Your dog's digestive tract is populated by beneficial bacteria, yeast, and other microorganisms. Sometimes this community, called the microbiome, needs support from prebiotic supplements to support your dog's digestion, overall health, and immune system.
What Are Prebiotics for Dogs?
Prebiotics for dogs, usually high-fiber nutrients, are the food that feeds the good microflora in your dog's gut. This helps grow the population of beneficial bacteria so it can crowd out any harmful bacteria.
Probiotics for dogs are live microorganisms that are consumed in fermented food or taken as a supplement to increase the population of good bacteria in your dog's gut.
Do Dogs Need Prebiotics?
The live organisms in your dog's gut play a key role in maintaining his overall health. Probiotic and prebiotic supplements for dogs can support a healthy immune response by helping your dog:
- Improve digestion of foods
- Produce vitamins
- Help regulate energy balance and metabolism
- Crowd out harmful bacteria
- Support immune function
In addition, pre- and probiotics for dogs may help with gastrointestinal signs like diarrhea as well as allergies and itchy skin.
While the benefits of good bacteria in the colon and digestive tract have been known for a while, there is new understanding about the relationship between mood and your dog's gut microbiome.
Purina researchers recently discovered that supplementing with the bacterium called Bifidobacterium longum, commonly known as BL999, can affect your dog's behavior. They found subjects that took BL999 probiotic supplement for dogs were less likely to bark, jump, or pace in situations that caused stress. These dogs were also more likely to explore new environments.
You can help multiply the good, naturally occurring bacteria in your dog's digestive system with the prebiotics in pumpkin and psyllium fiber.
What Are the Benefits of Prebiotics for Dogs?
Since 80% of a dog's immune system is in his gut, there are benefits of prebiotics for dogs. High-fiber foods can provide prebiotics for the beneficial bacteria in your dog's digestive system.
While prebiotics have been shown to support a healthy immune system and gastrointestinal health, it's important to talk with your vet before starting any supplement.
Before beginning any regimen for a health concern, have your dog examined by your vet.
Signs Your Dog May Benefit from Prebiotics
Stress, dietary changes, or long-term antibiotic use can disrupt the microbiome balance in your dog's gut. Occasional soft stools or diarrhea from environmental or intestinal stressors are signs that your dog may benefit from prebiotic fiber like pumpkin and psyllium, two primary ingredients in EverRoot Digestion dog supplements.
What Is a Good Source of Prebiotics for Dogs?
Be sure your prebiotic supplement for dogs includes ingredients sourced with NASC certification, like EverRoot Digestion dog supplements. These prebiotic chewable tablets for dogs are created by expert animal nutritionists to help with digestive issues.
Some home remedies suggest feeding your dog yogurt or other fermented foods with live cultures or canned pumpkin for digestive issues. Don't give your dog human food products that are sweetened with sugar or artificial sweeteners, especially xylitol, as it can be extremely dangerous for dogs.
Prebiotic foods for dogs, like plain pumpkin, are generally safe. Dogs can consume small amounts of steamed or roasted fresh pumpkin pulp or canned plain “pure” pumpkin. However, don't let your dog eat old jack-o-lanterns, prepared pumpkin pie filling, raw pumpkin pulp, or raw pumpkin seeds.
Stick with EverRoot Digestion dog supplements, which are formulated by experts in animal nutrition at Purina. They are crafted with pumpkin and psyllium, which are both high in prebiotic fiber, and other healthful ingredients. In addition to feeding the good bacteria in your dog's intestinal tract, the psyllium helps absorb excess water in your dog's colon to aid in reducing loose stools.
How Much Prebiotics Should You Give Your Dog?
Unsure how much prebiotics to give your dog? To ensure you are providing the correct amount, choose EverRoot Digestion dog supplements for prebiotic supplementation. EverRoot's supplements are properly balanced and made just for dogs.
The number of supplement servings will depend on size and weight of your dog. Don't forget, EverRoot supplements are not treats. Don't give your dog more than the amount recommended on the package for your dog's weight. If you need prebiotics or probiotics for puppies, speak to your vet.
Side Effects of Prebiotics for Dogs
Exceeding the recommended amount of prebiotics may cause abdominal discomfort and bloating. If your dog's condition worsens or does not improve, discontinue use, and consult your veterinarian.
Before starting any supplement, talk to your vet about possible benefits, interactions, or side effects.
Choosing a Prebiotic Supplement for Dogs
EverRoot dog supplements offer several products in different formulations that contain pumpkin and psyllium prebiotic fiber for dogs.
For digestive health:
For multiple health benefits:
At EverRoot, every ingredient is carefully chosen for a purpose to provide what dogs need and nothing that they don't. Learn more about the ingredients in EverRoot dog supplements on our Ingredients page.