Does My Pet Need Probiotics?

Does My Pet Need Probiotics?

               Probiotics seem to be all the rage these days. But what are they, really, and how might they benefit your pet? Let’s learn more!

Probiotics are, in the simplest terms, live bacteria and/or yeast that are beneficial to the body, especially the gastrointestinal tract. These bacteria are essential to good gut health and may have other surprising benefits in reducing stress and aiding the immune system.  These normal microflorae can be disrupted by illness and medications, especially antibiotics, which while beneficial in the right circumstances, are not always eliminating only bad bacteria.  Prebiotics may also be added—these are carbohydrates or soluble fibers that feed the good bacteria.

Replacing or augmenting the digestive system’s bacteria with probiotics and prebiotics can aid in reducing many forms of illness including allergies and skin conditions, anxiety, diarrhea or other intestinal issues, and urinary tract infections and vaginitis.  This is not to say that use of a probiotic should be tried in lieu of proper veterinary care, but that they may aid in recovery and be part of the treatment plan for your pet. 

It’s also important to note, that, while not harmful to pets, foods such as yogurt or fermented foods like kimchee do not contain the same types or amounts of bacteria beneficial to pets that are found in animal-specific probiotic supplements.  In order to be effective, probiotic supplements must contain beneficial bacteria in large enough quantities to survive the acidity of the stomach and colonize the small intestine.  Proper storage and use before product expiration also ensure live beneficial bacteria in probiotics.  A good pet probiotic should provide one to ten billion CFU (colony forming units) per day.

To be a good probiotic, bacteria are expected to adhere to the intestinal tract and reduce the adherence of pathogenic bacteria or produce substances that kill or reduce the growth of bad bacteria. They must also be safe, non-invasive and non-pathogenic themselves.  The most beneficial probiotics in our pets include lactobacilli, bifidobacteria, and enterococci.

Do all dogs and cats need probiotics?  Healthy dogs and cats eating a balanced commercial diet do not necessarily need probiotics as they should have a normal, healthy intestinal microflora.  However, pets with skin, intestinal, or urinary/reproductive tract issues may benefit from probiotic supplements as part of their treatment.  Pets in stressful situations such as boarding, travel, moving, etc. may also benefit from short term use of pre- and probiotics to maintain a healthy microflora.  In fact, the bacterium bifidobacterium longum (found in Purina Calming Care) has been shown to have a positive effect on mental and emotional regulation thereby reducing stress in dogs.  Pretty cool!

As you can see, prebiotics and probiotics often aid in producing a healthy immune system and in healing from intestinal and skin disorders as well as in reducing stress.  While they should not replace medications used in treating these disorders, they often augment treatment plans. Talk to your veterinarian about whether probiotics may benefit your pet.

This blog brought to you by the Patton Veterinary Hospital serving Red Lion, York and the surrounding communities.

https://todaysveterinarynurse.com/nutrition/prebiotics-and-probiotics-for-dogs-and-cats/

https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/riney-canine-health-center/health-info/power-probiotics