Why Probiotics & Prebiotics Are Key for Your Pet’s Digestive Health

Written in collaboration with Dr. Katy Miller, Director of Veterinary Services at BSM Partners

When it comes to your pet’s wellbeing, what’s going on inside their gut can impact everything from energy levels to immune function, and even their mood. Just like humans, dogs and cats rely on a thriving community of microorganisms in their digestive tract, known as the gut microbiome, to stay healthy.

At Wellness Pet Food, every complete & balanced recipe is crafted to support the Five Signs of Wellbeing™, one of which is healthy digestion, by using purposeful ingredients that nourish your pet’s gut microbiome and overall wellbeing. And if you’re looking for a daily food that makes digestive support simple, Wellness™ CORE™ Digestive Health is a highly digestible, probiotic-coated kibble designed to fuel your dog’s best life from the inside out.

For more on probiotics and gut health, check out The Definitive Guide to Probiotics for Cats and The Importance of Gut Health for Dogs and Cats.

What Is the Microbiome and Why Does It Matter?

The gut microbiota is a dynamic ecosystem of bacteria, fungi, and other microbes in the intestines. This microscopic world plays a big role in your pet’s digestion, nutrient absorption, immune response, and even brain health through the gut-brain axis.

First and foremost, the gut microbes help break down food efficiently, allowing nutrients to be absorbed and used by the body for energy, muscle maintenance, and immune function. This can translate to better digestion, less flatulence, and more consistent, well-formed stools.

Beneficial gut bacteria also act as a natural defense system. In the gut, these beneficial bacteria out-compete the harmful or opportunistic bacteria, which can also support the immune system—especially important during times of stress, illness, or after antibiotic use.

In addition to digestion and protection, some gut microbes produce valuable nutrients, including B vitamins, vitamin K, and short-chain fatty acids that fuel the cells lining the intestines and maintain healthy metabolic function. A balanced microbiome can also play a key role in managing inflammation throughout the body. Supporting a well-regulated immune response helps reduce the risk of chronic inflammation that can contribute to long-term health problems.

Perhaps most surprisingly, gut health is also closely tied to mental well-being. The gut and brain are connected through what scientists call the “gut-brain axis,” meaning a stable and healthy gut environment can positively influence your pet’s mood, stress response, and behavior—think of how your stomach feels when you get stressed out. In short, supporting your pet’s microbiome does more than help their digestion; it helps them feel better, inside and out.

Learn more about microbiome science in What Is the Microbiome and How Can It Affect Your Pet’s Health?.

Unhealthy Microbiome

An imbalance in the gut microbiota is also known as dysbiosis. This is where beneficial microbes are reduced, and harmful or opportunistic organisms begin to populate and take over. Because gut balance and health are so closely tied together, dysbiosis can disrupt digestion, immune function, and even behavior.

Some common causes include:

• Diet change: Abrupt shifts without a transition period can lead to dysbiosis.
  
  
• Stress: Travel, separation anxiety, or new environments can alter microbial balance.
  
  
• Underlying disease: GI disease or systemic illness can impair gut health.
  
  
• Aging: Older pets may lose microbial diversity.
  
  
• Medications: Antibiotics and some anti-inflammatories can reduce good bacteria.
  
  

Supporting A Healthy Microbiome

Supporting a healthy microbiome in your pet starts with nourishing the beneficial bacteria that live in their gut. Probiotics for dogs are live, good bacteria that help maintain balance in the digestive system, support nutrient absorption, and defend against harmful microbes. They’re especially useful during times of stress, dietary changes, or antibiotic usage, when the gut’s microbial balance may be disrupted.

To keep those probiotics thriving, they also need prebiotics—special fibers that act as food for the good bacteria. Prebiotic fibers provide fuel to support beneficial microbes to grow stronger and more effective. When probiotics and prebiotics work together, they create a powerful partnership that supports digestion, immunity, and overall well-being.

Wellness™ CORE™ Digestive Health brings these benefits together in every bowl. Crafted with a unique blend of prebiotic fibers and guaranteed levels of probiotics, this dog food for sensitive stomachs is highly digestible and designed to support dog food for digestive health needs—so your pup can enjoy proven nutrition with every bite.

Learn more about how probiotic pet food supports your dog in The Benefits of Probiotic Pet Food.

How Our Gut-Supporting Ingredients Work

Wellness Pet Food thoughtfully includes gut-supporting ingredients in select recipes:

• Beet pulp: A gentle, fermentable prebiotic fiber that feeds beneficial gut bacteria and supports stool quality.
  
  
• Dried chicory root: A natural source of inulin, which nourishes helpful microbes and regulates digestion.
  
  
• Enterococcus faecium: A scientifically backed probiotic strain that helps balance gut bacteria.
  
  
• Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus licheniformis: Spore-forming probiotics that survive tough conditions, support digestion, and reduce gas.
  
  

Signs of a Healthy Gut in Your Pet

A healthy gut shows up in many ways:

• Consistent, well-formed stools
  
  
• Healthy skin and a shiny coat
  
  
• Steady appetite and plenty of energy
  
  
• Less gas or bloating
  
  
• A stronger immune system and fewer sick days
  
  

Wellness: Nutrition with Purpose

We believe health starts from within, and that includes a thriving gut. That’s why we carefully craft our pet food with proven digestive health ingredients like probiotics, prebiotics, and fiber sources that work together to support your pet’s microbiome.

For dogs who need a little extra support, Wellness™ CORE™ Digestive Health is a go-to option that provides balanced nutrition and targeted digestive support in one complete recipe.

Because when your pet feels good on the inside, it shows on the outside.