The truth behind prebiotic claims in pet food

In pet consumer research, almost 80% of pet owners state that prebiotic on-pack communication affects their interest in buying certain food products for their pets. This has led to some suppliers making unfounded prebiotic claims for their products.

Prebiotic or not?

In the pet food industry at present, there are a large number of products being promoted as prebiotic which, in fact, they are not. These contain ingredients such as fermentable fibers or even resistant starches.

The only established prebiotics that have been scientifically proven to selectively encourage the growth of good bacteria and deliver related health benefits in humans – with corresponding evidence in pets – are inulin-type fructans. Chicory root fibers fall into this category. BENEO’s natural chicory root fibers Orafti® Inulin and Oligofructose, for example, are supported by the International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics.

How do chicory root fibers work?

When chicory root fibers reach the colon, they are selectively fermented by the good microbiota residing in the intestine, for example bifidobacteria, and selectively stimulate their growth and proliferation. Additionally, this fermentation by selected microbiota results in the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFA), such as butyrate.

These fatty acids decrease the lumen pH in the gut and enhance its structure. They also strengthen the gut mucosa’s barrier against pathogenic bacteria, as butyrate is the primary source of energy for the intestinal cells.

Scientifically proven prebiotic effect

BENEO’s Orafti Inulin and Oligofructose have been studied extensively for over 2 decades, both in human and animal nutrition, and there is a strong scientific basis for their prebiotic effect.

In human nutrition, a recent systematic review with meta-analyses that applied the Cochrane methodology (considered the strongest methodology in the hierarchy of scientific evidence) and was based on intervention studies, confirmed the prebiotic effect of inulin-type fructans sourced from the chicory root.

Multiple benefits for dogs and cats

In dogs and cats, studies have shown that selective fermentation of chicory root fibers by specific beneficial bacteria leads to an increase in SCFA production and is linked with nutritional benefits for pets that go beyond the gut. For instance, as part of their prebiotic effect and the effect on digestive health, chicory root fibers support calcium and mineral absorption in dogs.

Further research has shown that these fibers can also support blood sugar management in dogs, as well as weight management in both dogs and cats.