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As a pet parent, you know when something isn’t right with your four-legged friend. Whether they’re constantly scratching or they have an upset stomach, it’s heartbreaking to watch them suffer and frustrating to not have answers, especially if you’ve tried everything you can think of to help them feel better. That’s where at-home sensitivity tests can be lifesavers (literally).

In your quest for answers you might have stumbled across intolerance tests you can do at home. They’re pretty popular for humans, but a few brands have tests for pets as well. 5Strands is one of the brands that makes at-home sensitivity tests for humans and animals, and their Pet Intolerances and Imbalances Test is one of their most comprehensive tests for pets. With over 460 items tested, 5Strands helps you get to the root of the problem by testing to see if your pet has food and environmental intolerances or vitamin and mineral imbalances.

After sending in a hair sample, you’ll receive a detailed report showing exactly what your furry friend is sensitive to and how bad the sensitivity is. If you’re looking for a non-invasive way to check up on your pet, this test is a great one to get.

Overview

Our Experience

Since Micah was a puppy, he’s struggled with a few health issues, like digestive upset. As he grew up, he started to show signs of itching and discomfort: constant scratching, paw biting, and dry skin. While these have always been more of chronic and annoying intolerance problems than acute, life-threatening issues (thank goodness!), he’s clearly miserable when the signs flare up.

Over the years, I’ve tried different supplements and vet-recommended diets with little to no success. His vet recommended allergy treatments, but most were based on steroids and I wasn’t keen on giving him these meds right off the bat. Even though there are a few foods I know he’s sensitive to, it’s mostly been trial and error trying to figure out what works for him and what to stay away from.

Needless to say, when I heard about 5Strands, I was eager to give them a shot!

When the test kit arrived, I followed the instructions to register the ID code and collect the hair sample. Micah has a lot of doodle fluff so the sample was easy for me to get (I used scissors to cut a small chunk of his fur). Once I secured the sample in the bag, I folded the box with the sample inside, put the box in the provided mailer, and shipped the package back to 5Strands using the pre-paid label.

The turnaround time was impressively fast. I got the results via email three days after the lab notified me they received the sample.

I thought the results were fairly easy to understand (the color-coded chart definitely helps), but it can be overwhelming to see all the colored dots. Having the test come back with so many red dots was a little alarming for me, but at the same time, they made so much sense.

The flagged items matched up with what I know Micah is sensitive to (beef, quinoa, and yeast to name a few), and the ones that were new to me felt like a lightbulb moment. Even the most random ones made sense. Micah tested in the red for pear trees, which initially seemed irrelevant, but I have a pear tree in my yard that he wanders around all the time!

I love that the test includes vitamins, minerals, and heavy metals as well. These have been crucial in understanding Micah’s health picture and 5Strands does a fantastic job of including the essential ones.

After everything I’ve tried, 5Strands has been one of the most helpful resources. It’s allowed me to take action without worrying about making Micah worse and I’m looking forward to starting the elimination protocol. One of the first things I’ll do is change his diet so he’s not eating any Level 2 or 3 food items and minimize his exposure to Level 3 environmental items (I’ve already sectioned off the pear tree so he can’t go anywhere near it). I’ll also work with his vet to address any vitamin and mineral deficiencies or heavy metal imbalances.

Pros & Cons

Key Features

What to Expect

The test kit arrives in a padded mailer with the contents packaged in a box. This is the same box you’ll use to mail the sample back, so be sure to open it carefully. After opening the package, the first thing you’ll do is register the kit on 5Strands’ website using your unique ID code. This connects the sample to your account so you can see your pet’s results once they’re posted.

Next, collect a hair sample from your pet and place it in the provided bag. How you collect the sample is up to you, but be sure to get at least  20-25 strands of hair if your pup’s hair is less than 1 inch long, for an accurate sample. At this point, you can reconstruct the box and place the sample inside. Put the box in the provided mailer with the prepaid shipping label on it and drop it off at the post office. Results are available within five business days of the lab receiving the sample.

How it Works

The hair sample is tested with bioresonance technology, an innovative technology that uses energy to detect intolerances and imbalances in the body. Humans, animals, foods, and pretty much every other item (environmental agents, minerals, metals, etc.) emit frequencies that can be detected energetically. When the lab gets your pet’s hair sample, they use bioresonance to pick up on those frequencies and identify which items your pet is sensitive to and how severe the sensitivity is.

Results

When the results are ready, you’ll receive an email with a document where you can view them. Your online account will also have a copy of the document, a downloadable spreadsheet, and a list of the results that you can filter and sort through. One of the first things you’ll probably notice is each item is labeled with a color and a level. The colors and levels correlate with each other and tell you what your pet is sensitive to and the degree of severity.

