Peanut butter and jelly. Whiskey and coke. Cocaine and waffles….All things that go great together. Another pair you might not know about that is almost as cool as cocaine and waffles is Lactobacillus and the gut. This pair is crucial in keeping your dog’s gut functioning at its highest potential.
What is Lactobacillus and why should I care about it? Lactobacillus is a type of bacteria that helps maintain the balance of the gut microbiota. It slows down harmful pathogens, supports digestion, produces good bugs, and best of all helps breakdown substances like lactose if your dog gets into the cheese again.
Poochbooch is fortified with Lactobacillus because without it, the balance in your dog’s gut would not be as in tune as it should be. We want those gut bacterias to work together like Toby Keith and cold beer. Want to learn more about Lactobacillus and its benefits? Check out the facts below or visit the Journal of Applied Microbiology!
Lactobacillus is a type of "friendly" bacteria that naturally lives in the gut and helps to maintain a healthy balance of microorganisms. It is commonly found in fermented foods like yogurt, kefir, and sauerkraut. When given as a supplement, lactobacillus can help to increase the number of beneficial bacteria in the gut, which can improve digestion and nutrient absorption.
Studies have shown that lactobacillus can benefit dogs in several ways. For example, a study published in the Journal of Small Animal Practice found that lactobacillus supplementation improved stool quality in dogs with chronic diarrhea. Another study published in 2019 found that lactobacillus supplementation improved amino acid metabolism while decreasing the number of pathogenic bacteria found in the digestive tract. A study published in the Journal of Applied Canadian Journal of Veterinary Research found that supplementation of Lactobacillus to dogs with diarrhea caused by distemper showed improved stool output, fecal consistency, mental status, and appetite.
In addition to improving digestion, lactobacillus can also support the immune system. A study published in Probiotics and Antimicrobial Proteins found that lactobacillus supplementation improved immune response in adult Labradors. This suggests that lactobacillus can help to boost the immune system and protect against infection.
References:
- Delucchi L, Fraga M, Zunino P. Effect of the probiotic Lactobacillus murinus LbP2 on clinical parameters of dogs with distemper-associated diarrhea. Can J Vet Res. 2017;81(2):118-121.
- Herstad HK, Nesheim BB, L'Abée-Lund T, Larsen S, Skancke E. Effects of a probiotic intervention in acute canine gastroenteritis--a controlled clinical trial. J Small Anim Pract. 2010 Jan;51(1):34-8. doi: 10.1111/j.1748-5827.2009.00853.x. PMID: 20137007.
- Kumar, S., Pattanaik, A.K., Sharma, S. et al. Probiotic Potential of a Lactobacillus Bacterium of Canine Faecal-Origin and Its Impact on Select Gut Health Indices and Immune Response of Dogs. Probiotics & Antimicro. Prot. 9, 262–277 (2017).
- Xu H , Zhao F , Hou Q , et al. Metagenomic analysis revealed beneficial effects of probiotics in improving the composition and function of the gut microbiota in dogs with diarrhoea. Food Funct. 2019;10(5):2618-2629