Probiotics and Prebiotics For Pets: Everything You Need to know

For any pet gut health is the most important part when you think about the overall health, as gut plays the role in digestion, absorption of nutrients, fuels the body by creating energy, etc. The gut has it's own environment known as the microbiome. A healthy gut should have a large amount of good bacteria than the bad bacteria.


Probiotics are the live, beneficial(good) bacteria in the form of powder, capsule, food additives or food supplement itself. They when ingested, contribute to the existing number of good bacteria by increasing their crowd, multiplying it. The greater the number of good bacteria, the better gut health.
Prebiotics are the special fiber source which is indigestible by the pet itself but is for the good bacteria, serving as its food and fertilizer, it makes the beneficial bacteria survive, thrive and work more efficiently.

Both when combined together is known as the synbiotics, although the probiotics and prebiotics can be taken independently but are most effective when taken together.

• It supports the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut which helps boost the immunity of your pet, it makes the immune responses better incase of any illness.
• It makes the gut healthy which helps in better absorption of nutrients from the food, improves digestion and regulates metabolism.
• Probiotics help in recovering the gastrointestinal diseases like Inflammatory Bowel Disease(IBD), diarrhea, vomiting, etc.
• It balances the overall environment of microbes in the gut, contributing to the overall health and well being of your pet.
• It helps reduce the inflammation in the gut and eases the bowel movements.

• Prebiotics energizes the probiotics and the already existing good bacteria in the gut, making them more robust and efficient in their work, which is to keep the bad bacteria in check.
• The prebiotics produces SCFAs which helps regulate the blood sugar levels and lowers the cholesterol levels.
• It improves the digestion and helps in relieving constipation and diarrhea by adding bulk to the stool as being a fiber source.
• It helps absorb more minerals and nutrients from the food by nourishes the gut wall.

So, prebiotics and probiotics both are important when focusing on the health of your pet not just when they are ill but to promote overall health by maintaining a healthy and balanced gut for better immunity, digestion and overall well being.

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1. How long would prebiotics and probiotics take to improve my pet's health ?Normally, after starting the supplements your pet's health would be visibly better in a few days to a week, incase of issues like diarrhea and upset stomach. But can take weeks and a month in case of chronic conditions like allergies, weak immunity or gut conditions.
2. Should Probiotics be given to pets only when they are sick or everyday ?It depends on your pet's need and your preference. It can be administered during illness, antibodies use or when gut health is disrupted. It can also be used for general health, daily, as it can be a proactive way to maintain your pet's health. A vet should be consulted before starting the supplements.
3. Are there any natural food sources that can act as a probiotic and prebiotic ?Yes, there are many natural food sources which can provide the probiotics and prebiotics. Probiotics can be consumed through yogurt, kefir and fermented vegetable whereas prebiotics can be consumed through pumpkin, sweet potatoes, bananas, apples, oats, chicory roots and dandelion greens.
4. Can there be any side effects that my pet might experience when on probiotics and prebiotics ?There can be some side effects when starting these supplements as the gut's microbiome transits and goes through a change which effects the gut's whole environment. Effects like gas, bloating, diarrhea , loose stools or constipation may appear but they are short lived and often resolves on their own. But if the side effects are persistent and severe, it's important to consult your vet.