Understanding Prebiotics, Probiotics & Postbiotics for Dogs

A healthy gut does far more than support digestion — it plays a key role in your dog’s immune system, skin health, nutrient absorption and overall wellbeing. As pet parents, we’ve seen how much gut balance affects Flaco’s daily energy and comfort.

You may have heard the terms prebiotics, probiotics and postbiotics, but knowing the difference can be confusing. This guide breaks it down simply so you can make confident choices for your pup’s nutrition.

What Are Prebiotics? 🥕

Prebiotics are a special type of dietary fibre that act as food for the good bacteria already living in your dog’s gut.

When your dog eats prebiotic-rich foods, these fibres travel to the colon, where they help beneficial bacteria grow and thrive. This can support digestion, stool quality and overall gut balance.

Many natural ingredients — like pumpkin, carrot and certain fruit fibres — are natural sources of prebiotics (and feature in many of our favourite treat recipes).

What Are Probiotics? 🦠

Probiotics are live beneficial microorganisms (“good bacteria”) that support gut and immune function.

But here’s something most pet parents don’t know
➡️ Probiotics are extremely fragile.
They can struggle to survive exposure to heat, oxygen, moisture and time — especially in baked or shelf-stable dog treats.

This means the number of living probiotics left by the time your dog eats the treat may be much lower than what the label suggests. This is why probiotics can be helpful in certain situations (like during digestive upset) but are not always reliable in everyday treats.

What Are Postbiotics? 🌟

Postbiotics are the beneficial compounds created after probiotics ferment prebiotic fibres. They include enzymes, peptides and short-chain fatty acids — all of which support:

• Stronger gut barrier function

• Healthy digestion

• Immune support

• Healthy stool formation

• Overall wellbeing

The biggest advantage?
Postbiotics are incredibly stable.

They remain effective through cooking, storage and everyday handling — making them ideal for daily treats and functional chews.

Why Postbiotics Make Sense for Dog Treats 🐾

If you want a treat that genuinely supports your dog’s gut health, postbiotics offer reliability where probiotics often cannot. They don’t rely on delicate live cultures and they stay active through the entire product lifecycle.

Modern pet nutrition is shifting toward postbiotics for exactly this reason — and we’ve seen how consistent the benefits are for Flaco’s digestion and daily vitality.

Postbiotics in Pawformance Treats 🍃

Our Superfood Dumbbell Dental Treats are designed to do more than just support dental health. Each treat includes:

✔ Natural prebiotic-rich ingredients like pumpkin, carrot and coconut
✔ A premium, stable postbiotic complex for gut and immune support
✔ No artificial colours or fillers — only real, functional ingredients

It’s an easy, delicious way to give your pup a daily boost from the inside out.

👉 View all Pawformance products:
https://pawformancepets.com.au/collections/all

Final Thoughts

Gut health is one of the foundations of your dog’s long-term wellbeing. When you understand how prebiotics, probiotics and postbiotics work together, choosing the right treats and food becomes much easier — and much more effective.

Flaco’s tip for pet parents:
A happy tummy makes for a happy, energetic pup!