Not all dogs age in the same way. Factors such as breed, sex, and especially size can all have an influence on your dog's biological age. In humans, differences in the microbiome can distinguish those who maintain good health as they age. We are currently working to understand how the microbiome changes as dogs age by collecting and sequencing samples from dogs of all ages. Ultimately, we hope to use our findings to develop products that can restore a healthy microbiome likely to promote healthy aging.

Do senior dogs require different food? As dogs age, their nutritional needs change, and they may need special attention to combat dental and joint diseases. We compiled everything you need to know about feeding your senior dog in this educational article.

While severe allergies can be treated with medication, response varies between different individuals and many come with side effects. Therefore, we are interested in the role nutrition and probiotics may play in allergy relief as a complementary approach. Based on the pre-existing research literature, we developed a proprietary allergy relief formula and tested it with the help of our customers. We are currently working to analyze our data and report our findings.

What ingredients are commonly used for allergy relief in dogs, and what is the evidence in support of them? In examining prior studies of skin allergy treatments for dogs, we identified a variety of ingredients that may fight atopic dermatitis, from fatty acids to supplements to probiotics. We summarized the evidence supporting each ingredient in an educational article.

Despite the prevalence of periodontal disease, there have been few large-scale research studies conducted on pets, and it is poorly understood by both scientists and the general public. Through a health and lifestyle survey of over 13,000 Nom Nom customers, we arrived at many interesting findings about identifying and preventing dental issues. Here, we review four common misconceptions about periodontal disease.

In addition to analyzing our in-house data, we've developed an evidence-based guide to dental treats in dogs. We looked into many published findings in the scientific literature to understand the evidence behind the use of different dental treats, in order to help you make the most informed decision for your dog.

While it's long been known that the microbiome has a major impact on overall health, little was known about how fresh food diets might change the bacteria in the gut. In this published peer-reviewed study, we examined how pet dogs' microbiomes changed as they switched from a kibble diet to a fresh food diet. We found shifts in a number of different kinds of bacteria, including those associated with positive health outcomes.

Like humans, dogs don't always digest all of the nutrients they take in through food. However, the type of food might impact the proportion of nutrients that can be used. In this published, peer-reviewed study, we compared the digestibility of a kibble diet to Nom Nom's fresh food diet. We found that our fresh food diet led to higher nutrient digestibility, greater metabolizable energy, and even better stool quality.

Dogs have the capability to process both animal- and plant- based foods. While recent consumer trends have tended toward completely animal-based foods, the scientific research has identified many important health roles for plant-derived ingredients. In this published review article, we summarize the evidence supporting plant-based foods and phytonutrients, linking these ingredients to biomarkers of better health.

A previous peer-reviewed study from Nom Nom showed that our probiotic product for dogs can change the bacteria in their gut microbiome. In this study we also saw a trend towards reduced diarrhea incidence, so we looked into this further and found that indeed healthy dogs had a significantly lower risk of developing acute diarrhea in the future after taking our full-spectrum probiotics.

To support and educate our customers about GI symptoms in dogs, we developed a GI health report available free for anyone who takes our health assessment surveys. The content in the report is personalized to each individual dog based on demographic factors and reported symptoms. Based on our survey of over 15,000 pet dogs, this report contextualizes any GI symptoms, such as vomiting and diarrhea, that your dog may be experiencing.

To equip our customers about how to prevent and manage joint issues in dogs, we developed a joint health report available free for anyone who takes our health assessment surveys. The content in the report is personalized to each individual dog based on health status, size, and age, to present the most relevant and actionable information. In it, we examine the prevalence of joint issues over time, and provide helpful suggestions for every stage of life.

What ingredients are commonly used for joint issues in dogs, and what is the evidence in support of them? In this educational article, we describe different types of joint health supplements, advise where to find these products, and provide dosage guidelines, as well as summarize the scientific evidence in support of each ingredient.

The microbiota plays a crucial role in overall health. Characterizing the different populations of bacteria that are present in dog and cat microbiomes is the first step toward a deeper understanding of their role in health and disease. In one of the largest pet microbiome studies to date, we sequenced and analyzed the bacteria present in pet dogs and cats, identifying the most common phyla, calculating the bacterial diversity, and grouping the individuals in distinctive clusters.

While it's known that the microbiome is shaped by different factors including health, nutrition, and environment, microbiome research is often performed with pets living in institutional conditions that might not reflect the conditions of household pets, limiting the generalizability of findings. In this study, we compare the microbiomes of research dogs with pet dogs eating the same diet, hypothesizing that we would discover differences that highlight the importance of recruiting pet dogs for studies rather than relying on those living in institutional conditions.

To help our customers assess the factors that might have an impact on their pets' health, we designed and developed an obesity report available free for anyone who takes our health assessment surveys. The content in the report is personalized to each individual dog based on their current risk factors, to present the most relevant and actionable information. In it, we examine the impact of different variables and suggest changes for a healthier lifestyle.

In one of the largest and most detailed studies of canine obesity to date, we examined the effect of different variables on weight issues, with a special emphasis on feeding and nutritional practices. Preliminary results indicate a role for fresh food and probiotic usage in maintaining a healthy weight, and further analyses are currently underway to confirm these findings in a larger group of dogs.

Pets who maintain a healthy weight can live longer and enjoy a higher quality of life. To help our customers' pets manage weight in a safe and sustainable way, we compiled research-backed articles that cover everything from calorie needs to exercise.

Dietary fibers come in many different types, and have health benefits both for dogs and cats. Drawing from published scientific research, we compiled everything you need to know in this guide for your pet, covering everything from the different types of fiber, their sources, and dosage for dogs and cats.

What is CBD, and how may it benefit your dog? You may have heard about CBD for human ailments, but there is also emerging evidence that it supports health in dogs, from managing osteoarthritis to epilepsy to anxiety. In this educational article, we break down the evidence in support of each of these applications, so that you can make more informed decisions about your pup's health.