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Your Dog's Gut Health Test kit has arrived! For next steps and how to correctly collect your Dog's sample, watch our video below.
But what does a perfect sample look like?
Having a perfectly sized sample is crucial for successful lab analysis. The sample should be about the size of 2 kidney beans and big enough that the preservation liquid completely covers it.
The preservation liquid is vital for keeping your Dog's sample fresh, allowing for accurate analysis. Ensure the test tube is tightly sealed once the sample's inside, to avoid any spillages during transit.
Be sure not to overfill your test tube, as this may lead to spillages and failed lab analysis. Your Dog's sample should be totally covered by the liquid - but not so it's tightly packed in or touching the lid of the test tube.
We're here to test your Dog's poop, and their poop only! Make sure that you leave any twigs, gravel, grass or stones behind as this may interfere with testing.
After you've completed your Activation Quiz and posted your sample to our lab, it'll be analysed by our team of microbiologists. Within 3-4 weeks, you’ll receive a report explaining the health of your Dog's gut, the diversity of their microbiome, and a tailored supplement plan based on their results.
Dr. Bushra, Head of Microbiology
Yes, as long as it hasn’t been persistent for over 48 hours. If it has, please consult your vet first.
Any dog with any condition can be tested; however, certain medications can interfere with or prevent us from being able to analyse their sample.
Antibiotics are designed to destroy all bacteria they find. This is very useful if your dog has an infection; however, they're unable to distinguish between the bacteria your dog needs and the bacteria they're being used to eradicate. This means that if your dog is currently, or has recently received antibiotics, there may not be enough bacteria in your Dog's sample for us to be able to detect.
If your dog has received antibiotics recently, we recommend waiting 4 weeks before collecting a sample, to allow time for your Dog's microbiome to begin repopulating.
Similarly, chemotherapy drugs can also be damaging to the microbiome, so depending on the dose, we might not be able to detect enough bacteria in your Dog's sample. We recommend contacting us before purchasing the test kit, so we can check whether the medication your Dog's receiving is likely to have this effect.
Chemotherapy drugs are also excreted in the stools, which is a health hazard for you and our team at the lab. We recommend taking extra precautions when collecting the sample, and we kindly request you label the box when you send this to us, so our team can prepare accordingly.
You’ll receive your dog’s results through your Pooch & Mutt account, linked to their individual pet profile. Each dog has their own personalised online dashboard, where you can view their scores, track changes over time, and see how they compare to a healthy reference population. The dashboard also includes clear, science-backed explanations and actionable insights, so you can understand what’s going on in your dog’s gut and what steps to take next.
Scoop, seal, send. After your dog poops, use the scoop included to collect a bean-sized sample, seal the tube, complete your Activation Quiz and pop it in the post using our pre-paid envelope. It should only add about 30 seconds to your usual morning dog routine.
You'll get your results within 4 weeks from the date we receive your sample.
Not exactly. This test identifies imbalances (called dysbiosis) but can’t diagnose specific diseases. It’s a tool to understand gut health, which may be one piece of the puzzle.
You'll find everything you need to collect your Dog's sample within your Gut Health Test kit. This includes:
- An instructional leaflet - A QR Code to a step-by-step video - Gloves - An antiseptic wipe - A test tube with a wooden scoop and preservation liquid - A zip bag for taking on walks - An absorbent bag and specimen bag for safe sample transport - A return label to pop on the box, ready for posting
Read the instructional leaflet or watch our instructional video on how to collect the perfect sample. Then put it back in the box, attach the return label, and pop it in the post box!
For the best possible results, we advise posting the sample to our labs immediately. If you're not able to, the preservation liquid will help keep the DNA stable for up to 90 days, especially when kept at room temperature. However, we don't recommend waiting that long as the fresher the sample, the more accurate the results.
