Acidophilus for Dogs

What you need to know before you buy acidophilus for your dog.

 

Acidophilus is one of the most well known types of healthy bacteria on the market. Many benefits can be gained by adding L. acidophilus for dogs to their diet, as some supply this through yogurt, but is there something better? What is the research behind acidophilus for dogs?

Acidophilus for Dogs

The Problems With Many Probiotic Formulas for Animals

Many manufacturers make the mistake of just taking human probiotic formulas and relabeling them for pets. For this reason, we see products for dogs that are either:

1. a simple combination of Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium, or
2. a broad-strain formula combining many different strains (some as much as 12-14 species of bacteria per formula)

What Does the Research for Dogs Show?

The problems with both of the above approaches above are varied.

Problems with simple combination formulas:
In the case of the simple combination (L. acidophilus for dogs and Bifidobacterium), there is good research in humans, but not as much for dogs. Details below.

Problems with broad-strain formulas:
In the "broad" strain approach (#2) it can be problematic for both humans and dogs. Why?

Broad-Strain/Species Probiotic Problems

1. Some strains are not complimentary and may compete with one another for absorption.
2. Most of the probiotic strains have never been researched for dogs.
3. These formulas tend to include extremely low amounts of each probiotic strain. So your dog doesn’t get the therapeutic amount or even the preventative benefits it needs.

Simple Acidophilus Probiotic Problems

1. A simple formula that contains only L. acidophilus may carry some benefits for your dog, but is not enough to be a therapeutic or long-term wellness formula. This is why giving just yogurt to dogs is not very effective.

The Bottom Line

What more is needed than acidophilus for dogs?

Acidophilus is great, but a targeted pet probiotic should be more than just acidophilus, but should NOT be a "broad" strain formula.

Certain strains of probiotics have been researched for dogs. (see below)

L.acidophilus (and bifidobacteria), are great probiotics in humans. And they certainly have benefits in animals as well. But to make the best formula possible for dogs and cats formulators would rely on the dog-specific research (animal, canine) instead of speculating on the likelihood of the transfer of benefits from humans to dogs.

Though the body of research on nutritional supplements in dogs is not as robust as it is in humans, there are some areas where we see reoccurring areas of benefit.

The Research Regarding Probiotics for Dogs

Which strains should your dog's probiotic contain?

B. animalis

Probably the most studied probiotic strain in dogs is B. animalis. It has been demonstrated to reduce acute diarrhea, and improve overall intestinal health. However, most dog probiotic products do not contain this strain. We believe that over time all of the formulas will start containing B. animalis because of the vast research behind this strain.

Vet Ther. 2009 Fall;10(3):121-30: Clinical benefits of probiotic canine-derived Bifidobacterium animalis strain AHC7 in dogs with acute idiopathic diarrhea.

Commentary: In this study B. animalis on its own reduced the resolution time in half from 6 days to 3 in dogs. Vet Microbiol. 2009 Oct 20;139(1-2):106-12. Epub 2009 May 19.

Portrait of a canine probiotic Bifidobacterium animalis, from gut to gut.

(Excerpt)

“Bifidobacterium animalis adhered to epithelial cells, transited the murine gastrointestinal tract to high numbers and significantly reduced S. typhimurium translocation. B. animalis  consumption significantly reduced the carriage of Clostridia, in particular Clostridium difficile, in dogs. This study describes the isolation and screening of canine-derived bacterial strains with commensal traits. The results demonstrate that B. animalis has significant potential for improving canine gastrointestinal health.”

Commentary: Clostridium difficile is the pathogen that primarily causes diarrhea. The fact that B.animalis has such a dramatic effect on C. difficile, makes it really the number one choice for dealing with acute diarrhea.

L. acidophilus

L. acidophilus as been show to be especially good with use in puppies. L. acidophilus was shown to increase weigh gain/growth in canines (Note it is thought that probiotics are critical in the puppy stage also for bolstering foundational immunity). Puppies supplemented L. acidophilus were found to display less symptoms of allergies and other diseases in older years.

Arch Tierernahr. 2001;55(3):243-53.

L. rhamnosus

Along with L. fermentum, and L. salivarious, L. rhamnosus is one of the highest concentrated bacteria found in normal healthy canine microbiota. Formulas that do not have this probiotic in fairly high amounts should not claim to be specifically formulated for dogs.

J Appl Microbiol. 2006 Jul;101(1):131-8. Lactic acid bacteria isolated from canine faeces.

(Excerpt)
“SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The selected LAB strains are among the first host-specific LAB with antimicrobial activity isolated from canines that could serve as potential probiotics for canine use.”

Commentary: This study shows that L. rhamnosus is one of the foundational bacteria found in canine intestinal tracts.

L. fermentum

Again one of the naturally concentrated bacteria inherit to canine microbiota, L. fermentum has strong survival characteristics and the ability to significantly modify the intestinal microbiota

J Appl Microbiol. 2006 Jul;101(1):131-8. Lactic acid bacteria isolated from canine faeces.

Appl Environ Microbiol. 2006 Oct;72(10):6539-43. 

L. reuteri

As part of the lactobacillus family, L. reuteri has many of the broad ranging health benefits. In dogs though they have found that reuteri may be the most resistant and may be especially helpful in controlling canine intestinal infections.

Food Sci. 2007 Apr;72(3):M94-7. Isolation and characterization of Lactobacillus species having isolation and characterization of Lactobacillus species having potential for use as probiotic cultures for dogs.

L. salivarious

Again, one of the naturally concentrated bacteria inherent to canine microbiota. Strong and viable, this probiotic should always be in a canine formula.

J Appl Microbiol. 2006 Jul;101(1):131-8 Lactic acid bacteria isolated from canine faeces. 

A probiotic formula based on science

Nusentia’s Probiotic Miracle® incorporates a simple yet sophisticated philosophy;

1. to only use probiotic species that have been scientifically studied in pets, and
2. to put in probiotic strains that are in line with the studies on animals (for dogs).  

Probiotic Miracle® is not a “kitchen sink” formula (or "broad" spectrum), but rather a targeted ratio balanced set of probiotics designed to produce the very best result in animals (for dogs).

These key features separate Probiotic Miracle® from any other probiotic product for dogs that is on the market, and is why continues to be the number one probiotic formula for dogs in America.

Other Benefits of Probiotic Miracle

• Great for foundational immunity and protecting from infection.
• Great for digestive health.
• Great for battling acute digestive disorders.