Probiotics are essential supplements that are beneficial for humans and animals alike. Maybe you’ve already added them to your pup’s diet. But what about prebiotic supplements?  

Although not as well-known as probiotics, prebiotics are equally important for your pet’s health. Read on to discover what they are and why they should be a part of your furry friend’s diet.  

What are Prebiotic Supplements?  

Your gut has healthy bacteria which support the immune system by fighting bad bacteria that make you sick. Prebiotics are dietary fibers that become food for these good bacteria.  

Essentially, the good bacteria are probiotic, while the dietary fiber it feeds on is prebiotic. The more prebiotics are consumed, the more food probiotics get, which means better overall health.  

Since the digestive systems of dogs and humans are pretty similar, prebiotics are essential for both. That being said, let’s explore some more reasons why your fur babies need these supplements as part of their diet.  

The Benefits of Prebiotics for Your Pets 

Besides acting as the primary food source for probiotics, prebiotics offer a wide range of other benefits as well. The good thing about prebiotics is that they can survive extremely acidic stomach conditions, as opposed to probiotics, which sometimes die before they can even reach the intestine.  

That being said, let’s look at all the benefits of prebiotics for your pets:  

Prebiotic supplements have inherent fermenting capabilities that allow the food particles to be broken down into small, digestible units. As a result, the digestion process improves, and most of the food consumed by your dog eats absorbed, resulting in less stool volume.  

The gut microbe composition and the pH of your stomach are altered by prebiotics. As a result, your pup’s stomach is able to absorb more minerals into the body before the food gets flushed out. This means that your dog’s body can fully utilize the minerals and vitamins consumed through different foods.  

Being fiber in nature, prebiotics can break down food, thus making the digestion process slower. This has been proven to regulate blood sugar levels in dogs.  

Although it isn’t conclusive yet, many ongoing studies indicate that prebiotics can improve bone density and strength.  

Since mineral absorption is enhanced with prebiotic supplements, this also means the calcium your doggo consumed in the form of bones or eggshells also gets better absorption. As a result, bone density and strength increase.  

When pregnant or lactating dogs are fed prebiotics, it transfers the benefits to puppies. Consequently, the pups gain an improved immune system response, and their bodies respond well to any vaccines administered.  

What to Look for in Prebiotics for Dogs?  

Now that you know all the benefits of prebiotics for dogs, let’s understand what to look for when buying these supplements.  

The primary requirement for prebiotics for dogs is that the supplements should be easily ingestible by your furry friend. You might find many supplements on the market designed for dogs, but they may contain some harmful ingredients. Here are some ingredients to watch out for:  

These ingredients can be toxic, so before you purchase any store-bought supplement, make sure you do a little bit of your own research and carefully read all the ingredients.  

Besides looking for supplements with dog-safe ingredients, you should also look at the bioavailability and the survival rate of the prebiotics in the acidic conditions of your dog’s tummy.  

Ideally, you should buy a multi-purpose supplement containing other nutrients besides prebiotics, such as vitamins, minerals, and enzymes. This ensures your doggo’s health remains intact.  

You can also opt for natural sources that can easily be found in the kitchen pantry. Here are some dog-safe natural options you can use:  

Find the Best Dog-Safe Prebiotics at Raw Paws Emporium 

The benefits of prebiotics are dogs are countless. Start adding them to your pooch’s diet today! 

You can find the finest quality prebiotic supplements at Raw Paws Emporium.