Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that can help to re-establish the normal microbiota. They are particularly effective when delivered together with a prebiotic, a source of nutrition that stimulates growth. Ingredients The WHO definition of probiotics stresses that health benefits need to be demonstrated before a strain of bacteria can be designated as a probiotic. In the U.S., the Food and Drug Administration does not regulate probiotics; therefore, no governing agency oversees the label claims of probiotic products. The most commonly used probiotic strains in commercial products are lactic acid–producing bacteria (e.g., Lactobacillus, Enterococcus, Streptococcus, and Bifidobacterium species), which have traditionally been associated with health benefits. However, clinical studies have also demonstrated health benefits from other microorganisms, including specific strains of Escherichia coli 13 and yeasts (e.g., Saccharomyces boulardii), 7,14 which are also commercially available as probiotics.

White R, Atherly T, Guard B, et al. Randomized, controlled trial evaluating the effect of multi-strain probiotic on the mucosal microbiota in canine idiopathic inflammatory bowel disease. Gut Microbes 2017;8(5):451-466. TheEU-registered probioticEnterococcus faecium(DSM 10663/ NCIMB 10415) 4b1707, to help repopulate the intestine with beneficial micro-organisms. Give one capsule daily by mouth or as advised by your veterinary surgeon.Capsules can be given whole or opened and the contents sprinkled onto food. Nixon SL, Rose L, Muller AT. Efficacy of an orally administered anti-diarrheal probiotic paste (Pro-Kolin Advanced) in dogs with acute diarrhea: a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blinded clinical study. J Vet Intern Med 2019;33(3):1286-1294. Hart ML, Suchodolski JS, Steiner JM, Webb CB. Open-label trial of a multi-strain synbiotic in cats with chronic diarrhea. J Fel Med Surg 2012;14(4):240-245.

As with probiotics, the desired outcome after giving prebiotics is improvement of host health. 21 However, the specific aim of giving prebiotics is to promote growth and function of the beneficial bacteria already present in the gut. Intake of prebiotics can significantly modulate the colonic microbiota by increasing the number of specific bacteria and thus changing the composition of the microbiota. 23 Prebiotics are metabolized by the resident microbiota of the colon, which, depending on fermentability, will result in the production of the short-chain fatty acids butyrate, propionate, and acetate. 23 These metabolites will diffuse through gut enterocytes and provide either local effects (e.g., enhance the intestinal epithelial barrier, decrease pro-inflammatory cytokines, regulate intestinal motility) or systemic effects (e.g., provide energy for the host). 24,25 Apart from direct prebiotic effects, dietary fibers can have additional functions in the GI tract. Psyllium, for example, has water-binding and bile acid–binding properties that improve fecal consistency, increase the intestinal mucus layer, and have beneficial effects on cell proliferation in the intestinal tract. 26 Synbiotics left detailing the nearest Australia Post outlet where the parcel can be collected during normal business hours. Gibson GR, Scott KP, Rastall RA, et al. Dietary prebiotics: current status and new definition. Food Sci Technol Bull Funct Foods 2010;7(1):1-19. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations/World Health Organization. Guidelines for the Evaluation of Probiotics in Food. who.int/foodsafety/fs_management/en/probiotic_guidelines.pdf. Accessed May 2020. Suchodolski JS, Jergens AE. Recent advances and understanding of using probiotic-based interventions to restore homeostasis of the microbiome for the prevention/therapy of bacterial diseases.

Probiotics are defined by the World Health Organization ( WHO) as live microorganisms, which when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefit on the host.¹ Prebiotics are nondigestible food ingredients that are added to diets or used as supplements to modulate the growth or metabolic function of resident intestinal bacteria. Synbiotics are commercially available products that contain both probiotics and prebiotics. This article discusses probiotics for dogs and cats, along with prebiotics and synbiotics and their roles in promoting the intestinal health of dogs and cats. The Intestinal Microbiota Shreiner AB, Kao JY, Young VB. The gut microbiome in health and in disease. Curr Opin Gastroenterol 2015;31(1):69-75.

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Probiotics are live microorganisms, prebiotics are nondigestible food ingredients that support resident intestinal bacteria, and synbiotics are a combination of both. The most promising applications for probiotics are treatment of acute uncomplicated diarrhea, prevention of stress diarrhea, prevention of antibiotic-associated GI signs, and adjunct therapy for chronic enteropathies ( TABLE 1 ). Probiotics need 1 to 3 days to colonize the intestines. 19 When the goal is prevention of stress-related diarrhea (during periods of weaning, boarding, or traveling or for working dogs), prophylactic administration of a probiotic a few days to weeks ahead of the event may increase success. Similarly, if the goal is prevention of antibiotic-associated GI signs, administering probiotics a few days ahead of a procedure will increase success. Barry KA, Middelbos IS, Vester Boler BM, et al. Effects of dietary fiber on the feline gastrointestinal metagenome. J Proteome Res 2012;11(12):5924-5933. Gibson GR, Roberfroid MB. Dietary modulation of the human colonic microbiota: introducing the concepts of prebiotics. J Nutr 1995;125(6):1401-1412. Synbiotic D-C for Dog & Cat A daily capsule containing high-level probiotics and prebiotics ​ Description