Built for dogs: IFF launches probiotic for canine gut health
Key takeaways
- IFF has launched PureStrong, a canine-derived probiotic designed to support dogs’ gut health using a targeted single strain.
- Clinical data show the probiotic improves digestive markers, hydration, and stool quality in dogs undergoing diet changes.
- Rising demand for pet gut health solutions reflects broader growth in functional pet nutrition, driven by humanization and targeted biotic innovation.
IFF has introduced PureStrong, a probiotic developed for canine digestive health. The probiotic is part of the company’s portfolio of canine and feline-specific probiotic strains, Howaru Pet.
The probiotic is built around a targeted strain of Limosilactobacillus reuteri instead of a blend of generic strains originally developed for humans and livestock. IFF notes that since the strain comes directly from dog microbiomes, it is equipped to survive, attach, and compete in a dog’s gut.
“PureStrong is sourced directly from the microbiome of healthy canines and designed to support how dogs actually live — how they eat, travel, age, and adapt to change,” says Allyson Fish, senior vice president of health sciences for IFF.
In a controlled study of healthy dogs that underwent an abrupt diet change, dogs receiving PureStrong showed improved markers of digestive health and hydration and diet tolerance, resulting in firmer stools without constipation.
The strain can be used in various delivery formats, such as powders, capsules, tablets, and sticks.
Dogs’ digestive health
IFF highlights that diet changes, travel, stress, and aging can disrupt a dog’s gut and PureStrong aims to support the pets through these everyday moments.
The company says that a large share of US pet owners have purchased or considered buying probiotics for their dogs. Unlike many other pet probiotics on the market that blend strains, IFF’s solution contains a single strain.
According to IFF, the strain enables supplement brands to create low-dose, highly targeted products with effective support that aligns with dogs’ biological needs.
“Dogs experience change just like we do from new food to new environments to new stages of life,” says Danielle Rendina, senior scientist for IFF Pet Health. “PureStrong works with a dog’s natural microbiome to support digestion gently and effectively, helping pet parents care for their dogs in a way that feels informed, intentional, and personal.”
Biotics for pets
Innova Market Insights data indicates a 26% annual growth in global pet food launches between 2021 and 2025. In 2025, 31% of product launches carried a digestive or gut health claim. Moreover, in the last five years, both prebiotic and postbiotic ingredients showed substantial growth in this market at 63% and 150% annually, respectively.
In other pet nutrition developments, IFF expanded its pet portfolio last year with enzyme-based gut health solutions.
As pets are increasingly humanized, owners are prioritizing proactive joint health to ensure mobility and comfort as cats and dogs age, Lonza Capsugel previously told Nutrition Insight.
We also spoke with Standard Process about its Canine Cognition Support supplement, designed to support aging dogs’ clarity and alertness. The company said cognitive health is an emerging target for pet supplements.
Meanwhile, ADM’s Priome supplement for pets demonstrated metabolic health benefits in a trial with dogs. A study found that the ingredient reduced blood sugar levels after a meal and improved digestibility and gut hormone levels.
