{"id":26,"date":"2024-10-08T11:18:47","date_gmt":"2024-10-08T11:18:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.duuvk.com\/index.php\/2020\/08\/18\/when-your-dog-needs-probiotics-prebiotics-and-postbiotics\/"},"modified":"2020-08-18T16:00:00","modified_gmt":"2020-08-18T16:00:00","slug":"when-your-dog-needs-probiotics-prebiotics-and-postbiotics","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.duuvk.com\/index.php\/2024\/10\/08\/when-your-dog-needs-probiotics-prebiotics-and-postbiotics\/","title":{"rendered":"When Your Dog Needs Probiotics, Prebiotics and Postbiotics"},"content":{"rendered":"

As you learn to care for your dog naturally \u2026 you\u2019ll discover more and more options to support his health holistically. But sometimes it can get confusing!<\/span><\/p>\n

One topic that can leave dog owners a bit mystified is the difference between all the \u201c-biotics\u201d \u2026 <\/span>pro<\/span><\/i>biotics, <\/span>pre<\/span><\/i>biotics, <\/span>syn<\/span><\/i>biotics and <\/span>post<\/span><\/i>biotics.<\/span><\/p>\n

You probably know that probiotics are important to health. But what are all the others \u2026 and do you need to give your dog those too?<\/span><\/p>\n

To help clarify, let\u2019s break everything down \u2026<\/span><\/p>\n

\n <\/p>\n

Probiotics<\/b><\/h2>\n

Your dog\u2019s gut is full of bacteria \u2026 good and bad. And this community of bacteria, along with yeasts and viruses, is called the microbiome. <\/span><\/p>\n

Probiotics are live microorganisms that can colonize in your dog and provide health benefits. <\/span><\/p>\n

They can help restore the microbiome and repopulate the intestine with healthy bacteria. And they crowd out pathogenic bacteria like Salmonella and E coli.<\/span><\/p>\n

Friendly bacteria produce your dog\u2019s B vitamins and vitamin K \u2026 they also play a critical role in digestion. <\/span>And produce short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) that help balance the immune system and decrease inflammation. <\/span><\/p>\n

You can give your dog probiotics via food or supplements. <\/span><\/p>\n

Dairy-based products like kefir and yogurt are some examples you\u2019re likely familiar with \u2026 but they\u2019re not always probiotic. <\/span><\/p>\n

Technically probiotic means that the bacteria will survive the passage through the gut and colonize. <\/span><\/p>\n

Probiotic foods may or may not have enough bacteria to be called probiotic. But they can still be prebiotic and postbiotic. <\/span><\/p>\n

I\u2019ll talk about a couple of good reasons prebiotics and postbiotics are good for your dog in the next sections. <\/span><\/p>\n

With that said, many dogs are lactose intolerant so kimchi and sauerkraut may be better choices. <\/span><\/p>\n

Should All Dogs Get Probiotics?<\/b><\/h3>\n

Your dog\u2019s immune system protects him from illness and disease. Everything from allergies to diabetes to cancer.<\/span><\/p>\n

And it turns out that 80% of your dog\u2019s immune system is in his gut.<\/span><\/p>\n

That means you\u2019ll never find a long-term solution to your dog\u2019s health issues until you fix his gut bacteria.<\/span><\/p>\n

The problem is, there are a lot of things that can kill off the friendly bacteria and increase the harmful ones.<\/span><\/p>\n

High Starch Diets<\/b> \u2013 Harmful bacteria prefer to eat starchy foods with a higher glycemic load. High starch diets feed inflammatory bacteria that crowd out friendly bacteria.<\/span><\/p>\n

High-Fat Diets<\/b> \u2013 Like starchy diets, a high-fat diet will feed the bad bacteria. This will lead to gut inflammation and long-term issues.<\/span><\/p>\n

Medications and Vaccines<\/b> \u2013 Drugs, dewormers and vaccines destroy the balance in your dog\u2019s gut.<\/span><\/p>\n

Antibiotics<\/b> \u2013 Antibiotics wipe out all the bacteria in the gut. This leaves your dog\u2019s digestive system sterile and his immune system a mess.  <\/span><\/p>\n

