Probiotic & Prebiotic Pet Supplements: When to Use Them

Gut health in pets is key to their overall health. The complex processes of digestion and nutrient absorption have effects throughout the body. Therefore, the healthier the gut, the healthier the entire body.

For example, good gut health promotes a strong immune system, healthy skin, and mood regulation (yes, even our pets have moods!). Probiotics and prebiotics play a crucial role in gut health and have gained increasing popularity in veterinary medicine. But what are they, and how do they work?

In this article, we’ll explain the many benefits of probiotics and prebiotics, along with what they can be used for and considerations for selecting a supplement for your pet.

What Are Probiotics and Prebiotics?

Probiotics are the billions of live beneficial bacteria that reside in the gut. They are part of the pet gut microbiome, which is the collection of microorganisms that live in the gut. Prebiotics, on the other hand, are typically dietary fibers that serve as food for probiotics.

Probiotics perform various functions, including breaking down food and producing essential nutrients and vitamins. They also help maintain a healthy balance of beneficial bacteria in the gut, preventing harmful bacteria from taking over and causing illness. Interestingly, probiotics also play a role in the gut-brain axis, the pathway between the gut and brain that helps regulate mood.

Prebiotics not only feed probiotics, but they also regulate the duration of digestion. They are resistant to strong stomach acid and help maintain a healthy balance of gut bacteria. Prebiotics for pets are most effective in the large intestine, where they promote water absorption during digestion, ensuring normal stool consistency and bulk. Foods that are rich in prebiotics include pumpkin, oats, and beans.

Probiotics and prebiotic pet supplements are very effective when taken together, but they can be taken separately, according to a pet’s health needs.

You may wonder if you can give your pet a human digestive supplement. You could, but it’s not recommended because the composition of the human gut microbiome is different from that of our pets.

Why Use Prebiotic and Probiotic Pet Supplements

Probiotic and prebiotic supplements have many benefits for pets:

• Support digestive health: By promoting healthy digestion and maintaining a healthy balance of good versus harmful bacteria in the gut, probiotics and prebiotics help reduce uncomfortable digestive symptoms, such as diarrhea, gas, and bloating.
• Strengthen the immune system: Did you know that 70% of a pet’s immune system is in their gut? That’s why good gut health is essential for having a strong, healthy immune system.
• Aid recovery from antibiotics and gastrointestinal (GI) illness: Antibiotics don’t spare healthy gut bacteria while eliminating the harmful bacteria. Probiotics help repopulate the gut with healthy bacteria after antibiotic treatment. GI illness can occur when harmful bacteria overwhelm the gut. Probiotics help restore the normal gut microbiome balance after illness.
• Improve nutrient absorption: Probiotics and prebiotics play an essential role in nutrient absorption during digestion, helping the body get the most out of a pet’s diet.
• Support sensitive stomachs: Pets with sensitive stomachs are limited in what they can eat because of food allergies and sensitivities. Probiotics and prebiotics work together to restore a healthy gut microbiome and relieve digestive discomfort caused by adverse reactions to certain foods.
• Benefit senior pets: Senior pets may need some extra help digesting their food. Prebiotics and probiotics for senior dogs and cats aid digestion, helping them get the maximum benefit from their food as their bodies age.

When to Consider Probiotics and Prebiotics

Probiotics and prebiotics are great pet supplements, but not every pet needs them. If your pet is healthy and eats a balanced diet, then supplementing their diet with probiotics and prebiotics is not necessary. However, there are physical and mental health conditions that could be improved with pet digestive supplements:

·      GI illness/discomfort: vomiting, diarrhea, gas, bloating, loose stools

·      Chronic skin inflammation

·      Obesity

·      Allergies

·      Anxiety

·      Post-surgery

·      Urinary tract infections

·      Long-term medical treatment, including antibiotics

·      Stressors, such as a new baby, new home, or boarding facility

·      Kittens and senior pets that need nutritional support

If your pet has one of these conditions, ask your vet about the possibility of adding a probiotic or prebiotic pet supplement to their diet. Your vet can determine whether these supplements are a good choice for your pet’s health needs.

How to Choose the Right Supplement

With so many pet supplements available on the market, how can you choose the right one for your pet? Good question! In addition to consulting with your vet, there are several other factors to consider.

First, consider the formulation. Probiotic and prebiotic supplements are available in various formulations, including tablets, powders, chews, and treats. Trial and error may be necessary to determine which formulation is the most appealing and easiest for your pet to consume.

Also, read the label for which strains are included and the colony-forming unit (CFU) count. Probiotics for dogs are commonly Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium bacteria. The recommended dose of probiotics for pets is 1 to 10 billion CFUs per day; your vet can specify the specific dose for your pet.

Go a step further and read through the manufacturer’s website for information about whether the strains included in their product were clinically tested. Only consider supplements from companies that are transparent about which probiotic strains are in their products and in what quantities and can provide rigorous scientific evidence to support their product claims.

Avoid unnecessary fillers and additives. Fillers and additives are sometimes used to work together with probiotics and prebiotics to improve gut and overall health. For example, vitamins may be added to support healthy skin and a strong immune system. If the additives and fillers are unfamiliar to you, consider asking your vet about them.

Dogs and cats have different gut microbiome compositions, so your dog’s supplement may not work as well for your cat, and vice versa. If you have a cat, for example, try to find a probiotic for cats that is specifically made for them.

Potential Risks and Considerations

It's worth noting that probiotic and prebiotic supplements can initially worsen digestive upset as the gut adjusts to the influx of beneficial bacteria and fiber. These initial adverse side effects typically resolve themselves in a few days.

Also, more is not better. Over-supplementation of probiotics and prebiotics can cause diarrhea and bloating because the gut may not be able to handle the overdose of good bacteria and fiber. Follow your vet’s instructions and the label instructions to ensure you are giving your pet the proper dose.

Dogs with a weakened immune system should be supervised closely if given a probiotic. This is because their immune system may not be able to handle the additional bacterial load contained in the probiotic.

As with any supplement, probiotic and prebiotic pet supplements are not a substitute for a balanced diet or regular veterinary care. A balanced diet will always be essential for good overall health, and regular veterinary care is necessary to keep your pet as healthy as possible and detect and treat illness early.

Digestive Health Supplements Can’t Replace a Balanced Diet

Probiotics and prebiotics for pets offer numerous benefits for gut health, including improved digestion and enhanced nutrient absorption, as well as other advantages throughout the body, such as better mood regulation and improved skin health. When given according to label and veterinary instructions, prebiotics and probiotics are safe and effective for pets.

These supplements should be given along with a balanced diet and regular veterinary care to ensure optimal overall health. Talk with your vet before starting a prebiotic or probiotic supplement to ensure the supplement is right for your dog.