Prebiotics lead to digestive health, but could prebiotics for dogs and cats also lead to weight loss? Research indicates that maintaining a healthy weight relies in part on overall digestive health. People who are trying to lose weight are paying more and more attention to digestive health, and there’s evidence that bacteria have a greater effect on our overall health than previously thought.
To learn more about the link between prebiotics, gut health and overall health for dogs and cats, we talked to Rebecca Rose. As a biochemist and president of InClover Research, Rebecca works to develop supplements that improve overall dog and cat health.
RR: I have worked with prebiotics for decades. I first worked with food chain animals, such as pigs and chickens, and prebiotics. we were investigating the balance of gut flora for healthy weight and immune system.
We knew how prebiotics were associated with good weight control and maintaining a healthy weight. We started researching chickens, then pigs, and then eventually we started researching dogs and cats. We also did clinical studies about added prebiotics to infant formula. Mother’s milk contains prebiotics, and at the time, no one was adding prebiotics to infant formula. And if you’re a label reader, you’ll see that every current infant formula on the market contains prebiotics.
Prebiotics help the body maintain good bacteria at an optimal level. Current research focused on animals and humans show that there is a real link between an imbalance of bacteria in the system and overweight or underweight animals and humans.
There’s one study published in the September 2017 issue of Gastroenterology that detailed research conducted on overweight and obese children. And they gave some of the children in the study a prebiotic and gave other children a placebo for 16 weeks. At the end of the study, the children who were eating the prebiotic had lower body fat percentages than the children who were not getting the prebiotic.
The children who got the placebo gained a significant amount of weight. And what the scientists found when investigating the gut flora was their diet and genetics was significantly controlling their obesity. Both groups of children were eating a lot of high fat, high meat content foods and a lot of sugar. But when children, while eating the same diet, were given prebiotics, the prebiotics were able to balance the gut flora.
The prebiotics also selected for the good bacteria, so these children were able to maintain a normal weight as they grew. The scientists also looked at a gene marker that’s tied to inflammation and inflammation-associated diseases. That gene marker decreased by 15 percent from the baseline from taking the prebiotic. Children who weren’t taking the prebiotic found that the marker increased by 25 percent.
Obesity and being overweight is associated with all sorts of poor health outcomes. It’s been linked to diabetes, heart disease and joint problems. This body of research shows that by changing the balance of bacteria by using a prebiotic can not only help with weight control, but it will help with overall health. While this study focused on humans, you can apply the same premise to dogs and cats.
RR: Diet is a major cause, but it’s not the only cause. Bad bacteria growth can be genetic. It may be difficult for that particular animal to maintain a balance of good bacteria. And with our dogs and cats, indiscriminate eating can also cause bad bacteria overgrowth. Even when you feed your animal a really good diet, there is some amount of indiscriminate eating. Dogs and cats are on the floor, eating things they shouldn’t. Dogs may eat things they find in the yard or on walks.
Animals take in bacteria in ways that humans do not, and it can be very difficult to prevent. Humans, of course, don’t walk around barefoot and then try to lick their feet. With animals, these behaviors are just part of their nature.
RR: I recommend a small amount of prebiotic mixed into a dog or cat’s food at every meal. You can choose to use a supplement, such as Optagest®, that combines prebiotics with digestive enzymes that aid in digestion. Or you can choose to buy only a prebiotic and sprinkle it onto your dog or cat’s food.
Either way, dog and cat owners should consider adding this supplement to their animals’ food. What we’re seeing more and more in the scientific community is prebiotics can help an animal’s health without adding something foreign. Instead, prebiotics work with the body’s own system to balance the bacteria in the gut. Decreasing bad bacteria is important because they create toxins and other caloric compounds that increase weight gain. If we can increase the good bacteria through prebiotic use, while decreasing the bad bacteria, we’ll also control pet’s overall weight.***
Rebecca Rose is a biochemist and founder of InClover Research. She is the product developer for all of the InClover product line and loves to talk about animal physiology and ingredients. When not developing products she is the human companion to two dogs, two cats, four hens and a horse.
Furvor bone broth is made with 100% human-grade ingredients and is up to 30 times more concentrated than regular broths. It provides protein, collagen, amino acids, and important nutrients to help your dog’s gut, joints, skin, coat, and overall health.
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The 20 oz bottle provides more than 20 servings, making it an easy way to add beneficial nutrition to your dog’s daily routine at home.
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If you’re out and about, Furvor’s single-serve pouches will help keep your dog hydrated, with a pep in their step wherever you go. They’re great for summer, hikes, walks, or days by the water.
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Just tear open, squeeze, and serve. You can mix it with water, pour it over kibble, or give it on its own. You can buy them one at a time or in a pack of six.
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Shop Furvor Bone Broth in-store or online today! 🛍️ 🐾
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Capstar Oral Flea & Tick Treatment
🐾When fleas show up, it helps to act quickly. Capstar is an easy-to-use oral treatment that starts working in about 30 minutes and can kill most fleas within the first few hours. It’s a simple way to bring fast relief and can be used alongside your dog’s regular flea and tick routine.
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Vetality Flea & Tick Monthly Topical Treatment
🐾 For ongoing protection, Vetality Avantect offers vet-quality coverage at a great value.
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These broad-spectrum topicals kill and repel fleas, flea eggs, ticks, and mosquitoes, while also targeting all stages of the flea life cycle. It also helps repel biting flies and kill lice. Available in four weight ranges and a four-month supply for continued protection.
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🛍️ Shop in-store or online today.
