Probiotics
A probiotic is a living organism administered orally with beneficial effects on the balance of intestinal flora that can help prevent or treat digestive problems in animals.The regular consumption of probiotics can even have a beneficial impact on health in general and immunity in particular.
A little background information
More than 90% of the body’s cells are actually bacteria in the digestive tract. The colon can contain up to 10 12 (ten followed by twelve zeros) bacteria per gram!
Their role in the body
Probiotics are “beneficial” bacteria that are able to colonise the intestine at the expense of potentially pathogenic bacteria if they are absorbed with the food. In humans, the regular consumption of fermented milk products (like yoghurt) is based on the same principle.
A special strain of lactobacilli (Lactobacillus acidophilus)can accelerate the recovery of dogs and cats that have suffered from clinical enteritis caused by bacteria.
Natural sources
Two strains of probiotics are now approved in Europe as additives in complete foods for cats and dogs : Lactobacillus acidophilus and Enterococcus faecium.
