Description
Gut health plays a vital role in the overall wellbeing of dogs and cats, and microbiome-targeted nutrition continues to gain momentum in veterinary practice. While prebiotics and probiotics are well established, postbiotics are now emerging as an innovative and evidence-based addition to this toolkit. Defined as non-viable microbial products or metabolites, postbiotics can deliver consistent health benefits without the variability or safety concerns sometimes associated with live organisms. Research highlights their ability to support gut barrier integrity, modulate immune responses, reduce inflammation, and optimise nutrient utilisation. This webinar will provide an overview of the science behind postbiotics, review the latest findings in companion animal health, and explore how they can be practically integrated into veterinary recommendations. Attendees will leave with a clearer understanding of how postbiotics complement existing gut health strategies to improve outcomes in practice.
Learning Objectives
- Define and differentiate prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotics, with emphasis on the unique characteristics and clinical relevance of postbiotics.
- Explain the mechanisms of action by which postbiotics influence gut barrier integrity, immune modulation, inflammation, and nutrient utilisation in companion animals.
- Critically appraise current evidence supporting the use of postbiotics in canine and feline health and identify areas where further research is needed.
- Compare the benefits and limitations of pre-, pro-, and postbiotics in terms of stability, safety and clinical application.
- Apply practical knowledge of postbiotics to supplement formulation and veterinary recommendations for improving gut health and overall wellbeing in pets.