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We have all the treats, toys, and zoomie-inducing catnip options for your cat, both in-store and online at Mud Bay.
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So whether you have a cat who likes to bite, rabbit-kick, or lie back and relax with a nice treat and some catnip, we have what your feline friend needs to keep them happy, healthy, and engaged.🐈
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Oven-fresh meals straight to your dog’s bowl.
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Nulo Culinary Harvest is a high-protein, oven-baked dog food, basted in bone broth to support your dog’s digestion and joint health.
Nulo only uses high-quality proteins like turkey, herring, chicken, pork, lamb, and beef, then bakes each formula slowly at low temperatures to retain nutrients and make meals easier to digest.
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Choose from Adult recipes such as Chicken & Whitefish, Turkey & Herring, or Pork & Lamb, available in 4-lb or 25-lb bags. For small breeds, Beef & Lamb comes in 4-lb and 10-lb bags.
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Shop Nulo Culinary Harvest Oven-Baked Dog Food in stores or order online today!
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Did you know that Mud Bay now has sushi 🍣 for cats?
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Thanks to our friends at Fabcat, your cat can now enjoy a 5-piece sushi combo platter at Mud Bay. Each piece is not only fun to play with, but also filled with North American-grown catnip that will get your cat excited to bite, swat, and zoom around.
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Check out the Fabcat Sushi Combo Platter and treat your cat to something special. Available in-store or online.
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Looking for a simple way to slow things down at mealtime or keep your dog busy?🤔
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The Walkabout from Woof is a multi-purpose enrichment toy that can hold up to 2 cups of food or treats. Just twist it open, fill it up, and rotate the inner dial to adjust how quickly food is released.
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It’s designed for quieter play, gentle on teeth, and safe for your floors—no marks, no noise, just steady engagement.
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A great option for busy days, working from home, or dogs that need a little extra enrichment. 🛒 🛍️ Shop the Walkabout in-store or online at Mud Bay.
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You heard us, now we want to hear from you! 📣 👂
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We want to know your dog’s favorite woof Pupsicle recipe. Let us know what your pup loves most in their Pupsicle. We’d love to share your recipes with our followers, too.
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Send us a DM, leave a comment, share photos, or tag us in your favorite woof recipe. We might even make your recipe in-store and give you a shout-out! We can’t wait to hear from you.
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Stay tuned, because we’ll be sharing some of your recipes 🧑🍳 in the coming weeks!
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Nulo Culinary Harvest coming soon at Mud Bay!
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This new option from Nulo is an oven-baked, high-protein dog food basted in bone broth. And because it’s oven-baked, that means it’s cooked at a lower temperature, so your dog can absorb more nutrients and get the most out of each meal. The bone broth also adds extra flavor, perfect for dogs who appreciate something extra at mealtime that also has functional benefits to their overall health.
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Nulo Culinary Harvest for Adult and Small Breed dogs, will soon be available both in-store and online at Mud Bay.
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🐝 🌷 🌈 Spring is here, and that means fleas and ticks are back. To help protect your cat, we’re excited to offer new TropiClean 🌴 options designed to make care simple and effective.
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TropiClean Laundry Additive helps tackle fleas, ticks, eggs, and larvae right in your wash. Just add half a cup with your regular detergent, let it soak for 10 to 15 minutes, and use it on bedding, towels, blankets, rugs, and toys. Plus, it’s safe for use with your dog!
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TropiClean Gentle No-Rinse Cat Shampoo offers an easy way to clean and protect without the hassle. It helps eliminate fleas, ticks, and mites, protects against mosquitoes, and is safe for pets and kids.
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TropiClean Gentle Mist for Cats is a quick, on-the-go option for added protection. Just spray and go for an easy way to help protect against fleas, ticks, mites, and mosquitoes.
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You can shop TropiClean products for your cat in-store and online at Mud Bay.
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Furvor bone 🦴 broth for dogs is made with 100% human-grade ingredients and is highly concentrated, so every squeeze adds real nutrition to your dog’s routine.
🐕 It’s packed with protein, amino acids, and nutrients that can support gut health, mobility, skin and coat, and overall wellness.
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It’s also an easy way to boost hydration and bring a little excitement back to the bowl—especially for picky eaters. Just mix it with water, pour it over kibble, or serve it on its own.
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Shop Furvor 🛒 🛍️ 🐕 Bone Broth in-store or online at Mud Bay!
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Weruva WX Phos Focused Freeze-Dried Chicken and Tilapia is a low-phosphorus, high-protein supplement made from 93% boneless, skinless chicken breast, tilapia, and egg white. It has no grains, fillers, bones, or organs.
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Due to its naturally low phosphorus content, this food is suitable for cats requiring phosphorus management, particularly those with kidney conditions. Additionally, it’s highly digestible protein helps maintain lean muscle mass.
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You can serve it dry or add water to soften the texture. Adding water can help your cat digest it more easily and boost their daily water intake. This recipe is meant as a supplement and works well as a topper or treat alongside a complete, balanced diet.
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If you want help figuring out if this is right for your cat, visit your local Mud Bay and speak with a Muddy, or shop with us online today.
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If your pup brings the energy indoors, meet their new favorite toy. The ultra plush Fluff & Tuff Soccer Ball is designed for fetch, toss, and all-out play.
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With a strong inner mesh liner and concealed double stitching, it delivers the durability Fluff & Tuff is known for in a soft, soccer-inspired design.
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Kick off the fun and shop the Fluff & Tuff Soccer Ball in-store or online at Mud Bay.
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