What Is The Difference Between Prebiotics And Probiotics For Dogs

How Do Pre And Probiotics For Dogs Work

When your dog has finished a nutrient-rich meal, thats when prebiotics and probiotics are getting to work to strengthen your dogs tum

Probiotics are digested, broken down and released as healthy bacteria into your dogs gut and intestinal tract. If you think of the word probiotics, thats exactly what these bacteria are doing – adding to the climate of good bacteria in your dogs digestive microbiome.

Prebiotics, contrastingly indigestible to the body, travel unscathed through the dogs stomach and intestines until they reach the colon. Here they convert into short-chain fatty acids and become a source of food for the friendly bacteria living there, leading them to strengthen and grow.

Probiotics and prebiotics are a power combo for your poochs gut health, which is why theyre often found together in digestive supplements for dogs. How their health-positive features complement each other to benefit the body is known as synbiotics.

Choosing A Probiotic Supplement For Your Dog

There are many benefits of probiotics for dogs, so while researching a probiotic supplement for your best friend, here are some important things to consider:

• Consult your vet first to make sure that a probiotic supplement is suitable for your pet, and they dont have any other underlying health conditions that probiotics may not address
• For holistic gut health support, choose a supplement containing both prebiotics, probiotics and postbiotics
• Look for a probiotic supplement specially formulated for dogs, as these strains will be most beneficial for the digestive systems of dogs
• Look for a probiotic that contains a range of probiotic strains and a high CFU count .

Disclaimer: This information is general advice only. Before starting any treatment or supplement with your pet, please consult your vet first for the best approach to getting your pet back to their best health.

For Kittens And Puppies

Nutramax Laboratories Inc., in Edgewood, Md., which markets ProviableDC and Proviable-KP for dogs and cats, says it learned that even puppies in the same litter had different microflora.

Since different microflora is found even within the same litter of puppies, some may benefit from one bacteria while others benefit from another, so we use seven types of bacteria in our probiotic, says Robert Devlin, DVM, senior director of the veterinary sciences division, Lancaster, S.C. We have used our probiotic every day for 21 days in studies and found no change in bloodwork that shows a negative effect.

The company also markets Bactaquin, an over-the-counter digestive health supplement for dogs that contains one bacteria strain.

Everyone has a price-point, Dr. Devlin says. With inflated fuel prices and the bad economy, owners might make cutbacks. But effective probiotics that deliver 2 billion bacteria can be given for about 50 cents a day.

Dicke says using puppy and kitten formulations containing prebiotics is an important part of ensuring a healthy GI tract from the beginning.

Kittens and puppies intestinal bacterial balance begins forming when their mom licks them, Dicke says. The bacteria accumulated in the first couple of weeks of an animals life can ultimately affect their long-term bacteria colonization. When animals are orphaned or even when they have loose stools, a probiotic can help remedy the situation.

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What Are Prebiotics For

The addition of prebiotics to food supports the workings of the digestive system regardless of the dogs age: puppy, adult or senior.

And it’s in the intestinal flora that we find microorganisms that help to:

• synthesise and absorb nutrients
• improve digestion

The development of beneficial intestinal flora boosts your dogs natural defences. Furthermore, a healthy intestine can help to regulate the efficiency of the animal’s immune system. There are various factors that can negatively affect your dogs intestinal flora, such as poor nutrition or stress. How are probiotics different from prebiotics?

The main difference between probiotics and prebiotics is that the former contain living microorganisms, whereas the latter are mostly vegetable fibres which benefit the bacteria already present in the intestine. Both are good for dogs and also for cats, as they improve the balance of intestinal flora.

Types Of Probiotics For Dogs

Probiotics for dogs come in several forms. Some dog foods even include probiotics in the list of ingredients.

If you look at the guaranteed analysis section on a package of dog food with probiotics, you will see the type and quantity of bacteria added.

Species-specific strains include Enterococcus faecium and Bacillus coagulans. Other probiotic strains that have helped improve stool quality and consistency in dogs include Bifidobacterium animalis, Lactobacillus acidophilus, and Lactobacillus rhamnosus.

Dog probiotic supplements are produced as powders, capsules, and chews. Each are labeled with recommendations on dosage and frequency of use.

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What Are The Health Benefits Of Prebiotics And Probiotics

These gut-friendly supplements offer a wide spectrum of health benefits. What starts in the stomach of your dog or horse touches every other major system in their body.

Prebiotics are great for:

• improving mental health

Theyve also been proven to lower levels of cortisol that can lead to depression and anxiety.

Probiotics are great for:

• preventing and treating urinary tract infections
• boosting your animals immune system
• improving overall digestive function
• healing conditions like irritable bowel syndrome
• combating food-borne illnesses

The Benefits Of Prebiotics And Probiotics For Dogs

Prebiotics and probiotics for dogs work together to promote a healthy gut biome, which protects your dogs overall health.

Probiotics can strengthen your dogs immune system, improve digestion, and help to maintain a healthy weight. At Animal Care Center of Castle Pines, we often prescribe probiotics for dogs that suffer from digestive disorders and immune deficiencies, or to help rebuild a healthy gut biome after a course of antibiotics.

