There are trillions of bacteria and micro-organisms naturally found in the gut and the “gut microbiome” is currently a hot topic within human health. Research has found that a balanced microbiome has many health benefits. Stress, illness or antibiotics adversely affect the balance of gut micro-organisms causing dysbiosis. Dysbiosis can mean a decrease in the diversity of the microbiota, a loss of “good” microbiota, or an overgrowth of harmful microbiota.
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The most common use for pro and prebiotics is for digestive health and if you have a pet with a sensitive tummy you may have wondered if one of these supplements would help. More recently it’s been thought that they may help with other health conditions too, but what’s the difference between probiotics and prebiotics? Which is better? And do they really make a difference to the health of cats and dogs?
What are prebiotics, synbiotics and probiotics for dogs and cats?
It’s thought probiotics and/or prebiotics could help rebalance the populations of gut microorganisms by helping the “good” bacteria flourish.
Probiotics for dogs and cats
ISAPP (International scientific association for probiotics and prebiotics) states that probiotics are “live microorganisms which when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefit on the host”. This basically means that probiotics are the “good” or “friendly” bacteria (and yeasts) found in foods or supplements. Perhaps you’ve taken a probiotic yourself, the yoghurt type drinks found in supermarkets might be the first thing that spring to mind – products such as Yakult and Actimel were first launched in the UK in the 1990s. Probiotics manufactured for cats and dogs have also been available for around 20 years in the UK but tend to come in formulations such as pastes, powders, capsules or tablets. It’s not recommended to give your pet human probiotics as different strains of microorganisms are used.
Prebiotics for dogs and cats
ISAPP defines a prebiotic as “a substrate that is selectively utilized by host microorganisms conferring a health benefit”. This means that prebiotics feed and therefore encourage the growth of our “friendly microorganisms”. Perhaps you’re wondering where prebiotics come from? Dietary fiber is a good source of prebiotics, although it’s worth noting that not all fibers are classed as prebiotics. Some pet foods already contain prebiotics or they are available as supplements; Fructo-Oligo-Saccharides (FOS) and Mannan-Oligo-Saccharides (MOS), Chicory, Inulin and yeast are prebiotics which you may see on a pet food label or supplement.
Synbiotics for dogs and cats
As well as Prebiotics and Probiotics you may have come across Synbiotics. These contain a combination of probiotics (beneficial bacteria and microorganisms) and prebiotics (the food for these beneficial microorganisms). ISAPP has clarified that in a synergistic synbiotic, the substrate (prebiotic) is designed to be selectively utilized by the co-administered microorganisms, meaning they work together to produce a health benefit. In a complementary synbiotic the prebiotic and probiotic must independently have one or more health benefits.
Can probiotics help cats and dogs?
The use of Probiotics may be beneficial in some pets. Some studies have shown that they enhance the health of dogs and cats by improving the balance of micro-organisms in the gut as well improving immunity, inflammation and intestinal disorders. Some literature reviews have also shown that probiotics may even help conditions such atopic dermatitis.
One of the most common uses for probiotics (especially in humans) are alongside or following a course of antibiotics. Some antibiotics can have an adverse effect on gut health because they fight the “good” bacteria as well as pathogens. This can lead to antibiotic associated diarrhoea, nausea, inappetence and abdominal pain. Probiotics may boost the numbers of good bacteria and restore the balance of gut microbes.
Another reason probiotics are often recommended is to alleviate the symptoms of diarrhoea and gastrointestinal diseases and although some vets and pet owners do see an improvement the scientific evidence is limited. Several probiotic-containing products prescribed for diarrhoea also have active ingredients such as Montmorillonite or Kaolin which themselves have antidiarrhoeal effects.
Although the evidence is generally lacking on the effectiveness of probiotics for cats and dogs, many pet owners and vets have seen positive results when probiotic products have been used. Vets and research scientists agree that much more research is required into the use of different probiotic strains and dosages for both healthy pets and those with different diseases.
