Prebiotics and probiotics are becoming more popular and used by pet parents every year. Let us discuss what they are and how they affect your canine or feline companion!

What are Prebiotics & How do they work?

Prebiotics are specific plant fibers, they are not produced naturally by the body so must be obtained from the diet. They function like 'fertilizers' that encourage the growth of beneficial bacteria in the pet's stomach. It means prebiotics encourage the formation of probiotics for pets, which assist in keeping harmful bacteria under control in a pet's intestines.

Foods that contain prebiotics

Almost all high-fiber foods, especially pumpkin, flaxseed, raw oats and chicory roots.

Prebiotics benefits for dogs

• Lowering the likelihood of developing digestive tract illness.
• Promoting gut health and healthy digestion in canines.
• Providing dog's colon cells with an additional source of energy.
• Controlling or reducing the effects of inflammatory processes.
• Keeping dangerous microorganisms from growing in a canine body.
• Keeping the electrolyte and fluid balance in the gut at a normal level.

What are Probiotics & How do they work?

Probiotics are microorganisms that are beneficial to the pet's body. Dogs and cats have billions of these beneficial microorganisms in their stomachs to aid in the battle against illness, the strengthening of the immune system, the digestion of food, and the production of vitamins and minerals. In scientific terms, this is referred to as the microbiome, and a healthy dog requires a healthy microbiome.

Probiotics vary from prebiotics in that they include live organisms, generally particular strains of bacteria, that contribute directly to the population of beneficial microorganisms in your gut.

Probiotics, like prebiotics, can be obtained from various sources, including food and supplements.

Several microbe strains or a combination of microorganisms may be included inside a single dosage. Probiotic supplement companies, like those that offer prebiotic supplements, target specific illnesses, such as irritable bowel syndrome, with their products.

Organic foods that contain probiotics

Live cultures of yogurt, kefir or bacteria-fermented foods (kombucha, sauerkraut, and kimchi).

Fact: Yogurt is considered one of the most widely consumed probiotic food. Yogurt is produced by fermenting milk with various microorganisms, some of which remain in the finished product.

Greek yoghurt can be used to reduce issues with lactose senstivity

Benefits for pets

• Assist with canine's digestion
• Enhance the dog's immune system's response.
• Produce short-chain fatty acids, which are beneficial to the digestive tract by inhibiting dangerous bacteria growth in the dog's body.
• Treat watery diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome, and intestinal inflammation.
• Preventing urinary tract infections
• Reduce dog' allergic responses by lowering intestinal permeability and inflammation and by regulating the immune system
• Making food more digestible
• Defending against possible pathogens
• Increasing dog's resistance towards harmful diseases

 Written by Dr Mushtaq, DVM 

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