What are Probiotics?
Before looking at the mechanisms of probiotics it is important to understand what they are.
Probiotics are a relatively new health phenomenon. In 2001 the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)and the World Health Organisation (WHO) defined a probiotic as “live microorganisms which when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefit on the host” (1)
As a living organism, often bacteria, they are derived from the intestine, fermented dairy or plants as well as from soil, and are used to promote digestive and overall health.
The most common genera of probiotic are Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, Saccharomyces, Streptococcus, Enterococcus, Escherichia, and Bacillus.
Categories of probiotics
Bifidobacteria
Bifidobacteria strains are widespread in the environment and in the intestines of many animals, including humans.
They have been associated with positive health impacts in the GI tract, including improved lactose digestion, prevention or reduction of diarrhoea, and reduced symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). They’ve also been linked with improved lipid levels.
Lactobacilli
Lactobacillus bacteria are known for producing lactic acid and have been used for centuries in food processing, particularly to culture dairy products.
Some species have been linked with improved digestion of lactose and micronutrients. They’ve also been associated with a reduced risk of antibiotic-associated diarrhea and vaginal infections.
Saccharomyces
Saccharomyces genus encompasses several species of yeast. Some species are found in soil or plant material, while others have been hybridized for industrial uses such as brewing. They are also found in the human GI tract.
The yeast probiotic Saccharomyces boulardii is one of the most well-studied probiotics, mainly for its use in GI disorders.
The probiotic most often found in dog food is Saccharomyces cerevisiae. It has has a long history of use in baking and brewing but doesn’t seem to offer the same health benefits as boulardii and can act as a pathogen in immunocompromised patients. Because of this, yeast-based probiotics should be avoided in critically ill or immunocompromised patients.
Bacilli
The primary microbiota in the environment, species of the Bacillus genus are typically found in soil, although they’re also found in air and water, some fermented foods, and animal and human GI tracts.
They are also known as spore-forming probiotics, and known for their ability to survive harsh conditions.
Benefits of Bacilli include restoration of gut microflora, anti-pathogenic, anti-inflammatory effects, production of vitamins, including B vitamins, carotenoids, and vitamin K, and secretion of digestive enzymes. They’ve also been shown to fight infections in the GI and urinary tracts.
How do probiotics benefit your dog’s health?
Probiotics are perhaps most widely known for their impact on gut health. In the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, their effects include enhanced digestion, increased absorption of some micronutrients, and reduced incidence and severity of diarrhoea.
Health benefits can vary depending on the genera and species of a probiotic. Among species, different strains may also have varying effects. Certain probiotics are able to enhance the health of the microbiota, improving immunity, reducing inflammation, enhancing the intestinal barrier, and inhibiting bad bacteria and other pathogens. Some probiotic strains have been linked to positive effects on the brain, including improvements in mood, attention, and memory.
Conditions that may benefit from probiotic treatment
- Allergies
- Anxiety
- Bad breath
- Coat quality
- Diarrhoea
- Immune disorders
- Intestinal inflammation
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
- Colitis
- Liver disease
- Obesity
- Skin disorders
- Urinary tract infections
Probiotics – promoting healthy gut and microbiome in dogs
Calsporin® – Bacillus Subtilis C-3102
After lengthy research, we selected Bacillus subtilis as the best probiotic for dogs for Bonza probiotic vegan dog food.
It was approved for use in dog food in 2017 after extensive research into its safety and efficacy by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).
Probiotics are often used to treat pets with inflammatory digestive diseases, to counteract stress related stomach disorders, and to treat diarrhoea.
Probiotics can also be helpful in reducing gut disorders resulting from switching diets or after antibiotic treatment.
The Papp et al study, published in 2016, found that that a well-formulated dog food supplemented with Bacillus subtilis C-3102 may optimally support faecal and coat quality.
Research published in Animal Feed Science and Technology in 2020 found dietary supplementation with Bacillus subtilis C-3102 increased gut bacterial diversity, improved the abundance of bacteria considered beneficial for gut health and improved the faecal score (consistency and firmness) and reduced the faecal odour and ammonia.
A study, published in Cambridge University Press in 2019 showed dog food supplemented with the Calsporin®, probiotic for dogs, improved faecal quality, enhanced fat and carbohydrate digestibility, and contributed to the gut health of dogs by reducing gut ammonia and increasing SCFA content.
Probiotics are highly heat sensitive and start to degrade at temperatures above 48.88889 °C. Most dry dog foods are subjected to temperatures in excess of 105°C meaning little if any survival of probiotics in the food after processing.
Research on survivability of probiotics subjected to heat processing shows that Calsporin, a spore-forming probiotic for dogs, was unaffected and the EU-commission concludes that it is heat stable to a temperature of 90°C, and viable for more than one year in petfood.
Bonza is processed at a temperature of 70°C or less using a cold-extrusion process, further helping preserve the integrity and efficacy of the probiotic included in your dog’s food to optimise the benefits its provides to your dog’s very best digestive health and microbiome.
The number one thing we can do for our dogs is giving them food that enables their body and mind to flourish.
Much like us, the healthier your dog’s lifestyle, the more likely they’ll be able to fight off any disease or infection. Often the food we feed our dogs is not doing them justice. It’s filled with artificial flavours, low-quality protein sources, and not enough fibre.
Bonza is a Veterinary nutritionist -developed dog food that is a varied protein, high fibre source of complete and balanced natural nutrition.
Bonza 100% plant-based, vegan dog food includes a high quality, bioavailable probiotic, Calsporin®, to support a healthy gut and microbiome and, together with PhytoPlus®, our proprietary blend of superfoods, super herbs and botanicals, our super premium food is designed to support your dog living its longest, carefree life all the while reducing the harm to the planet of feeding them.
Bonza is the only vegan dog food with probiotics included in its food.
Bioactive Bites – Probiotic Supplements for Dogs
Supplements that deliver real results for your dog’s specific health challenges.
Vet-approved soft chews combining cutting-edge nutritional science with nature’s most powerful compounds, delivering improvements you’ll notice within weeks not months.
Turn treatment time into treat time.
Because better health should taste good.
