.webp)
In partnership with Fera Pets. Editor’s Note: We only select and work with partners that meet our quality standards, so you can rest assured we only endorse products we believe in.
For years, we pet owners (and non-pet owners alike!) have determined that pets don’t need as much dietary support as human beings do when it comes to their health. Giving your dog reishi mushroom and omega-3s? Outlandish!
However, things are different now. Ashwagandha is mainstream, organic strawberries are $19, seed oils are out, and pet owners want their furry besties to experience the same integrative wellness that they do. Brands like Fera Pets are bridging this gap—reflecting society’s desire to integrate holistic care into all facets of their lives while also pioneering the pet supplementation category as a whole.
With a passion for both pets and alternative medicine, Emily Hsu and Dr. Michelle Dulake, DVM (who is both a veterinarian and acupuncturist) created science-backed, East-meets-West, NASC-certified, nutrient-dense, third-party-tested supplements that ensure our chosen companions get all of the nutrients they need.
I got to test out their USDA Organic Probiotics with Prebiotics with my sweet, baby angel, Henry—aka my 14 year-old flatcoated corgi mix, who I may as well have grown in my womb and given birth to myself. Was it worth it? Did he need it? Did it help? Here’s everything I learned during our trial.
We like
- The probiotic powder is completely flavorless and easily mixable, so pets don’t know they’re engaging in wellness.
- Dr. Dulake custom-picked 12 living strains with powerful dosing of 5 billion CFUs alongside prebiotics to improve pet gut health long term.
- All products have been vet-formulated and third party-tested, are NASC-certified, and composed of natural ingredients.
- Fera Pets combines Eastern and Western medicinal practices for a science-based, holistic approach to nutrition.
We don't like
- Depending on your pet’s current state, they—like all of us—might need an adjustment period, so go slow before hitting the full dose if your pet is more sensitive to change in general.
The Truth About Pets + Probiotics
Probiotics were at the forefront of the recent wellness revolution—starting as just a “thing that would make your stomach feel better,” transforming into a highly refined mechanism to support better immune health, athletic recovery, cognitive function, digestion, and “so much more,” as they say.
Nowadays, probiotics are easily accessible as milk and bread (I was going to say eggs, but we all know how that’s going). So why not consider the same for our OTLs? (One True Loves.)
Have you ever noticed your pet all of a sudden developing allergies, itchy skin, bowel issues, or weight gain? All of these things could be connected to one thing: the gut. For animals, the gastrointestinal system plays a huge role in our pets’ overall health (just like us!). A balanced gut microbiome help is essential for supporting proper digestion, nutrient absorption, and immune function. Again, just like us, things like stress, diet changes, infections, antibiotics, and aging can disrupt this balance, leading to acute and chronic issues like…
- Diarrhea
- Pancreatitis
- Obesity
- Yeast Overgrowth
- Mood Swings
- Leaky Gut
- Skin Problems
- Food Allergies
Using probiotics for pets can help to maintain the balance of beneficial bacteria in the gut, which means better digestion and better immune support. Emerging research also suggests that probiotics may also support various aspects of pets’ overall health, including skin and coat, joints, allergies, cognitive function, and mood stability. Woof!
The Fera Probiotic Difference
The word “probiotic” has become synonymous with “good thing.” But not strains are created equal. Dr. Dulake thoughtfully formulated Fera’s USDA Organic Probiotics with Prebiotics with 12 living strains with a potent dosing of 5 billion CFUs—each strain with its own specific function, and when combined, work in conjunction to enhance our pets’ digestive health.
Beyond supporting digestive health, Fera’s formulation is uniquely different in that it includes organic prebiotics like organic inulin, acacia, and fructooligosaccharides to help create a normal microbial balance and growth of beneficial bacteria in the intestines long-term.
Better gut health potentially means an improved skin and coat, a more supported immune system, and increased energy.
The Henry Experiment
Coming into this experiment, I’d be lying if I said Henry wasn’t already on a tip-top wellness regimen. He gets home-cooked food, omega-3s, a medicinal mushroom blend, Chinese herbs, and liver treats (when he’s not being ornery). However, I still notice from time-to-time that his stool can be uneven, “watery,” or irritated (if you’re a dog owner, you know what I mean).
Including Fera’s USDA Organic Probiotics with Prebiotics into Henry’s daily routine was a no-brainer. The powder was odorless and unassuming, and blended seamlessly into his hodge podge of mush and meat. He was none the wiser!
Within days of giving him his new flora and fauna dose twice a day (dosage was based on his weight, by the way), I noticed his stool was 10/10 every time—so much so, I found myself saying (out loud), “Aren’t you a good boy! What a successful BM, Henry!!” Very boomer, very embarrassing, still very proud.
Henry continues to go regularly throughout the day, which is also incredibly satisfying as a dog owner, and I never have to fear a 6am wakeup whine, where he needs to go out and eat grass or leaves because his stomach is upset. Based on our deeply intuitive connection (again, if you’re a dog owner, you know), I can tell that his digestion is more resilient, which also makes me less aggro when he eats tree bark on our walks because he’s mad I’m talking to my neighbors.
From Wags to Riches
At the end of the day, all of us pet owners can admit that we wished our “fuzzy wuzzies” (I hate myself) could live as long as we do (because they’re far less awful than human beings are), but knowing that this is an unlikely hope, it feels worthwhile to give them as nourishing of an experience that we would want. Better yet, Fera’s prices are totally feasible (unlike human supplements), making it really easy to support basic functional needs for our besties.
