How should I store Gut Guard?
We recommend you keep Gut Guard in the fridge. If not, make sure you keep it in a cool, dark place.
Should Gut Guard be used after antibiotics or can it be started while my dog is still currently on antibiotics?
Since antibiotics and other drugs can create damage to the gut, Gut Guard can help repair those issues and help to detox your dog from the toxins. If your dog is currently on antibiotics, the Saccharomyces boulardii in Protect can help protect delicate bacteria populations. Shop Protect now >>
Can I use other probiotics, such as PROTECT and Bifido For Fido with Gut Guard?
Absolutely ... Four Leaf Rover's probiotic products are all beneficial in their own ways. PROTECT is a soil based probiotic that helps flush out heavy metals from your dog's digestive tract while Bifido For Fido has specific, veterinarian formulated strains to help with your dog's upset stomach like constipation. Both have their own strengths, but can be helpful when you need them.
What are the symptoms of leaky gut in dogs?
Because leaky gut triggers an immune response in the entire body, it can be hard to detect. But common signs include:
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Autoimmune disease
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Arthritis and joint pain
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Allergies and skin issues
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Digestive issues and bowel disease
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Yeast infections
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Liver, kidney, pancreas and gallbladder disorders
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Behavior issues (aggression or anxiety)
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Thyroid issues (and in turn, thyroid issues can worsen leaky gut)
The signs of leaky gut are varied because the chronic inflammation it causes often affects many (or multiple) organs. It’s truly an issue for the entire body.
Can my dog be tested for leaky gut?
There really isn’t a test for leaky gut.
If you choose to do a hypersensitivity test on your dog, it may come back with sensitivity to most proteins. If this happens, it’s a good bet your dog has leaky gut … his immune system is reacting to everything that leaks through.
But if your dog is only sensitive to one or more proteins, that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s not leaky gut.
Leaky gut can cause many other diseases. Very often, your vet will treat the resulting disease … but as you’ll find out, this often only makes the leaky gut worse.
How long should my dog use Gut Guard for?
Gut Guard is intended to help heal the gut, but after it's done its job your dog’s gut will be ready to move on. Try giving Gut Guard for at least 30 days and a maximum of 90 days. After your dog has finished Gut Guard, we suggest switching to Protect for maintenance. Gut Guard is not a long-term daily probiotic.
Why does Gut Guard carry a California Proposition 65 warning for aloe vera?
Gut Guard contains a small amount of non-decolorized whole leaf aloe vera extract. California includes this specific form of aloe on its Proposition 65 list, so we provide the warning as a conservative compliance measure. That does not mean Gut Guard has been found to be unsafe.
Proposition 65 warnings are based on potential human exposure to a listed substance, not simply on whether an ingredient appears in a formula. Gut Guard is made for dogs, aloe represents only a small part of the formula, and the amount handled by a person during normal use is extremely limited.
California has not established a straightforward safe harbor exposure level for this form of aloe. As a result, proving that a warning is unnecessary can require expensive, product-specific testing and legal analysis. Many companies therefore provide a warning even when normal exposure is likely to be very low.
California’s listing was based largely on a two year laboratory study in which rats continuously drank water containing comparatively high concentrations of aloe extract. That is very different from the small, measured amount included in a serving of Gut Guard. The same study did not find evidence of carcinogenic activity in mice.
Aloe vera is a natural plant ingredient with a long history of use. We include it as one part of Gut Guard’s digestive support formula, where it helps support and soothe the gastrointestinal tract.
The Proposition 65 warning is a legal disclosure. It is not a finding that Gut Guard causes cancer, is contaminated or is unsafe for dogs when used as directed. It’s just required in California.