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Prebiotics Are Found In Dog Foods

Because prebiotics is fiber , they are already included in dog foods.

They are also found in other food sources known to contain soluble fiber, such as legumes, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables.

Beet pulp is another well-known prebiotic , but care should be taken as some dogs don’t process beet pulp well.

This may cause bloating, nausea and flatulence.

Raw garlic and dandelion greens are good sources of prebiotics.

We touched on probiotics which, according to mentioned studies, have little to no effect when included in dog foods.

However, prebiotics for dogs can have the same positive impact, whether given through pet food, homemade food, or as a prebiotic supplement.

The only thing that matters is the amount of prebiotics given.

Studies show that dogs fed prebiotics regularly are less likely to get diarrhea caused by the overgrowth of harmful bacteria .

Prebiotics will provide enhanced immune protection to the puppies through colostrum and milk when fed to females during pregnancy and lactation.

In turn, the puppies will have an enhanced response to vaccines.

For dogs with immuno-suppression or digestive disorders, and for all dogs on a course of antibiotics, prebiotics is definitely of extra value.

Food Sources Of Prebiotics

If youre eating a variety of fruits and vegetables, youre probably already consuming prebiotics. And a big benefit of consuming prebiotic foods is that youre not only consuming fiber, youre getting healthy antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals into your diet. Common foods that contain prebiotics include asparagus, oats, beans, peas, apples, watermelon, chickpeas, leeks, bananas, and onions. Prebiotics are also available as a nutritional supplement.

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Prebiotics Aren’t Always Beneficial

Based on one meta-review study on the use of prebiotics for dogs, it’s clear that we still don’t understand the use of this supplement in pets well enough .

However, while we see some benefits, there are also reasons why prebiotics for dogs should be avoided.

In particular, prebiotics can be a bad idea for dogs with gastric intestinal issues.

This may be confusing because studies have shown probiotics to improve this condition.

Yet, in theory, prebiotics can possibly aggravate certain GI-related conditions.

Vets say many pets today have conditions like IBD, IBS, leaky gut, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth , and other issues.

The good-to-bad bacteria ratio in their gut is not in a positive state.

The last thing you want to do is feed pathogenic bacteria with prebiotics since it would worsen the condition.

Prebiotics are technically fiber because they are non-digestible. Still, they also can be classified as a carbohydrate or a type of complex sugar.

How To Purchase And Care For A Probiotic Product

Gail Czarnecki-Maulden, Ph.D., a senior research nutritionist for Nestle Purina and one of the developers of FortiFlora, says that the big problem with these products is that they are delicate living things. When you look at a probiotic, you are looking at live bacteria that have been adapted to living within the GI tract, she explains in a Canine Health Foundation podcast. Exposure to air, moisture, or temperature extremes will damage their viability. Thats why some of these products are sold in individual serving packets. She also says that people should be mindful of temperature conditions when purchasing a probiotic product. You dont want to buy your probiotics when its 110 degrees outside and you go to the mall for four hours and your probiotics are sitting in a hot car for five or six hours. Its not likely that the probiotics will survive.

Also, there are a few things you should look for on a probiotic package label, for example:

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How Long Does It Take For Pre And Probiotics To Work In Dogs

It depends on the dog, but improvements to tummy or toilet issues should start to show within a few days of introducing probiotics and prebiotics, and can even cut recovery time in half. If your dogs digestive condition is slightly more severe, pre and probiotics could take around 4-6 weeks to take effect. If youre using them as part of a preventative plan, its fine to feed your dog pre and probiotics every day.

Note that not every dog needs a boost of probiotics and prebiotics, as they may be getting enough already through diet. Pre and probiotics for dogs are highly unlikely to cause any harm, but more extensive research is needed on their effect on different dog breeds, ages and health conditions – so be sure to discuss with your vet before introducing them to your dogs diet.

If youd like to learn more about doggy digestive health, get in touch with us. To use the power duo of prebiotics and probiotics to get your dogs gut into tip-top shape, check out Pooch & Mutts Bionic Biotic pre and probiotic supplement.

References

How Will I Know My Dog Needs Prebiotics Or Probiotics

It is usually fairly obvious when your dog is experiencing a bacterial imbalance and common symptoms include diarrhea, constipation, changes in mood, gas, and excessively bad breath.

An exciting new development is that there are now ways to test your dogs gut microbiome from home. AnimalBiome is a leading pet microbiome company dedicated to using the insights from their microbiome research to improve the health and wellness of our furry companions. From the beginning theyve sought to provide science-based health solutions focused on pets both dogs and cats!

They provide pet parents with an at home Gut Health Test that is ordered online and delivered through the mail. The pet parent collects a small stool sample and mails the sample back to AnimalBiome for analysis. AnimalBiome then extracts and sequences DNA from the sample to identify the different bacterial types and amounts within your pets gut and compares it to their healthy dog or cat microbiome database. You receive a report in about 2 weeks that is extremely detailed and identifies potential problem areas within your dogs bacterial community. Their test includes dietary and supplement recommendations to increase specific beneficial bacteria based on your dogs unique microbiome composition.

