Prebiotics for Dogs: What are They and What Do They Do?

Yogurt, kefir, kombucha, sauerkraut—what do these have in common? They all contain probiotics, which are living, beneficial microorganisms that provide health benefits to the host. Whatever your form of choice, you’ve no doubt hopped on the probiotic bandwagon and made this powerhouse of nutrition part of your diet, and maybe even part of your pooch’s diet as well.

But what are prebiotic supplements? The not-so-well-known sidekick of the bacteria world is about to become your dog’s new best friend… after you, of course. We’re going to give you all you need to know about prebiotics for dogs and why you need to integrate them into your pet’s diet today.

Prebiotics are a form of dietary fiber that support the growth of healthy intestinal bacteria so that harmful bacteria can’t overrun your immune health and make you sick. Don’t remember what dietary fiber is from your high school biology class? No problem.

• Soluble fiber – As the name suggests, soluble fiber can be broken down, fermented, and turned into food for probiotics. These are prebiotics.
• Insoluble fiber – Insoluble fiber, however, cannot be broken down or fermented and simply pass through your system as roughage. This is not a prebiotic.

After the prebiotic is fermented in the large intestine, it becomes the main food source for the probiotic. The more prebiotics ingested, the stronger and more populous the probiotics, and consequently, the healthier the individual.

Simply put: without prebiotics, your probiotics would not live to fight another day in your system. Because both humans and a dog are omnivores with similar intestinal structure, function, and size, everything just mentioned pertains to your furry family member as well.

Note: As we move forward, we’re going to shift the focus to your dog’s health specifically and to how prebiotics are essential for their gut’s health—and, in turn, their overall health and well-being.

You probably know by now that—just like you—your dog’s immune health is directly linked to their digestive health. Ultimately, your dog’s digestive health is balanced by probiotics and prebiotics. The beneficial probiotic microorganisms keep the detrimental microorganisms at bay so that your dog’s health is optimal.

For this reason, the gut is considered the “headquarters” of the immune system. When the probiotic microorganisms are not strong enough to keep the harmful organisms in check, your dog could experience wide-ranging symptoms depending on the severity of the gut imbalance. Here are a few telltale signs to look for:

• Skin and coat issues (from excessive shedding to dry, flaky skin to incessant licking)
• Frequent ear infections
• Sensitive stomach: Diarrhea, loose stool, regularity issues
• Excessively bad breath or unusually foul or putrefied-smelling stool
• Sudden food sensitivities and allergies or environmental allergies
• Parasitic infections in the intestine (hookworms, ringworms, roundworms, tapeworms)
• Frequent vomiting or being finicky about food

Prebiotic have been shown to provide several benefits and are being actively studied for other health-promoting effects, including:

• Sparking growth and proliferation of gut bacteria that benefit the host’s health
• Help exclude pathogens from the gut
• Enhance immunity
• May inhibit cancer cells in vitro
• Restore mucosal integrity, helping to treat inflammatory bowel disease
• Promote long-term gut health
• Absorb calcium
• Maintain steady blood glucose levels
• Speed up fermentation, reducing constipation
• May help prevent obesity

In an ideal world, you and your dog would eat so clean, so balanced, so nutritious that all dietary needs would be taken care of, and you’d never have to bother with supplements. In this world, you’d also go to the gym every day, wake up at 5 am, and actually check off your entire to-do list.

If we’re being honest, that’s not real life most days. While veterinary-approved commercial dog foods are well-balanced and may contain prebiotics, you should check with your veterinarian to determine if the prebiotics in your dog’s food are the right ones, and, if not, they can help you find the right prebiotic supplement to complete your dog’s healthy diet. 

Prebiotics can be found in some fruits, vegetables, and whole grains such as sweet potatoes, oats, asparagus, pumpkin, and others; however, not all natural prebiotic sources are safe for dogs, and the amount and preparation method can affect efficacy and safety. Some dogs may have stomach upset or diarrhea with too much prebiotic.   

The best prebiotics for dogs are ones they can safely ingest. Some prebiotic supplements marketed for dogs contain ingredients that may be toxic to dogs.

A reputable supplement containing prebiotics will have sourced them from safe, healthy ingredients for your dog.

Because the FDA does not regulate probiotics and prebiotics for dogs, what you see on the label may not be what’s in the bottle. Research your products and companies online, talk to your vet about what’s best for your dog’s health, and look for the following things when choosing prebiotic supplements for your dog:

• Food sources not toxic to dogs
• The correct amounts for dogs specifically (your vet can help here)
• Bioavailability and the ability to survive your dog’s stomach acid
• A multipurpose supplement containing a balance of vitamins, minerals, enzymes, and prebiotics which will work synergistically and with greater effect in your dog’s body

Thankfully, science has begun to recognize the unsung hero of gut health and overall health and well-being, and you will now never confuse prebiotics with probiotics again. Though each has its own vital, respective role to play, remember:

1. Prebiotics improve dog gut health.
2. A healthy gut works better.
3. A properly working gut improves your dog’s overall health.

Talk to your veterinarian about prebiotics for your dog.  Consider a nutritional, properly sourced, and safe prebiotic supplement like Vetericyn ALL-IN, which includes high-quality prebiotics to support digestive processes, promote the growth of beneficial bacteria, and enhance overall health and well-being.