Environmental Toxins<\/b> \u2013 Pesticides and herbicides, especially glyphosate and Roundup, kill friendly bacteria. The same goes for environmental toxins found in the air, water, ground, food and toys. Toxins like:<\/span><\/p>\n

    \n
  • Heavy metals<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Petrochemicals<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Solvents<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Food additives<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) (substances that easily turn into gas or vapor such as gas)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    This is where probiotics come in. <\/span><\/p>\n

    Because probiotics can support the immune system \u2026 they\u2019re a good option to support your dog\u2019s day-to-day health.<\/span><\/p>\n

    RELATED: <\/strong>3 Natural Ways To Boost Your Dog\u2019s Immune System \u2026<\/p>\n

    The amount of probiotics you give your dog each day will depend on the probiotic you use.
    <\/span><\/p>\n

    If using <\/span>Lactobacillus<\/span><\/i> and <\/span>Bifidobacterium species,<\/span><\/i> you want to feed a number of strains. And because they\u2019re more easily destroyed in the gut, you will need to look for at least 30 billion CFU. <\/span><\/p>\n

    In comparison, <\/span>Bacillus<\/span><\/i> strains are hardier so 1 to 5 billion CFU should be plenty.<\/span><\/p>\n

    But probiotics aren\u2019t only good for the day to day maintenance of a healthy microbiome. <\/span><\/p>\n

    They can also be a great tool when your dog has digestive upsets. Or when your dog feels stressed from things like \u2026<\/span><\/p>\n

      \n
    • Weaning<\/span><\/li>\n
    • Boarding<\/span><\/li>\n
    • Agility trials<\/span><\/li>\n
    • Traveling<\/span><\/li>\n
    • Vet visits<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      Probiotics may also be a good choice following a round of antibiotics. I mentioned antibiotics destroy your dog\u2019s intestinal flora. <\/span><\/p>\n

      It\u2019s almost always possible to avoid antibiotics altogether with natural remedies \u2026 but if you do have to use antibiotics in an emergency, you may want to give probiotics as well. <\/span><\/p>\n

      This will help keep the good bacteria present and rebalance your dog\u2019s gut bacteria.<\/span><\/p>\n

      But the type of probiotic you use is important. <\/span><\/p>\n

      In <\/span>one study<\/span>, researchers found that Lactobacillus probiotics can delay microbiome recovery. <\/span><\/p>\n

      Saccharomyces boulardii<\/i> <\/em>is a better choice. Saccharomyces boulardii<\/em> is a yeast \u2026 not a bacteria. But it\u2019s still probiotic. <\/span><\/p>\n

      It helps fight diarrhea and yeast infections and \u2026 unlike other probiotics, it can\u2019t be killed by antibiotics. That means it be given during antibiotic treatment.
      <\/span><\/p>\n

      Prebiotics<\/b><\/h2>\n

      Prebiotics help fuel probiotics.<\/span><\/p>\n

      Prebiotic are insoluble, indigestible fibers. <\/span>When your dog eats these fibers, they travel to the colon and the bacteria that live there eat them. Or technically ferment them. <\/span><\/p>\n

      That\u2019s why prebiotics are so important. They feed the probiotics in your dog\u2019s gut. This helps grow, restore and maintain a healthy gut flora. <\/span><\/p>\n

      Without prebiotics, probiotics are less effective and can eventually die off. <\/span><\/p>\n

      Like probiotics, you can give your dog prebiotics through food or supplements.<\/span><\/p>\n

      Common prebiotics are \u2026<\/span><\/p>\n

        \n
      • Fructooligosaccharides (FOS)<\/span><\/li>\n
      • Mannan oligosaccharides (MOS)<\/span><\/li>\n
      • Galactooligosaccharides (GOS)<\/span><\/li>\n
      • Inulin<\/span><\/li>\n
      • Mushrooms <\/span><\/li>\n
      • Burdock root <\/span><\/li>\n
      • Dandelion root<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

        Because you want the prebiotics to fuel the good bacteria, you should use them in combination with probiotics. They\u2019ll help support the growth of good bacteria in your dog\u2019s gut. <\/span><\/p>\n

        On the downside, prebiotics can also potentially feed harmful intestinal bacteria. And that could contribute to digestive disorders.<\/span><\/p>\n

