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.
It’s never a bad time to chill. 🧘♀️ 🐾
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Swell`s My Chill Time Premium Dog Gelato is made with functional ingredients like chamomile and passion flower tea, which help your pup stay cool, calm, and collected when summer activities makes thier day-to-day a little more stressful. Plus, it includes blackberries, 🥥 coconut milk, ginger, beets, and 🍯 🐝 honey, which are great for digestion and antioxidant support.
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Swell Premium Dog Gelato is not only a tasty treat on a hot summer day, but it also helps keep your pup living their best life and staying CHILL. Shop My Chill Time from Swell in-store or online at Mud Bay this summer. 🌞
#mudbay #swelldoggelato #swell #dogs #chill
Adventure-ready and made for the water, the Ruffwear Float Coat helps keep your dog comfortable during every swim.
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The Float Coat offers a secure, telescoping neck closure that adjusts to fit a variety of dog sizes, while the lightweight foam panels support natural movement and buoyancy in the water, keeping them comfortable and safe.
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Plus, it offers a super handy, low-profile handle that makes it easy to lift your pup out of the water, and reflective accents that add extra visibility for long days at the lake, beach, or river.
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Bring your pup in-store or shop with us online for the Ruffwear Float coat today!
#mudbay #summer #adventures #ruffwear #doglife
🌞 🎆 🎉 Summer brings celebrations, late nights, travel and events that can leave your pets feeling uneasy.
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Mud Bay is here to help, offering products that bring calm and comfort to your cat or dog when things get noisy.
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We carry calming collars, tinctures, treats, and pheromones to help your pets handle everything summer brings—Shop Mud Bay in-store or online to find the right calmatives for your pets.
#mudbay #summer #keepcalm #healthypets #calming
Fluff & Tuff`s #IGIVEAFLUFF is Coming Soon!
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Starting June 8th, National Best Friends Day, our friends at Fluff & Tuff are once again kicking off #IGiveAFluff to help put toys in the paws of shelter and rescue dogs who need them most.
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And we want you to be a part of it, and it couldn`t be easier to participate!
Here`s how it works:
📸 Snap a photo of your dog with their favorite Fluff & Tuff toy.
📱 Share it on social media using #IGiveAFluff.
🐾 Fluff & Tuff donates a toy to a shelter or rescue dog.
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Since 2015, with the support of pet parents like you and the generosity of Fluff & Tuff, over 22,000 toys have been donated to shelters and rescue dogs. Want to participate, but you need a Fluff & Tuff toy? Take a tip from Frank and stop by your local Mud Bay or visit us online. Click the link in our bio to learn more about #IGIVEAFLUFF
Canagan canned cat food is grain-free and made with your cat in mind, using high-quality protein from chicken, salmon, tuna, and more.
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It’s inspired by what cats are naturally built to eat, with a focus on animal protein and no artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives.
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It’s also an easy way to add moisture to your cat’s routine—something many cats don’t get enough of—which can help support your feline friend with kidney and urinary-tract health.
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🛍️ Shop Canagan Complete Cat Food in-store or online at Mud Bay.
Summer is coming, so be like Goose 🐕 and stay cool 😎 ❄️ on every outing with the Swamp Cooler Harness from Ruffwear.
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Whether she’s out on a trail or enjoying a long walk or run, this harness is built for warm-weather adventures, offering cooling comfort and secure control in one breathable design.
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Shop in-store or online at Mud Bay.
#mudbay #adventures #pnw #dog #summeriscoming
Mud Bay Memorial Day Hours ⏰
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Today, Monday, May 25, all Mud Bay locations will be open from 10 am to 6 pm.
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Delivery orders placed after 2 pm on Sunday will arrive on Tuesday. Store pickup and Instacart will still be available. 🐈 🐕 🚚
#mudbay #holidayhours #healthypets #mudbaydelivery #pets
🐾🌷The Ruffwear Front Range Flex Collection
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Meet Harley, out in the tulip fields and ready for her next outing in the Front Range Flex Harness, Collar, and Leash.
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Whether it’s a walk through the neighborhood or your next PNW adventure, this collection is designed for everyday use and changing conditions:
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Lightweight and built to handle wet conditions
Easy to clean, just hand-wash and air-dry
Made with durable materials for every outing
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Harley picked her look… now it’s your turn.
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The Ruffwear Front Range Flex Collection is now available at Mud Bay. Shop in-store or online today!
#mudbay #ruffwear #adventure #dogwalk #pnwdogs
This cheese-flavored 🧀 💊 pill wrap helps make giving medicine easier for both dogs and cats. 🐕 🐈 Simply tear, wrap, and serve. It’s quick and mess-free.
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The soft texture can be torn to fit any pill, and the cheese flavor makes each dose easier to give. Now with pumpkin, and always free from grain, gluten, and soy.
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Stashio’s is a woman-owned company from Minnesota that creates simple solutions for daily pet care.
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You can find Stashio’s wrap-ups at Mud Bay, both in-store and online.
#mudbay #stashios #wrapup #healthypets #pnwpets
Let your dog relax 💆 and unwind with a Puptail.
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After a walk, run, hike, or just because, this brunch-inspired Puptail is a fun way to help your pup slow down and take it easy. It’s easy to make and flexible, so you can mix and match to make it your own.
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Ingredients
- 3 tbsp Green Juju Golden Blend
- 1 tbsp blueberries
- 1 tbsp banana slices
- 1/2 cup Primal Raw Goat’s Milk Cranberry Blast
- Swell Dog Gelato Banana and Peanut Butter (for topping)
- Wagster Banana and Toasted Coconut Biscuits
- Green Juju Freeze Dried Vitality Blend
- Furvor Concentrated Beef Bone Broth (for ice cubes)
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Optional Extras 🐕 🐶
Blueberry and bone broth ice cubes
Wag and Bright Supply Co. Spirulina and Beef Collagen dog chew
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Directions
1. Add Green Juju Golden Blend as your base
2. Layer in blueberries and banana slices
3. Pour in goat’s milk between layers
4. Repeat layers as desired, then freeze or serve as is
5. Top with gelato, biscuits, and freeze-dried blend
6. Add ice cubes and extras for a cool finish
#mudbay #treatyoself #pup #summeriscoming #puptail
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! 🛍️ 🐾
#mudbay #furvor #healthypets #pnwpets #bonebroth
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.
#mudbay #fleaandtickseason #healthypets #dogs #fleafree
