an issue for our pets, but for their temporary caregivers as well.

Prebiotics can offer a solution to prevent these digestive issues that are the result of stress.  When prebiotics are added to a dog’s diet, they can prevent bad bacteria from taking over by nurturing the growth of good bacteria.  Maintaining a population of healthy bacteria in the gut can prevent issues with digestion, as it simply doesn’t allow room for the bad bacteria to grow!

In addition, there are many studies that look at how a healthy gut microbiome can help reduce stress as well.  There is evidence that bacteria in the digestive tract is responsible for the production of all kinds of neurochemicals that are used by the brain, many which are linked to comfort and mood.  For example, one of the most notable neurochemicals mainly produced in the gut is serotonin.

Balancing the microbiome with prebiotics can prevent digestive issues and help make our pets feel better too!  These are two things that can make life a whole lot easier for both our pets and those temporarily providing care to them while we are away.

Adding prebiotics to your dog’s diet while you are away can reduce the impact this stressful situation has on your pet…  This safe and simple solution doesn’t just have to be used during situations that can create stress – prebiotics can added to your dog’s daily diet to maintain a healthy gut on an ongoing basis too!




Dana Grove
Dana Grove

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