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 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!
#mudbay #furvor #bonebroth #dogs #healthypets
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.
#mudbay #healthypets #kidneyhealth #cats #catfood
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.
#mudbay #fluffandtuff #dogs #timetoplay #healthypets
Need to keep your dog engaged while you work, host, or help them burn energy?
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The Woof LickMat and LickMix make enrichment easy.
The textured design encourages longer licking, helping promote calm behavior and engagement. Premeasured lines make portioning easy every time.
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Simply mix the grain-free Cheddar and Bacon LickMix. It’s easy to digest, simple to prepare, and each bag provides 10 or more lick sessions. Made from 100 percent silicone, BPA-free, and dishwasher safe. Strong suction cups keep the LickMat stable for easy, everyday use.
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Enhance your dog’s daily enrichment—visit us in-store or online and bring home the woof LickMat and LickMix today.
#mudbay #woof #healthypets #dogs #petenrichment
👀 Looking for a way to slow down mealtime and keep your dog thinking? The GURU Pet Company Bobble Ball turns your dog’s food into an interactive activity.
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Simply fill it with kibble or small treats, screw the top back on, and let the wobble begin. The weighted base creates unpredictable movement that keeps dogs engaged and working for every bite.
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A great option for dogs new to enrichment or seasoned puzzle pros.
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Shop in-store or online at Mud Bay today.
#mudbay #dogs #staybusy #healthypets #dogtoys
🎉 New Mud Bay Air-Dried Toppers are now available in-store and online at Mud Bay!
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We’re excited to offer two new formulas that are complete and balanced for both cats and dogs.
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The Digestive Support Formula has beneficial fiber from lentils and sweet potato, along with probiotic inulin from chicory root. It also includes organic apple cider vinegar for extra immune and digestive support.
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Our Hip & Joint Support Formula features turmeric, oat flour, and omega-3 fatty acids from tuna 🐟 to help support joint mobility and immune health.
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All Mud Bay Air-Dried Toppers are veterinarian-formulated and free of corn, wheat, soy, and artificial preservatives. And they are convenient and easy to use as a complete meal, a treat, or a topper.
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You can find the full line—including Skin & Coat, Cognitive, Digestive, and Hip & Joint Support formulas—exclusively at Mud Bay.
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💫 New at Mud Bay!
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CocoTherapy Cranberry Sweet Potato Pie and Peanut Butter Blondie Coco-Charms. Small in size and low in calories, they are an ideal training treat.
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Made with 100% organic ingredients, you can feel good giving them to your dog during longer training sessions. CocoTherapy Coco-Charms are also free from grains, dairy, gluten, eggs, and preservatives, and are low glycemic.
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Shop the Cranberry Sweet Potato Pie and Peanut Butter Blondie CocoTherapy Coco-Charms in-store or online today!
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🎉 🎉 GIVEAWAY! New Mud Bay Air-Dried Toppers for Cats & Dogs
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We’re excited to give you a chance to win a bag of one of our newest Mud Bay Air-Dried Topper formulas.
Mud Bay Air-Dried Toppers are veterinarian-formulated, complete and balanced for cats and dogs, and easy to use as a topper, treat, or complete meal.
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New Mud Bay Air-Dried Topper Formulas:
Digestive Support
Made with turkey, chicken, and lentils, plus organic apple cider vinegar and chicory root to help support healthy digestion and immune function.
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Hip and Joint Support:
Made with turkey, chicken, fish, and oats, plus turmeric and omega-3s from tuna to help support mobility and joint health.
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To enter:
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😃 Tag us and tag a friend
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We’ll pick winners at random and notify them on April 16th. Each winner will receive a bag of our newest Mud Bay Air-Dried Toppers. 🍀 🤞 Good luck!
#mudbay #foodtoppers #dogs #cats #petfood
Check out these new aquatic-themed toys for your pup from Fluff & Tuff.
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Available in-store now: Claude the squid, with tentacles that are great for tugging.
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We also have Dottie the Puffer Fish, who will keep your pup active with a nice fetch session, and, last but not least, we have Millie the Axolotl, who is an engaging option for all of the above and ready to shake up your pup’s toy selection.
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Shop these fun new Aquatic options for your pup in-store or online today!
#mudbay #fluffandtuff #dogtoys #playtime #pnwpets
We visited the local dog park today to share a fun spring surprise 👀🎉
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The park pups got to try our newest Mud Bay Air-Dried Toppers!
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We can’t share all the details on these new toppers yet, but here’s what we can tell you:
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Two new formulas are coming soon, and you’ll find them both in stores and online. They’ll be available in 8-ounce and 24-ounce bags.
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Just like our current toppers, these new formulas give both cats and dogs complete and balanced nutrition. You can serve them as a full meal, sprinkle them on top of their food, or offer them as a treat.
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Thank you to all the pups who came by to try them today.🐾🎉
Check back next week because we have a giveaway coming up. Stay tuned and have a great spring!🌈 💐 🌷 ☀️ ☔
#mudbay #dogpark #sneaktreat #mudbayairdriedtoppers #new
Keep your pet happy and blissfully engaged with the woof LickMat and LickMix.
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The LickMat is BPA-free, 100% silicone, and dishwasher safe on the top rack, with suction cups for stability and a design that encourages longer licking. It also features suction cups for stability and a design that encourages longer licking, while its built-in mixing bowl and measuring lines make mixing easy.
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The Bacon and Cheese LickMix is grain-free and designed for use with the LickMat, woof Pupsicle, or as a meal topper. Each bag yields about 10 LickMat sessions when used as directed.
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Treat your dog with the Woof LickMat and LickMix. Shop all woof products in-store and online today!
#mudbay #woof #dogs #enrichment #petproducts
Stock up on your dog’s favorite Bulk Biscuits and make every refill count.
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Mud Bay’s Bulk Biscuits are all-natural, with many locally sourced options, including organic and grain-free varieties. When you refill your Mud Bay Mud Bucket, you pay $4.24 per pound instead of $4.99 on every refill. That’s 75 cents saved per pound, or 15% off each refill.
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Our Mud Buckets are BPA-free, dishwasher safe, and come in two handy sizes: 2.75 liters and 8.5 liters. Designed for easy refills and fresher storage, they help make treating your dog simple and eco-friendly.
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Refill. Reuse. Re-Biscuit. Visit your local Mud Bay today to pick up a Mud Bay Mud Bucket and some tasty biscuits for your dog!!
#mudbay #mudbuckets #dogs #treats #healthypets
