Why not try one of our top selling products – Dr Mercola Complete Probiotics for Cats and Dogs containing over 10 beneficial bacteria strains with a minimum of 38 billion beneficial bacteria packed into every serving. Specifically designed for pets, and containing strains of bacteria unique to them
So what are probiotics for dogs and cats and how do they work?
Probiotics are live microorganisms / strains of gut-friendly bacteria that when consumed may have beneficial health effects. The word probiotic means “for life” and there is increasing research showing that healthy populations of friendly bacteria can maintain your pet’s immune system in good working order.
The gut is the largest immune organ in the body and it contains trillions of “good” bacteria as well as potentially pathogenic “bad” bacteria. Your cat or dog interestingly has more intestinal bacteria than we do, with their microbes outnumbering their cells ten to one. Their gut is designed to handle an incredible bacterial load (Mercola, 2016).
It is essential that the “good” and “bad” bacteria are kept in balance but many factors can influence your pets’s gut flora, including a poor quality diet or unhealthy lifestyle, stress & anxiety, illness, surgery, as well as antibiotic use and other medications which can ultimately lead to the gut flora tipping into imbalance / dysbiosis. When this occurs your dog or cat may develop gatro-intestinal symptoms such as constipation or diarrhoea, bloating, loose stools, flatulence and possible food sensitivities. The quality of your cat or dog’s poop should be consistent.
What are the benefits of probiotics for cats and dogs?
Most dogs and cats can benefit from a probiotic supplement which are available as a powder, capsule or a paste – all containing literally millions of bacteria. Probiotics work by these friendly bacteria establishing themselves in the gut where they multiply and become part of the microbiome, helping to restore and rebalance the population of microorganisms in the gut and in so doing helping to maintain the mucosal gut barrier, inhibiting the growth of “bad” bacteria and opportunistic yeast and strengthening the immune system.
When your pets gut bacteria is in balance, beneficial functions take place including:
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The maintenance of balanced and healthy intestinal microbial populations for improved immune response, digestive wellness, nutrient absorption and better elimination.
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Maintaining the integrity of the gut lining, keeping out potentially disease-causing “unfriendly” bacteria and pathogens and protecting the body from infection
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Aiding in the absorption of beneficial nutrients
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Helping the removal of toxins from the body
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Preventing the onset of allergies and helping with dietary sensitivities
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Calming digestive upsets as a result of dietary changes, travel, going to the kennels, moving house etc.
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Reducing the risk of urinary tract infections
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Use in old age and periods of convalescence
We sell many probiotics including brands such as Adored Beast, FidoSpore, Four Leaf Rover and many more. They can be viewed here.
Check out specific details and dosages on our website. Read product labels carefully as it may be necessary to consult your veterinarian.
If you would like to discuss any aspect of this article or have any questions, then please contact us on: 01565 740 777.
References and Resources
Case, P.C, Daristotle, L., Hayek, M.G. et al. (2011). Canine and Feline Nutrition – a Resource Companion for Animal Professionals
Dodds, W.J., (2015). Canine Nutrigenomics – the new science of feeding your dog for optimum nutrition.
Dr Mercola (2016). Your Pet Needs These, but Please Don’t Share Yours. Available at: http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2016/01/20/pet-probiotic-supplements.aspx
