Your pet’s gut microbiome contains thousands of different types of bacteria. A healthy number of ‘good’ bacteria prevents the growth of ‘bad’ bacteria (pathogens). However, drastic changes to your pet’s normal gut microbiome can affect digestion, cause gastrointestinal (GI) disease, and even contribute to disease outside of the gut.
Prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotics are all used to improve the health of your pet’s gut microbiome, aiding normal digestion and preventing GI disease. They can also help treat GI disorders, such as inflammatory bowel disease, ulcerative colitis, diarrhoea, and stress-related digestive issues. They even have several other benefits that are not related to gut health, such as allergy prevention and cholesterol balance in the blood. This post will help clarify the differences between the three and how to choose the right one for your pet.
What are prebiotics in pets?
Prebiotics contain ingredients that provide fuel to the bacteria already present in your pet’s gut, making them more active. The main ingredient is fibre, in particular long fibre.
Many branded products contain prebiotics, but there are also plenty of natural sources of fibre you can feed your pet! Any food with long fibre will act as a prebiotic, including:
- Banana
- Pumpkin
- Chicory root
- Oats
However, be careful which fruits and vegetables you give your pet because some are high in sugar and low in fibre, so may contribute to weight gain without improving gut health. Some high-fibre fruits and vegetables, such as onion and garlic, are even toxic to dogs. If you plan on giving your pet natural sources of prebiotic fibre, talk to your vet to clarify how much to give and if those options are safe.
Prebiotics are commonly recommended for maintaining a healthy gut. However, their effectiveness depends on the presence of those good bacteria. If your pet has ongoing GI issues, prebiotics can be included in their treatment plan to help support the growth and restoration of good bacteria.
What are probiotics?
Out of the three biotics, probiotics are the ones you’ve most likely heard of. They contain live ‘good’ bacteria and aim to balance the gut microbiome when caring for a dog with diarrhoea or after antibiotics. We’ve got a whole article dedicated to dog probiotics – read it for the details!
As with prebiotics, some foods act as a natural probiotic source. These foods tend to be fermented and contain the key types of good bacteria we want in our pet’s gut. Natural probiotics for dogs can include:
- Yoghurt
- Cottage cheese
- Kefir
- Sauerkraut – ensure this is free from caraway seeds.
It is best to avoid food products that contain added flavourings. Your vet can recommend how much to give your pet daily.
What are postbiotics?
Postbiotics are relatively new to the world of veterinary gut health. They contain the beneficial by-products produced by good bacteria (probiotics) in the gut following the fermentation of fibre (prebiotic). Some postbiotics include:
- Short-chain fatty acids
- Lactate
- Peptides
Postbiotics are non-living compounds that are used in other biological processes that benefit gut health, such as boosting the immune system and reducing inflammation. The use of postbiotics essentially eliminates the need for the middleman- probiotics.
How do I know if my dog needs prebiotics, probiotics, or postbiotics?
Most of the time, it is perfectly fine to give healthy pets pre, pro and postbiotics, even if they don’t have symptoms. Maintaining a healthy gut flora will only make them more resilient to problems in the future. However, if these products start causing GI upset, stop them and let your vet know.
There are some general signs you can look out for in your pet that may suggest they could benefit from these prebiotics, probiotics, or postbiotics, including:
- Digestive problems e.g. diarrhoea, constipation, excessive flatulence and bloating
- Poor immune system e.g. regular infections
- Skin allergies e.g. itching
There are also some more detailed features of GI disease that can point you in the direction of which product to choose.
- Prebiotics tend to be most useful for mild digestive issues, soft stools, and issues with weight. They are also best for maintaining an already healthy gut.
- Probiotics are good for pets with chronic digestive issues and diarrhoea, especially after disease or antibiotics.
- Postbiotics are recommended for pets with chronic inflammation and skin allergies.
Another option is to take a dog microbiome test which could provide evidence that your dog’s microbiome is dysfunctional.
How do I know whether to use prebiotics or probiotics for my dog?
There are many ‘synbiotic’ products available that contain both pre- and probiotics. These products provide both the bacteria and the fuel the bacteria need to improve gut health. Many of the products on our best dog probiotics page are synbiotics.
You can also speak with your vet, who can give you individualised advice and recommend a dog gut microbiome test if one is needed.
Conclusion
Stomach upset, diarrhoea, and other gut issues are incredibly common in today’s pet population, and there is a good amount of scientific evidence that supports the use of prebiotics and probiotics. Incorporating prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotics into your pet’s diet can strengthen their gut health, and may also have impacts on their wider health.
There are many products available that have various combinations of pre-, pro and postbiotics. These products come in several forms from pastes and powders to tablets. We’ve reviewed the best dog probiotics, many of which contain prebiotics and postbiotics, but it’s also worth talking to your vet if your dog has problems, as they may have a recommendation that’s more individualised.
- Prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotics – What’s the difference? - February 28, 2025
- The Best Dog Probiotics (Vet Reviewed and Recommended) - February 26, 2025
- Dog Probiotics: What You Need to Know (According to a Vet) - February 24, 2025