Can Dogs Take Probiotics and Prebiotics?
- Equipo NUPEC®
Today there is a strong nutrition trend encouraging people to actively consume probiotics and prebiotics. There are many reasons to include them in the diet, mainly because they help balance the gut microbiota (the community of microorganisms that live in the intestines of living beings). This balance has a positive effect on the immune system, which helps prevent certain diseases, and improves nutrient absorption, which in turn improves the body's nutritional status and overall health. As a result, more and more people are choosing foods that contain them. But what about dogs—is it also a good idea for them to consume probiotics and prebiotics?
First, we need to understand what they are and how they differ. The Mayo Clinic defines probiotics as living organisms—strains of beneficial bacteria that live in the gut—while prebiotics are plant fibers that help those bacteria grow. Simply put, the difference between a probiotic and a prebiotic is that the first is a living microorganism and the second is food for that microorganism.
Now that we know what they are, we come to the most interesting question of this article:
Is it good for a dog's health to consume probiotics or prebiotics?
The answer is yes. Major studies, such as the one published in the Journal of Small Animal Practice titled “Effects of a probiotic intervention in acute canine gastroenteritis”, have shown how probiotics can improve a dog's health by benefiting its gastrointestinal health.
Probiotics offer many benefits for a dog's health, but NOT all probiotics—especially those made for humans—are suitable for dogs. So if you are thinking about sharing your probiotics with your pet, think twice, because they will most likely upset its stomach. This is because the digestive tracts of dogs and humans are very different. If you want your pet to benefit from probiotics, the best thing to do is see a professional who can recommend veterinary products.
The same goes for prebiotics, the plant fibers found in fruits and vegetables that help beneficial gut bacteria grow.
Dog diets that include prebiotics help reduce gastrointestinal problems because, by feeding beneficial bacteria, they help balance the animal's gut microbiota.
Today, one of the most important natural sources of prebiotics is chicory root (a source of inulin), a natural prebiotic that offers many health benefits for dogs, such as:
- Improving gastrointestinal health
- Supporting a balanced gut microbiota, which aids nutrient absorption
- Improving digestion
- Preventing constipation
- Improving stool quality
As you can see, there are many good reasons to add prebiotics to your dog's diet, and NUPEC® makes it easy.
How can I give my dog prebiotics?
If you want to add prebiotics and their benefits to your dog's diet, our NUPEC Adult food contains this natural prebiotic, chicory root, along with other functional ingredients such as Omega 3 and 6, as part of our HIGH TECH formula, which offers the right nutritional balance of proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals to guarantee conscious scientific nutrition that cares for your dog's health and beauty and gives it a better quality of life.
Another of our products with prebiotics is NUPEC Digestive Care, part of our functional treats line, designed with prebiotics (chicory root) to support your dog's gut health.
If you want to add prebiotics to your dog's diet, NUPEC® offers several products that contain them to care for your pet's health.
To learn more about these products and our entire line of dog and cat food, ask your trusted veterinarian for advice.
At NUPEC®, we are committed to enhancing the health, beauty and life of pets through responsible scientific nutrition, bringing fulfillment to their owners.
References
https://www.jarvm.com/articles/Vol10Iss3/Vol10%20Iss3%20Kelley.pdf
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jvim.15554
https://www.petmd.com/dog/general-health/probiotics-dogs-what-you-need-know
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between probiotics and prebiotics?
Probiotics are live beneficial gut bacteria; prebiotics are plant fibers that feed them.
Can I give my dog my own probiotics?
No. A dog's digestive tract is different from a human's; use products formulated for dogs.
Are probiotics good for dogs?
Yes. Studies have shown that they benefit dogs' gastrointestinal health.
