What’s the difference between prebiotics and probiotics?
Another great question–and an IMPORTANT one too, as prebiotics are what feeds your dog’s probiotics. They are a food supply for probiotics, and they’re necessary for your dog to maximize probiotic benefit. Prebiotics are found in green leafy veggies, whole grains, legumes, fruits and even mushrooms, but many dog diets lack that and prebiotic supplementation is key.
A big difference in prebiotics and probiotics is that prebiotics are hardy. They do a much better job of surviving heat, cold and stomach acids as your dog digests, and that’s important as they’re feeders for probiotics. All too often, if you’re paying for pricey probiotics but not ensuring your dog is getting enough prebiotics, you’re basically paying for those probiotics to die off without ever even making it to your dog’s gut and helping him.
Perfect Poop has inulin and XOS (found in miscanthus grass) sources of prebiotics and these help feed the good bacteria in your dog’s gut. The small intestine can’t break them down, so supplementation helps ensure probiotics are well nourished and thriving.
When you start supplementing dog probiotics, it’s not uncommon for your dog to have some changes. You may notice they pass gas more, poop a bit more and even eat a bit less (good fiber will make them feel full with each meal).
Another major reason Bernie’s Perfect Poop was created was because we know figuring out the right dog probiotic dosage and delivery can be a pain. Formulating both of our recipes with correct dosages in mind, Bernie’s Perfect Poop bits make it easy to give your dog a safe and effective dosage of probiotics.
How Does a Dog’s Digestive System Work?
The place to start is to gain a basic understanding of how a dog’s digestive system works.
Just like humans, there is a complex ecosystem happening inside the canine digestive system. This ecosystem, called the microflora, consists of billions of microscopic bacteria, yeast and protozoa.
There are billions of microbes in the gastrointestinal system of all animals. These microbes aid in digestion, fight off potential pathogens, make nutrients and vitamins and bolster the immune system.
A dog’s immune system primarily resides in the gut – the small and large intestine. Approximately 70 percent of immunity-producing cells reside in the gut.
Keeping your dog’s digestive system functioning optimally is essential to making sure he or she stays healthy, active and lives a long life.
What problems do probiotics help to solve?
Increased probiotic bacteria can help resolve the following issues:
This is an incomplete list, but as you can see, probiotics can have a HUGE effect on your dog. That’s because digestive health is vitally important to your dog’s overall health and sense of well-being. This makes probiotics one of the most important supplements you should be giving your dog regularly.
Can Your Dog Get Too Many Probiotics?
Dogs cannot overdose on probiotics. When the body receives a sufficient amount of probiotics, it will eliminate the rest. This can cause short term digestive issues such as gas and diarrhea, but there is no immediate danger when a dog consumes too many probiotics.
Probiotics are a big topic for health in dogs. Providing proper nutrients for your dog’s diet is one of the most important aspects to ensure a long, healthy life. Dogs are curious about the world around them and can get into things that cause changes in their health. So, where do probiotics fit in?
Probiotics are used to bring balance to your dog’s gut health. They are a form of healthy bacteria that support the digestive process.
Dogs’ bodies consist of many natural bacterias that sometimes require a boost. Sickness, diet, and even medications can throw off the natural balance.
This is true for humans as well. Probiotics can aid in bringing balance back, along with aiding in digestion, providing nutrients, and helping build immunity.
Just like us, our pets can suffer from digestive issues. Some minor, while others pose more problems.
This can occur when an abrupt change happens in your dog’s diet. This can be a change of food or from the ingestion of something not typical to their diet. When changing your dog’s diet, make the change gradually so their body can adjust.
Trauma and stress can be a cause for digestive issues as well. Allergies and some medications can bring imbalance to your dog’s gut health.
If you see any of these issues arise in your pet, contact their veterinarian for further guidance before starting your dog on probiotics.
Different probiotics can help with different issues. Some may help with mild diarrhea, such as Bifidobacterium animalis. Lactobacillus acidophilus is another probiotic that can help with the bowel health of your dog.
Before looking into probiotics, always consult with the veterinarian to ensure your dog can benefit from them and to ensure there is not an underlying condition.
Probiotics are available in capsule, powder, and liquid form. Capsule form is the recommended form due to its ability to preserve probiotics. Ensure you are refrigerating your dog’s probiotics if required.
Probiotics can benefit your dog in a few different ways. They can help prevent urinary tract infections, reduce inflammation in the bowels, help combat the growth of harmful bacteria, help treat diarrhea and other intestinal disparities.
Probiotics may also help your dog experience fewer side effects while on medication and boost their immunity for future illness.
Another factor in your dog’s ability to absorb probiotics effectively is their intake of prebiotics. Prebiotics are the food supply for probiotic bacteria. These are essentially the necessary carbohydrates needed to utilize the probiotics your pet is consuming.
By ensuring your pet has a good balance of both, you allow for your dog to create an environment internally that allows the probiotic bacteria to flourish.
Prebiotics you should consider incorporating into your dog’s diet include green leafy vegetables, mushrooms, fruits, whole grains, and legumes. Before feeding your dog anything that is not part of their regular diet, be sure to look up whether it’s safe.
Though probiotics essentially serve the same purpose for humans taking them, be aware of the differences in formulas.
Human probiotics should not be given to your dog. As with most things that humans can take, remember that our pets have different needs. Always seek a probiotic that is specific for your dog to ensure the correct ingredients and dosage to promote your dog’s health.
When choosing a probiotic for your dog, you want to ensure the product is vet approved. This ensures the quality and safety of the product you are giving to your dog.
If you need guidance on choosing the best probiotic formula, seek professional guidance from your local veterinarian. Vet and FDA approval ensure the highest level of safety in a product for your pup.
When giving your dog probiotics, you need to ensure you are providing the right dose. This is dependent on the size and weight of your dog.
There is a label with the recommended dosage for most probiotics that you purchase specifically for your dog. If a full dose is too much for your dog, you can split the dose in half to provide at two different times in the day.
To understand dosing, you must understand CFUs. This is the measurement you will see when comparing probiotics.
CFU means colony-forming unit. This is the number of live bacteria in the probiotic. Depending on what purpose you are buying for will determine the amount you need.
For a daily dose given consistently, lower CFUs are acceptable. For treating digestive disparities, you may look into a higher dosage of CFUs.
Dogs typically need 1-4 billion CFUs from day to day. This typically breaks down to 1-3 billion daily for smaller dogs and 3-5 billion for dogs over 50 pounds.
Always be sure you’re providing the correct dosage pertaining to your dog’s weight to ensure the amount will be sufficient.
Though side effects from probiotics are rare, they are still possible. In some instances, your dog may experience nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting. This can be due to other underlying conditions, such as a weakened immune system. This can also come from consuming a higher dose than what is needed for the weight of your dog.
Though many great things can come from taking probiotics, you want to ensure you are providing the safe amount.
We know that, at times, our curious friends can get into things they weren’t supposed to. You may find that your dog has taken more than the recommended dosing.
The way they are broken down in the body allows them to be passed through their system for elimination.
Some dogs may experience diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting from consuming too much. To prevent this, ensure that you are always providing the correct dosage recommended for your dog.
Store your dog’s probiotics accordingly to ensure they remain preserved and out of reach for your furry friend.