Why a synergistic fiber blend can outperform single supplements in pets’ gut health

Caitlyn Getty, DVM, PhD, DACVIM (Nutrition), explains the differences among probiotics, single-fiber supplements, and synergistic prebiotic fiber blends for pets. Although probiotics and single fibers can help, she notes they may only support a subset of beneficial microbes. A synergistic blend of soluble, fermentable fibers can target multiple bacterial groups, enhance fermentation, increase short-chain fatty acid production, and generate beneficial postbiotics, creating a more robust, health-supporting colonic environment.

Below is the transcript, which has been edited for clarity.

dvm360: What is the difference between probiotics and synergistic prebiotic blends?

Getty: Probiotics are going to be those bacteria that are being consumed by the pet. So…in humans, yogurt is considered a probiotic, and those are going to go to the colon. Hopefully, they'll do a little work to change the environment [and] support good bacteria, but then they're just eliminated with the feces.

A single-fiber supplement is great because…especially if it's a prebiotic fiber, like a soluble fermentable fiber, it's going to support that fermentation. It's going to help provide a better environment, but maybe it's only supporting some of the good microbial species. And maybe we're leaving some of the other ones on the table.

But if we have a synergistic prebiotic fiber blend, then we're targeting different groups of bacteria. We're supporting all of that fermentation. We're creating a really beneficial environment, and we're maybe providing things like those antibiotics from things like polyphenols or some of those postbiotics that are fermented. Different fibers are going to result in different amounts of things, like the short-chain fatty acids that are created. So it just kind of depends, and having a blend can really help support all of those facets.

Caitlyn Getty, DVM, PhD, DACVIM (Nutrition), is a board-certified veterinary nutritionist and PhD scientist working to improve the health and well-being of dogs and cats through nutrition.