Common Gut Issues in Pets and Why Clean Nutrition Can Help

Digestive sensitivities are prevalent, affecting approximately 20% of dogs and 15% of cats. These issues can manifest through various symptoms, including:

• Diarrhea and Vomiting: These are common signs of GI upset or poor nutrient absorption.

• Poor Nutrient Absorption: Even if a pet is eating, low-quality ingredients can lead to inefficient nutrient uptake, resulting in larger, less firm stools, or nutritional deficiencies.

• Constipation and Irregularity: Imbalances in diet, particularly a lack of appropriate fiber or moisture, can lead to difficulty with bowel movements.

• Gassiness and Odor: Fillers and highly processed ingredients can sometimes lead to excessive gas and more odorous stools.

• Food Sensitivities and Allergies: While sometimes manifesting as skin issues, allergies can also cause GI upset, requiring hypoallergenic or limited-ingredient diets.

• Hairballs in Cats: A common feline issue, hairballs can be exacerbated by diets lacking specific fibers to help hair pass through the digestive tract.

Many of these problems are linked to highly processed pet foods that rely on fillers, by-products, and high-heat processing, which can degrade nutrients and erode owner trust. Consumers are increasingly scrutinizing labels and rejecting foods with artificial additives, by-products, or mystery "meat meals" that compromise trust in mass brands.

ZEAL's core philosophy centers on providing "clean-label, minimally processed foods with recognizable ingredients" that mirror a pet's natural ancestral diet. This means focusing on:

• High Meat Content: ZEAL recipes feature 94-96% premium meat and organs, which closely mimics a dog's or cat's natural carnivorous diet. This ultra-low carbohydrate profile (often less than 5% on a dry basis for cats) aligns with their biological needs, minimizing unnecessary starches that can lead to weight gain and blood sugar spikes.

• "Nose-to-Tail" Organ Inclusion: ZEAL incorporates a variety of nutrient-dense organ meats like liver, heart, lung, kidney, and tripe. These provide essential vitamins, minerals, and amino acids in highly bioavailable forms that muscle meat alone cannot. For instance, green beef tripe (stomach lining) in dog formulas contributes natural probiotics and enzymes that aid digestion and gut health, beneficial for dogs with sensitive stomachs.

• Absence of Fillers and Artificial Additives: ZEAL's products contain no grains, corn, wheat, soy, artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives. This minimizes the intake of ingredients that can cause digestive upset or allergic reactions.

Beyond foundational high-meat nutrition, ZEAL fortifies its recipes with specific superfoods known for their digestive benefits:

• Pumpkin: Included in air-dried dog and cat formulas, pumpkin is rich in soluble fiber. It aids digestion and regularity, helping to firm up loose stools or ease constipation. It's gentle on the stomach and supports gut health.

• Ginger Root: Known for its anti-inflammatory and digestive properties, ginger helps soothe the gastrointestinal tract, aid digestion, and reduce nausea. This is particularly useful for pets with sensitive stomachs.

• Dried Kelp: This marine algae contains fiber that can assist with stool consistency and act as a natural prebiotic, contributing to gut health.

• Brewer's Dried Yeast: A source of B-vitamins, yeast also contains beta-glucans and Mannan-oligosaccharides (MOS) which can enhance immune function and foster a healthy gut microbiome by feeding beneficial bacteria and preventing harmful ones from thriving. Improved stool consistency is often observed.

• Yucca Schidigera Extract: Present in air-dried formulas, yucca reduces stool odor by binding ammonia in the intestines, making it beneficial for indoor pets. It may also have anti-inflammatory effects in the gut.

• Egg Yolk & Lecithin: Found in all ZEAL wet formulas and some air-dried products, egg yolk provides biotin and lecithin. Lecithin can aid fat digestion and may help reduce hairballs by emulsifying fats and hairs in the gut.

ZEAL's wet food recipes, containing approximately 78% moisture, are especially beneficial for digestive and urinary tract health, particularly for cats who often do not drink enough water. High moisture content helps:

• Increase Urine Volume: This supports kidney and urinary tract health, lowering the risk of urinary crystals/stones.

• Aid Digestion: Wet food is generally easier to digest, reducing the risk of bloat compared to dry food, and can alleviate constipation.

• Promote Palatability: The high moisture content makes the food juicy and appealing, encouraging picky eaters to consume adequate nutrition and hydration.

Addressing Food Sensitivities with Novel and Limited Ingredients

For pets with food allergies or sensitivities, ZEAL offers specific solutions:

• Novel Proteins: Recipes like the Salmon & Duck Air-Dried Dog Food and Venison Wet Cat Food provide alternative protein sources less commonly associated with allergies (e.g., to chicken or beef), which can be game-changers for sensitive pets.

• Limited Ingredient Formulations: By focusing on a single animal protein source (like Chicken for cats or Beef for dogs) along with select functional additions, ZEAL helps owners avoid common triggers. This approach makes ZEAL products suitable for elimination diets, helping to identify and manage food-related GI or skin issues.

By moving away from "filler ingredients" and ensuring "every single ingredient is functional", ZEAL's clean nutrition supports a healthy gut, leading to better nutrient absorption, improved stool quality, and overall enhanced vitality for pets.