        If you decide to give prebiotic foods a try, ease into feeding them gradually to see how your dog responds. If he seems to thrive on prebiotic-rich foods combined with probiotic-rich ingredients, then keep feeding them!<\/span><\/p>\n

        Synbiotics<\/b><\/h2>\n

        When looking for probiotics or prebiotics, you may notice the word synbiotics.<\/span><\/p>\n

        Synbiotics are a combination of probiotics and prebiotics. It\u2019s a convenient way to get your dog what he needs to keep him healthy and strong.<\/span><\/p>\n

        Postbiotics<\/b><\/h2>\n

        Postbiotics are metabolites. They\u2019re created during fermentation (when probiotics eat prebiotics). They can also be released when the bacteria\u2019s cell membrane breaks down.<\/span><\/p>\n

        One of the most important postbiotics are short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) that \u2026
        <\/span><\/p>\n

          \n
        • Inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria<\/span><\/li>\n
        • Act as an energy source for colon cells <\/span><\/li>\n
        • Keep cells lining the gut close together to prevent leaky gut<\/span><\/li>\n
        • Preserve electrolyte and fluid balance<\/span><\/li>\n
        • Form the protective layer of the gut <\/span><\/li>\n
        • Build up the immune system <\/span><\/li>\n
        • Reduce inflammation <\/span><\/li>\n
        • Protect against food allergens <\/span><\/li>\n
        • Help the body absorb nutrients <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

          Other common postbiotics include \u2026<\/span><\/p>\n

           Functional proteins<\/span><\/p>\n

            \n
          • Enzymes<\/span><\/li>\n
          • Peptides<\/span><\/li>\n
          • Polysaccharides<\/span><\/li>\n
          • Cell surface proteins<\/span><\/li>\n
          • Organic acids  <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

             The kinds of postbiotics produced depends on:<\/span><\/p>\n

              \n
            1. The bacteria in your dog\u2019s gut.<\/span><\/li>\n
            2. The prebiotics the bacteria eat.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

              Postbiotics are a relatively new concept. But there\u2019s some research that shows their benefits.<\/span><\/p>\n

              Muramyl dipeptide<\/span> (a peptide) improves the effectiveness of insulin to help prevent diabetes.<\/span><\/p>\n

              Postbiotics are also responsible for boosting the<\/span> immune system<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

              Another major benefit of postbiotics is that they can help with leaky gut syndrome.<\/span><\/p>\n

              Leaky Gut <\/b><\/h3>\n

              Leaky gut is when the gut lining gets damaged. This allows food, bacteria and toxins to pass through the gut lining into the bloodstream.<\/span><\/p>\n

              While the liver should filter out these toxins, it can get overworked if leaky gut continues.<\/span><\/p>\n

              The immune system kicks into high gear to fight off the added pathogens. And that leads to inflammation.<\/span><\/p>\n

              If that isn\u2019t resolved, it can lead to chronic inflammation.<\/span><\/p>\n

              Butyrate<\/span>, a SCFA postbiotic, can help heal the colon to prevent leaky gut.  <\/span><\/p>\n

              \n <\/p>\n

              Putting It All Together<\/b><\/h2>\n

              Probiotics are good bacteria that live in your dog\u2019s gut. They feed on prebiotics that ferment in the colon and then produce postbiotics.<\/span><\/p>\n

              While you can\u2019t supplement postbiotics \u2026 a synbiotic mix of prebiotics and probiotics will increase postbiotic production.<\/span><\/p>\n

              Together pro-, pre- and postbiotics will help strengthen your dog\u2019s gut and boost his immune system. That means he\u2019ll be better prepared to fight off inflammation and chronic disease. <\/span><\/p>\n

              Add them daily to maintain a healthy immune system. Or use them to give him an extra boost when he\u2019s stressed, taking antibiotics or has digestive upset. <\/span><\/p>\n

              This will help restore the health of his biome and keep him feeling strong.
              <\/span><\/p>\n

              ,<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

              As you learn to care for your dog naturally \u2026 you\u2019ll discover more and more options to support his health holistically. But sometimes it can get confusing! One topic that<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":27,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-26","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-natural-health"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.duuvk.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.duuvk.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.duuvk.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.duuvk.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.duuvk.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=26"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.duuvk.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.duuvk.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/27"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.duuvk.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=26"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.duuvk.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=26"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.duuvk.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=26"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}