If your dog constantly scratches or suffers from itchy skin, a new study offers hope. Researchers have found that a special postbiotic supplement made by Kingdom Supercultures called Pet Immune, may significantly reduce itching and improve overall skin and coat health in dogs.The peer-reviewed clinical study, published in the journal Animals, showed that dogs taking this indole-rich supplement had a 20% reduction in scratching and a 27% improvement in owner-reported itchiness—all within just 14 days.
Causes of dog itching and how to treat it naturally
Itching, especially caused by atopic dermatitis, is one of the most common health issues in dogs worldwide. Itching in dogs, particularly due to atopic dermatitis, is a widespread and frustrating issue for both pets and their owners. Atopic dermatitis is a chronic inflammatory skin condition triggered by allergens such as pollen, dust mites, mould, or certain foods. It causes intense itching, redness, skin inflammation, and in many cases, secondary infections due to constant scratching, biting, or licking. Left untreated, it can lead to skin thickening, hair loss, and open sores.Besides environmental and food allergens, other common causes of dog itching include:
- Flea allergy dermatitis (reaction to flea bites)
- Dry skin, especially in colder months
- Yeast or bacterial infections
- Poor diet or nutritional deficiencies
- Contact irritants, like certain shampoos, cleaning products, or grasses
It leads to discomfort, skin damage, and even hair loss. Unfortunately, treatment often requires long-term medication like steroids or immune-modulating drugs, which can be costly and carry side effects.That’s why many pet parents are now turning to natural, nutrition-based solutions to manage chronic itching and support their dog’s immune system.
Gut health and dog skin problems: How the gut-skin axis affects itching
The new research focused on a growing area of interest in veterinary science: the gut–skin axis. This concept explores how a dog’s gut health affects its immune system and skin condition.Dogs with itchy skin often have a weaker gut microbiome and more “leaky gut” symptoms, which can trigger inflammation that shows up on the skin. By improving gut health, researchers believe you can help manage skin issues from the inside out.
What is an indole-rich postbiotic and how does it help itchy dogs?
This particular postbiotic supplement is rich in compounds called indoles—natural byproducts created by healthy gut bacteria when they digest tryptophan (an amino acid). Indoles play a key role in regulating inflammation and immune responses.The indoles in this supplement work by activating a special immune sensor in the body called the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR). This receptor has been shown in both animal and human studies to help calm inflammation and reduce itch.In fact, AhR-targeting medications are already used in human dermatology, which strengthens the science behind this approach for pets.
Best supplement for itchy dogs? New postbiotic outperforms probiotics
Compared to other natural supplements, this postbiotic showed impressive results. Previous studies on probiotics and postbiotics for dog itching have shown little to no improvement—with most offering only about a 10% reduction in symptoms after two to four weeks.In contrast, the dogs in this trial saw over double that relief in just 14 days. That makes this one of the most effective biotic-based solutions for itchy skin documented so far.
Postbiotic for dogs improves gut health and coat shine
Along with reduced itching, dogs given the indole-rich postbiotic also had better-looking coats and skin after two weeks. And there were improvements in their gut health too.By day 28, these dogs showed a 4.6% increase in microbiome diversity—a key marker of gut health. They also had more beneficial bacteria like Clostridium and Romboutsia, which are known to help fight inflammation and support digestion.The results suggest this indole-rich postbiotic could be a safe, natural way to relieve itching in dogs while also supporting their gut and immune health. Although the study focused on dogs with moderate itching, the researchers believe it could also help dogs with more serious skin issues like atopic dermatitis.Also Read: What is the link between gum disease and heart disease, according to Harvard Health