Different products contain different doses, delivery systems, and strains of microorganisms
In addition, these microbes must survive the manufacturing process and reach the intestines alive so storage instructions and expiry dates should be noted. Products not only differ in the strains of bacteria used but also the dose (measured in CFUs or colony forming units) to be administered, some recommendations state a dose of 1-10 billion CFUs is required to be effective in pets. Probiotics are regarded as pet food additives in the EU, as a food additive they have to be safe for use but aren’t as strictly regulated as medicines. A study in 2011 found that only 2 out of 25 probiotic products evaluated were considered acceptable when both the label and contents were taken into consideration.
Some veterinary probiotics have been used in clinical trials so if you think your cat or dog might benefit from a probiotic, it’s worth having a consultation with your vet before buying. Your vet will be able to advise if a certain probiotic product or strain of bacteria is backed by research for your pet’s specific condition. Also, your vet will be able to check there is no underlying condition that needs treatment before trying a probiotic, for example some parasites can cause chronic gastrointestinal symptoms.
Can prebiotics for dogs and cats help?
It is undisputed that prebiotics do have an effect on gut microbes. Various research studies have shown that prebiotics could have a whole host of health benefits for humans including prevention of digestive disorders, influencing appetite, regulating blood glucose, improving mineral absorption as well as having antimicrobial, anticancer and anti-inflammatory effects. There is far less research into the benefits of prebiotics in dogs and cats although benefits may include improved insulin response, reduced infections and better faecal consistency.
A particular benefit of prebiotics is the production of short chain fatty acids (SCFAs). SCFAs are produced by the “good” gut bacteria during the fermentation process of prebiotic fibers, they provide energy to feed the good bacteria to help the populations flourish and to nourish the colonocytes (intestinal epithelial cells / bowel lining). A healthy bowel lining helps to prevent the theoretical condition “leaky bowel” whereby an insufficient or damaged intestinal barrier allow pathogens and toxins in the bowel to enter the bloodstream.
Prebiotics are usually found in dietary fibers, the benefits of fiber in a dogs diet is discussed further here. There is no recognised or recommended amount of prebiotic to give at the current time and too much can cause increased flatulence or digestive disorders due to the fermentation process, increase in gut bacteria or sudden change in diet. Too much probiotic can have the same effect although there is more research in the dose requirements. You might find these easier to use a prebiotic supplement or to feed a complete pet food containing prebiotics than by adding additional prebiotic rich foods to their diet yourself, bear in mind that many prebiotic rich foods suitable for humans are toxic to pets.
Final thoughts about prebiotics and probiotics for dogs and cats
Probiotics and prebiotics do influence the gut microbiome and the importance of a healthy gut microbiome is well documented. Some research has shown that probiotics and prebiotics may enhance the health of dogs and cats, especially gastrointestinal health but their use as tools in the treatment of different conditions needs more research. As discussed, scientific evidence is currently lacking and as every pet is different, each will have a different response to probiotics and/or prebiotics so there is no blanket approach or recommendation as to what’s best. There isn’t necessarily an answer to the question – which is better? Probiotics and prebiotics work in different ways to enhance the microbiome and there is also variation between products. What suits one pet will not necessarily suit another. Factors including lifestyle, age, breed, diet and underlying disease will all impact the gut microbiome.
Safety considerations
Unless your pet is immunocompromised or there’s a reason they should not have too much fiber in the diet (such as recent bowel surgery) pro and prebiotics are generally safe to trial. Your vet may be able to recommend if a particular supplement has clinical research backing its use for your pet’s condition and can check there are no underlying conditions before starting a supplement.
If you are giving your pet a pro or prebiotic there are clues that it may be having a beneficial effect; clearing up your dog’s poo or cleaning out your cat’s litter tray gives a very good insight into their gut health. For antibiotic associated diarrhoea or for chronic digestive problems you can see (or smell!) if there has been a difference, see this chart showing what a normal dog or cat poo looks like. You may notice more subtle signs such as less flatulence, an improved appetite, more energy or even better skin. Prebiotics and probiotics are currently the focus of much exciting research and in the coming years more evidence is likely to be found to support their use for different conditions.
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