5Strands recommends eliminating Level 2 and Level 3 food items for 6-8 weeks and minimizing Level 3 environmental items as much as you can. For the imbalances section, they recommend supplementing vitamins and minerals as needed and mitigating heavy metal exposure. If you need help interpreting the results, 5Strands offers one-on-one consultations for an additional cost.

About 5Strands

Is the Pet Imbalances and Intolerances Test a Good Value?

This is an expensive test, but if your dog has chronic issues that you can’t seem to figure out, it’s well worth investing in. Within a few weeks, you’ll have a clear picture of what’s causing their discomfort and a solid understanding of how you can help relieve it. 5Strands has several different test options for pets as well, so if the Pet Intolerances and Imbalances Test is a bit too pricey, you can always choose a different one that matches your budget and your pet’s needs.

How We Tested

After receiving the test kit, I followed the instructions on the box to collect the hair sample and mail it back. The whole process–from kit registration to boxing up the sample–took about 20 minutes. Since Micah has longer hair, I only needed 10-15 strands, but if your pet has short hair, you’ll need at least 20. A few days after sending out the package, I received an email letting me know the lab received the sample, and three days after that, they emailed me the results (super fast turnaround!).

After reviewing the results, I focused on the food section first since digestive issues have been such a big problem for Micah. I wanted to know if there were any Level 2 and Level 3 items in his food (there were several). Since these are the ones Micah is most reactive to, I’m planning to find a diet that doesn’t have these ingredients.

Next, I focused on the environmental section. Along with several outdoor elements, I was surprised to see he’s highly sensitive to cotton and polyester–definitely good to know! I then finished off by reviewing the vitamins, minerals, and metals and will supplement and minimize his exposure accordingly.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How do I know if my pet has intolerances or imbalances?

How do I know which test is right for my pet?

A free quiz is available on 5Strands’ website to help you determine which test is best for your furry friend. The quiz only takes a few minutes to complete and results are available immediately.

Will I need to retest my pet?

5Strands recommends retesting your pet every six months. Intolerances and imbalances are constantly in flux depending on your pet’s diet and lifestyle, so retesting every six months keeps you up-to-date on sensitivities and helps you stay ahead of your pet’s health.

How much hair do I need for the sample?

If the hair is longer than 1 inch, 10-15 strands are needed. If the hair is shorter than 1 inch, 20-25 strands are needed.

Conclusion

5Strands’ Pet Intolerances and Imbalances test is a great way to find out exactly what’s making your animal companion sick without invasive testing or dropping hundreds of dollars at the vet. By testing over 460 items, you’ll know exactly what’s causing your pet discomfort and have a clear idea of how you can help them moving forward.

The post 5Strands Pet Intolerances and Imbalances Test Review 2024: Investigate Your Pet’s Health Problems With This At-Home Test appeared first on PangoVet.

Are you looking for a fun and simple way to enrich your dog’s dining experience? Messy Mutts Round Forage Mat is a great option for many dogs.

This quality snuffle mat makes it easy to turn dinner time into playtime. The deep folds and endless hiding places allow dogs to use their nose to find their food, engaging the brain, slowing their pace, and providing some fun challenges to their otherwise straightforward mealtimes. Best of all, it’s machine washable, easy to use, and comes with some neat features that other snuffle mats don’t.

My Chihuahua, Papyrus, and I had the opportunity to test out this colorful snuffle mat. Find out what makes this enrichment feeder different from others and if it’s the right choice for your pup by reading my full Messy Mutts Round Forage Mat review, below.

Overview

Our Experience

I first discovered snuffle mats while my dogs and I were at a friend’s house. My Chihuahua, Papyrus, was immediately enamored with her dog’s snuffle mat. He spent an hour sniffing around that clump of fleece digging out all the treats her dog had failed to find.

I knew I had to find a snuffle mat of my own for Papyrus. At fifteen, he can’t walk as far as he used to, so giving him enough enrichment to calm his mind can be a challenge. I figured an enrichment feeder like this one would be perfect to keep him busy, especially on those cold Colorado days when he’s trapped inside.

I chose the Messy Mutts Round Forage Mat because it’s not too big and is machine washable. And I know from previous experience that this company makes quality products.

As soon as it arrived, I took it out of the packaging and filled it with treats so Papyrus could test it out.

What We Liked

This snuffle mat works very much like the first one we encountered. It has strips of fleece about 4 inches long and ¾ inch wide. These pieces are sewn into the base, forming a dense layer of hiding places that the dog must push their muzzles into to get the treats or kibble out.

The fleece pieces are soft and easy to maneuver, even for my dog’s tiny muzzle. They are well-secured to the base, which is important to prevent overeager dogs from pulling them out to get at the food below.

