The Benefits of Using Prebiotics & Probiotics with Young Puppies
Good gut colonization is essential in young puppies. Prebiotics and probiotics are great at increasing good gut bacteria. Probiotics are of significant importance during puppyhood. Exposing puppies to a variety of foods that are rich in good bacteria helps to create good gut colonization in puppies according to studies. Studies have shown that good gut colonization in puppyhood follows the puppy into adulthood even if foods rich in probiotics aren’t offered anymore!
I recently took a class, “From Newborn to New Home” by the famous dog breeder and professional dog trainer, Jane Messineo Lindquist. Jane is also the author of the popular Puppy Culture videos and the book, “When Pigs Fly: Training Success with Impossible Dogs.” Jane is a powerhouse full of knowledge. She is one of the pioneers when it comes to puppy training, socialization, and proper puppy-raising protocols. After taking her class, I am very passionate about optimal gut health in puppies. All of the Shih Tzu puppies in my breeding program will receive prebiotic and probiotic-rich foods from this day forward.
Puppies should be introduced to prebiotic and probiotic-rich foods while they’re still young and under breeder care. The gut colonization window closes sometime during puppyhood. Nobody knows when the window closes so it is great for breeders to take advantage of this wonderful opportunity.
I have given prebiotic and probiotic-rich foods with my past litters. After taking this class I am going to offer a lot more foods that enhance the gut microflora. Dogs with good gut colonization have more robust immune systems and better behavioral health according to studies. Why wouldn’t I want to incorporate good gut colonization in the Shih Tzu puppies I raise in my breeding program?
Let me just tell you how grateful I am that I took Jane’s class. Otherwise, I would never have stumbled upon the importance of gut colonization in puppies. This is exactly why I feel it is important to continue my breeder education. I am always learning new things that I can incorporate into my responsible breeding program.
By introducing the puppies to prebiotic and probiotic-rich foods, I’m not only enhancing good gut colonization in the puppies, I’m also introducing them to novelty. Novelty doesn’t have to just be exposing puppies to a new item each day. It can also include exposing the puppies to different food items as well. By introducing different foods puppies get to use their senses to discover. They are introduced to new textures, new flavors, new scents, etc.
Some of the prebiotic and probiotic foods the puppies will taste while under my care include:
- Raw goats milk
- Pureed Pumpkin
- Oatmeal
- Cooked rice
- Potato
- Plain Greek Yogurt
- Kefir
Prebiotics are a type of fiber that helps increase good gut bacteria to prevent harmful bacteria from hijacking the immune system. A weak immune system is prone to illness. Prebiotics are essentially food for the probiotics. Prebiotics supercharge the probiotics which in return leads to better health outcomes.
Prebiotics and probiotics have been shown in studies to decrease the following:
- Odorous breath
- Dry skin
- Loose stools
- Ear infections
- Allergies
- Parasitic infections
- Vomiting
One may ask what they should do if their dog has already reached adulthood and the gut colonization window has closed. In this case, it is still a good idea to offer prebiotic and probiotic-rich foods. Make sure to go slow if it is the first time your dog has been introduced to the food to prevent stomach upset.
The difference is that you will need to offer prebiotic and probiotic-rich food sources or a probiotic supplement daily. To reap similar benefits after puppyhood good bacteria need daily replenishment. Puppies that already have robust gut colonization due to early prebiotic and probiotic implementation may not need to supplement daily to reap the same benefits.
Please don’t panic if your dog doesn’t receive prebiotics and probiotics as a puppy. Most of my adult dogs didn’t either and they’re very healthy. My goal as a Shih Tzu breeder is to do everything in my power to give the puppies the very best start in life. Good gut colonization is simply another novel way for me to give the puppies a head start.
