There is no doubt that the right probiotic, given for the right reason and to the right dog, can really help, particularly regarding its digestion.
However, you may have already tried using a probiotic when your dog had loose stools, without it helping.
Why do some probiotics work and others don't?
There are many probiotics on the market, each with its own formula in terms of the types of strains it contains. The world of probiotics is complex, and each strain has a different way of acting on your dog's health. It's not easy to know where to start.
The composition of a probiotic is directly linked to its benefits on the animal's health.
Each probiotic strain plays a specific role, and understanding these roles is essential for choosing the right supplement for your dog or cat. It's also important for dog owners to know in which situations probiotics can be beneficial and help prevent certain health issues for their pets.
Before creating Bioflora, I did a lot of research, and it took me more than 5 years to find the blend of probiotics that contained the benefits I wanted to have in the Pattedeau Bio probiotic.
To better understand how Bioflora works, I'll explain what it contains and how each of the strains it contains acts on the digestive and immune systems.
Here is an overview of the strains present in Bioflora and their scientifically proven benefits:
Bacillus coagulans
Bacillus coagulans is a probiotic that offers numerous health benefits for dogs (Zhou et al., 2020). This strain is known for its ability to produce lactic acid, which helps eliminate undesirable bacteria. It possesses notable anti-inflammatory properties and has proven effective in treating dogs suffering from diarrhea and inflammatory bowel disease.
Bacillus subtilis
B. subtilis is a versatile strain that supports the immune system by stimulating the production of IgA, an antibody crucial for protecting mucous membranes. It also helps strengthen the intestinal wall and promotes the production of vitamin K, essential for blood clotting and bone health. Several studies, including those conducted by Yang et al. (2023) and Lima et al. (2020), highlight its benefits for gut health and immune function.
Lactobacillus acidophilus
This strain is well known for its role in increasing beneficial Lactobacillus populations and reducing harmful Clostridia populations. It has a beneficial effect on immune cells, as demonstrated by the work of Baillon et al. (2004), by promoting a balanced and healthy microbiome.
Lactiplantibacillus plantarum
L. plantarum is distinguished by its ability to strengthen the colon walls and reduce episodes of diarrhea, particularly those related to antibiotic use. The study by Grzeskowiak et al. (2015) highlights its effectiveness in stabilizing the gut microbiome and supporting overall digestive health.
Lactobacillus casei
Beyond its effects on gut health, L. casei also influences the gut-brain axis, playing a potential role in mood enhancement and emotion regulation. These complex interactions were highlighted in the work of Grzeskowiak et al. (2015), suggesting that this strain could offer additional benefits to the animal's mental well-being.
Saccharomyces boulardii
This probiotic yeast is particularly effective in treating acute and chronic diarrhea, including antibiotic-associated diarrhea. S. boulardii has also demonstrated the ability to combat Candida and other yeast infections, while alleviating various digestive issues. Its efficacy has been repeatedly demonstrated, notably in studies focusing on its robustness and resilience in the digestive tract (Meineri et al., 2022; Gopalan et al., 2023).
Conclusion
Choosing the right probiotic for your dog or cat means understanding that each probiotic strain has unique and targeted properties. The effectiveness of probiotics depends on the quality of the strains used and how well they work together. For example, formulations like Bioflora, which combine several beneficial strains, can provide comprehensive support for your pet's digestive and immune health. If you'd like to learn more about this product, you can click here.
Don't forget the importance of a good natural diet to optimize your dog's microbiota and health!
Karine
References:
Zhou, Yuanhao & Zeng, Zihan & Xu, Yibin & Jiafu, Ying & Wang, Baikui & Majeed, Muhammed & Majeed, Shaheen & Pande, Anurag & Li, Weifen. (2020). Application of Bacillus coagulans in Animal Husbandry and Its Underlying Mechanisms. Animals. 10. 454. https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/10/3/454
de Lima, DC, Souza, CMM, Nakamura, N., Mesa, D., de Oliveira, SG, & Félix, AP (2020). Dietary supplementation with Bacillus subtilis C-3102 improves gut health indicators and fecal microbiota of dogs. Animal Feed Science and Technology, 269, 114611. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2020.114672
Yang, J., Zhang, Protective effects of Bacillus subtilis HH2 against oral enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli in Beagles. Veterinary Sciences. PMCID: PMC10384286. https://doi.org/10.
Baillon, MLA, Marshall-Jones, ZV, & Butterwick, RF (2004). Effects of probiotic Lactobacillus acidophilus strain DSM13241 in healthy adult dogs. American Journal of Veterinary Research, 65 (3), 338-342. https://doi.org/10.2460/ajvr.2004.65.338
Grześkowiak, Ł., Endo, A., Beasley, S., & Salminen, S. (2015). Microbiota and probiotics in canine and feline welfare. Anaerobe, 34, 14-23. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anaerobe.2015.04.002
Meineri, G., Martello, E., Atuahene, D., Miretti, S., Stefanon, B., Sandri, M., Biasato, I., Corvaglia, MR, Ferrocino, I., & Cocolin, LS (2022). Effects of Saccharomyces boulardii supplementation on nutritional status, fecal parameters, microbiota, and mycobiota in breeding adult dogs. Veterinary Sciences, 9 (8), 389. https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci9080389.
Gopalan, S., Ganapathy, S., Mitra, M., Neha, Joshi, DK, Veligandla, KC, Rathod, R., & Kotak, BP (2023). Unique properties of yeast probiotic Saccharomyces boulardii CNCM I-745: A narrative review. Cureus , https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37927652/