I am also a big fan of the size of this mat. It is nice and compact but still has plenty of surface area to accommodate up to about a cup of food. It is the perfect size for my seven-pound Chihuahua but also works well for my 30-pound Dalmatian mix. This smaller size also makes it easier to store.

I am also a big fan of the color! The orange, teal, and gray scheme is cheerful without being too loud.

Of course, the most important factor is how well it entertains. And this, it does very well! It takes Papyrus about ten minutes to extract a small handful of treats from it and about half an hour to eat a full meal’s worth of kibble.

Another major plus about this snuffle mat is that it’s machine washable. I found out why this is so important that day at my friend’s house. After the dogs played with the mat for a while we discovered that it had maggots crawling around in it! The greasy kibble residue had built up over time and provided flies a place to lay eggs. Eww!

Luckily, I can ensure that doesn’t happen to my Messy Mutts Round Forage Mat by tossing it in the washer regularly.

Where We Saw Room for Improvement

This mat has four large suction cups on the bottom to help keep it in place. This is important if your dog is clever enough to pick the mat up and shake it or flip it over to get the treats out.

Unfortunately, the suction cups only work well on very flat surfaces like granite tiles. Most of my flooring is slightly textured vinyl plank. The suction cups only stick to this for about five seconds before coming unstuck.

Beyond this issue, I don’t have any other complaints about this mat. It provides wonderful enrichment for my food-motivated Chihuahua and makes his meals last much longer to keep him feeling satiated.

It’s easy to use, easy to care for, and provides a much more enriching feeding experience than a boring old bowl.

Pros & Cons

Key Features

How to Use

This snuffle mat is super easy to use. It works well with hard and soft treats as well as kibble and freeze-dried food. Although, if you opt for those, remember to be extra careful with the cleaning. For best results, I recommend using small treats or kibbles that can be easily buried in the fleece.

Pour the treats or kibble over the top of the mat, then use your fingers to ruffle up the strips and shake the kibbles deeper into the fabric. Then secure the mat to the floor and let your pup get sniffing!

How to Care For

The soft surfaces of these kinds of enrichment feeders mean they do require some special care. Luckily, this Round Forage Mat from Messy Mutts makes it easy.

When your dog finishes using the mat, be sure to shake out any remaining treats. This will help keep the mat cleaner between uses and avoid attracting bugs. Remember to be careful and avoid bacterial contamination and health-related problems by regularly washing this mat on cold in your washing machine. On the plus side, this mat is also dryer-friendly, although hang drying is recommended for durability.

What Makes It Different

There are a few key differences between this mat and other snuffle mats I’ve tried.

For one, it is very well made, which means it won’t fall apart even if your dog digs or pulls at it. This mat is also pretty dense compared to most. The long strips of fleece provide more hiding places for food and make the dog work harder to find it.

The suction cups on the bottom and the tightly woven base help add stability. And the compact size makes it easy to store. And of course, it is machine washable for easy care.

About Messy Mutts

Messy Mutts has been making functional and fabulous-looking pet products that help reduce pet mess since 2014.

Is Messy Mutts Round Forage Mat a Good Value?

The price range for snuffle mats is fairly wide, with cheaper options often available under $10. However, quality mats like this one tend to be priced in the upper twenty-dollar range. Messy Mutts Round Forage Mat costs less than this, making it a great value.

How We Tested

I tested this snuffle mat with the help of my Chihuahua, Papyrus. My larger dog, Ragz, also got in on the testing process to ensure this mat can stand up to dogs both big and small.

I started out by using this as any owner would, by adding treats! I tested it using a variety of treat types and kibble sizes. During this time, I made sure to note the effectiveness of the different features.

While my dogs used the mat, I timed how long they kept at it before they gave up, got bored, or finished. Luckily, they never called it quits before all the food was gone.

I also washed the mat a few times to make sure it could stand up to the process. In the same vein, I made notes about its durability as my dogs played with it.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What are the benefits of using this snuffle mat?

Snuffle mats like this one increase enrichment, improve digestion by slowing feeding, and provide stress relief.

Who might benefit from this snuffle mat?

Anxious and hyperactive dogs can benefit from using interactive feeders like this one. Older dogs with cognitive disorders can also benefit from this stimulating feeding solution.

Are there any other sizes available?

No, this is the only option for this type of mat. However, Messy Mutts offers many other interactive feeding options including a forage/snuffle mat that includes a ruffle area as well as a licking pad and hidey-holes.

Conclusion

If you’ve been considering a snuffle mat for your dog, I highly suggest looking into the Round Forage Mat from Messy Mutts.

This well-made interactive feeder is compact while providing plenty of hiding spaces for kibble and treats. It’s machine washable, easy to care for, and comes with great extra features like suction cups and a sturdy base for added stability.

The post Messy Mutts Round Forage Mat Review 2024: Pros and Cons of This Interactive Feeder appeared first on PangoVet.