Trust Their Gut: Why Probiotics Matter for Your Dog and Cat's Whole-Body Health

Before kibble, collars, and cushy beds, wild dogs and cats thrived on whole prey. Their diets included organs, bones, fur, and even fermented gut contents. This natural intake provided beneficial bacteria, enzymes, vitamins, fibre, protein, and essential fats.

Today, our pets live very different lives. They are beloved companions, but many experience quiet disruptions in gut health due to processed foods, antibiotics, stress, and limited exposure to natural microbes. Issues like itchy skin, smelly stools, yeasty paws, and even anxiety often trace back to the gut.

The Microbiome and Pet Health

The microbiome is the diverse community of beneficial microorganisms in your pet’s digestive tract and on their skin. Supporting this internal ecosystem is one of the most effective ways to improve overall wellness.

A healthy microbiome helps:

• Strengthen the immune system

• Aid nutrient absorption

• Reduce inflammation

• Support skin and coat health

• Produce essential compounds

• Regulate mood and behaviour via the gut–brain axis

Over 70% of immune cells reside in the gut, and this applies to both dogs and cats (O’Hara & Shanahan, 2006). Disruptions in gut health have been linked to inflammatory bowel disease, behavioural changes, and systemic inflammation in cats and dogs (Janeczko et al., 2008; Suchodolski, 2011).

What They Ate Then vs. Now

In the wild, dogs and cats ate:

• Whole prey, including bones, fur, and organs

• Fermented gut contents rich in live microbes and enzymes

• Brain and fatty tissues for Omega-3s and B vitamins

• Liver, a potent source of vitamins A, B, D, E, K, folate, and iron

Today’s commercial pet foods are:

• Highly processed at high temperatures

• Often sterile or reliant on synthetic nutrients

• Contain oxidised fats and preservatives

• Lacking in diverse enzymes and beneficial microbes

This shift can reduce digestive efficiency and microbial diversity, even in pets who appear healthy on the outside.

Is Your Pet's Gut in Balance?

Imbalances in the gut, known as dysbiosis, can present in many ways:

• Recurrent ear or skin infections

• Soft or inconsistent stools

• Gas, bloating, or constipation

• Yeasty paws or itchy skin

• Bad breath

• Anxiety or mood issues (Foster & Neufeld, 2013; Janeczko et al., 2008)

Can Food Alone Restore Gut Health?

While diet is foundational, it may not be enough, especially for pets with existing gut imbalances.

Probiotic-Rich Foods

Some fresh foods contain naturally occurring microbes:

• Raw green tripe (suitable for dogs, not typically well tolerated by cats)

• Plain kefir or yoghurt (in small amounts, only if tolerated by individual pets)

• Fermented vegetables (tiny portions for dogs; not recommended for most cats)

These may offer some microbial benefits but often lack the therapeutic concentration needed. Fermented foods can also trigger digestive upset in sensitive animals (Zhao et al., 2022).

Prebiotic Fibres

Suggested Portion Sizes of Prebiotic Foods

Pumpkin (plain, cooked or canned, unsweetened)
Well tolerated by cats and dogs. Source of soluble fibre and gentle on digestion.

• Dogs: 1–2 teaspoons per 5 kg of body weight, once daily

• Cats: ¼–½ teaspoon once daily

Dandelion Root (dried, powdered or tea form)
Rich in inulin, it supports liver and digestive health. More commonly used in dogs.

• Dogs: 1/8 teaspoon per 5 kg, once daily

• Cats: Only under professional guidance; not commonly recommended due to limited feline tolerance

Banana (ripe, mashed)
Contains prebiotic fibres like fructooligosaccharides (FOS), but is high in sugar.

• Dogs: 1–2 thin slices or 1–2 teaspoons mashed, a few times per week

• Cats: Not ideal - tiny lick or nibble occasionally if tolerated

If you plan to include prebiotics in a product or routine for sensitive pets, or pets with digestive issues, it’s best to start low and slow, and consider rotating sources to avoid over-fermentation or GI upset, especially in cats.

Cats are obligate carnivores and less able to ferment plant-based fibres. Too much can cause bloating or diarrhoea (Sparkes et al., 2011).

Raw Meats and Organs

Raw meats and organs are rich in natural enzymes, which can:

• Support digestion in pets on cooked or processed food

• Help older animals with reduced enzyme production

• Aid pets recovering from gut issues

However, enzyme levels vary in raw foods, and without bones, fur, and gut contents, they may not offer the microbial diversity of ancestral diets.

Why Supplementation Can Make a Difference

Even a species-appropriate diet has its limitations:

• Most commercial food is sterile and lacks microbial diversity

• Probiotic content in foods is often inconsistent or degrades over time

• Strains such as Bifidobacterium longum 1714 and Saccharomyces boulardii require targeted supplementation (Grześkowiak et al., 2015; Ouwehand et al., 2002)

• Fermented or fibre-rich foods can cause digestive upset, particularly in cats

When Is Extra Gut Support Needed?

Supplemental probiotics, prebiotics, and enzymes may help when pets:

• Are older (natural enzyme production declines with age)

• Eat processed or cooked foods

• Have pancreatic or digestive issues

• Show signs of bloating, poor absorption, or discomfort

• Are recovering from antibiotics, stress, or illness
  (Schmitz & Suchodolski, 2016; Suchodolski, 2011)

A Modern Solution to an Ancestral Need

A balanced, minimally processed diet is a great start. But extra support from scientifically studied supplements can make all the difference for many dogs and cats.

Our Australian-made probiotic and enzyme blend for cats and dogs is designed to restore gut balance, aid digestion, and support overall wellness. Stay tuned for its release.

Key Takeaway

A natural, species-appropriate diet lays the groundwork for good health. But when gut health is already compromised, food alone may not be enough. Targeted support with species-specific probiotics and enzymes can help restore balance and resilience from the inside out.

References

• Foster, J.A. & Neufeld, K.A.M. (2013). Gut–brain axis: how the microbiome influences anxiety and depression. Trends in Neurosciences, 36(5), 305–312.

• Grześkowiak, Ł. et al. (2015). Mechanisms of probiotic action. Beneficial Microbes, 6(4), 313–329.

• Janeczko, S. et al. (2008). Characterisation of the faecal microbiota in cats with inflammatory bowel disease or alimentary small cell lymphoma. J Vet Intern Med, 22(2), 280–285.

• O’Hara, A.M. & Shanahan, F. (2006). The gut flora as a forgotten organ. EMBO Reports, 7(7), 688–693.

• Ouwehand, A.C. et al. (2002). Probiotic and other functional microbes: from markets to mechanisms. Curr Opin Biotechnol.

• Schmitz, S. & Suchodolski, J.S. (2016). Understanding the canine intestinal microbiota and its modification by pro-, pre-, and synbiotics. Vet Med Sci, 2(2), 71–94.

• Sparkes, A.H. et al. (2011). ISFM consensus guidelines on the practical management of gastrointestinal problems in cats. J Feline Med Surg.

• Suchodolski, J.S. (2011). Intestinal microbiota of dogs and cats: a bigger world than we thought. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract, 41(2), 261–272.

• Zhao, L. et al. (2022). Effects of fermented foods on gut microbiota and health: A review. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr.

   

  The information provided on this blog is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for vet advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your vet before changing your pet’s diet, routine, or wellness plan.

  At Pawsome Naturals, we focus on natural support and holistic wellbeing for dogs and cats. Our products are formulated to support everyday health and vitality, not to prevent, treat, or cure disease.

  Every pet is unique — what works for one may not suit another. We encourage pet parents to make informed choices with the guidance of their trusted veterinary professional.