Your pet's digestive tract is one of the most important systems in their body, it breaks down food, eliminates waste, and helps produce and distribute essential nutrients.

Keeping the GI tract healthy is an important way to support your pet long-term, and prebiotics and probiotics are a well-established way to do that. Here's what you need to know about giving your pet prebiotics and probiotics, when they're useful, and what to look for.

What Are Prebiotics and Probiotics

Your pet's gut is home to trillions of bacteria, a microbiome, just like ours. These bacteria (probiotics) help keep the gut balanced, move food through the digestive system, and produce key nutrients. Prebiotics are the food source that keeps those bacteria alive and functioning; when probiotics break prebiotics down, the resulting metabolites help fuel colon cells and support normal bowel function.

When Your Pet May Benefit

Prebiotics and probiotics are commonly recommended for pets experiencing:

• Occasional upset stomach
• Occasional loose stools
• Gas
• Inconsistent stool quality
• Skin sensitivity
• A recent course of antibiotics

They can also be given as an everyday supplement to help maintain gut flora, support digestion, and support immune function. If you think your pet could benefit, check with your veterinarian first, in rare cases these supplements can cause side effects like vomiting or diarrhea, and your vet can help decide if it's a fit based on your pet's health profile.

Should You Use a Different Prebiotic or Probiotic for Your Dog vs. Your Cat?

Not necessarily, as long as the product includes the right mix of strains. Dogs and cats have different native gut bacteria, so the most effective probiotic strains can differ by species. Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus acidophilus are common choices for dogs, while Enterococcus and Bifidobacterium strains are frequently used for cats. A single-strain product built for one species may not serve the other well, so check the label for the strains included, and always choose a product formulated for pets rather than humans, since our digestive systems need different bacterial ratios than a dog's or cat's.

For prebiotics, the fiber sources that support healthy gut bacteria, like FOS and inulin, work similarly across both species. The bigger factor is your pet's overall diet, animals eating a high protein, meat-based diet typically benefit from more fermentable fiber than those already eating a fiber-rich diet, regardless of species.

Fera Pets' USDA Organic Probiotics with Prebiotics is formulated with this in mind, combining Lactobacillus acidophilus, Enterococcus faecium, and multiple Bifidobacterium strains with FOS and inulin, so both dogs and cats get the strains best suited to their gut in one formula.

Types of Prebiotics and Probiotics for Pets

Supplements come in pills, powders, pastes, and chews. Prebiotic fiber, which feeds the good bacteria already in your pet's gut, occurs naturally in foods safe for pets, like whole grains, lentils, peas, and most fruits and vegetables. If your pet tolerates dairy, small amounts of plain, unflavored yogurt can introduce live good bacteria directly, just check the label for xylitol, an artificial sweetener that's toxic to dogs and sometimes shows up in sugar-free or flavored varieties.

What to Look For

Multiple Strains of Probiotics

Each strain offers different benefits, so a multi-strain product is generally a better choice than a single-strain one.

Format

Soft chews are easy for picky pets, while powders mix easily into food. Choose the format your pet will reliably take.

Prebiotics and Probiotics Working Together

Since prebiotics fuel probiotics, a combined product is generally the most efficient choice.

What We Recommend

Our USDA Organic Probiotics with Prebiotics come in a flavorless powder with 5 billion CFUs and 12 live strains per scoop. Contains a source of live (viable), naturally occurring microorganisms. The formula is dairy-free, grain-free, and made without soy, corn, artificial dyes, or preservatives, and is intended to help maintain gut flora while supporting skin health and immune function.

Naturally Support Your Pet's Health

Our USDA Organic Probiotics with Prebiotics are one of many all-natural supplements we offer. From joint support to skin and coat support, you'll find what your pet needs. Browse our full range for cats and dogs here.