Here is what’s the difference and what do they do for your pet’s health!

The biggest confusion among pet parents (and some vets, too!) is to distinguish the use and usefulness of all the many heavily advertised supplements on the market…

Probiotics? Prebiotics? Digestive Enzymes? Postbiotics?
Let’s break it all down, here is your holistic guide!

Prebiotics, Probiotics, Postbiotics: The Pet Health Trio

1. Prebiotics is Food for the Good Bacteria in the Intestines (“Immune System Headquarter”)

They help those good microbes thrive, multiply, and support your pet’s natural defences like:
• Inulin
• Chicory root
• Dandelion greens
• Bananas (especially unripe ones, in small amounts)
• Other herbs and vegetables and their fibre

Think of prebiotics like compost, they help the “plants” (good microbes) grow better!

2. Probiotics: The Stars or ‘The Good Bacteria Themselves’

Probiotics are live, beneficial microorganisms with names like Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, or soil-based strains helping to maintain a balanced gut microbiome (good gut bacteria neighbourhood).

Not all probiotics are created equal. Not all survive stomach acid which is why formulation matters.

3. Postbiotics – The “End-Products” of Probiotic Bacteria
Postbiotics are the beneficial compounds that probiotics naturally produce when they ferment prebiotics in the gut.

Postbiotics include short-chain fatty acids (like butyrate), enzymes, vitamins and antioxidants and anti-inflammatory molecules.

Postbiotics have powerful effects, and help to reduce gut inflammation, they can support your pet’s immune response and heal chronically inflamed gut conditions like IBD and IBS by improving the intestinal barrier (gut lining). They can, indirectly also improve skin and coat health.

And Where Do Digestive Enzymes Fit In?

Digestive enzymes help your pet break down food into absorbable nutrients.

Most of AsiaPaws’ patients have trouble to digest well because of aging, processed food, or chronic illness that commonly reduce enzyme levels.

Here are the enzymes for our pets I recommend you look out for in products you consider buying:
• Protease – breaks down proteins
• Lipase – breaks down fats
• Amylase – breaks down carbohydrates
• Cellulase – helps break down plant fibre (dogs and cats don’t naturally produce much of this)

Digestive enzymes can help pets with bloating, inconsistent stools, nutrient deficiencies, treatment of leaky gut and age-related digestive weakness.

These enzymes support the breakdown and absorption of nutrients, while pre-, pro-, and postbiotics support the gut ecosystem itself.

If you have questions or look for a personalized gut health protocol for your pet, reach out! I’d love to help your pet thrive, from the inside out.