What are prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotics?
Did you know that about 2 kg of bacteria live in our human body, and about 99% of them are in our gut? The totality of gut bacteria is called the microbiota or gut flora. They ensure in our dogs' gut balance and well-being. Prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotics play an important role in this.
Prebiotics are indigestible food components that are metabolized by certain bacteria in the gut. This in turn promotes the growth of the "good bacteria" and thus supports the maintenance of a healthy gut flora and overall well-being.
Probiotics are tiny microorganisms, basically "good bacteria" that help to restore the balance of the gut, for example after taking antibiotics, during illnesses, or when facing digestive challenges.
Postbiotics are preparations of selected inactive bacteria or yeast strains. The Epicor® Pets postbiotic contained in our Functional Soft Bites, for example, is obtained from natural yeast fermentation. Postbiotics can actively support digestion and a healthy gut flora by promoting the growth of healthy gut bacteria.
Postbiotics for dogs
Contrary to popular belief, postbiotics are not live bacteria or "food" for the "good bacteria." As the name suggests, postbiotics are inactivated or non-living bacteria or yeast strains. "Post" means "after life," which makes it clear that the microorganisms are no longer alive.
There are various postbiotics, all of which can be used as supportive treatments in different ways. Among other things, postbiotics are said to have the following properties:the following properties:
Maintaining a healthy gut flora
Strengthening the body's own defenses
supportive healing effects for constipation, colds, or inflammatory bowel diseases
Epicor® Pets postbiotic
Discomfort, stomach rumbling, or issues with stool quality – the Epicor® Pets postbiotic contained in our Soft Bites contributes to a healthy gut flora and strengthens the immune system in dogs. Obtained from natural yeast fermentation, postbiotics can actively support digestion, by promoting the growth of healthy gut bacteria – for healthy digestion, optimal stool quality and overall well-being.
Epicor® Pets postbiotic is a registered trademark of Cargill, Inc.
Prebiotics for dogs
As already mentioned, prebiotics are feed components that cannot be digested by the dog's own enzymes . Most often, these are certain carbohydrates or fibers such as inulin or fructo-oligosaccharides. These serve as nutrients for the "good gut bacteria" and can thus support the growth of these.
You can often find natural prebiotics in →high-quality dog foods for dogs. They are derived from plant components or fruit and →vegetables such as carrots, chicory, artichokes, or apples.
Probiotics for dogs
Probiotics for dogs are feed additives with live or viable microorganisms. However, there are also some foods that naturally contain probiotic bacterial strains, such as fermented vegetables like sauerkraut or certain types of yogurt. However, these only contain a smaller number of probiotic bacteria, which is why a potentially positive effect on the gut flora in dogs through feeding is still a matter of debate.
Probiotics as dietary supplements on the other hand, contain a very large number of bacteria. In addition, these can usually be better absorbed by the body because they are additionally protected from destruction by stomach acid. Probiotics for dogs are available in different combinations of various bacterial strains. Usually, dogs are given probiotic bacteria as dietary supplements with their food after consulting with veterinarians or nutrition experts as a dietary supplement with their food and can thus help to bring the gut flora into balance.
For good stool quality: Probiotics support healthy digestion and ensure good poop quality!
How they work
Probiotics are “good bacteria” that naturally thrive in the gut and are important for a healthy gut ecosystem. Prebiotics are the main food source for probiotics. They are found in plant-based foods such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. When the “good bacteria,” that is, probiotics, feed on prebiotics, a natural fermentation occurs in the gut and the resulting end product is postbiotics.
What are the benefits of postbiotics?
Postbiotics have a very high health value, as they are composed of many different valuable substances such as amino acids, vitamins, short-chain fatty acids, minerals, antioxidants, and oligosaccharides. The advantage of postbiotics over pre- and probiotics is their reliable effectiveness. Depending on the type of prebiotic, their usability varies, and probiotics, being live microorganisms, are unstable during production processes. Postbiotics, on the other hand, are production-stable and their health-promoting effect on the gut flora has been proven by scientific studies.
Why is a healthy gut flora so important for dogs?
Just like in humans, the gut in dogs also takes on many important functions. The gut microbes and the associated gut bacteria are, among other things, involved in the following tasks:
Breakdown of indigestible feed components
Absorption and production of nutrients such as vitamins
Supporting →digestion and the immune system
Defense against disease-causing germs
Processing of medications (activation, inactivation, or toxification)
The gut flora, that is, the totality of gut bacteria, is crucial for how well everything works and for the (gut) health of your dog. If digestion isn't working well, we know ourselves that we just don't feel good. It's the same for our dogs.
Just like in humans, a healthy gut flora ensures well-being and is important for overall health!
When is it useful to give my dog prebiotics, probiotics, or postbiotics?
Many factors inside and outside the body influence the gut flora. Certain factors can lead to the death of good gut bacteria and thus to an imbalance in the gut flora. The result can be disruptions in the functioning of the gut and thus, among other things, digestive problems or stomach pain. To prevent or counteract this, the gut bacteria can be strengthened with the help of prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotics.
Pro-, pre-, or postbiotic products when using antibiotics
You often hear about pre-, pro-, or postbiotic products in connection with the administration of antibiotics. The reason is that antimicrobial drugs (antibiotics) do not only kill the bad, disease-causing bacteria. Good bacteria also die from taking antibiotics. Veterinarians may then prescribe preventive pre-, pro-, or postbiotic products to support the maintenance of a healthy gut flora.
When should I take my dog to the vet?
If your dog suffers from regular digestive problems, persistent discomfort, →stomach pain or →stool is often too soft or too hard, you should definitely seek the advice of your veterinarian. Mild postbiotic products, such as high-quality functional snacks, can be fed without consulting a vet, but they do not replace treatment by experts.
If your dog suffers from persistent health issues, it is important to have them checked by a veterinarian. Pre-, pro-, and postbiotic products can then be given as supportive treatment after consulting your veterinarian.
