Prebiotics for Dogs: How to Support Your Dog's Gut Health
Sayings like "I had a gut feeling… or a pit in my stomach" are prevalent in human vocabulary and often associated with a negative experience. Unsurprisingly, so many adages have evolved concerning stomach or gut health because the gut is crucial for the well-being of people and dogs alike. Properly nourishing your dog is part of responsible pet ownership and one of the most important ways to ensure your pup remains happy and healthy throughout all life stages.
With the endless food, treat, and supplement options available, giving your dog everything possible to support their gut health may be tempting. However, it's critical to understand when and how to care for your dog's gastrointestinal (GI) health. Supplements, like prebiotics and probiotics, are commonly recommended in veterinary medicine, so pet owners must understand GI health basics and when to provide dogs with gut-supporting supplements.
The Importance of Gut Health for Dogs
Maintaining a healthy GI tract is critical for your dog's overall health because more than 80% of your dog's immune system is in their gut. Over a billion microscopic bacteria and microorganisms reside in the gut and are called the microbiome. These beneficial bacteria have a significant impact on your dog's overall health and serve a variety of functions, including:
- Protecting and fighting against illnesses and infections
- Promoting proper food digestion
- Aiding in immune system development
- Aiding in the absorption of essential nutrients
- Helping synthesis of specific vitamins and minerals
A balanced gut microbiome is essential to nearly all bodily functions, especially immune system health. Signs your dog's microbiome is healthy and adequately balanced include:
- Regular bowel movements that are healthy-looking and formed stools
- Good energy levels
- Shiny, healthy coat
- Maintenance of a healthy body weight
- Healthy appetite
- Absence of excess flatulence or anal gland issues
Common Causes of Digestive Issues in Dogs
Imbalances in your dog's gut microbiome can lead to various health issues. In some cases, gut health issues can mimic and contribute to multiple illnesses in other areas of your dog's body. Underlying medical issues or sudden changes in your dog's routine can lead to an imbalanced microbiome; common causes affecting your dog's GI health may include:
- Stress and anxiety (i.e., travel, boarding, loud noises, environmental changes)
- Sudden diet changes or dietary indiscretion
- Immune system diseases
- Hormonal imbalances (i.e., Cushing's disease)
- Weight gain or obesity
- Underlying health issues (i.e., diabetes, kidney disease)
- Food allergies or sensitivities
- Bacterial infections
- Pancreatitis
- Antibiotics or other medications
- Parasites in the intestinal tract
Signs of Digestive Issues in Dogs
Gut health problems may not be immediately apparent to pet owners because some are subtle or may not be directly related to a stomach or GI tract issue. Signs of digestive health problems may include:
- Diarrhea, or loose stool
- Nausea and vomiting
- Dull fur coat
- Chronic soft or abnormal stools
- Constipation
- Lethargy
- Weight gain or weight loss
- Dental health problems or bad breath
- Excessive flatulence
- Decreased appetite
Prebiotics vs Probiotics: What's the Difference?
Your dog's gut flora contains billions of microorganisms (good bacteria) that provide balance and a properly functioning digestive system in healthy pups. This balance is partially maintained by feeding your dog a complete and balanced diet and ensuring they remain disease-free. Prebiotics and probiotics are popular supplements many people use to support their gut health. Veterinarians have also implemented these supplements. Understanding the difference between prebiotics and probiotics is critical for pet owners, especially when caring for dogs with an imbalanced gut flora.
Prebiotics are non-digestible carbohydrates, often in the form of plant fiber, that are added to some commercial and prescription dog food diets or incorporated into supplements to help stimulate the growth and activity of good GI bacteria. However, not every fiber source is considered a prebiotic. The gut bacteria can use prebiotics as a nutrient and energy source to create more beneficial bacteria in your dog's intestines and digestive tract. Oligosaccharides are the most common prebiotic and naturally occur in certain foods, including fruits and vegetables like sweet potatoes, beans, peas, and pumpkin. These prebiotic foods contain soluble fiber, which gets broken down in your dog's GI tract and is used as a food source for their gut microbiome. In addition to food sources, prebiotic supplements may contain the following: fructooligosaccharides, gum arabic, inulin, beet pulp, or chicory.
