Paw-Z-Tive Dawgs & Just for Starters

03/02/2026

03/02/2026

Is Your Dog’s Probiotic Making Diarrhea Worse?💩 When (Not) to Use Prebiotics

Probiotics are live beneficial bacteria, while prebiotics are the fibers that feed them. Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) happens when bacteria overpopulate the small intestine, often causing chronic diarrhea, gas, bloating, and weight loss despite a normal or increased appetite (also called antibiotic-responsive diarrhea).

Some isolated prebiotics in commercial probiotics can worsen SIBO by rapidly fermenting and overfeeding bacteria in the small intestine. Fructooligosaccharides (FOS) and inulin pose the highest risk, while larch arabinogalactan, galactooligosaccharides (GOS), and sugar alcohols may cause issues in sensitive dogs.

Organic pumpkin offers a gentle whole-food fiber source that supports regular stools and gut balance while providing beneficial carotenoids for eye and immune health. Because pumpkins can absorb contaminants from soil, some pesticide residues (particularly certain fungicides, herbicides, and organophosphates) have the potential to disrupt beneficial gut bacteria over time. Choosing organic pumpkin can help reduce unwanted chemical exposure.

For dogs with SIBO-type issues, targeted probiotics like Saccharomyces boulardii and certain soil-based spore formers may support microbial balance without overfeeding small-intestinal bacteria.

That’s why Dr. Becker developed PRIMITIVE PROBIOTICS™ without added prebiotics, a targeted, nature-aligned approach to microbiome support.

👉If you want to explore a science backed probiotic option for your dog, comment BETTERBELLY and we’ll DM you the link.

03/02/2026

The way a person treats animals speaks louder than words.

03/02/2026

Food is one of the most powerful tools we have to support vitality, resilience, and long-term health. Most of us think carefully about what we put in our pets’ bowls, and those decisions truly make a difference.
A recent study looking at commercial dog and cat foods found that nearly 77% of those they tested contained detectable levels of mycotoxins or pesticide residues. Dry foods had the highest levels, likely because grain ingredients are more prone to mold growth and glyphosate exposure during storage and processing.
While severe contamination can cause obvious illness, what concerns me most is long-term, low-level exposure. Over time, these hidden stressors can influence inflammation, detox pathways, and gut health, even when no clear symptoms are present.
If you want to learn more, link in comments to read my latest free article ⬇️.🐾