A daily synbiotic gut-health supplement for dogs and cats of all ages
A pet supplement brand asked Guires PNL to develop one daily probiotic supplement that supports digestion, nutrient absorption and overall wellbeing for both dogs and cats, at every life stage.
Client name withheld at the client’s request. Strain designations and inclusion levels remain confidential.
What the client asked for.
- A single daily supplement for both dogs and cats, suitable for puppies and kittens through to seniors.
- Support for healthy digestion, nutrient absorption and overall wellbeing through daily microbiome support.
- A live-culture count that holds from production to the end of shelf life, not just on the day it is made.
- Formulation and label aligned with AAFCO requirements for the US market.
What made it difficult.
Keeping cultures alive
Probiotics only deliver a benefit when live organisms are given in adequate amounts 1. All five chosen strains are non-spore-forming lactobacilli and bifidobacteria, which lose viability with heat, moisture and oxygen; bifidobacteria are especially oxygen-sensitive. Surveys of commercial veterinary probiotics have found that many products did not contain the organisms or counts stated on the label 5.
Prebiotic moisture
Inulin-rich chicory fibre and malt extract attract moisture, and moisture shortens the life of live cultures — so the prebiotics that help the gut can harm the probiotics in the pack. Hygroscopic powders also clump, which upsets dosing by scoop.
One product, two species
Dogs and cats differ widely in size and eating behaviour. Cats are selective eaters, and dosing has to work for a small kitten and a large dog from the same scoop, with every scoop carrying an even share of cultures.
Claims that match the evidence
Evidence for probiotics in dogs is strongest for digestive support and limited elsewhere 2, and evidence for botanical extracts in dogs and cats is still emerging. Wording had to stay within nutritional, not medical, claims.
How Guires PNL solved it.
What went into the formula
| Type | Ingredient | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Active | Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus (formerly Lactobacillus rhamnosus) | Probiotic |
| Active | Lacticaseibacillus paracasei (formerly Lactobacillus paracasei) | Probiotic |
| Active | Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (formerly Lactobacillus plantarum) | Probiotic |
| Active | Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis | Probiotic |
| Active | Bifidobacterium longum | Probiotic |
| Active | Chicory root (source of inulin-type fructans) | Prebiotic fibre |
| Active | Barley malt extract | Prebiotic and palatable carrier |
| Active | Astragalus root extract, standardised to 50% polysaccharides | Botanical |
| Excipient | Maltodextrin | Carrier and bulking agent for even distribution of cultures |
| Excipient | Pyrogenic (fumed) silica | Flow aid and anticaking agent |
Strain designations and inclusion levels are confidential to the client.
A five-strain lactobacilli and bifidobacteria blend
Three lactobacilli — Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus, L. paracasei and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum — were combined with two bifidobacteria, Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis and B. longum. These genera are among the most used in companion-animal probiotic research 2, and combining them covers both the small and the large intestine.
A synbiotic with natural prebiotics
Prebiotic fibres from chicory root and barley malt extract were added to feed beneficial gut bacteria. In a 2026 placebo-controlled trial in dogs, a supplement combining probiotics, prebiotics and yeast extract lowered faecal calprotectin and increased microbial diversity 3.
A standardised botanical
Astragalus root extract, standardised to 50% polysaccharides, was included for consistent polysaccharide content from batch to batch. Astragalus polysaccharides have improved gut barrier markers and gut microbiota in livestock studies 4; evidence in dogs and cats is still limited, so no claim is made for it on the label.
Carrier and flow designed for live cultures
Maltodextrin acts as the carrier, diluting the concentrated cultures so each scoop holds an even share. Pyrogenic (fumed) silica keeps the powder free-flowing and limits clumping from the hygroscopic fibres. Low-moisture specifications were set for every ingredient.
Dose designed in, then protected
The formula delivers more than 4 billion CFU per scoop, with a manufacturing overage and moisture-barrier packaging so the declared count can be met through shelf life, confirmed by live-count testing over time.
Dosing for every pet, built to AAFCO
A scoop-based feeding guide by body weight for dogs and cats, sprinkled on food. Formulation and label content were prepared in line with AAFCO requirements, with ingredient status and claims reviewed for the target market.
What the client received.
- Final formula and ingredient specifications
- Dosing guide by body weight for dogs and cats
- Stability and live-count testing protocol
- Label and claims review for the US market
- Technology-transfer package for the manufacturer
References
- Hill C, Guarner F, Reid G, et al. (2014). The International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics consensus statement on the scope and appropriate use of the term probiotic. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 11:506–514. Source ↗
- Jensen AP, Bjørnvad CR (2019). Clinical effect of probiotics in prevention or treatment of gastrointestinal disease in dogs: a systematic review. J Vet Intern Med. Source ↗
- Zilinger A, Sramek MK, Chandra T, et al. (2026). Effect of a supplement containing probiotics, prebiotics, and yeast extract on gut inflammation, microbiota, and cytokines in healthy dogs. Pets 3(1):1. Source ↗
- Liu Z, Zhang H, Chen X, et al. (2025). The effects of fermented Astragalus polysaccharides on the growth performance, antioxidant capacity and intestinal health of broilers. Front Vet Sci 12. Source ↗
- Weese JS, Martin H (2011). Assessment of commercial probiotic bacterial contents and label accuracy. Can Vet J 52:43–46. Source ↗
Scientific background is cited from published sources. Product claims for the finished supplement remain the responsibility of the brand owner placing it on the market.
Developing a probiotic or functional supplement?
Tell us the species, the benefit and the market — our formulation and bioscience teams will plan the work with you.
Every Guires PNL product is formulated to comply with the FEDIAF Nutritional Guidelines and the AAFCO Dog and Cat Food Nutrient Profiles. Neither body issues certificates to manufacturers, so compliance is verified independently against their published standards — and every product comes with a complete documentation package for regulatory submissions in the EU, US, Australia and Asian markets.
How we verify compliance →