The business of nutraceuticals used as prebiotics and probiotics is confusing, full of misdirection and often neither good nor bad. Ann Wortinger BIS, LVT, VTS, writes, “According to the hype, these products can improve the immune system and gastrointestinal function while performing a number of other tasks just short of emptying the litter box.” Her comment sets the stage for an informed overview about bacteria or substances that benefit bacteria in the intestinal tract.
Not all commercially available products provide the same level of usefulness, so it is important to understand what products . . . have actually been evaluated in dogs and cats. Not all bacteria provide the same benefits with all species, nor are all products tested and evaluated to the same extent.”
Source: Today’s Veterinary Nurse, Spring 2019. Link.
One of the biggest challenges for manufacturers of probiotic products is survivability of the bacteria. Most commercially available products suffer tremendous loss of activity during storage.”
INSIGHTS: Wortinger shares this guidance, “When evaluating prebiotic or probiotic products, ensure that research supports the claims given, that the products contain the stated levels of additives and that the products promote normal intestinal microflora.”