NATURAL PET CARE BLOG
When Should You Run Functional Gut or Microbiome Testing for Your Pet?
Written by Dr. Katie Woodley, BVSc, cVMA, GDVCHM, CVNN
Last updated: August 6, 2026
The Quick Answer
Functional medicine testing for pets may be helpful when a dog or cat has recurring digestive or skin symptoms, improves only temporarily with supplements, has a history of repeated antibiotic use, or has completed an initial veterinary workup but important questions remain.
Functional gut tests and microbiome tests can provide information about intestinal inflammation, digestive function, immune activity, intestinal barrier markers, and bacterial imbalances. However, these tests do not diagnose every disease and should not replace veterinary examinations, bloodwork, urinalysis, parasite screening, imaging, or emergency care.
If you have a cabinet full of half-used probiotics, digestive enzymes, herbal formulas, powders, and supplements—but you still do not know what your pet actually needs—it may be time to stop guessing.
One of the questions I receive most often is:
“How...
HTMA Testing for Pets: The Root-Cause Test That Reveals Hidden Mineral Imbalances
Understanding HTMA Testing and Why It’s a Game Changer for Your Pet’s Health
đź“‹ Quick Summary (click to expand)
If your pet struggles with chronic itching, digestive issues, anxiety, or fatigue and nothing seems to help, HTMA (Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis) testing may hold the answers. This simple, non-invasive hair test uncovers hidden mineral imbalances, heavy metal toxicity, and stress patterns that standard bloodwork can miss.
In this article, you’ll learn:
- What HTMA testing is and how it works
- Why minerals are vital for gut, skin, and immune health
- What the test reveals about adrenal stress, detox pathways, and thyroid function
- How HTMA fits into each phase of a holistic healing plan
- Why it’s one of the most important starting points in your pet’s recovery
Get your pet's HTMA test and plan here!
What Is HTMA Testing?
HTMA (Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis) measures the levels of key minerals and heavy metals stored in your pet’s hair over the past 2–3 months
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