February 10, 2012
Posted in Common Pet Conditions, Pet Food, Pet Health

When you scan the aisles at your local natural foods store, you may be noticing more and more food products and supplements are featuring probiotics and prebiotics. The same is true for pet products. There is a growing number of products that seek to help pets with their digestion.

The need for these digestive enzymes for dogs stems largely from the poor quality of food available commercially for dogs and cats. Many foods have excess levels of carbohydrates that can cause gas and bloating in dogs, since they only need meat and whole grains. Many foods also have unnecessary fillers that can cause excess stool production and preservatives which can also hinder the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. If your dog is suffering the ill effects of these types of ingredients, it may be a good idea to get it back on track with probiotics, also known as "good" bacteria for the dog's colon.

Prebiotics are specialized forms of fiber that stimulate the growth and function of healthy or "good" bacteria in the intestine. They also inhibit the growth of disease-causing bacteria. Probiotics are the actual, live "good" bacteria that can help restore a balance of bacteria in the intestine. Probiotics such as Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium and Enterococcus are commonly added to commercial pet foods these days.

If your dog is having soft stools, diarrhea or excessive gas, it might benefit from some supplementary support in its G.I. tract. The balance of bacteria can be thrown off by stress, changes in diet, the use of antibiotics, age or disease. The first thing to try to get your dog back on track is to make a change to its diet. Try a pet food with prebiotics and probiotics in it, such as Petcurean Now! Grain Free Senior Weight Management Dry Dog Food. In addition to being free of unnecessary and unhealthy fillers like corn and other grains, it contains these "good" bacteria.

Another way to help your dog's gastrointestinal tract is to add a supplement like NaturVet Digestive Enzymes with Prebiotics & Probiotics to its normal diet. This powder can easily be sprinkled onto your dog's breakfast or dinner, and supports its naturally occurring "good" bacteria. If your dog needs relief from gastrointestinal distress right away, you might consider pet products like Fast Balance-G.I., which is a paste that contains a special yeast extract. When administered, the healthy enzymes, "good" bacteria and B vitamins in this product can normalize your pooch's G.I. tract within 24 hours. 

Related posts:

1. When bad gas happens to good dogs
2. Treating a dog’s upset stomach at home
3. Know the signs of enteritis
4. Stinky dog? Poor health may be to blame
5. How to make your pet’s immune system strong