Like prebiotics, probiotics can naturally occur in some food sources or be available as a supplement. Probiotics are the beneficial live microorganisms in a healthy dog's GI tract. Common probiotics include lactobacillus, enterococcus, bacillus, and bifidobacterium. Probiotics can help promote a healthy microbiome, aid digestion, support intestinal cell integrity, aid in metabolic functions, and support immune system function.
Does Your Dog Need Prebiotics or Probiotics?
Prebiotics and probiotics promote a healthy digestive system, which is critical to your dog's overall health and well-being. They work synergistically; prebiotics provide the nutrients to support the probiotics or good gut bacteria. However, most healthy adult dogs do not require prebiotics or probiotics to be added to their diet. Many commercial complete and balanced pet foods contain fibers with prebiotic benefits to support the naturally occurring healthy gut bacteria.
There are numerous instances where prebiotic or probiotic supplements may benefit your dog, but this should always be discussed with your dog's veterinarian. In some cases, too much of a good thing, including prebiotics or probiotics, can exacerbate your dog's GI problems, leading to diarrhea, vomiting, GI upset, or microbiome imbalances. Common uses for prebiotic supplementation may include acute, uncomplicated stress-related diarrhea, like after traveling or boarding, or if your dog ingests food that causes an upset stomach. Providing your dog with a prebiotic fiber source, like Native Pet Pumpkin Powder, may help alleviate the symptoms. However, a veterinarian should always address diarrhea or GI problems lasting more than 24 hours.
In conjunction with prebiotics, probiotics can benefit your dog's GI health. One study also reported that pregnant dogs provided with probiotic support were able to provide stronger immune systems for their puppies. However, never add any supplement to your dog's diet unless your veterinarian advises.
Common reasons why probiotics may be recommended for your pup include:
- GI issues ( i.e., gastroenteritis, pancreatitis, bacterial infections)
- Skin infections or allergies
- Transitioning to a new diet
- Dental health issues (probiotics can help balance the oral microbiome)
- Aging or senior dogs (as dogs age, their GI cell function decreases)
- Food allergies or intolerances that disrupt the gut microbiome
- Immune system compromise
- Homemade diet support
How to Choose the Right Prebiotics and Probiotics for Dogs
In most cases, to obtain the most effective and best results for your dog, choosing a supplement or food that contains both prebiotics and probiotics will be the most beneficial to support your dog's gut flora. Your veterinarian can provide guidance on the best, most effective, and safest way to introduce a supplement into your dog's diet. General guidelines for choosing and using prebiotics and probiotics include:
- Use a high-quality, veterinary-formulated product made for dogs, like Native Pet Probiotic Powder.
- Follow dosing instructions under the guidance of your veterinarian.
- Ensure that the dog foods containing pre and probiotics are AAFCO-approved
- Choose a product that is manufactured in a USA GMP facility. These facilities ensure that the products are safe, potent, and pure.
- Check the potency per serving. Probiotics are measured by colony-forming units (CFU); the optimal daily range for dogs is 1-10 billion CFUs.
- Monitor for any adverse effects and inform your veterinarian if they occur, including diarrhea, vomiting, or constipation.
How to Support Your Dog's Gut Health
Problems with our dog's gut health are not always avoidable, especially those related to aging changes or underlying illnesses. Supporting your dog's digestive tract is essential to overall well-being and longevity. Follow these tips to ensure optimal gut health for your dog:
- Bring your dog for annual or more frequent veterinary examinations.
- Keep your dog at a healthy weight because obesity can lead to inflammation and various health issues that affect the immune system, gut health, and overall organ function.
- Provide your dog with regular mental and physical exercise.
- Avoid sudden diet changes, and talk to your DVM about incorporating a prebiotic or probiotic during diet transitions.
- Avoid feeding your dog most human foods, including rich, fatty foods, which put them at risk for GI upset and pancreatitis.
- Provide your dog with an AAFCO-approved complete and balanced diet for the age, breed, and activity level.
Prebiotics and probiotics can benefit your dog's overall health and digestive function. Always check with your veterinarian if you are concerned that your dog's gut health is not optimal, and follow their recommendations, which may include using a prebiotic or probiotic.
For more information and tips on your pet’s health, check out the Native Pet blog.
