Friendly bacteria, or good bacteria in your cat or dogs’ gut, is known as probiotics. Probiotics are live, natural products given by mouth (oral) in the hope that they will colonize the gut and so improve the balance of the resident micro-organisms. Adding probiotics for cats and dogs to their daily dietary routine aim to restoring or maintaining normal gut function. In fact, the etymology of probiotics is literally, “pro health”. The idea that probiotics could be used to restore a healthy gut microbiome originated in the early 1900s. First in 1906, the French pediatrician, Henry Tissier, realized that if specific bacteria were administered to patients with diarrhea, they could help create a healthy gut flora. Gut flora are the microscopic organisms living in the intestinal systems. Then again in 1907 the Russian scientist Eli Metchnikoff suggested that, the dependence of the intestinal microbes makes it possible to adapt measures to modify the flora in our bodies and to replace harmful microbes with useful microbes.

Live probiotic cultures are available in fermented dairy products and probiotic fortified foods. However, tablets, capsules, powders, and sachets containing the bacteria in freeze-dried form are also available. It should be noted that many of the possible health benefits of probiotics still require more scientific research to be proven for humans, but also more so for our fur kids. Probiotics have been linked to benefits in healthy people. Some strains of probiotics are used for the following prevention / management situations for humans:

• Reduce incidence or duration of common respiratory tract infections;
• Improve blood lipid profiles;
• Improve digestion of lactose in lactose malabsorbers;
• Help improve immune function and inhibit pathogens;
• Reduce crying time in colicky babies;
• Manage mild digestive symptoms or intestinal regularity ​;
• Reduce antibiotic-associated side effects.

Natural probiotic for cats and dogs:

• promotes digestive health;
• Enhances immune support;
• Builds a health skin and coat.

Dr. Judy chats with Holly Ganz, PhD, Chief Science Officer and co-founder of AnimalBiome

Dr. Katie Woodley – The Natural Pet Doctor – Probiotics and Your Dog and Cat with