Probiotics and Prebiotics for Dogs: Supporting Gut Health and Immunity

Probiotics & Prebiotics for Dogs

Discover how probiotics and prebiotics support your dog’s digestion, immunity, and overall health. Perfect for breeding dams and growing puppies.

A healthy gut means a healthy dog. For breeders and pet owners alike, probiotics and prebiotics play an important role in keeping digestion, immunity, and overall wellbeing on track. But what’s the difference between the two, and why do they matter so much during pregnancy, whelping, and puppy growth?

What Are Probiotics?

Probiotics are live beneficial bacteria that help balance the gut microbiome. They support digestion, improve nutrient absorption, and strengthen the immune system.

For breeding dams, probiotics may:

• Reduce stress-related digestive upset during pregnancy.
• Improve nutrient uptake, ensuring puppies get the best start.
• Support immune resilience before and after whelping.

For puppies, probiotics can:

• Aid in the transition from milk to solid foods.
• Reduce diarrhoea and tummy upsets.
• Encourage strong immune system development.

What Are Prebiotics?

Prebiotics are dietary fibres that feed the good bacteria in the gut. They act like fertiliser for probiotics, encouraging healthy bacterial growth.

Prebiotics may:

• Improve stool quality.
• Reduce harmful gut bacteria.
• Enhance nutrient absorption in growing puppies.
• Work hand-in-hand with probiotics for long-term gut health.

Why Breeders Should Consider Them

Pregnancy, whelping, and early puppyhood put a huge strain on the digestive and immune systems. Supporting gut health during these times can:

• Help dams recover more smoothly after delivery.
• Promote strong growth in puppies.
• Reduce the risk of tummy upsets during stressful changes, such as weaning or rehoming.

Choosing the Right Supplement

Not all supplements are created equal. Look for:

• Species-specific strains (designed for animals/dogs, not humans).
• Combination formulas with both prebiotics and probiotics.
• Powder or paste forms for easy administration to mums and pups.

Browse our Health for Dogs category for supplements tailored to canine wellbeing. In here you will find probiotics such as

• Pron8ure which is a probiotic and comes in powder, paste or liquid forms
• Pro-kolin which is both probiotic and prebiotic and comes in paste and powder form
• Synbiotic DC which is a capsule containing probiotics and prebiotics

Final Thoughts

Probiotics and prebiotics work together to create a strong foundation for health. Whether you’re preparing your dam for whelping, helping puppies grow, or just boosting everyday gut health, these supplements can make a big difference.