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Whats The Difference Between Probiotics And Prebiotics

Prebiotics are specific nutrients in foods that feed probiotics. One of the most common prebiotics is mostly inulin fiber. Inulin fiber is a soluble plant fiber that assists with digestion. The human body cant actually digest this fiber but probiotics can. Plus, when inulin fiber is consumed by gut bacteria it produces short-chain fatty acids that the colon uses for energy. Prebiotics also help increase the amount of healthy bacteria in the gut.

On the other hand, probiotics are live bacteria found in some foods and in supplements. Probiotics maintain balance in the digestive tract. This is especially important when the digestive system is disrupted from a round of antibiotics or too many fried foods while on vacation. The balance of bacteria impacts the biodiversity of the intestines. When bacteria is balanced, it supports the essential processes of the gut microbiome, including its role in the immune system, energy, digestion, skin health, and even cognitive function.

The simplest way to think about it is that prebiotics are from food, feeding the probiotics .

The Pros And Cons Of Probiotics

Probiotics have been shown to improve digestive health and manage the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome . Theyve also been shown to prevent and heal a leaky gut and could prevent the inflammation associated with it.

Probiotics can also improve gastrointestinal health and could alleviate the symptoms of any stomach or intestinal disorders.

For women, probiotics offer amazing benefits such as boosting fertility and improving vaginal flora, preventing infections. Probiotics for nursing mothers can also promote a strong immune system in breastfed infants.

Pregnant women can also decrease their risk of developing gestational diabetes by taking probiotic supplements specifically recommended by a healthcare provider.

Children may even benefit from probiotics from an improved immune system to a lower risk of allergies.

It can also improve calcium absorption that leads to stronger bones, which is why probiotics have proven so useful for seniors.

They can also improve sleep quality, boost serotonin levels, and decrease stress. While these benefits were recorded in both men and women, these effects were most prominent in men. They also improve prostate health and increase testosterone levels.

Probiotics can be added into your daily routine with the use of probiotic supplements or by adding probiotic foods to your diet.

We advise you to speak to your doctor or primary healthcare physician if youre thinking about taking a probiotic supplement.

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Synbiotics And Gut Health

Synbiotics are a balanced combination of probiotics and prebiotics and may be advantageous for treatment of various GI diseases. The prebiotic portion may improve the conditions in the GI tract, enabling the probiotics to maximize survival, and may increase proliferation and adherence of the beneficial bacteria.4 Prebiotics may enhance or potentiate the benefits of the probiotics found in these products.

You need to consider if the bacterial portion of the product is still viable and as stated on the label. Benefits can also be obtained by using 2 separate products, given at the same time, as with using a probiotic in a food that has been supplemented with a prebiotic fiber.4

When Is It Sensible To Use Prebiotics Or Probiotics With Dogs

In this paragraph, we explain how you can strengthen your dog’s intestinal bacteria with the help of prebiotics and probiotics:

If your dog is suffering from diarrhoea or flatulence, you can give it supplements to support the healing process. As the name suggests, antibiotics can harm good bacteria. Therefore, vets recommend the use of pre- and probiotics along with the anti-microbial medicine as they can prevent further damage.

Make sure your dog really needs these supplements. Severe digestive disorders should always be checked by a vet as they can worsen and lead to further issues.

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Prebiotics Overview Prebiotics For Dogs

Prebiotics are one thing totally different completely. Primarily from food-stuffs they help and encourage the already present good intestine micro organism to flourish and thats a VERY good factor. In nearly all instances guts are healthy-ish place, to start with, it takes a lot of issues to get it out of whack.

Issues like antibiotics, consuming one thing poisonous, poor or unbalanced diets, sure viruses, and different sicknesses and a lot extra can all contribute to poor intestine well being. Canines arent any exception to this, regardless of their pure resilience they will simply fall sufferer to unhealthy intestine flora.

Rummaging by bins, consuming the cats vomit, coprophagia , poor food plan, even consuming and ingesting from plastic meals bowls can have an effect on your canines intestine flora and detract from the general well being of your finest bud.

The take house is that this Prebiotics arent residing cultures which can be launched, they lay the inspiration in order that already present good intestine flora can get about its enterprise and create a wholesome intestine.

Can You Use Probiotics For Dog Diarrhea

Yes, probiotics can be used to improve dog diarrhea caused by:

• Stress colitis from boarding, moving, or any disruption in routine

• Sudden changes to your dogs diet, like eating a new or unusual food

• A bacterial imbalance from long-term antibiotic use

Infections that cause a bacterial overgrowth may clear with probiotic use as well.

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Is Sweet Potato Good For Dogs

When feeding your dog a sweet potato, make sure its cooked and that the skin is removed leaving the skin on makes it harder for your dog to digest. You should never feed your dog a raw sweet potato. Not only are they difficult to chew, but they can upset your dogs stomach and potentially cause intestinal blockage.