Guide Dogs UK partners with Biome9 to improve gut health of service dogs

Guide Dogs UK has teamed up with Biome9 to explore and optimise the gastrointestinal health of their puppies as they train to be guide dogs. 

Biome9’s insights will help improve digestion, skin health, immunity, behavioural markers, joint health and more. 

According to Guide Dogs UK, its mission is to help people with sight loss “live the life they choose”, so the long-term health and well-being of the guide dogs they breed and train are integral to their work.

The initial test sample will use Biome9’s GutDiscovery test technology to include 100 labrador and golden retriever puppies. 

Guide Dogs’ puppies are born in volunteer homes and enter the National Centre at approximately seven to eight weeks of age. They remain at the National Centre for one week before travelling nationally to puppy-raising homes. 

Through Biome9’s GutDiscovery test, Guide Dogs UK are able to understand more about their puppies’ gut health to help support them on their journeys.

Biome9’s GutDiscovery test uses its InvisibleHealth AI to analyse millions of bacteria in a dog’s gut microbiome, helping owners take control of their pet’s gut health. 

Each report includes personalised feeding recommendations and a bespoke BiomeBites supplement programme, scientifically created to give your dog “exactly what it needs to thrive”.

Rachel Moxon, senior canine science associate at Guide Dogs UK, said: “We are thrilled to be working with Biome9 to give us an insight into our pups’ gut health for the first time. The knowledge gathered from the test will help us to make informed decisions about each puppy’s journey. It is critical to monitor and understand health and wellbeing in puppyhood so our pups can have the best possible start to becoming life-changing guide dogs.”

Asher Nathan, co-founder of Biome9, added: “Biome9 GutDiscovery is a very simple, at-home test that is helping thousands of dog owners make smarter, science-backed feeding decisions to improve long-term health. Following our recommendations in the report, 80% of customers have seen noticeable improvements in their dog’s overall well-being within 8 weeks. 

“Gut health represents a pioneering frontier in science, and our commitment to ongoing research continues our learning. We aim to offer recommendations that ensure these dogs can lead longer, happier lives, supporting the invaluable care they provide to those they will go on to assist.”