Beneficial Bacteria for Dogs Is Looking Promising

By Mary E Morgan

Medical drugs developed for dogs are not so rigorously regulated as drugs for humans. This means that the chance for serious side-effects can be high. Many pet owners search for safer alternatives. One interesting option that's gaining interest is probiotics, otherwise known as beneficial bacteria.

You've probably already noticed that many foods contain probiotics. Maybe, you even noticed them being added to dog treats. The classic definition of probiotics is "live microorganisms that may confer a health benefit on the host." There are good reasons for all of the excitement about friendly bacteria, especially for humans. Clinical and basic studies are now showing that intestinal bacteria have an impact on our health. Furthermore, scientists are finding that many human conditions can be prevented and/or improved after adding them to the diet. For dogs, the research is less abundant. Yet, studies do show some benefits for acute diarrhea and contact dermatitis (skin allergy). For many marketers, that is enough evidence to develop tons of different probiotic products targeted towards dogs.

Before plunking down a bunch of money for fancy, probiotic-enriched dogs treats, it's good to first look at the clinical research behind them. Are they really worth the money? Below is an overview of the latest studies.

Probiotics for Diarrhea in Dogs

One the most plausible way to use probiotics in dogs is to treat diarrhea. For humans, supplementing with friendly bacteria works very well. The studies in dogs have looked at diarrhea caused by dietary sensitivity, stomach viruses and bacterial infection. Treatment with Lactobacillus acidophilus was found to help dietary sensitivity, while a probiotic cocktail was used to improve recovery from a stomach virus. Bacteria-induced diarrhea has been studied more extensively. In multiple studies, it was found that Bifidobacterium animalis AHC7 could improve recovery from diarrhea caused by Salmonella typhimurium and Clostridia difficile.

Beneficial Bacteria for Dermatitis in Dogs

In humans, the majority of studies look at preventing dermatitis are performed in children. In fact, most baby formulas are supplemented with beneficial bacteria. The studies for dogs have followed a similar trend. It was found that early treatment of newborn pups with Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG led to less dermatitis when they were adults.

Helping Your Own Best Friend

There are many dog foods and supplements on the market. However, a lot of products do not contain precisely what is in the package. It's wise to look for products that guarantee to deliver a specific number of live bacteria and come form a quality company. However, a cheaper option may already be in your own refrigerator. Most dogs don't mind a bowl full of yogurt once in a while.

Are you interested in learning more about beneficial bacteria in general? Please feel free to visit The Beneficial Bacteria Site athttp://beneficialbacteria.net for more information. For additional information specifically on probiotics for dogs, go tohttp://beneficialbacteria.net/spotlight-probiotics-for-dogs/. Dr. M.E. Morgan has fifteen years experience in immunology research and specialises in intestinal immunity and probiotics.

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